Tuesday, March 27, 2007

PREMIER HONOURS EIGHT B.C. SCHOOLS FOR EXCELLENCE

GOV. B.C.

VICTORIA – Premier Gordon Campbell officially kicked off Education Week today by honouring eight outstanding B.C. schools during a ceremony at the legislature. “These eight schools are examples of the innovative teaching and learning that takes place in our schools everyday,” said Campbell. “B.C.’s students are among the best in the world thanks to the terrific teachers and high-calibre programs offered throughout the province.”

Today’s ceremony recognized eight schools that have demonstrated excellence and innovation in one of six key educational areas:

Aboriginal education: Coast Tsimshian Academy in Prince Rupert.
Early learning: Salmon Arm West elementary school (Shuswap school district).
Environment: Bowen Island community school (West Vancouver school district) and Nechako Valley secondary school in Vanderhoof (Nechako Lakes school district).
Healthy schools: Ecole Austin Road in Prince George (Prince George school district) and Oceanside middle school in Parksville (Qualicum school district).
Literacy: Tatla Lake elementary-junior secondary school (Cariboo-Chilcotin school district).
Trades and skills development: A.L. Fortune secondary school in Enderby (Shuswap school district).

Ninety-four schools were nominated by the principal, school district or member of the school community. Recipients were chosen by a panel made up of a student, teacher, parent, principal and superintendent.

Gov. B.C.

Trades and Skills Development
A.L. Fortune secondary school North Okanagan – Shuswap school district

A.L. Fortune secondary is a school of just over 350 students from a town of a little more than 3,000 people. Starting in Grade 8, every student is exposed to hands-on trades training through the YES2IT junior trades program. In addition, guest speakers visit the school and students participate in field trips to businesses.

Older students have the opportunity to enrol in the Accelerated Credit Enrolment in Industry Training (ACE-IT) program, Secondary School Apprenticeship programs and work experience programs. One of the most successful programs at the school is the school’s Machinist-Millwright ACE-IT program taught by a certified teacher who is also a journeyman machinist. The program is successful as the result of a successful relationship with Selkirk College and strong support from Industry. In fact, Industry provided the school with equipment; mentorship; and job shadow and work experience opportunities. Over the past two years the program has experienced a 90 per cent success rate while serving 31 students.

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