Annapolis Valley Regional School Board

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From School to the Workplace

Provincial Legislature Recognizes COOP Program

On November 24, the Minister of Education, Karen Casey, moved the adoption of a resolution formally honouring the students, teachers, and employers across the province who are involved in the Co-operative Education program. The expanding program, which helps students gain real work experience and new skills while still in school, is now available in 10 high schools in AVRSB, giving participants a chance to get hands-on training out in the workplace. Students earn high school credits while experiencing how potential careers actually feel from an employee standpoint, as well as benefiting from career coaching and interview preparation.

Recognizing the importance of giving students more choices in the areas of vocational training, the Government of Nova Scotia committed over one million dollars in the current school year to offer new programming for trade-specific areas such as wood, metals, plumbing, pipefitting and electrical work. The first site in AVRSB, a classroom in Annapolis West Education Centre, is currently undergoing renovations and outfitting for the second semester of this school year. Skilled Trades 10, which is fully subscribed, will offer construction, plumbing, and electrical instruction. In subsequent years the course will expand to cover additonal topics and be offered to grade 11 and 12 students.

AVRSB Board Sworn In

At its Annual Meeting on November 5, Annapolis Valley Regional School Board Chair Lavinia Parrish Zwicker and Vice-Chair Charlene Davies retained their positions by acclamation. The third member of the executive, Susan Ritchie, was re-elected for a fourth term.

The three new members of the Board were sworn in, along with 12 returning members, to serve for the next four years. The fifteen AVRSB Board members are pictured above and are, from the left: Paula Lunn (District 12); Vic Fleury (District 1); Doug Fraser (District 13); Pat Parker (District 11); Susan Ritchie (District 2); Tammy Morrison (Mi'kmaq Representative); Sandy Fraser (District 4); Robert Tumilty (District 3); Peter Cromwell (African-Nova Scotian Representative); Jackie Foster (District 7); Lavinia Parrish Zwicker (Chair, District 10); Jenny White (District 5); Paul Spicer (District 9); Dwight Johnson (District 8); Charlene Davies (Vice-Chair, District 6).

A Nova Scotia First
AVRSB and Acadia Sign Partnership

On October 28, Acadia's Fountain Commons was the scene of the formalization of the first official partnership between a school board and a university in Nova Scotia. Signing, from left to right, are: Dr. Norm Dray, Superintendent of School, Annapolis Valley Regional School Board; Mrs. Lavinia Parrish Zwicker, Board Chair, AVRSB; Dr. Tom Herman Interim President and Vice Chancellor of Acadia University; Dr. Ann Vibert, Acting Director, Acadia School of Education.

The Principles of Cooperation and Understanding outline opportunities to enhance the development of pre-service teachers and the professional growth of professors, teachers, and administrators. The goal of the agreement is to enrich the overall quality of education offered to students in the public school system. The highlights of the agreement include:
• Establishing partnership activities that serve the best interests of pre-service teachers, continuing teachers, and students in the public school system
• Exchanging information about proposed or anticipated changes in programs to assess impacts and opportunities for collaboration;
• Establishing expectations for collaborative activities; and
• Forming research partnerships where possible and feasible

“I am delighted that we will be working together more closely in the future with our partners at Acadia,” said Dr. Dray. “Our vision statement in the AVRSB is “Working Together for Students” and the cooperation symbolized by this signing is a great example of us collaborating for the benefit of the students that we serve.”

Caring, Courtesy, and Cooperation

With the direction and leadership of local artist Holly Carr, all students at Coldbrook and District School contributed to a composite mural depicting "The Three C's of Coldbrook Scoool - Caring, Courtesy, and Cooperation".

The mural, a permanent installation in the cafeteria, took images from artwork done by all students, and arranged them into a scene which was then projected onto the wall. Every student in the school was given an opportunity to paint a part of the mural, which was connected to the Visual Arts, Social Studies, and Health Outcomes for all grades.

School Facilities Review

Submission Date Extended

In the interests of parents and students, at the regular October 1st Board meeting, the AVRSB approved the extension of the date for submissions regarding the School Facilities Review Report for an additional six months. This allows for a longer consultation process with individuals, commmunity groups, school support organizations, and municipal councils.

International Student Program in AVRSB

For the second year, the International Students who attend schools in the AVRSB entered the annual Windsor Pumpkin Regatta. Visiting students from eight countries carved and painted their entry, a large blue pumpkin seen just above the banner.

Participating students accompanied their pumpkin in the Children's Wish parade through Windsor prior to the regatta. While the big blue pumpkin didn't finish among the top competitors, and showed a slight tendency to sink, spirits were undaunted aboard number 45, in photo.

School Closure due to Road or Weather Conditions

The season is here when the requirement to find school closure information in a timely manner is very important. New this year is that the information will be posted on this AVRSB homepage in the event of school closures due to road or weather conditions.

The decision to cancel all Board provided transportation and keep buses off the highways is made when the risk to students and drivers is judged professionally to be too high or may become too high because of road or forecast weather conditions. This decision will be made so that announcements are broadcast by 6:00 a.m.

As in the past announcements to close schools will be broadcast on radio over the Annapolis Valley Radio Network (AVR); K-Rock 89.3 FM; CBC-FM, Halifax (English and French); CHFX/CHNS, Halifax; CJCH/C-100, Halifax; ATV News (Breakfast TV); and the Weather Network on cable TV.

The broadcasting of school closure and transportation cancellation and delay information also take place on the Internet. In the event of delay or cancellation of school opening, this AVRSB homepage will display a banner and closure information at the top of the page. The link is www.avrsb.ednet.ns.ca. The CBC Storm Centre has the information on their website www.cbc.ca/ns/features/stormcentre/MT/ and this information is posted when the radio station receives the notification. AVR and K-Rock also post the information on their website as soon as the information is received and this can be viewed at www.avrnetwork.com or www.k-rock893.com and scroll down the page to "Cancellations" for both sites.

AVRSB: Working Together for Students

At the June 6 regular Board meeting, members approved a new vision statement, which was the result of consultations with stakeholders and summarizes the philosophy of the Board. The collaborative process also resulted in a new mission statement as well as guiding principles supported by belief statements.

Vision Statement

Working together for students.

Mission Statement

To create a supportive, student-centred environment,
where each student succeeds
and all educational partners are respected and valued.

Guiding Principles

Students First

Focus on Learning

Positive Environment

Respect for Diversity,

Collaboration, Partnerships and Cooperation

About the AVRSB

The Annapolis Valley Regional School Board (AVRSB) covers the area from Mount Uniacke in Hants County to Bear River, Annapolis County and has:
*43 schools
*approximately 16,000students
*approximately 1000 (full time equivalent) teaching positions
*approximately 800 support staff
*operating and capital budget of $ 112.995 million

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