(Chinook's Edge School Division)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

Parents Matter

Chinook’s Edge hosts online meeting to gather parental input on curriculum and learning loss concerns

Mar 23, 2022 | 11:24 AM

The Board of Trustees and Central Office Leadership Team at Chinook’s Edge School Division joined with several parents last week for a special online meeting to gather parental input on areas of concern, such as curriculum and learning loss over the past two years.

Chinook’s Edge officials say the Learning Services Team has been connecting with parents for the last few years to glean that input, with that core group inviting interested parents and guardians from their school community to join them for an expanded Parents Matter gathering on March 17.

“We are here together because you matter to us, and our connection helps our students achieve success – we all care about these kids,” said Superintendent Kurt Sacher.

“We are determined to regain our footing, and find our joy again, after two years of the pandemic,” continued Sacher. “We are moving forward together, and our school staff need parental support and involvement. You are partners in student success in Chinook’s Edge and we need your energy to push our momentum forward.”

Officials say Chinook’s Edge principals and school staff are dealing with some students who have experienced learning loss over the past two years, while others have struggled with intermittent attendance which has made it difficult for them to catch up. Some are said to be doing very well through this, but many need support in their social emotional development.

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To that end, through support from the Board, Chinook’s Edge has created a Social Emotional Team. Some parents reported that effective study habits, teamwork skills and exam preparation skills seem to have been lost with some of the upper middle school or high school students. Officials say parents want to know how best to address these issues together, at school and at home.

Parents were also happy to know this is part of what will be addressed by the six new Social Emotional Specialists, who are at work throughout the division to provide strategies to teachers regarding specific situations. Parents reported feeling pleased there is a sound plan for moving forward.

Chinook’s Edge officials have presented below, their feedback gathered at the March 17 online meeting.

What we heard: (watch for further information on how Chinook’s Edge is addressing these items)

• Great excitement at being back to in-person learning and parents are happy to be volunteering in the school. Some parents are recently seeing the inside of their child’s school for the first time.
• Concern about what another COVID wave and a return to restrictions would do to students and communities.
• Parent Councils are keen to get back to fundraising for school projects and want clarity on what’s possible. They feel schools are coping with a general challenge with funding, which affects many things including class sizes.
• There seems to be more material coming home – more communication directly with parents – which is welcome.
• We all want our kids to achieve – what more can we be doing to support our schools. Parents want to know the plans to help bridge the learning gap – not just for their own kids, but for the whole school community – and wanted to know how parents can contribute.

Chinook’s Edge officials say this conversation will continue, as Chinook’s Edge works to gather parental input through various sources.