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Courtenay’s Lake Trail one of six B.C. schools selected for new pilot project

Project targets skills and strategies development
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Lake Trail Middle School was recently selected to be one of six schools in British Columbia to pilot a new project to develop and model inclusive practices.

The pilot project is a SET-BC Inclusive Schools Initiative. SET-BC is a BC Ministry of Education provincial resource program established to assist school districts utilize technology with students whose access to the curriculum is restricted.

The purpose of the pilot project initiative is to support schools who are seeking to pursue the development of skills and strategies to be as inclusive as possible for all learners.

“Lake Trail has earned a positive reputation for meeting the diverse needs of its students and is driven by the desire of all staff to meet the needs of all students,” said Lake Trail principal Gerald Fussell. “This partnership grant will help accelerate and augment the work this school learning community is already doing.”

The school was selected through a grant application process spearheaded by Lake Trail educators Lance Lloyd and Jana Baker with support from Jane Rondow, Comox Valley Schools District support lead teacher, and Tracy Pederson, principal of student services.

“We are very fortunate to have received the grant, and it will help continue our work to better the lives of all our students,” said Baker. “Inclusion is very important and involves dismantling barriers to participation so that all students feel valued and have access to meaningful learning experiences.”

“I am very proud of the work all our school staff accomplished in pursuing the grant, as well as meeting the needs of our students, day to day,” added Fussell. “It was a team effort, and everyone involved did an exceptional job at showcasing the commitment Lake Trail has made to meaningful inclusion.”

In fall 2019, a support team from SET-BC will meet with school and district staff to co-develop a plan for the grant over the next three years for the school. The goal is to have the school staff and students ready to take advantage of the rich learning opportunities their new school will provide in the fall of 2021.