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SD6 celebrates first agreement signing
The Rocky Mountain School District (SD6) signed its first Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement today, marking its continued commitment to Aboriginal learning in its schools.
The celebration included student drumming and dance.
The agreement supports the academic, cultural and social needs of all Aboriginal learners in SD6. The agreement also includes four goals, which are set within the teachings of a medicine wheel. Each goal (cultural, mental, physical and emotional) has equal importance and provides a holistic approach to enhance school success.
The district has 15 Aboriginal education support workers that collaborate with teachers to integrate Aboriginal content in the classroom and provide academic assistance to students. They also connect elders to the classroom and plan community events.
“Rocky Mountain school district is very pleased to be signing its first Aboriginal education agreement with our partners. This agreement is a statement of our shared commitment and vision for all Aboriginal learners and signifies the importance that we all place on the relationships that support the educational enhancement of each student,” stated Amber Byklum, Rocky Mountain school district board chair.
“Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreements bring culture and tradition to the classroom. Today, the Rocky Mountain school district honoured their commitment to Aboriginal education for all students. I’m proud of their accomplishment and look forward to their future successes,” said Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education.
The district, which includes the communities of the Columbia Valley, Kimberley and Golden, also invites local artisans to share their craft with students.
The six-year completion rate for Aboriginal students in SD 6 has improved from 55.7% in 2009-10 to 63.4% in 2013-14. The provincial six-year completion rate for Aboriginal students is now at a record high of 61.6%.
An AEEA is a commitment by school districts, local Aboriginal communities, and the Ministry of Education, to work together to support Aboriginal student success.
The agreement establishes a collaborative partnership between Aboriginal communities and school districts that involves shared decision-making and specific goal setting to meet the educational needs of Aboriginal students.
SD6 has 601 Aboriginal students, of the 3,102 total number of students in the district, based on 2014-15 head count data.
The school district recognizes and acknowledges the traditional territory of the Akisqnuk First Nation and Shuswap Indian Band.
To date, 56 school districts have at least one agreement signed.
The total K-12 Aboriginal enrolment in B.C. public schools is 61,811 or 11.2% this school year.
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