As we “march” into April (yes, pun intended), on the heels of our well-earned break and on the brink of a 4-day weekend, we hope that everyone has been able to enjoy some time to rest and engage in some of their favourite activities. Looking ahead, many of us are thinking about the 3 months ahead and all that it brings. For many of us, this includes planning for and supporting students with their transition into a new school. The research brief, Transition from Middle School to High School, by Ronald Williamston, Eastern Michigan University (April 23, 2010), offers a summary to highlight the importance of a meaningful transition process:

The most successful schools see the transition between the middle grades and high school as a process, not an event. These schools involve teachers, students and families in continuous planning to support students‘ academic and social success in high school and beyond. Students that have a successful transition are more likely to achieve in the 9th grade, to attend regularly and to not drop out of school. They are more likely to develop and sustain positive social relationships with peers and with adults. 

Four components of effective transition systems have been identified. They include providing students and families accurate and useful information, supporting students‘ social success in high school, preparing students for academic success in high school, and working collaboratively to monitor transition plans and adjust those plans based on data about student success (attendance, achievement, dropout rate).

We offer the following resources to help with the very important work of transition planning, support and implementation.

For  information regarding designations, please download the pdf from the Student Designation Zoom meeting (September 16 & 21, 2020). Spring updates information is below and all newly updated forms will be posted on the Support for Learning site under Designations as they become available.

There are 2 new separate Request to Designate forms:
New IBI Request - must include the completed form and required documentation, including confirmation of community agency
New IBI Re-submission - must include the completed form, including confirmation of community agency and documented shared planning with community agency

Files are to be submitted electronically via email to Emily Fernyhough (efernyhough@sd61.bc.ca).  This change in our IBI file submission process reflects an effort to streamline the IBI process, aligning it with our other district designation processes, and reduce the need to have highly confidential student (blue) files out of the school building for a period of time.  In cases where submitting the forms electronically is challenging at this time, will also accept relevant hard copy documents that meet IBI criteria via school mail, addressed to ATTN: Emily Fernyhough

Important Deadlines: IBI requests to designate can be submitted by or prior to the dates noted here:
- May 20, 2021  - Re-submission IBI Requests deadline
- June 3, 2021 -  New IBI Requests deadline

Questions? Please email Dana Marchant: dmarchant@sd61.bc.ca or Debra Caso-Rohland: dcaso@sd61.bc.ca if further information or clarification is needed.

Updated forms and process flowcharts for ASD and PDCH will be shared in April. Monthly Designation Review meetings will continue with upcoming dates:
April 21, 2021
May 19, 2021
June 16, 2021

Any questions regarding ASD/PDCH designation process or potential student designation requests, please email Sean McCartney: semccartney@sd61.bc.ca or Debra Caso-Rohland: dcaso@sd61.bc.ca