Aboriginal Education Services

1. Aboriginal Education Services How we can support you in your schools.

2. Intentions… • To introduce ourselves. • To explain who we support. • To show how we can support you. • To clarify roles and funding.

3. Aboriginal Education Centre 665 16th Street, Courtenay, B.C. (Behind Courtenay Elementary School)

4. Who are our Aboriginal Students?

5. Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement • To increase Aboriginal students sense of belonging; including sense of place, identity and self esteem, in a nurturing and inclusive environment • To improve the achievement of Aboriginal students • To increase the awarenessand understanding of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit history, traditions and culture for all students • To enhance skills, qualities and confidence in leadership for Aboriginal students

6. What is an Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement (AEEA)? “An AEEA is a working agreement between a school district, all local Aboriginal communities, and the Ministry of Education designed to enhance the educational achievement of Aboriginal students.” • The AEEA is signed by the Superintendent on behalf of all school district employees and all SD 71 staff are expected to work towards meeting these goals. • Each school district signs an AEEA with goals specific to that district. SD 71 is operating under its third AEEA, which ends June 2013.

7. District Aboriginal Curriculum Support Teachers • Can: • Come and share lessons relating to • the curriculum in your classroom • Help you develop Aboriginal curriculum • Help to arrange special visitors or presenters • Work with Aboriginal Support Workers • Help to facilitate large events such as the Big House • Experience Lynn Swift and Melissa Litke 250-331-4040 ext 8

8. District Aboriginal Curriculum Development Teacher • Can: • Help find Aboriginal resources • Suggest ideas for Aboriginal • focused PLO’s • Provide professional development for teachers • Provide presentations for special events • Work with Aboriginal Support Workers Jackie Lever 250-331-4040 ext 6

9. Supporting Aboriginal Students There are 14 support staff in our local schools. Support Staff titles include: • Aboriginal Support Workers (ASWs) • Aboriginal Home Support Workers (AHSWs)

10. The Role of the ASW The Aboriginal Support Worker is responsible for regular contact with all Aboriginal students in their assigned schools. How this contact looks will vary by school. They can also: • Advocate for Aboriginal students • Contact parents to discuss progress, concerns, success • Organize special events or activities for classes, grades or school wide • Research and present about Aboriginal topics in classrooms* • Attend Aboriginal Education staff meetings and training • Collect data for accountability measures • Work within specific Aboriginal programs

11. Funding “Funded Aboriginal education programs must be additional to any other programs and services to which an Aboriginal student is eligible, including provincial base funding, ELL and Special Education.” • All Aboriginal Education Services workers in this district are covered under this funding policy. • http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/policy /policies/funding_abed.htm

12. Self-Identification • Aboriginal ancestry is determined on a voluntary basis through self-identification. The students do not need to prove they are Aboriginal, nor do they need a status card. • School districts report students participating in Aboriginal education programs and services on Form 1701. • Please be aware that students may know they have Aboriginal background but may not have any cultural or family background knowledge.

13. For more information: Website: http://web.sd71.bc.ca/abed/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aboriginaleducation Twitter: http://twitter.com/JLeverSD71 Ab. Ed. Centre: 250-331-4040