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1080 Winslow Avenue, Coquitlam, BC, V3J 0M6| Phone: 604-939-9201| Contact Us
School District No. 43 (Coquitlam)
Learning for a Lifetime
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Superintendent's letter to families for 2021

January 05, 2021

Superintendent New Year letter January 2021_Page_1.jpgDear SD43 families,

We have welcomed in the new year and, while the COVID-19 pandemic still looms large, 2021 brings us new hope. I wish to commend our SD43 parent community for their efforts to ensure students are healthy and safe as they return to school. Within the SD43 community, everyone has come together in support of children and families. However, we must remain vigilant in our daily health checks, physical distancing and hand hygiene as this is not the time to let our guard down.

If you have questions related to COVID-19, school exposures or school procedures and protocols, the SD43 website is a valuable resource for accurate information and supports. The following examples are highlights that may be of interest:

In preparation for potential severe winter weather, and possibly snow, I would like to remind you that the best source for school status updates is our SD43 website. The district site and school sites post warnings and closure notices by 6:30am, as needed. Messaging is also shared on district social media channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) and reported by Lower Mainland news outlets. Please be reminded to dress for the weather, including appropriate footwear, and be careful on sidewalks and roadways. As always, parents/guardians are best able to assess their immediate circumstances and choose whether to send their child(ren) to school in the event of an extreme weather event.

It is exciting to be back at school and starting a new calendar year. Coming up in January and February, grades 4 and 7 students across the province will be writing the BC Ministry of Education's Foundation Skills Assessment for Grades 4 and 7 (FSA). This is an important measure and snapshot that provides informative data for use in shaping district plans. The Board of Education recently introduced Directions 2025, a document outlining the strategic goals and objectives for SD43 over the next five years. Included in Goal 1: Intellectual Development is the objective β€œdevelop students as numerate citizens who practice mathematical habits of mind". Addressing the need for a more focussed approach to numeracy and mathematical habits is a direct result of data analysis gathered from benchmark tests like the FSA, that measures student abilities at pivotal grade levels and provides valuable insights across the district. Numeracy is not the sole focus moving forward but identifying key areas in which students require specific supports leads to greater overall student success. We will continue to build on our solid foundation and layer on other initiatives, like early intervention strategies, that support the success and achievement of students.

I am proud of the students, parents and staff of SD43 and their achievements are always of a high standard. With your support, we can look forward to a very successful 2021!

Sincerely,

Patricia Gartland
Superintendent/CEO

Superintendent New Year letter January 2021.pdf

School District No. 43 (Coquitlam)

1080 Winslow Avenue, Coquitlam BC
V3J 0M6
604-939-9201 604-939-7828