BONNYVILLE – The first Lakeland Catholic School Division (LCSD) student-board engagement session for the 2023/24 school year took place on Jan. 17 at Dr. Bernard Brosseau Middle School.
The session saw students and board of trustees of LCSD come together to share thoughts and ideas.
“During these sessions, the board hears directly from students what is working well and opportunities for growth at their school in relation to four specific topics,” according to information from LCSD.
Four topics were discussed during the engagement session, the first being described as “faith identity.”
A couple times a year, students are transported to St. Louis Parish, which is time they appreciate spending at the church, growing deeper in their faith, according to LCSD.
“[Students] would like to see additional opportunities to attend mass or liturgy at the parish in-person. Students find their religious classes engaging and are eager for teachers to implement more creative teaching methods,” according to LCSD.
Social justice projects such as the school’s Christmas fundraiser, clothing drive, and similar initiatives, are appreciated by students, who say they would like even more chances to give back to the community.
The second topic was described as “quality of education that students receive.”
“The quality of the division’s French Immersion program, literacy and numeracy screens, and the variety of options classes at the school were a high point for the group,” according to LCSD.
Students said they would like more French speaking substitute teachers, and more time outside of the classroom to get extra help.
“One idea shared was a division-wide science fair, which would allow students interested in science to go head-to-head in a fun atmosphere,” according to LCSD.
The third topic discussed was “social, emotional, and physical well-being.”
“Students feel they’re supported socially, emotionally, and physically at their school through the number of extra-curricular sports... Teachers also encourage participation in physical education class, and the school has recently implemented a replacement plan for gym equipment,” according to LCSD.
Continuing with nutrition grant funding and making the school’s Family Outreach Worker position full-time are some of the ways the division will continue to support efforts, along with create “more calm spaces throughout the school.”
Students felt presentations from groups such as the Dragonfly Counselling and Support Centre, and the creation of the Kindness in Action Initiative were standout items.
The fourth topic discussed was “citizenship and a safe and caring school environment.”
“When it came to a safe and caring school environment, students felt practicing emergency procedures such as lockdowns and fire drills allowed them to feel more confident should there be an emergency,” according to LCSD.
Actions such as having the front doors of the school locked when students were not outside also helps provide a sense of security, heard the board.
The LCSD board takes the information gathered from the engagement sessions and considers it when making decisions.
Other engagement sessions are scheduled over the next few months at École Notre Dame High School, Assumption Jr/Sr High School, Light of Christ Catholic School, and Holy Family Catholic School.
