Board Meeting Highlights | November 3

Evergreen School Division's newly elected Board of Trustees held its inaugural meeting on November 3. We congratulate all trustees on their election and look forward to working together in service of students, staff, families, and communities across the division.

The Board also elected Trustee Penny Helgason as Board Chair and Trustee Jillian Yorga as Vice-Chair. Congratulations on your new leadership roles.

Trustees had the opportunity to hear a presentation on Equity Through Structured Literacy: Empowering Indigenous Students from Kelly Milne, Indigenous Education Consultant; Kelly Croy, Student Services Teacher; and Kim Agnus, Intervention Teacher.

The presentation highlighted the impact of Evergreen's structured literacy approach and the positive outcomes being achieved for students. Trustees learned that while provincial Grade 3 literacy assessment results show approximately 45% of students meeting expectations and less than 30% of Indigenous students meeting expectations, Evergreen School Division's results were significantly higher, with 78% of students and 71% of Indigenous students meeting expectations.

Trustees reflected on the importance of the work being done across the division:

📚 Trustees spoke about the strong literacy results being achieved in Evergreen and the positive impact structured literacy is having on student confidence, success, and belonging.

📚 Trustees shared their appreciation for learning more about the division's literacy initiatives and the dedication of staff who continue to support student achievement.

📚 Trustees also discussed the Board's role in advocating for students and staff, ensuring their voices are amplified at both the divisional and provincial levels.

Chair Helgason captured the spirit of the meeting with a quote shared during the presentation: "We are here to walk gently, and with purpose."

As a Board, trustees look forward to carrying that message forward as they begin their work together in support of public education.