Culture and Community. To increase knowledge, acceptance, empathy, awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal histories, traditions, cultures and contributions by all students through eliminating institutional, cultural and individual racism within the Vancouver school district learning communities.
Culture and Community. Strategies and Structures • Support the inclusion of Aboriginal content and ways of knowing in all areas of the new curriculum • Increase access to Aboriginal resources in schools and school libraries • Continue to include specific goals and objectives related to the development of Aboriginal cultural awareness in each school’s annual school plan • Support the teaching of the Residential School curriculum in Grades 5, 10, and 11/12 Social Studies curricula • Provide professional development and support to teachers so that they may incorporate First Peoples’ Principles of Learning into their teaching • Support the use of Aboriginal Worldviews and Perspectives in the Classroom: Moving Forward in the classroom and provide professional development support around the resources provided through the Ministry of Education • Provide and support a variety of cultural opportunities and events both at the district and individual school levels • Identify community needs and look for additional opportunities to develop partnerships with Aboriginal community organizations • Seek out partnerships with and sponsorship from Aboriginal community groups interested in supporting our students through various incentives • Support the development and growth of the Aboriginal Focus School at Xxxxxxxxx Elementary. • Where possible, provide opportunities for language instruction, either through district personnel or in collaboration with local community organizations or Bands. Memorandum of Agreement We, the undersigned, acknowledge and honour our collective responsibilities for the success of all Aboriginal learners attending school in the Vancouver School District. We agree that the terms of this Vancouver Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement will provide direction for Aboriginal education in the school district for the period of June 2016 to June 2021. With respect and honour toward all Aboriginal Peoples, we intend, with shared participation and wisdom, to work together in a mutually beneficial manner to develop appropriate and meaningful programs for the benefit of all Aboriginal learners. SIGNATORIES
Culture and Community. Supporting Actions To increase knowledge, acceptance, empathy, awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal histories, traditions, cultures and contributions by all students through eliminating institutional, cultural and individual racism within the Vancouver school district learning communities. The following actions were taken to support our commitment to the Culture and Community goal. Action Initiate Intensify & Support Analysis of Progress Create and develop opportunities ✓ • The Aboriginal Education Department and a number of school sites have increased community participation in the development of school experiences. • Over the past year staff and community members participated in the development of both the Fallen Feather and Fraser River Journey Learning Package. • Aboriginal staff participated in the review of various media and library materials to ensure the quality, accuracy and appropriateness of materials. • School staff and Aboriginal Education district staff have participated in many classroom cultural experiences. • The students and staff have appreciated and benefited from shared experiences and knowledge provided by Aboriginal cultural experts; carvers, artist, authors, musicians, dancers, elders, storytellers. We will continue to support this type of rich experience. • Many schools still do not include any Aboriginal Cultural experiences. This is an area that needs further exploration to ensure all students are exposed to the richness of the Aboriginal traditions and historical and present day contributions. • Métis Nation BC has provided numerous resources and grade 3, 4 & 7 learning packages. The resources include elementary level (some secondary) books, text, Métis sash & flag, DVD and music CDs. Materials are available through the Aboriginal Education Department lending library. for the Aboriginal communities to contribute an Aboriginal perspective to classroom content, ✓ curriculum and experiences. ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Provide anti-racism workshops for district, school and administrative staff ✓ ✓ • Although the VSB has provided many professional development opportunities to increase awareness of diversity and anti-racism, a greater emphasis needs to be established to support the Aboriginal students, staff and families. The district will be taking part in the City of Vancouver Citizen U – youth leadership program which will be addressing these issues. • As well, the Aboriginal Education Department will be supporting staff sensitivity training ...
Culture and Community. Performance Indicators • Supporting Actions Initiatives supporting the Goals of the Enhancement Agreement 18-19 Governance and Implementation 20 • Supporting Actions Summary and Recommendations 21
Culture and Community. Supporting Actions To increase knowledge, acceptance, empathy, awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal histories, traditions, cultures and contributions by all students through eliminating institutional, cultural and individual racism within the Vancouver school district learning communities. The following actions were taken to support our commitment to the Culture and Community goal. Action Analysis of Progress Create an Aboriginal Focus School • Facilitated as series of public forums to gather ideas and comments on establishing an Aboriginal Focus School within the VSB. These were very well attended and yielded much data that will be used to direct future steps in exploring this option. • Supported Trustee motion to create an Aboriginal Focus School by September 2012. • Steering Committee was established to develop a plan of action for the same. Create and develop opportunities for Aboriginal communities to contribute an Aboriginal perspective to classroom content, curriculum and experiences. • School staff and Aboriginal Education district staff have participated in many classroom cultural experiences. • The students and staff have appreciated and benefited from shared experiences and knowledge provided by Aboriginal cultural experts; carvers, artist, authors, musicians, dancers, elders and storytellers. We will continue to support this type of rich experience. • Many schools still do not include any Aboriginal Cultural experiences. This is an area that needs further exploration to ensure all students are exposed to the richness of the Aboriginal traditions as well as historical and present day contributions. • Métis Nation BC has provided numerous resources for grade 3, 4 & 7. The resources include elementary level (some secondary) books, text, Métis sash & flag, DVD and music CDs. Materials are available through the Aboriginal Education Department lending library. Include Aboriginal content at all grade levels and across all subject areas. Increased units, lessons and activities about Aboriginal history, culture, traditions and contributions. • This year numerous resource materials were purchased for all schools and media/library services. • Where possible, cultural experts and community members were brought in to enhance the learning experience. • We continue to catalog an inventory of what is available and what is offered at each grade level as well as what resources are still needed. • The Aboriginal Education department will continue to explore i...
Culture and Community. In the high school, we have increased expectations regarding student behavior at school and in public. Collaboration, discovery, creativity, and involvement with our community are key to the culture of UMA. The high school team takes these values seriously and will meet with students and/or parents if a student has difficulty adhering to any of these expectations. Community Fridays: High school students have an alternate schedule on Fridays (when there is a five-day week). During this time, we do not have regularly scheduled classes; instead, we either explore our community or work on a collaborative project at school. This happens approximately eight times per semester. These outings integrate classroom curriculum and UMA Pathways. These authentic experiences generally involve travel on public transportation to explore our greater community. Students are expected to keep track of their bus passes and have them available on Community Fridays.
Culture and Community. To increase knowledge, acceptance, empathy, awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal histories, traditions, cultures and contributions by all students through eliminating institutional, cultural and individual racism within the Vancouver school district learning communities. Performance Indicators: • Student participation in Aboriginal cultural activities • Support the implementation of an Aboriginal Focus School • Develop and procure Aboriginal content materials • Develop and maintain Aboriginal community partnerships Performance Indicator: Student participation in Aboriginal cultural activities • Aboriginal Week celebrations took place in many schools last year though job action was reported to have had a negative impact on planning in some instances. • Thirty-nine formal, Aboriginal cultural activities took place within ten High Schools and 29 Elementary Schools during 2011-2012. • A total of 4616 students participated in those Aboriginal cultural activities.
Culture and Community. To increase knowledge, awareness, appreciation of, and respect for Aboriginal histories, traditions, cultures and contributions by all students through eliminating institutional, cultural and individual racism within the Vancouver school district learning communities Our goals will be reviewed annually throughout the five years of this second agreement to ensure that they continue to support Aboriginal student success.
Culture and Community. To increase knowledge, acceptance, empathy, awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal histories, traditions, cultures and contributions by all students through eliminating institutional, cultural and individual racism within the Vancouver school district learning communities. Performance Indicators: • Student participation in Aboriginal cultural activities • Support the implementation of an Aboriginal Focus School • Develop and procure Aboriginal content materials • Develop and maintain Aboriginal community partnerships Performance Indicator: Student participation in Aboriginal cultural activities • Twenty-nine formal Aboriginal cultural activities took place within 10 Secondary Schools and 19 Elementary Schools during 2012/13. • A total of 2935 students participated in those Aboriginal cultural activities. • The following District-Wide events were also held: o Saskeengs Finest Performances First Peoples Festival held at the Museum of Anthropology Grade 7 Aboriginal Honouring Ceremony Grade 12 Aboriginal Achievement Celebration Grade 12 Aboriginal Student Retreat at Loon Lake
Culture and Community. Supporting Actions To increase knowledge, acceptance, empathy, awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal histories, traditions, cultures and contributions by all students through eliminating institutional, cultural and individual racism within the Vancouver school district learning communities. The following actions supported our commitment to the Culture and Community goal. Action Analysis of Progress Status Implementation of an Aboriginal Focus School • The Aboriginal Education Department supported the implementation of the Aboriginal Focus School. • A major Federal Grant was received and with district support the Aboriginal Focus School was repainted. Aboriginal Art installation was put in place, and related instructional materials began to be developed. Aboriginal Focus School opened Sept 2012 Development of instructional materials/curriculum resources is ongoing. Create and develop opportunities for the Aboriginal communities to contribute an Aboriginal perspective to classroom content, curriculum and experiences. • School and Aboriginal Education staff initiated and supported classroom cultural experiences. • Aboriginal materials and demonstration lessons were developed by staff. • A successful First Peoples’ Celebration, in partnership with the Museum of Anthropology, was offered to elementary and secondary school classes. • Musqueam band hosted schools in workshops and presentations at the Musqueam Cultural Centre during Professional Development Days. Ongoing 10 Elementary Schools with a total of 242 students, and 15 Secondary Schools Alt programs with a total of 237 students participated. Schools have begun to take advantage of the ongoing invitation from Musqueam to visit the Cultural Centre and participate in workshops. Statistics are not available as schools will book these visits themselves and not necessarily through the Aboriginal Education Department. Include Aboriginal content at all grade levels and across subject areas. Increased units, lessons and activities about Aboriginal history, culture, traditions and contributions. • Purchased resource materials for schools and VBE media/library services. • The cultural grants program supported many different cultural experiences through guest speakers, art installation, arts and crafts activities and school field trips. Ongoing
