School District 91 & The College of New Caledonia Announce New Partnership
September 11, 2006
The College of New Caledonia - Nechako and School District No. 91 – Nechako Lakes are pleased to announce a new partnership intended to better meet the needs of adult learners living in Fort St. James, Fraser Lake, Vanderhoof and surrounding areas.
Working collaboratively, the two education service providers have already joined forces to successfully offer new continuing education programs in the West end of the School District in Grassy Plains, Burns Lake and Gran’Isle. Now they are working together in the East end to align programs and services, share facilities, resources, equipment and expertise.
The intent is to increase course and program options while providing more comprehensive services and ensuring learners a seamless transition as they complete adult graduation requirements and begin post secondary studies in their local communities. The concept of having adult basic education, high school graduation completion and post secondary courses available in one location, is just the beginning of what will be developed.
Programs and services such as child minding, early learning, parenting workshops, career counseling, healthy families, and new duo-credit trades training are also being planned. These services and programs already effectively compliment continuing education at the Burns Lake campus making it easier for many adults to participate. It is this type of dynamic and vibrant multi-services centre that the two organizations hope will result from their collaboration. The education partners will continue to work together with community agencies and organizations also interested in achieving greater synergies from cooperative planning and the use of shared facilities.
Learners seeking adult basic education and high school graduation completion are reminded to enroll prior to September 30th at your local adult learning centre. College level programs including post secondary studies and general interest courses have varied start and enrollment deadlines. Information and brochure materials for all programs are available at both SD 91 Adult Learning Centres and CNC campuses in Fort St. James and Vanderhoof, or at the Fraser Lake Adult Learning Centre.
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Contact:
College of New Caledonia - Nechako Region
Ann McCormick, Fort St James: (250) 996-7019
Debra Baher, Vanderhoof: (250) 567-3200
MLAs Announce Measures to Improve Student Health
March 21, 2006
Prince George – As part of the ActNow BC program, every single local public school will receive funding to purchase physical activity equipment to help students become healthier and more active, Prince George’s MLAs announced today.
“This is great news for schools, parents and students. This money will further enhance physical education programs in our schools,” said Prince George-Mount Robson MLA Shirley Bond. "It's a fact that physical activity helps students learn and puts them on the path to a healthier adulthood."
School District 57 has been allotted $41,650 in funding to purchase additional physical activity equipment for its students.
“This announcement demonstrates our commitment to promoting physical activity, which is especially important for our children,” said Prince George North MLA Pat Bell. "One of our goals as government is for B.C. to lead the way in North America in health and fitness. The equipment this funding purchases will help us meet that goal by encouraging active living from a young age."
“The funding announced today will help schools encourage students to be more active,” said Prince George-Omineca MLA John Rustad. "Physical activity not only helps improve student's long term health, but also helps with their ability to concentrate which leads to better student performance.”
In total, the province is providing $1.3 million to schools provincewide for this equipment. The money will be distributed directly to every public school in the province this week as follows:
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$850 each Elementary schools
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$850 each Middle and junior secondary schools
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$1,000 each Secondary schools
The equipment is recommended by Action Schools! BC. Schools may purchase entire Action Schools! BC bins or focus on one or two pieces of equipment. Choices range from basketballs and footballs to hula hoops and pedometers.
Schools may also invest in activities that will increase physical activity levels among the students, such as swimming and skating lessons and special activity instruction such as martial arts, dance, skiing and rock climbing.
To help improve the health of BC’s students, the Ministry of Education and ActNow BC are investing $3.8 million, including:
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$1.5 million for Action Schools! BC to develop a new healthy eating component, and to provide physical activity bin supplies, and teacher support and training.
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$1.3 million in direct funding to schools to purchase physical activity equipment.
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$950,000 to develop a Provincial Network of Healthy schools.
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$50,000 to B.C. School Sports to support volunteer committees responsible for hosting zone and provincial championships for over 400 member schools.
The new measures support the Province’s earlier initiatives to improve the health of B.C.’s students, including:
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Working with school boards and vending companies to eliminate junk food in B.C.’s schools as soon as possible.
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Guidelines for food and beverage sales to help schools decide what products should be sold in their stores, cafeterias and vending machines, and to provide students with healthier options.
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$14.5 million over five years for Action Schools! BC, which includes expanding the program to grades K-9 province-wide by 2010 and developing a secondary school model.
ActNow BC is a provincewide effort to establish a culture of fitness and healthy living with British Columbians. ActNow BC is helping the Province reach its goal of leading the way in North America in healthy living and physical fitness.
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Source: John Rustad MLA News 2006
