It’s official.
Squamish parents now have another option for their elementary school children.
Come September 2015, Squamish will offer a Squamish Nation Cultural Journeys program for all interested students in Kindergarten to Grade 6.
The program was approved unanimously by the Sea to Sky school district (No. 48) at its board meeting Feb. 11.
“I am incredibly excited,” said Board Chairman Rick Price. “I think it is just going to provide a wonderful opportunity for a bunch of our young kids to have a different than traditional way of learning – a different paradigm of learning.”
The program is a result of collaboration between the Squamish Nation, the Sea to Sky school district and the parents’ advisory council at Stawamus.
Price said while the program is unique, it is consistent with the direction that the board is trying to move the district.
The pathways to learning strategies adopted by the district include promoting play and exploration, purpose and authenticity, collaboration and engagement.
The outdoors-based, academically rigorous Cultural Journeys program aims to revitalize the Squamish Nation language and emphasize the reinvigoration of First Nation’s culture, according to superintendent of schools Lisa McCullough.
The program’s name may change after consultation with Squamish Nation elders and the program has yet to have a home base. The program’s location will be decided after the March 11 meeting when the board decides the fate of Stawamus Elementary.
“It could even happen on the same evening, but we have to let the board deliberate the idea of Stawamus, and then we will know if that school is available,” said McCullough. “If that school is available then that would be one of the logical places to put it.”
A recent survey showed most Squamish parents and teachers support maintaining current use of the school and trying to grow enrolment.
On Feb. 25, there will be a special public board meeting on the fate of Stawamus at 6 p.m. at Howe Sound Secondary’s Eagle Eye Theatre.
For more information, go to, sd48seatosky.org.
