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Policy #1: Vision, Values and Mission

VISION
Every student will have the opportunity to experience the joy of learning in the Sunrise 
School Division in order to be better prepared for the future, with the knowledge, skills 
and values to achieve their own personal life goals.

Vision Framework 
This vision for the division is further supported by a Vision Framework. The framework 
summarizes the key values of the Sunrise team, as well as descriptors of the future 
reality. It includes a Purpose Statement which describes what staff will do to 
make the vision a reality.

VALUES
1.  Every student will be provided with outstanding learning experiences and opportunities that enable learners to be knowledgeable, respectful, responsible, caring and productive, contributing citizens.
2.  Every student will be engaged in education that is relevant and focused on literacy, numeracy, and altruism.
3. Every student will be provided an education with experiences and opportunities that will extend and enhance student learning and competencies in critical thinking (problem solving), creativity, citizenship, connection to self, collaboration and communication.
 
Purpose 
The Sunrise School Division staff will provide nothing less than outstanding learning 
experiences, one learner at a time.

MISSION
The Board of Trustees (the Board) of Sunrise School Division will govern lawfully with an emphasis on: 
  • outward vision rather than an internal preoccupation, 
  • encouragement of diversity in viewpoints,
  • strategic leadership more than administrative detail,
  • clear distinction of Board and Superintendent roles,
  • collective rather than individual decisions,
  • future rather than past or present; and
  • being proactive rather than reactive. 
 
Accordingly: 
 
1. The Board will cultivate a sense of group responsibility. The Board will be responsible
    for excellence in governing. The Board will be the initiator of policy, not merely a reactor
    to staff initiatives. The Board will not use the expertise of individual members to
    substitute for the judgment of the Board, although the expertise of individual members
    may be used to enhance the understanding of the Board as a body.                                                                                                                                    
2. The Board will direct, lead, monitor and inspire the organization through the careful 
    establishment of written policies reflecting the Board's values and perspectives identifying
    the work of board planning and governance. The Board's major policy focus will be on the
    intended long-term impacts outside the staff organization.
 
3. The Board will enforce upon itself whatever discipline is needed to govern with 
    excellence. Discipline will apply to matters such as attendance, preparation for 
    meetings, policymaking principles, respect of roles, and ensuring the continuance of 
    governance capability. Although the Board can change its governance process 
    policies at any time, it will observe them scrupulously while in force.
 
4. Continual Board development will include orientation of new Board members in the 
    Board's governance process and periodic Board discussion of process improvement. 
 
5. The Board will allow no trustee or committee to hinder or be an excuse for not fulfilling 
     its commitments.
 
6. The Board will monitor and discuss the Board's process and performance. Self-monitoring
    will include comparison of Board activity and discipline to by-laws and policies in the
    Governance Process and Board/Superintendent Relationship categories.
 
Reference:
 
Date Adopted: February 2017
Date Amended: October 2019, November 2024; October 2025
Date Reviewed: October 2024; October 2025