School District #71 Aboriginal Education Services

1. School District #71 Aboriginal Education Services Supporting the inclusion of Aboriginal services into Comox Valley schools.

2. Intentions… To introduce Aboriginal Education Services Staff. To explain who we support. To show how we can support you. To clarify roles and funding.

3. Aboriginal EducationCentre Annex 665 16th Street, Courtenay, B.C. (Behind Courtenay Elementary School) Bruce Carlos, District Principal Aboriginal Education Sue Cambrey, Admin. Assistant Lelaina Jules, Curriculum Support 8-12 Chantal Musgrove, Curriculum Support K-7 Lynn Swift, Curriculum Support K-7 Suzanne Camp, District Cultural Resource Aide

4. Nala’atsi Program Bruce Carlos, Principal Nala’atsi Program Rory Mcclure, Nala’atsi Teacher Heather Scott, Youth & Family Support Worker Bobbie Bailer, Aboriginal Support Worker Margo Douglas, Education Assistant 665 16th Street, Courtenay, B.C. (Behind Courtenay Elementary School)

5. Approximate Breakdown of 1100 Aboriginal Students in SD71 … and growing!

6. work First Peoples Principles of Learning All staff in Aboriginal Education are working with the First Peoples Principles of Learning: First Peoples Principles of Learning

7. What is an Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement (AEEA)? “An AEEA is a working agreement between a school district, all local Aboriginal communities, and the Ministry of Education designed to enhance the educational achievement of Aboriginal students.” The AEEA is signed by the Superintendent on behalf of all school district employees and all SD 71 staff are expected to work towards meeting these goals. Each school district signs an AEEA with goals specific to that district. SD 71 is operating under its fourth AEEA, which ends June 2019.

8. Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement goals Goal 1: To increase every Aboriginal students sense of belonging, cultural identity and self-esteem. Goal 2: To increase the academic success of all Aboriginal students through personalized learning. Goal 3: To increase the awarenessand understanding of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit history, traditions and culture for all students Goal 4: To increase Aboriginal students’ skills, qualities and confidence in leadership.

9. District Aboriginal Curriculum Support Teachers Elementary: Chantal Musgrove K-7: chantal.musgrove@sd71.bc.ca Lynn Swift K-7: lynn.swift@sd71.bc.ca Secondary: Lelaina Jules 8-12:lelaina.jules@sd71.bc.ca • Can: • Share/ Co-teach lessons relating to • the curriculum in your classroom • Help you integrate Aboriginal content into your lessons • Help to arrange special visitors or presenters • Liaise with Aboriginal Support Workers

10. District Aboriginal Curriculum Support Teachers Continued… • Can also: • Provide professional development for teachers • Facilitate multi-age gatherings of students • Help find Aboriginal resources to use in your classroom • Help facilitate large events such as the Big House • Experience, Salmon BBQ’s or Intergenerational school visits • Contact Sue Cambrey (Ab. Ed. Admin assistant) to direct you to the appropriate district staff member: 250-331-4040

11. AbEd Support Staff There are 16 support staff in our local schools. Support Staff titles include: Aboriginal Support Workers (ASWs) Aboriginal Home Support Workers (AHSWs) Highland Sec. only

12. The Role of the ASW The Aboriginal Support Worker is responsible for regular contact with all Aboriginal students in their assigned schools. How this contact looks will vary by school. They can also: Advocate for Aboriginal students Contact parents to discuss progress, concerns, success Help to organize special events or activities May present about Aboriginal topics in classrooms* Attend Aboriginal Education staff meetings and training Collect data for accountability measures Work within specific Aboriginal programs

13. DistrictCultural Resource Aides Suzanne Camp K-12 suzanne.camp@sd71.bc.ca Working with Aboriginal Curriculum Support Teachers to provide Aboriginal resources and lessons to teachers Facilitating hands-on and experiential Aboriginal activities Supporting ASW’s with resources and current information Developing and creating kits for the Aboriginal Education Center

14. District Cultural Resource Aide Cont. Help plan and coordinate large District events (Big House Experience, Recognition Ceremony, Aboriginal Culture Days) Maintaining and updating Aboriginal Cultural Presenters list Attending Aboriginal District Team meetings May offer classroom presentations and oral stories*

15. Funding “Funded Aboriginal education programs must be additional to any other programs and services to which an Aboriginal student is eligible, including provincial base funding, ELL and Special Education.” School Districts receive fundsfor each Aboriginal student All Aboriginal Education Staff in this district are covered under this funding policy. http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=A68C7DDDA92544E5BC671C58EAA1534E

16. Self-Identification Aboriginal ancestry is determined on a voluntary basis through self-identification. The students do not need to prove they are Aboriginal, nor do they need a status card. School districts report students participating in Aboriginal education programs and services on Form 1701. Please be aware that students may know they have Aboriginal background but may not have any cultural or family background knowledge.

17. For more information: School District Website: Aboriginal Education Website Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aboriginaleducation Aboriginal Education Centre: 250-331-4040