The Newfoundland and Labrador English School Board has begun consultation on the 2017-2020 strategic plan. The strategic plan will set the direction of the Board for the coming three years and input is being sought from school communities.

Regional focus group sessions are ongoing with school administrators and representatives of school councils, and school-based sessions are also being held with school councils, teachers, support staff and students. In addition, the Board has posted on online survey through which parents and guardians and the general public are invited to provide feedback.

"The current strategic plan of the Board of Trustees incorporated feedback from the public and has been a true guiding document for our progression as a school district," said Goronwy Price, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District. "Input from our school communities and the public at large is extremely important as we embark upon the next stage of our plan and set the course for the future education of our students."

The feedback survey is accessible on the District website (www.nlesd.ca) until March 10, 2017. Areas of focus include student success, particularly literacy, numeracy and academic interventions, and safe and caring schools. Members of the public are invited to identify priorities within these focus areas and to provide their suggestions on other potential areas of focus.

"We need to continue this important work, with a focus on core literacy and numeracy within our schools," continued Chair Price. "While we must build upon our successes and feedback from our school community members will greatly influence the direction we set for the next three years. Along with student success, a continued focus on safe and caring schools is important to ensure all students feel safe and comfortable in their learning environment. The views of the public will certainly help us establish how we move forward in the best interest of students in our school district."

The new strategic plan for the Newfoundland and Labrador English School Board will be ready for implementation in September, 2017. The Board of Trustees for the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District is composed of 17 elected trustees responsible for the governance of 66,300 students, 8,000 employees and 254 schools.