Ladner recipient
PNE’s Paton scholarship goes to local student
5
Day at the Farm
Reconnecting people with agriculture
17
Labour Day Leaders proud of union efforts
29-34
Optimist
Silver lining
McNamaras reach podium at Youth Olympic Games
Uzume Taiko
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014
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The hallways at Delta Secondary in Ladner are quiet this week during what is supposed to be the final week of summer vacation.
GORD GOBLE
Readying amid labour unrest District officials continue to implement vision initiatives in preparation for the start of another school year BY
JESSICA KERR
jkerr@delta-optimist.com
PHOTO BY
GORD GOBLE
Superintendent Dianne Turner (right) discusses the upcoming school year with deputy superintendents Garnet Ayres (left) and Doug Sheppard.
Quality a car appreciates!
It might not be business as usual around local schools due to labour unrest, but preparations are still underway for the start of a new school year in Delta. The school district adopted a vision statement earlier this decade and continues to roll out initiatives in an effort to help students reach their potential. “We’ve really worked hard over the last two years to bring action to our vision and there have been a lot of things done behind the scenes,” superintendent Dianne Turner said in an interview this
week alongside a pair of deputy superintendents. Part of the vision includes how students are assessed.
Summer of uncertainty
Page 3
“The idea that children are asked to remember, and measured on their memory, really, is something that we’re trying to get away from,” said deputy superintendent Garnet Ayres. The district is moving toward a system of “assessment for learning,” Ayres said, where students are provided descriptive feedback
in their learning. He said it takes teachers away from the model of standing and delivering knowledge to getting down and working with students to help them through the learning process. In assessment learning, students are not left to simply read and remember. “It’s the way we want to go in our teaching practices,” Ayres said. He said reaction from teachers so far has been positive. “It’s very well supported by the BCTF, it’s very well supported by the Ministry of Education ... we’re See SCHOOLS page 3
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