What does it mean to be part of a community? And what kind of an impact does it have on our children, families and neighbours?
That's the focus of an upcoming provincial gathering that will be hosted in Burnaby on Oct. 18, 19 and 20.
Together for Kids and Communities: A Common Vision is the theme of the 2012 conference for the Association for Community Education in B.C.
Doreen George, with the Burnaby School District, told the NOW that the concept of community education refers to the process of identifying the strengths and needs of the community and then bringing together community resources - be it human, organizational, physical or financial - to address issues and develop the leadership capacity of the community.
Burnaby has a strong connection to the concept. The local district and city hall came together more than 30 years ago to develop the community school model here. Today, there are seven elementary community schools and a pilot secondary school model.
"Community schools act as a community hub - places where students, families and community can come together, feel welcome, access resources and access a vast variety of programs for both students and adults," she wrote. "The premise is that students belong in families living in the communities. By working together - schools, families, community members and the vast array of organizations in Burnaby - we are better able to support our students and their learning."
George says the conference will attract a mix of people, including parents, community members, educators, principals, community school coordinators, and those from the non-profit organizations.
She notes that several of the sessions may be of interest to parents, particularly the keynote presentation: a talk by well-known community developer Jim Diers, from the University of Washington, entitled "Neighbour Power: Building Strong Communities."
"Jim has a passion for getting people engaged with their communities and in the decisions that affect their lives," she told me.
Others speaking at the conference include Molly McCloskey, managing director of the ASCD's (formerly the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) Whole Child initiative, and Abe Fernandez, deputy director of the National Centre for Community Schools, Children's Aid Society, New York.
David Rawnsley with Burnaby's Byrne Creek Secondary will also speak in the opening of the conference.
Workshop sessions include themes as diverse as advocacy, educating the whole child, innovative before/after school programs, chronic absenteeism, and community council/Parent Advisory Council best practices.
For more information about the conference and to register, see www.sd41. bc.ca.
Collaboration
There's another unique event related to children and education happening this month.
On Oct. 19, the B.C. Cooperative Learning Association, along with the Dalai Lama Centre for Peace and Education, hosts the Social Emotional Learning: What Do We Know, What Do We Do? conference at the Michael J. Fox Theatre at Burnaby South Secondary.
The event is a professional development opportunity for educators and educational researchers, with a keynote by David Osher from the American Institute of Research.
Sessions include a close-up look at mindfulness-based approaches, restorative practices, classroom climate and cooperative learning.
Adoptive families
November is adoption awareness month and the Adoptive Families Association of B.C. is celebrating with its 11th annual Family Fun Day right here in Burnaby at the Village Museum on Nov. 4. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. there will be face painting, balloon crafts and more - as well as an opportunity for adoptive families to connect with one another.
For more information, see www.bcadoption.com.
Spooky round-up
Over the next week, I'll be compiling a list of family-friendly events happening on Halloween and the weekend just prior to the big day.
Does your neighbourhood have any festivities planned? Do you host a haunted house? Know about activities at local community centres?
Let me know about it by sending me an email at [email protected] or a fax to 604-444-3460.
Keep an eye on the Burnaby NOW later this month to see all the best happenings around town.
Christina Myers is a reporter with the Burnaby NOW and its sister paper, The Record. Know about a family-focused event, business or story happening in Burnaby? Send details to Christina Myers at cmyers@ burnabynow.com, by mail to 201A-3430 Brighton Ave., Burnaby, B.C., V3R 2A1, or by fax to 604-444-3460.
