Some of the key action themes addressed in the plan include: hiring First Nations staff in teaching and administrative positions; improving parental involvement by educating parents about the school environment and starting aboriginal parent and student councils; providing cultural programs to students and teachers in order to promote knowledge and understanding of the Blackfood/Peigan communities; improving communication between students, teachers and parents; and adding increased support among all three groups.
The plan also states the desired outcomes of the plan: First Nations students having a strong sense of belonging and identity reflected through engagement with the school; parents having a strong sense of belonging and empowerment; staff having a better understanding of Blackfoot culture and their students; and a formal jurisdictional mechanism for collaborating with First Nations communities.
Peterson says that early in the new year, the school board will develop an advisory council, comprised of First Nations people, which will ensure that the board stays on track and addresses the interests and needs of its students.
He says that addition work is still being done on the plan, and that it will continue to be an ongoing process.
“In addition, many of our schools are doing things right now to improve the achievement of their aboriginal students,” he said, commending W.A. Day School in Fort Macleod, which he says has been doing a lot of good working with students in lower grades.
“We have had really good results for students in Grade 3 and Grade 5 in Fort Macleod for Language Arts,” he said. “It’s very encouraging.”
The LRSD serves 15 public schools and 12 Hutterite colony schools, with two schools in Nanton, one in Stavely, two in Claresholm, one in Granum, three in Fort Macleod, two in Pincher Creek, one in Lundbreck, and three in the Crowsnest Pass.