A five-year local education agreement between School District 57 and Lheidli T’enneh was signed today.
Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dominic Frederick and School District No. 57 (Prince George) Board Chair, Tim Bennett, Superintendent, Marilyn Marquis-Forster and Secretary Treasurer, Allan Reed met at the Lheidli T’enneh Band office, where each signed their name to a five-year Local Education Agreement, coming into effect on September 1, 2017.
Also in attendance was board vice-chair, Trish Bella.
“School District No. 57 is excited to be entering into this formalized relationship with the Lheidli T’enneh Band and is humbled by the trust being placed in us as educators,” said Marquis-Forster in a press release. “A bright future for all citizens is built on the achievement of each and every learner within our schools. Educational success for First Nations children and youth is vital for individual learners, families, local First Nation communities and Canada as a whole.”
The purpose of the local education agreement is to confirm that both the Lheidli T’enneh Band and School District 57 hold a shared commitment to, and responsibility and accountability for First Nation student success, which includes academic, social, cultural, linguistic, emotional and physical learning.
It confirms the mutual desire and commitment of both parties to build a positive, effective, collaborative and constructive relationship while establishing the roles and responsibilities of the parties in meeting the goals outlined within the agreement.
“Lheidli T’enneh sees this as a commitment to First Nations student achievement, strong literacy and numeracy, high graduation rates and a supportive educational environmental which values Lheidli T’enneh language and culture,” said Frederick.
Representatives from the Lheidli T’enneh Band and SD57 staff met throughout the 2016-17 academic year to develop the agreement signed today. A continual focus on student success kept the group moving forward. Effective leadership and meaningful participation of Lheidli T’enneh parents and community members in their children’s education is referenced throughout the agreement.
