INTRODUCTION This report has been prepared in order to provide the Board of School Trustees for School District No. 38 (Richmond), as well as its staff and the public, an update on activities as of January, 2006. The wide array of activities that are included in this mid-year report change every year, but they are all guided by a framework of constant purposes and goals.  This guiding framework includes: The School Act Provincial Curriculum District Policy 100: Statement of Philosophy District Policy 101: Goals and Objectives District Policy 102: Diversity and Inclusion The School Act states that “the goal of a democratic society is to ensure that all its members receive an education that enables them to become personally fulfilled and publicly useful” and the purpose of public schools is to “enable all learners to develop their individual potential.” The curriculum, as codified in Integrated Resource Packages (IRPs), provides the intended learning outcomes for students and states that education should be based on three principles of learning: • Learning requires the active participation of the student. • People learn in a variety of ways and at different rates. • Learning is both an individual and a group process. The school system is, therefore, designed to provide learning opportunities in a way that takes account of these basic principles. The District Statement of Philosophy (Policy 100) reinforces the goal to “enable all learners” and adds the understanding that learning is a team effort involving many different people within the school system, the student, the parent and the community, and is “dependent upon the existence of a common vision which results in collaborative action on the part of all concerned.” The District Overall Educational Goal (Policy 101) states that in order to achieve our learning goals for students, schools will, first and foremost, provide a safe, supportive environment.  On this foundation schools will stimulate and motivate students to achieve at a level of personal excellence. The commitment to “enable all learners” is a commitment to inclusive educational programs for students, and that value system also extends to staff and parents.  Policy 102 states that, “The letter and spirit of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms shall be observed, supported, and enforced so that all members of the school community may work and learn together in an atmosphere of celebration and respect for individual differences.” Values, purposes and goals provide both an anchor and a compass for the work that is described in this mid-year report.  To help us organize our ongoing work we use two primary conceptual structures - Directions and Foundations - which are described in the pages that follow.  In addition to overseeing the maintenance of the school system, the Board’s stewardship includes identification of developmental objectives that change in order to respond to challenges and opportunities that arise.  These are also reported in the pages that follow. These then complete the framework of overarching purposes and goals for the Richmond School District. Directions Developmental Objectives Foundations There are three major sections to the report. Directions District and school activities are constantly guided by the district’s Statement of Philosophy and Long Term Goals.  These are enacted with a focus on continuous self-assessment, adaptation, learning, and communication that is explained by a Directions document. Developmental Objectives for 2005/06 For the current year, in addition to the ongoing work of maintaining and improving all of its programs and services, the district has undertaken specific developmental work in four key areas: the District Accountability Contract, Excellence for All, the Graduation Program, and  Supervision. Foundations The items included in the Foundations section of this report, which support the values and activities of Directions and the four areas of specific developmental focus in various interconnected ways, have been organized as follows. Student Learning  Schools and Programs  Learning Services  Community Relations  Continuing Education  Personnel Services  Technology and Information Services  Facilities and Building  Financial Management  Administration  Governance This report provides only an overview of the multitude of events and activities in the school district.  At best, it is a representative snapshot of current activities.  The fact that certain activities or events are not included in this report does not in any way mean that they have been deliberately disregarded or are considered to be unimportant.  In particular, it is important to note that this report was prepared with a focus on district level activity and does not even attempt to capture the richness of school and classroom programs, which are the ultimate purpose of a district that strives to maintain a focus on the learner.