As parents scramble for last-minute school supplies and children prepare for the new school year, staff at Saanich Schools (SD 63) have been hard at work over the past few weeks, ensuring everything is ready for the studentsB次元官网网址� return. 

For Superintendent Dave Eberwein, things are looking good as schools are scheduled to welcome kids on Sept. 3

B次元官网网址淲e are gearing up for what we anticipate to be a very successful school year,B次元官网网址� said Eberwein. B次元官网网址淭here is a good feeling in Saanich schools as we head into this next year.B次元官网网址�

Already halfway through their , Eberwein mentioned the school district is on the right track to tick off all the boxes set three years prior.  The four core goals include literacy improvement, mental health and wellness, Indigenous learning success, and global citizenship. Eberwein explained he and his team are working continually to make schools a more inclusive environment.

B次元官网网址淎s a school district, we continue to put emphasis on building things around mental wellness and inclusivity, not only with the language that we use but with the support we provide to our teachers and others in the district,B次元官网网址� said Eberwein.

B次元官网网址淲e are continuing to build staff capacity around mental wellness and destigmatizing neurodiversity, which can sometimes have negative connotations for students and staff who are neurodiverse. We're working to break down the stigma around mental health and wellness.B次元官网网址�

In that same vein, Eberwein emphasized the importance of taking a strong stance against racism.

B次元官网网址淭here is and continues to be racism in our community and schools are a reflection of their community. We feel a strong obligation to help dispel myths and misunderstandings about others,B次元官网网址� he said.

While the school district doesnB次元官网网址檛 expect a surge in enrolment, Eberwein noted his team is still actively recruiting teachers. When asked about upcoming challenges, he pointed to rising living costs as the district's main concern.

B次元官网网址淭here is always a challenge around inflationary cost pressures,B次元官网网址� Eberwein said. B次元官网网址淲e continue to work with our budget to ensure as many resources are available as possible, but it is a financial struggle for us."

B次元官网网址淚nflation has not been mild over the last number of years and it continues to be a challenge not only for Saanich, but for all the other school districts.B次元官网网址�