Educational Handbook - District Overview

Unique Characteristics Haida Gwaii "is an archipelago of 150 Pacific Ocean Islands located along the mid-west coast of British Columbia. The Islands are approximately 250 km long and 80 km wide, with a total land area of just over one million hectares. The Islands are separated from the BC mainland to the east by Hecate Strait and from the Alaska border to the north by Dixon Entrance." The weather is generally mild, extremes of temperature being rare. Winter temperatures are approximately 2 to 5ºC, with summer temperatures ranging from 10 to 22ºC. Precipitation is usually in the form of rain which falls mainly during the fall and winter seasons. Haida Gwaii also provides ample opportunities for indoor and outdoor recreation and adventure. Some activities include: Fresh & Saltwater Fishing, Crabbing, Clam Digging Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Windsurfing Eco-adventures - Whale Watching, Beach Combing, Bird Watching, Scuba Diving, Fossil Collecting Hiking, Camping, Hunting Volleyball, Soccer, Swimming, Floor Hockey, Golfing Arts & Crafts

Community Snapshots

Masset & Old Massett

Port Clements

Tlell

Queen Charlotte & Skidegate

Sandspit

Queen Charlotte Islands Chamber of Commerce http://www.qcislands.net/chamber/

Getting Here & Getting Around

Visitors to the Islands can choose to either travel by ferry or airplane. Ferries from Prince Rupert run approximately 3 times per week during most of the school year and depending on weather conditions can take more than 8 hours before arriving in Skidegate. Air service is also available daily through Air Canada from the Sandspit Airport. In Masset, North Pacific Seaplanes provides twice daily flights to Prince Rupert. Travel off island for residents can be costly and must be booked far in advance to ensure availability.

To get around the Islands, many residents rely on personal vehicles as public transportation (bus service) is not available. There are, however, a number of private taxis and a bus company that serves residents and tourists but are subject to availability.

BC Ferries www.bcferries.bc.ca

Air Canada www.aircanada.ca

The District is the furthest Western District in British Columbia and because of its unique location it provides for a multitude of outdoor experiences such as: the Delkatla Bird Sanctuary, Tow Hill (geology), Ancient Murrelett Program, and the ancient Haida sites (UNESCO). The Haida language, culture, knowledge and history form an integral part of the education system. The District does face the challenge of declining enrolment due largely to economic changes within the region. Fishing and logging have been the primary areas of employment throughout the Islands and over the last decade have been affected greatly by changes in the world economy and new environmental standards. Additionally the gradual closure of CFB Masset (between 1996 and 2001) has also had a large impact on the population of the Islands resulting in an 11.8% decline during this period.

Schools In Our District

Agnes L. Mathers Elementary Jr. Secondary School

Sk'aadgaa Naay Elementary School

Queen Charlotte Secondary School

Port Clements Elementary School

Tahayghen Elementary School

George M. Dawson Secondary School

VISION

An educational system that places a high value on education, fosters excellence in all participants, supports the achievement of their full potential and promotes a healthy learning environment that provides exposure to the diverse cultural, spiritual and social aspects of Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte.

AIMS

Maximize the learning potential of each student.

Recognize the major impact of the Haida culture and traditions within our District by initiating activities based on intercultural awareness, mutual respect and a genuine consultative partnership with the Haida community. Institute programs which enhance awareness, responsibility and respect for the local and the global environment, since the environment in which we live, work and learn influence our physical emotional and spiritual health. Promote and contribute to a safe and secure environment for all members of our educational community.

School District Goals

Goal 1: Improving Academic and Social Success for Haida Students

Goal 2: Improving Student Reading and Writing

Goal 3: Promoting Levels of Social Responsibility

Goal 4: Improving Student Achievement in Numeracy

Agnes L. Mathers Elementary Jr. Secondary School

Goal 1: To improve student Writing performances across the curriculum in all grades

Goal 2: To improve the CAPP grades and to improve the Career Development component of CAPP, especially for students in High School

Sk’aadgaa Naay Elementary School

Goal 1: To reduce the academic disparity between Haida and non-Haida students

Goal 2: To improve Literacy achievement levels for all students

Goal 3: To increase student Social Responsibility

Port Clements Elementary School

Goal 1: To improve students’ critical thinking skills by focusing on problem solving in Math and Science instruction.

Goal 2: To improve students’ comprehension and application of logical thinking skills in Language Arts and Social Studies.

Goal 3: To maintain and improve the level of Social Responsibility in the school.

Tahayghen Elementary School

Goal 1: To Improve student achievement in Literacy and Numeracy

Goal 2: To improve student levels of Social Responsibility

Goal 3: To improve student Attendance

Queen Charlotte Secondary School

Goal 1: To improve student achievement in Math

Goal 2: To improve student Academic and Literacy levels

Goal 3: To improve students’ Social Responsibility

George M. Dawson Secondary School

Goal 1: To improve reading, comprehension and writing skills for all students

Goal 2: To improve levels of Numeracy

Goal 3: To improve levels of Social Responsibility for all students

1 - Source: Holdman, Gary. Queen Charlotte Islands -Haida Gwaii Land Use Plan: Socio-Economic Base Case. June 2003