SD 85: A Pretty, Special Place
It is a common thought that a “community” is defined by the people who inhabit the area. Another crucial element of a community, however, is the land and space that creates and defines the opportunities, connections, experiences, and intentions of those community members.
Just over 250 kilometres north of the Comox Valley, School District No. 85 (Vancouver Island North) is uniquely positioned. It stands as a living example of the complex work of building inclusive schools, ensuring the voice of the community is heard and understood, and with a keen eye to support for the needs of the children and families who live there.
Arrival in SD85 can happen in a number of ways. For people like me who “come from away”, there is one road in and out. Driving out of the Comox Valley, about 50 kilometres outside of Campell River, the internet signal drops, streetlights dot the road less frequently, and traffic fades away. Students and families who live on Alert Bay or in Sointula arrive by boat; those who live in Port McNeill, Port Hardy, Woss , Port Alice, Fort Rupert, Telegraph Cove, Coal Harbour, Woss Lake, Quatsino, Holberg, or San Josef Bay could arrive after a long bus ride, an hour or more each way. If the students live in the community, they can walk the quiet streets to and from the neighbourhood school. Like the land in that district, schools in the North Island are diverse and rich in culture and care, picturesque, culturally significant, and awe-inspiring.
The district itself covers a region of about 22,000 square kilometres, and encompasses some of the most rugged and isolated pockets of the province. The scenery is stunning and breathtaking, filled with a spirit of solitude. At some points along the journey, it feels as if you are in the Rockies; then, as you continue past Sayward, the landscape changes and the temperature drops. On either side of the two-way road, the tree line changes but continues to wave you forward to the community.
Arriving late at night in Port McNeill, I was struck by a darkness and stillness that I have never before experienced. Along the winding road to the town, the lights from the harbour glittered where the boats rocked in silence. I noted that Gus’ Bar & Grill was the central hub of activity that night, and then retreated to my room to get ready for my morning visit to the school.
The Principals and Vice-Principals who support the staff and students in SD85 are a remarkable group of leaders. The SD85 leadership team is strong and committed, dynamic, thoughtful, and resilient. Not only are they living and working in a landscape that is rugged and immense, they do so with a clear and definite understanding of the children and families whom they serve. They understand also the fine balance of supporting provincial initiatives, while recognizing the complexities and dynamics of the region.
My time at Sunset Elementary in Port McNeill was a beautiful way to start the visit. A huge thank you to Principal Stephanie Boal and Vice-Principal Joy Cochrane for hosting me amidst the pumpkin carving, new student arrivals, and other busy activities! In my visit to a unique school, Cheslakees Elementary, I learned that Principal Jill Cook and Vice-Principal Michelle Sedola support early learning programs that include daycare, StrongStart, Toddler Time, and Kindergarten, ensuring that the first foray into public education for young students is grounded in the culture and history of the area. That afternoon during my visit to North Island Secondary, a school of just over 300 students in grades 8-12, they welcomed the rival Port Hardy Secondary soccer team led by Vice-Principal Anna Cunningham, and the match was outstanding. Thank you to Vice-Principal Ben Donoghue who led the visit just a few days before he begins his parental leave!
At the end of a long and winding road about 10 kilometers outside of Port Hardy, Principal Alison Webber leads Fort Rupert Elementary, a charming school situated on the shore of the Queen Charlotte Straits. I visited on Halloween, and it was so lovely to feel the pride and engagement of all of the students in the activities of the day. While touring the school, we discovered the recycling bin had been overturned by bears in the early hours, another task for Alison to attend to in her day!
In the town of Port Hardy, Eagle View Elementary, led by Principal Stacia Johnson and Vice-Principal Jackie Huston, is a beautiful, warm, and inclusive school that bustles with offerings that include breakfast and lunch programs, literacy initiatives, and learning opportunities that reflect the culture and terrain of the area.
I was fortunate to spend time with SD85 Superintendent Christina MacDonald and Assistant Superintendent Rena Sweeney. We talked about the challenges in the district, but what continually bubbled to the surface was the passion and dedication that everyone has for the “this pretty, special place”.
As with many rural and remote communities, recruitment and retention of staff is a challenge in SD85. There are complexities to living in a rural and remote community, and a different kind of requirement for heavy lifting than in an urban setting.
An example struck me when I popped into the grocery store, and was taken aback by the cost of food. My favourite apples are $2.99 a pound in Vancouver, and here they were $5.99 a pound. A jar of olive oil normally priced at $18.00 was $30.00. I recognize the challenges of transporting food to more remote communities, but wondered about the influence of the cost of food on recruitment and retention of staff. If grocery costs may be 50%– 60% higher than in larger metropolitan areas, what about the cost and ease of accessing health care and other services, not to mention professional development opportunities? How can we creatively support educational leaders in our remote and rural isolated communities to be successful when it comes to recruitment and retention? Districts like SD 85 have so much to offer employees, while continuing to ensure continuity of delivery of programs for students.
It was a privilege to have a glimpse of life in SD85, and I look forward to returning one day to visit Alert Bay, Sointula, Telegraph Cove, and places beyond. Even more so, I want to continue to provide support for leadership development for all of our members, in every part of the province.