Professional Development in Regards to First Aide.

The Purpose of Professional Development:

The Board and the Surrey Teachers’ Association recognized the value of professional development activities to enhance curricular knowledge, to heighten instructional skills, and to broaden exposure to pedagogical theories, methods and strategies.

It does not cover wellness or team building.  It’s district money that the Board gave to the union, and there are rules and protocol to follow.  It does not cover First Aide Attendance.  If you teach first aide in your course then you can use the funds for this training, to further your understanding of first aide for your students. If you are using it for giving first aide to your students or staff you need to ask Health and Safety Committee for the funds before you take the course and volunteer to be the first aide attendant for the staff.  We were given some understanding last year in our application but this year First Aide training only applies to Physical Education and to Home Ec. since both teach the students how to use First Aide.  I hope this clears up this matter.

Pro D money cannot cover Pre-fieldtrip planning.  You can do field studies – go somewhere to research to bring into your classroom.  It’s the rational, enhancing your curriculum.  

Team building can be done but only for a specific program – and money is there for it.  Team building can be done at the school, not outside, doing physical activity that does not enrich your program with your students.  UBC has the program that can be brought in.  This is acceptable.  

I hope this clarifies the matter.  Thank you.

N. Painchaud