ABOUT US
PIE - Where Life and Learning Meet
Partners in Education (PIE) is a Provincial Online Learning School that allows children to be educated, in part or whole, at sites outside of in-person school campuses.
PIE is a unique school environment where we:
- see families and teachers working together to support children's learning
- aim to create a flexible and respectful community for students and families, drawing on the expertise of our BC certified teachers, parents, community mentors and the students themselves.
- build supportive, respectful, trustworthy relationships with all members of our community, both in person and online;
- collaboratively develop holistic individualized learning programs for every child and an intergenerational learning environment that acknowledges, reflects and celebrates unique interests, passions, quirks, goals and abilities;
- are flexible in all aspects of our shared educational experiences.
- see & celebrate the immense value of family involvement in student learning.
- give students ample freedom to pursue their passions, in an effort to foster lifelong learning.
- create and believe in safe and gentle learning environments, because everyone learns best when they feel safe and heard.
For families who have chosen to follow provincial curriculum, PIE offers assistance, direction, and flexibility.
Enrolment options
There are two options for enrolment:
Home-Based Learning – where learning is done primarily at home
In-Person Opportunities – where students are invited to attend in-person group learning (available in various communities throughout B.C.) designed to augment the home learning experience.
By enroling in PIE, parents agree to develop Student Learning Plans (SLPs) in collaboration with a BC certified teacher, to have their child(ren) follow provincial curriculum, and to provide work samples for assessment and evaluation by their child’s teacher.
Students with disabilities and diverse abilities are supported by their PIE teacher and our Inclusive Education Department which includes a Director of Student Support Services, a Learning Support Coordinator, Learning Support Teachers (LSTs) and Education Assistants (EAs).
With or without a Ministry-recognized designation, programs can be adapted to meet the needs of individual students. Students with a Ministry-recognized designation are provided with the opportunity to participate in the development of an Inclusive Education Plan (IEP) and are provided with access (that is equitable to students in an in-person school) to non-categorical resource services such as learning assistance, counselling, school psychology, speech-language pathology, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy.
Indigenous students in PIE are supported by our Indigenous Education Department which includes a District Principal of Indigenous Education, and in PIE, an Indigenous Education Success Teacher and two cĢÉpθ (sounds like 'chepth' - ŹayŹajĢuθÉm for auntie/uncle) District Indigenous Culture & Student Support Workers. The overarching goal of the Indigenous Education department is to support the holistic success of Indigenous students through enriched experiences and opportunities.
Funding - Home-Based Learners can access $600 in learning resource funding for each child, to support learning at home and in the community. Additional resources are available for students with a Ministry designation to help them meet the goals and objectives of their Inclusive Education Plan (IEP). Your child’s Learning Support Teacher will work with you to create the plan and allocate resources based on the needs of your child.
Role of Students
- when appropriate, participate in the development of Student Learning Plans (SLPs)
- request help from parent(s)/caregiver(s) and/or their teacher when they need it
- work to the best of their ability in all of their required areas of study
Role of Parents
- collaborate with PIE staff, and when appropriate students, to develop Student Learning Plans (SLPs)
- request help from staff if problems with progress or materials arise
- maintain regular contact with staff to continually monitor student progress
- participate in home visits and/or provide portfolios of student work for assessment
Role of Teachers
- collaborate with parents, and when appropriate students, to develop Student Learning Plans (SLPs)
- perform student assessments
- organize and direct activities and field trips
- supervise delivery of coursework
- assist parents when problems with progress or materials arise
- maintain regular contact with enrolled families
Role of Learning Support Teachers
- Collaborate with parents, students, and teachers to develop Inclusive Education Plans (IEPs) for students with disabilities and diverse abilities who have learning support designations
- Arrange learning support (i.e. learning assistance, counselling, school pyschology, speech-language pathology, and physiotherapy/occupational therapy) to help designated students meet the goals and objectives outlined in their IEPs.
- Collaborate with the PIE administrator to oversee the learning support funding for each designated student throughout the year
- Support teachers and families of designated students throughout the year with challenges, changes, needs
- Perform standardized achievement assessments, as required, for students referred to the learning support department
Role of PIE Admin
Act as liaisons between enrolled families and the school district
Advise families and PIE teachers on the development of Student Learning Plans
Organize and direct activities and field trips
Oversee the provision of invigilated online course quizzes and tests and make arrangements for student participation in provincial assessments
Approve curricular materials
Approve and supervise delivery of coursework
Provide families with information via email and newsletters
Answer questions or concerns about PIE