District Literacy Plan 2015 Literacy has the power to change people’s lives Rocky Mountain School District No. 6

Although District Literacy Plans are no longer required by legislation we are committed to continuing the work with CBAL and other community partners on this plan. Our District Literacy Plan gives direction and support to the literacy development of early learners, school-aged children and youth, and adult learners, with an additional focus on all Aboriginal learners, in three distinct communities across a wide geographic area. This plan documents the shared vision and collaboration of a team of learning leaders. It is my pleasure to acknowledge these contributors. Literacy committee members representing agencies, community groups, schools, and other interested people attend meetings across the district all year. They share their success, challenges, and ideas and support one another within their communities. We appreciate the diverse contributions of each of these literacy champions. In each of the three zones there is a leader who coordinates planning and communication. Katie Andruschuk, Monica De, and Kim Roberts are the CBAL Community Literacy Coordinators who do this important work and do it well. Pulling the pieces together across the entire region is Betty Knight who brings extensive knowledge and an amazing skill set to the role of CBAL Regional Program Manager. On behalf of all literacy learners in the Rocky Mountain District, thank you to our partners in the District Literacy Plan! Cheryl Lenardon Assistant Superintendent Rocky Mountain School District No. 6 Acknowledgements

CBAL Manager: Coordinates Community Processes Rocky Mountain SD6 Golden School District #6, College of the Rockies, Early Childhood Development Coalition, WorkBC, Public Health, Golden Family Centre, Golden Women’s Resource Society, Food Bank Kimberley Coordinator Windermere Valley Coordinator Golden Coordinator Kimberley Food Bank, Public Library, Early Childhood Development Team, Schools, COTR, Interior Health, Kimberley City Council, Youth Justice, Youth Committee, United Church, Seniors Helping Seniors, Friends of the Public Library, Youth Center, GPforMe, EK Addiction Services, Windermere Valley Invermere Public Library, Radium Public Library, MCFD, SD6, College of the Rockies, Akisqnuk First Nation, Shuswap First Nation, Supported Child Development, East Kootenay Employment Centre, Family Resource Centre, Windermere Valley ECD Team, Youth Centre, Food Bank CBAL Manager: Coordinates Development of and Documents Plan The Community Literacy Planning Committees meet three times each year. Generally, at the first meeting in the fall they review the plan, assess resources available to enable implementation of various aspects of the plan, discuss the next steps the various partners will take toward the accomplishment of initiatives and generally support, encourage, and look for opportunities to partner. The second meeting is a meeting on the theme of ‘where are we now and what else can we accomplish this year’. The final meeting of the year in the spring is a look back at accomplishments and challenges and looking forward to next year in order to revise and build a plan for the coming year. Our Task Group 3

Community Context Golden Kimberley Windermere Valley The new Early Years Centre test site in Invermere, with satellite offices in Canal Flats and Radium (under construction), is a family and child focused space that allows service providers to meet with the families they serve. The community is currently engaged in the design phase of building a new community centre that will likely be built in the next two years. Parents, schools and the Food Bank are exploring the possibility of providing a free breakfast program in all primary and elementary schools in , in response to EDI data suggesting improved nutrition contributes to school success. College of the Rockies ‘ Fire Certificate Program expanding to more departments across Canada - locally hired 6/7 trainers. City priority long term is maintaining infrastructure so it is not possible to start/fund new social initiatives at this time. Childcare spaces are critically limited and there is a lack of Early Child Care workers – this is impacting parents’ employment choices. Elementary Schools’ enrolment continues to increase –one school might need another portable. CBAL’s Office and Immigrant Center had 122 site visits last year. Friends of the Kimberley Public Library Book Store continues to raise $800/month to support community literacy/library initiatives. Food Bank clients are 40% children. GP4Me hosts projects to increase health and wellness in the community and is promoting the initiative. CBAL Regional CBAL is preparing an application for further 3 year funding with Citizenship and Immigration to provide settlement services and ESL instruction in 11 communities throughout the Basin, including all three SD6 communities following a successful 2 year contract. CBAL also continues to receive some provincial funding to provide services to those newcomers who are not eligible for federally funded assistance. CBAL continues to provide workplace training to WorkBC clients under contract. This association has proved to be an excellent path to connect with adults who need literacy assistance. EDI results continue to show increasing vulnerability throughout the School District. 4 The Early Childhood Development Coalition (ECDC) secured funding for an Early Years Centre, so families have greater access to resources in the community. ECDC and community partners also secured funding for a child care centre. Golden elementary schools secured funding for the Leader in Me program, which aims to build skills to help students be successful. The Age Friendly Committee secured funding for a coordinator to address priorities such as continuing education and technology training. Golden Women’s Centre received funding for a volunteer coordinator position, so they will be able to provide more workshops. College of the Rockies offered an Older Worker’s program that was so successful that they will offer another session in the fall of CBAL now offers TOWES (Test of Workplace Essential Skills). Golden Secondary School received funding for a literacy coordinator. This position builds capacity with teachers and can benefit students.

Golden All people in our community understand the importance of literacy and see themselves as lifelong learners. Children and youth value education as reflected through their actions and choices from birth to adulthood. Community organizations work together to support existing programs. Long Term Vision Kimberley Literacy programs, services and collaborations are maintained, supported, and sustained in our community. There are opportunities for literacy growth and development across all ages through cooperative community efforts. We are a community where everyone has or can learn the essential skills they need to participate fully in every aspect of society. Windermere Valley Our vision is to be a community where everyone has or can learn the essential skills they need to participate fully in every aspect of society. We support education, action, and lifelong learning as tools for a healthy community. Our mission is to be leaders in literacy and essential skills. 5

To increase access to Early Childhood Development Information Child Care Resource and Referral continued to provide monthly calendars and newsletters to inform families of programs. ECDC distributed yearly calendars to raise awareness of the coalition; and secured funding to open an Early Years Centre to help increase access to programs, services and information. CBAL and other ECDC members offered parenting education programs and workshops for families with young children. GoalsActions Indicators of Success EARLY LEARNING Goals, Actions & Indicators of Success for : Golden To increase early diagnosis of developmental delays ECDC implemented a monthly program to screen children and provide information and resources at the Early Years Centre for parents of 3 year olds. To develop an on-going infant toddler and group child care facility. The ECD coordinator with the support of the Early Learning and Care Strategic Action Group and community partners secured enough funding to create a day care centre at Alexander Park Elementary School. Construction will start in July 2015 and the day care should be complete by February yearly calendars were distributed to families. Participant feedback for programs such as Mother Goose, PALS and Family Dinner Play and Learn show that parents are gaining useful information and using what they learned at home with their children. The Early Years Centre has helped increase attendance for programs such as Baby Talk and Family Dinner Play and Learn. 6 Attendance for the monthly screening has been good – 15 to 18 parents and children each time. Professionals such as public health and infant development staff are available to provide information and answer parents’ questions.

To provide students with a greater variety of learning opportunities. Golden Secondary School (GSS) and the College of the Rockies offered high school students the Introduction to Trades program. CBAL trained GSS students to tutor in the 1 to 1 Children’s Reading program at Alexander Park and Lady Grey Elementary School. GoalsActions Indicators of Success SCHOOL AGED LEARNING Goals, Actions & Indicators of Success for : Golden To provide parents with tools, skills, and ideas to support their children’s learning Because of the teachers’ strike and another teacher’s illness, only 1 kindergarten class was able to participate in the PALS program this year. Attendance was not as high as in the past, but parent feedback showed that those who attended learned new ideas to support their children and they used the activities at home with their children. CBAL offered the Guys Read program for 14 weeks. The Women’s Centre offered the Safe Teens program at GSS and the Coaching Boys into Men at the Youth Centre this year. To provide students with informal learning opportunities. All of the participants successfully completed the Intro to Trades program. 7 GSS students worked with 25 elementary students to help improve reading skills. Some of the students also helped in the classroom. Student and tutor surveys showed that all of the students who participated in 1 to 1 improved in some way (e.g. fluency, comprehension, etc.) Guys Read had such high attendance rates that an assistant was hired. The feedback from the participants, facilitator and school staff was positive. The boys enjoyed the program and were motivated to read and improve their reading skills. One mother said that because of the program, her son comes home to read instead of going on his iPad. CBAL and Alexander Park Elementary School teachers offered 4 sessions of the Parents as Literacy Supporters (PALS) program in 1 kindergarten classroom.

Adult service providers continue partnerships to access and benefit adult learners. CBAL and WorkBC offered 1 on 1 and group workshops, tutoring and meetings to increase learners’ employability and literacy skills. CBAL offers TOWES to WorkBC referred clients determine the skills they have and may need for training or employment. Learners are showing progress on their post assessments after participating in 1 to 1 and group workshops. After completing the workshops, learners demonstrated that they could independently search for work, apply and contact employers online. The assessment tool proved to be useful for the case manager and clients to help plan clients’ goals for training or gaining employment. GoalsActions Indicators of Success ADULT LEARNING Goals, Actions & Indicators of Success for : Golden To provide formal and informal learning opportunities for adult learners. To provide new immigrants with settlement services and English language training. Women’s Centre held meetings and events for community members. CBAL offered 1 on 1 tutor help and group programs to improve writing, reading, computer and food skills. COTR offered the Older Workers’ program this year. The settlement worker provided informational workshops, ESL classes and tutoring, and 1 on 1 assistance with various client needs (e.g. gaining citizenship, etc.). Women’s Centre workshops increased awareness of violence against women. Facilitator and learner feedback as well as post assessments showed that many of the learners’ skills improved with writing, reading, and computers. The attendance for the Older Workers’ program was high. Clients improved English skills to more confidently participate in Canadian society. They learned about citizenship application process and topics relevant to settling/participating in Canadian society and they learned about community resources and how to access them.

Golden – Early Learning Goals for Goal: Increase access to Early Childhood Development (ECD) information and services Actions: ECDC will continue to use the Early Years centre (EYC) to help increase access to programs, services and information. ECDC members will offer parenting education programs and workshops. Indicators of Success: High attendance rates Feedback forms will show that parents gained useful information to support their children Increase in number of referrals Resources: -Coordinator, funding, facilitators, supplies, space, and promotion. Goal: Increase access to early diagnosis of developmental delays Actions: ECDC will offer universal screening for 3 year olds so that they have access to early diagnosis of developmental delays and if necessary, early intervention services. Indicators of Success: More Golden families will have access to early diagnosis of developmental delays so their children can receive extended support. Goal: Develop an on-going infant toddler and group child care facility Actions: Start building the day care centre by July 2015 and open the day care centre by February 2016 Indicators of Success: Families will have access to a sustainable day care and family resource centre. Resources: Coordinator, professionals such as public health nurse and infant development worker, space at the EYC, t- shirts for participating children Resources: Contractors to build, coordinator to oversee hiring, purchasing, and program planning 9

Golden – School Aged Goals for Goal: Provide students with a greater variety of academic support and learning opportunities. Actions: CBAL and local schools will discuss the continuation of the 1 to 1 Children’s reading program using high school students as tutors to help improve reading skills of elementary students. CBAL will offer informal learning programs such as Guys Read. COTR and GSS will implement an Intro to Trades for high school students. The Youth Centre coordinator is partnering with community members to bring more programming into the centre. The Women’s centre is offering various programs such as Coaching Boys into Men Indicators of Success: Feedback from students, teachers and parents. Students’ reading skills and attitude toward reading will improve. School aged children will have greater access to informal learning opportunities. Resources: Funding, facilitators, supplies Goal: Provide parents with tools, skills and ideas to support their children’s learning. Actions: CBAL and Alexander Park Elementary School offer programs such as Parents as Literacy Supporters, Making Connections and Reading Success at Home. Indicators of Success: Parents will have a greater understanding of their roles in their children’s education and how to support their children’s learning. Resources: Funding, facilitator, space 10

Golden – Adult Goals for Goal: Adult service providers continue partnerships to access and benefit adult learners Actions: Work BC will work with COTR to assess community needs for training and promote COTR programs. Adult service providers such as COTR, CBAL and WorkBC will invite other community organizations such as Community Living to explore the needs of learners with special needs and how to address them. CLP committee members will invite other community organizations such as MCFD, Golden Family Centre and ECDC to discuss the possibility of implementing a Skills Upgrading for Parents program or other necessary adult literacy programs. Indicators of Success: More adult learners in the community will be aware of and have access to programs. Increased referrals and enrolment. Resources: Promotional tools Goal: Provide formal and informal learning opportunities for adult learners Actions: Golden Women’s Centre will provide education and services to help reduce violence against vulnerable adults. CBAL will provide 1 on 1 adult tutoring service to help with forms, online applications, tests, computer skills, etc. as well as group programs to develop literacy skills such as writing and money skills. COTR will provide informal programs through the Art Spot and formal programs such as Older Workers Program, Haul Truck Operator program, Adult Basic Education, and Health Care Assistant program. Indicators of Success: There will be more awareness of the topic, less violence against women and enhanced quality of life for women. Feedback from facilitators and learners Resources: Coordinator, space, volunteers, promotion 11