In order to meet the challenge, the Year 2000 is
shifting the emphasis in education from what is

taught to how children learn. The new approach to
teaching and learning recognizes that parents are
the child’s first teachers and continued parental
involvement with their children’s education will
become more and more important as the system
becomes more learner-focused.

Parents interested in what they can do to help
their children with their schooling should pick up a
book called Changes in Education, A Guide for
Parents. This is an excellent little book and is
available at the school board office. Active participa-
tion in your child’s education is the best way to keep
informed.

The teachers, staff and board of School District
88 extend an invitation to parents to join them in the
exciting and challenging times ahead. Please become
our partners in education.

— Edna Cooper,
Chairperson, Board of School Trustees,
School District #88 (Terrace).

The mandate for the school system reads like a

statement made by parents in expressing their hope ©

for their children’s future. From establishing an
attitude toward learning in a child’s early years, to
providing meaningful curriculum and experiences,
the mutual goals of parents and the education
system in B.C, are directed at preparing children to
function positively in an increasingly complex world.

Children need many things — love, education,

involvement, individuality — as well as ideals,

dreams, self-respect, aspirations and achievements.
They need all that their parents ever needed... and
more.

Until they are old enough and independent
enough to cope for themselves, children must be
assisted by those around them. The home, the school
and the community must be the source and the
inspiration to meet this ever-widening range of
needs. No one person or any single part of the
environment can alone provide for all these needs.
For that reason, there has to be cooperation between
the home and the school.

A booklet entitled "Supporting Learning", pub-
lished by the Ministry of Education, provides a
framework for parents and teachers to understand
and discuss a child’s growth, development and
learning. This reference guide was designed to help
both teachers and parents deal with the changes in
assessment and reporting practises in the primary
school years.

The primary program provides a learning envi-
ronment where all aspects of a child’s development
are enhanced and extended. In order to meet the
needs of the whole child, the primary program is
organized around goals in five important areas: social
responsibility, emotional and social. devlopment,

intellectual. development, physical. pvelopment and
aesthetic and artistic development. -. .. «-.
Because there are so many changes i in education,

-‘one important way to support. your. child is to find

out more, about.these changes by talking to him or
her about expefiences at school and by supporting
learning at home. The Support Learning publication,

available through the school district office, has many
concrete ideas for at-home activities. Parents of
pre-school age children may also find the selection of
activities adaptable to suit the younger child.

Support Learning contains more detail and more
ideas which will help to answer your questions.
Parents and interested community members can
contact their school for a copy.

Your child’s ‘teacher, the principal, and your
Parent Advisory Council can be valuable sources of
information about the primary program and provide
ideas to help you support your child’s learning.

— Cathy Morgan,
Primary program coordinator,
School District 88.

PUBLIC CLASSROOMS

During Education Week the kids come out of
the schools and into the broader world — in this:
case, the Skeena Mall. Monday to Friday next:
week, adults will be able to watch them in action.

Monday — Students from E.T. Kenney and
Uplands schools will be working with computers
in the morning. Grade 5 students from Cassie

. Hall will perform folk songs from 1:30-2:00 in the
afternoon and the Skeena band plays from 3 to 4.

Tuesday — Uplands students display their
library skills quietly, followed later in the morn-
ing by E.T. Kenney science students. £.T. Kenney
and Uplands students will be doing math and
other activities during the afternoon.

Wednesday — A skipping demonstration by
Thornhill Primary students in the morning;
poetry, science and music in the afternoon, and
computer arts demonstrations by Kitwanga
elementary-secondary students.

Thursday — Reading and a demonstration
of cooperative games by Kiti K’shan and Uplands
students in the morning, music from Thornhill
Elementary students in the afternoon, along with
E.T. Kenney students creating a jungle mural.

Friday — Puppet shows and readings from
Kiti K’shan students in the morning, and legends
told by the native education group from E.T.
Kenney.

There will also be open houses and education
forums at schools and a variety of special dis-
plays in the mall. Information is available from
schools and the school district office. Note: the
open house at Uplands is Friday, not Thursday
as previously announced.

Terrace Review — February 28, 1992 31