A. LEADING INTO THE FUTURE: Community First school board candidates recognize the importance of innovation and development to successfully support our growing student population in a rapidly changing world. 

Building Quality Educational Facilities: Great cities need great schools. We need to keep up the hard work so our schools are ready for the young families in our community, and keep focused on long range facilities planning for tomorrow.

• Build a new elementary school for Downtown New West families
• Build a new middle school for the  West End
• Secure a permanent home for Alternate Education
• Complete the Queen Elizabeth Elementary expansion for Queensborough families
• Progress to support the growing student population at Queensborough Middle School
• Implement affordable before & after-school care in all elementary and middle schools
• Build new childcare spaces in all new schools
• Expand options for early learning through StrongStart and Seamless Day Child Care

Increasing childcare spaces and early learning opportunities: We are building more childcare and early learning into and around schools to support working families. Post-pandemic, these are vital for young children who may have missed learning  opportunities.

• Implement affordable before & after-school care in all elementary and middle schools
• Build new childcare spaces in all new schools
• Expand options for early learning through StrongStart and Seamless Day Child Care

Investing in technology: The deepest learning happens in relationships. New Westminster’s exceptional educators bring learning to life every day. Access to current technology expands that learning and helps prepare students for the future.

• Regularly refresh technology offerings at each school so students are learning on current tech
• Expand STEM related opportunities in classroom curriculum and clubs
• Ensure all students have access to computers
• Support climate curriculum development and implementation 
• Ensure all new schools are built to the highest climate ratings
• Reduce carbon emissions of all schools through the District’s Annual Facilities Grant 

Climate Action: Students and families demand that climate action must be at the top of our agenda.  We commit to meaningful action in school buildings, procurement and use of resources, and supporting climate literacy students need to understand the challenges they face.

• Support climate curriculum development and implementation 
• Ensure all new schools are built to the highest climate ratings
• Reduce carbon emissions of all schools through the District’s Annual Facilities Grant 

B. SUPPORTING STUDENT SUCCESS: We are committed to providing an educational experience built on a foundation of compassion, respect, and inclusion that ensures our students are connected, engaged, and successful.

Inclusive and Equitable Schools: We are committed  to growing the ways in which our schools can meet students where they are at and improving the development and access to programs to ensure our community is equitable.

• Continue to increase access to mental health supports at school and in community
• Expand SOGI supports for LGBTQ2sI+ students
• Implement the District’s Anti-Racism Review recommendations to ensure fairness and opportunity for all students
• Continue to improve supports for students with diverse abilities and needs 
• Protect dedicated resources for Indigenous students’ academic success & access to culture

Curriculum: We recognize the individual paths of students and the education to help them on their journey by expanding access to skills, interest based, and culturally relevant programming.

• Foster more equitable access to arts education in all schools
• Expand and prioritize trades training & apprenticeship
• Ensure Indigenous culture, language, and ways of knowing are celebrated and taught, including the new graduation requirement
• Support the implementation of BC’s new curriculum and innovative teaching methods
• Commit to student health & engagement by broadening  athletic programs and opportunities

Schools Beyond the Classroom: Strong partnerships create more opportunities for students in the community. We are dedicated to fostering more opportunities for after school and beyond school activities for students and families.

• Work with stakeholders and partners to increase after-school programming in our schools
• Expand access to school facilities for after-school activities and community use
• Continue to deepen meaningful engagement with students, staff, families and the community 
• Expand Discover New Westminster Schools information nights and virtual sessions for families and student

Safe and Caring Schools: Delivering compassionate services for our students is a top priority. Students who are well cared for succeed inside and outside our schools. 

• Expand the Safe and Caring Schools policy to ensure designated staff are skilled in conflict de-escalation and intervention to better support the health and wellbeing of students
• Fund and expand offerings of the district’s universal food program
• Support the development and teaching of inclusive sexual health education 
• Promote respectful behaviours in middle and high schools, with strong policies, more education & awareness about respect and consent, and clear reporting tools and accountability mechanisms