Board Policy Handbook

Board Policy 1

DIVISION FOUNDATIONAL STATEMENTS

Vision
To set in motion a passion for discovery.

Passion
Applying heart and mind to achieve one’s best through an intense conviction and a strong desire to deepen interests and explore abilities.

Mission
We believe our main purpose is to teach students how to learn, to prepare each student to achieve their best, and to assist students in becoming contributing members of our communities, our country and the world.

Core Values
As the underlying set of foundational beliefs, our core values help to define our Division, guide our behaviour, structure our operations, and shape the strategies we use as we face opportunities and challenges.

Our core values shape who we are and influence what we do, why we do it, and how we do it. They are the traits or qualities that represent our highest priorities and most deeply held beliefs. They are the threads that create the fabric of Elk Island Public Schools.

Accountability
We accept our individual responsibilities and we work to meet our commitments. We take responsibility for our performance in all of our decisions and actions and accept responsibility for the consequences of our choices. We think before acting and consider how others will be affected by our actions. We strive to set a good example for others and exercise self discipline.

Authenticity
Knowing and acting on what we believe to be true and real by walking the talk.

Empathy
Is a motivation orientated towards others where one imagines oneself in another's place and understand the other's feelings, desires, ideas, and actions; to genuinely care about others and their experiences.

Fairness
Treating people fairly and making decisions without favouritism or prejudice and having a respect for others.

Honesty
To consistently seek and speak the truth by upholding fairness, sincerity, and straightforwardness of conduct, speech, and actions.

Integrity
To act honestly, ethically, and with principles. To earn the trust of others by doing the right thing even if it is difficult. We employ the highest ethical standards by demonstrating honesty and fairness and by acting in the best interest of our Division.

Justice
To uphold what is fair, to consider the perspective of others and to demonstrate the courage to be consistent.

Loyalty
We strive to do our duty to the best of our ability, to faithfully fulfill our service and obligations and to do our best. We strive to be dependable, reliable, trustworthy, and accountable.

Respect
A willingness to recognize, honour, and value individual contributions. We demonstrate fair and equitable treatment for others and strive to treat others with kindness, caring, and tolerance by appreciating and accepting of all those we encounter in our schools, worksites, and communities. We honour and respect the rights and beliefs of others to make decisions about their own lives and treat others with the highest degree of dignity, equality and trust.

Trustworthiness
Students and staff are deserving of trust and confidence. As individuals, each of us is accountable for our conduct.

Logo
The Division’s initials form an open book with a person as the spine. A person with outstretched arms welcomes the journey of education. The book’s base and the person form a stylized tree at the bottom. The logo symbolizes the tree of knowledge and reflects the geographic significance of Elk Island National Park in the name. The green colour represents growth, fulfillment, and a positive connection with the environment. Upon closer scrutiny, you can see the initials EIPS.

References

Sections 8, 13, 39, 45, 47, 60, 61, 78, 113, School Act
School Authority Accountability Policy 2.1.1