SVIE – Excellence by any other name…

Faces of Educational Leadership Excellence: L-R Chris Rogers, VP, Canmore Collegiate High School; Darren Dick, Director of Learning and Innovation at Canadian Rockies Public Schools; Steve Greene, Principal, Banff Community High School

On May 1st and 2nd, Darren Dick led a group of us through…well, let me use his own words from the invitation:

“CRPS began a journey of exploring instructional excellence over the course of the year (2012-2013) by engaging some of our finest teachers and administrators to collaborate on a Shared Vision of Instructional Excellence (SVIE).  A continuation of Inspiring Hearts and Minds and aligned with Inspiring Education, the SVIE is envisioned to be a non-evaluative, organic resource that guides all staff in their continued growth towards achieving success for all students.  The group has met regularly over the course of the year and is looking to inform you of their work and give opportunity for feedback in preparation for implementation next year.”

This is exciting. It is building on the work CRPS teachers are ALREADY doing.

A natural progression was followed for the 1-1/2 day session: “Believing – Behaving – Becoming”.  First up: Beliefs. Using the Guiding Questions: “What are my beliefs? Which SVIE belief(s) resonate with me? Is there anything missing? What questions do
I have?” and the material we had been given, our table explored our own beliefs. I defer to the educators (as much as I can – you know how I love to jump in!). CRPS teachers are amazing. The reflection and analysis that veteran teachers are willing to subject to their practice was impressive.

I should say that actually first up was a wee crayon and paper exercise: Draw something to express your vision of instructional excellence. First I tried to draw a mortarboard with a wreath of stars, musical notes, roses and lightning bolts. This proved a little ambitious for my graphic artistic ability, so here’s what I drew:

Pretty prosaic, hey? Darren shared some of the sketches with us the next day and asked folks who wanted to to speak to the creations. Some wonderful sentiments, profound thoughts and sheer fun/hilarity was had by all.

This initiative is being followed by the Alberta Ministry of Education and we were pleased to welcome Karen Shipka, Associate Director, Workforce Planning & Development and Joe Dumont, Education Manager, Professional Development & Leadership to the activities. This is serious, important work. And work that teachers love.

Behaving is walking the talk of the beliefs, put the meat on the bones of the belief framework.  Interestingly, the wheel/circle symbol/graphic resurfaced again and again, CRPS Inspiring Hearts & Minds;

Alberta Education’s Inspiring Action:

and a multitude of symbolic suns/sources of light in those sketches Darren had us all do.

Becoming. Becoming is the shared vision to unify all of these into one way of being, so this is not a school system with layered projects but this is who we are and what we do. There will be much more on SVIE as it is unrolled throughout the schools,  school councils and community. I am still recovering from the barrage of input – emotional, intellectual, spiritual – of the last few days. Stay tuned – I can’t wait to watch how our kids will thrive.

Retreat – Advance! Put yourself out there.

What. A. Week.

Seven days ago, Canadian Rockies Public School Board emerged from its retreat. Location? The exotic remote confines of the Canmore Board Office boardroom, aka the Superintendent’s office. Guided by the sure hand of Jim Gibbons, former superintendent and now consultant for the Alberta School Boards Association. On Saturday morning, the board evaluated the superintendent; Saturday afternoon we evaluated ourselves. Suffice it to say, it was a feedback rich session…formative assessment.

Photo taken April 18, 2013 by Col. Chris Hadfield, Cmdr. International Space Station

While we might not have achieved the altitude shown in the image of earth from space taken by Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, that is our aspiration…lofty, no? Yes, pun intended.

Sunday morning, 9:00 a.m., we were back at it. Jim led us through a review of the previous day’s work. We examined where the emphasis will lie as we plan a positive path forward, using the information obtained in the assessment process. This was for both the board and the CEO. Kudos to our superintendent, Chris MacPhee, for agreeing to a 360 degree assessment, “a method of systematically collecting opinions about an individual’s performance from a wide range of coworkers”. The opinions are anonymous – which might give one pause – but in this case the feedback was considered and professional. The most important part of the process will be how Chris takes the received info and moves forward with it to inform his practice.
The discussion got somewhat freewheeling as we tackled: results-based budgeting; the new School Act; how we measure/assess what we do (Key Performance Indicators – KPI); strategic planning; Inspiring Hearts & Minds; Community Education Network. At one point, our chair Kim Bater became a visual metaphor for what was going on in the room: he started juggling fruit! Jim Gibbons, our meister-facilitator, admitted that we were one of the boards that managed to divert him away from the process because we explore and advance the thinking and sense-making. At the finish I felt invigorated, focused and prepared for the work ahead.

Appropriate risk-taking is a part of a meaningful education. So in that spirit, armed with new energy (and validation from multiple friends by whom I ran my routine – bless you all!),  the next day, April 15th, I performed my first stand-up comedy gig.  It was a great learning process through which our group of 12 volunteer comics was mentored by the team at ZEDS Comic Communications (Our Business is a Joke). My colleagues were a huge support and it was a great experience. Best moment of the night had to be when my family said they were proud of me. Suffice to say, I am glad I did it BUT it was not the launch of a new career.  It felt like this:

so just for now I’ll stay on the merry-go-round, thanks!

The merry-go-round/roller-coaster story makes a great segue to other events last week.  Tuesday was the meeting of the Safe & Caring Schools committee to hone the Administrative Procedure – important work and we are getting there, because the right people are at the table. Wednesday,  7 p.m. brought the Public School Board meeting at Banff Elementary School, with very weighty matters on the agenda:  final vote to reduce the number of trustees from seven to five and discussion of the plebiscite to institute a Special School Tax Levy. The attendance was underwhelming – one member of the press and our Assistant Superintendent, Kate Belford. *sigh* A Banff parent also arrived a little later, I have to admit. We were glad to see her and inundated her with questions. Quite put her on the spot, we did.

The most important matter was that the Third Reading of bylaw 2013-1 passed. In the October 2013 election, there will be only five seats on the board: one from Exshaw, and two each from Canmore and Banff. You can read the rationale for the decision on the CRPS website – and, later this week, in the local papers.

Photo: Courtesy of Catalin Marin | Momentaryawe.com at http://www.momentaryawe.com/blog/?p=1243

Much unknown territory lies ahead. This photo is for me another visual metaphor: there are going to be ups, downs, tilting cambers, curves and crumbling steps but we shall advance, together. On the horizon: the settlement with the teachers. Read the Alberta Teachers’ Association take and also an excellent information sheet from the Alberta School Councils’ Association with sample questions for parents to take to principals, trustees and superintendents. The Minister has given a May 14th deadline for an agreement. On it goes.

And spring is on the way! Despite a wintry wonderland for our hike yesterday, when we went in search of open water – looking for geese and swans (sure signs of milder, kinder weather) – we found them.

Big decisions in a tiny perfect school district

It is serendipity that the news about Equality House emerged yesterday, on the eve of Canadian Rockies Public Schools presenting ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE (AP)172 re: Sexual Minority/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity. The house is across the street from the infamous Westboro Baptist Church – I won’t post a link to the website, it is that execrably hate-filled. Google it if you must. The story prompted me to post before our board meeting tonight, Canmore Collegiate High School. There is a LOT on the agenda, which you can see here.

I am proud that the AP will be brought forward tonight; it is the culmination of earlier work. From the minutes of November  29, 2011:

Trustee Comfort initiated a discussion on the matter of ensuring that schools provide a safe and welcoming environment free of harassment and discrimination against sexual minorities. Edmonton Public Schools and other Boards in Canada have developed policy to ensure the safety of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students and staff in schools.  Motion: E. Comfort:
That Administration be directed to review the work of Edmonton Public Schools in the development of their policy on sexual orientation and gender identity, and bring forward a recommended Administrative Procedure to support and protect sexual minorities in Canadian Rockies Public Schools.  Carried. And it was unanimous.

I know the pain and bullying some of our students undergo. These policies and procedures will not stop all of that treatment but here we reaffirm who we are and what we expect from each other. And that builds a culture. Thanks to Kate Belford for her hard work in the research and recommendations, as this was crafted.

Tonight also will be third (and final) reading of the by-law to reduce the Trustees from seven to five. We have had some feedback, but no great hue-and-cry…we will see how the discussion goes this evening.  What do YOU think? Let us know. Many hands make light work but the savings are in the region of $20,000/year – every year… the loss is the diversity of experience, intelligence and opinion that more brains at the table bring. Here is a thoughtful piece from Chair Kim Bater on the topic.

Canmore Leader Photo

Also on the table is the closing of portables at ERS and the Grade Reconfiguration around that. It will change the character of two Canmore primary schools and eventually the high school as well. This has been discussed with school councils and the Community Education Network to the point we are ready to move ahead with a decision.

There’ll be lots of talk about money too, since the provincial budget is now in force. I’d like to see something on the CRPS website that shows in a simple way, the full effects of this budget. Parkland School Division has done a good job. Our superintendent, Chris MacPhee also has a message about the budget to CRPS staff , as well as board chair, Kim Bater, to school councils. The budget is still being formulated; once it is complete, the chair and superintendent will visit each school to speak about the challenges in 2013 – 2014.

Those challenges have prompted the board to seriously consider conducting a Special School Tax Levy Plebiscite of 3% in this fall’s municipal and school board elections. It may not fly, but there are not many options open to the board to garner revenue.  We feel we must examine every possibility – however remote or improbable. We met with both Town of Banff and Town of Canmore Councils recently. Suffice it to say, neither group was enthusiastic about the idea. They did understand the need to explore it. This too is up for debate tonight.

We will go in camera to look at the agreement reached just last Friday by the Government of Alberta and the Alberta Teachers Association, to decide what the response of CRPS board to the Alberta School Boards’ Association will be.  You can see highlights of the agreement here.

Meanwhile the good work of teachers, students and administrators continues: Mr. Bittner is presenting tonight on a school garden/Urban agriculture proposal; The Science Fair was yesterday – 154 participants in the BCHS gym. THANK YOU Rotary for your support and Ms. Worobey for your hard work; We are still talking to Alpenglow Community School to see if we can bring them “into our tent”, as the saying goes; our partners at Parent Link have launched the “Gearing Up for Kindergarten”.

Not only are we the tiny perfect School District, we are the little engine that could, and can try to make the gears mesh and do right by our students.

See you tonight, I hope!

 

 

 

A shout-out and thank you!

I have had big fun since my last post. March 3-5, I attended the 2nd Annual Rural Education Symposium held right here in Canmore, at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Centre. Non-urban school boards from around Alberta came together to consider issues that affect us all. Many school districts find their student population shrinking – this impacts the diversity of curriculum that can be offered. The Minister of Education, MLA Jeff Johnson, joined us to hear about concerns and successes.

There was much to mull over. One of the most intriguing ideas is that these school boards may well be some of the most forward-thinking and innovative in the province:  there is no choice to be otherwise and yet still provide students what they need. Now its worth has been established,  Alberta Rural Education Symposium looks like it will be a welcome annual event.

Your distinguished panel of judges L-R: Ms. Michelle McDonell, teacher; Mr. Doug Purkis, teacher (ret.); The Snacketeria Lady, all the way from Exshaw!; and Mr. Soukas, community member (owner: Tommy’s Neighbourhood Pub, Banff)

March 13th, I went to Iron Chef competition, held in Ms. Susan Reid’s Foods class at Banff Community High School. Above, Ms. Reid introduces the judges and explains the event. The not-so-secret ingredient was…EGGS.

And they were off! With just 30 minutes to produce delicious recipes: Pasta Carbonara, Breakfast Burrito, Pad Thai, Egg Tarts and Mini Florentine Frittatas, there’s no time to waste. Beating, chopping, frying, boiling, baking, dicing, spicing,

Interesting to note – iPads and laptops were used to reference the recipes. Back in my day, the height of technology was a stand for the cookbook – version 2.0 had a clip to hold the correct page open. Room 122 began to fill up with the aromas of garlic, lime, and simmering vegetables. The dishes were served up to the judges, who dug in. I was able to sample the Pasta Carbonara, prepared by Tommy Soukas, two-time and defending champ, and the Pad Thai, from Mr. Ian Higginbottom. Both dishes were yummy. The judges would have a tricky task, but for the excellent assessment sheet with rubrics Ms. Reid had provided.

And so, the winner – by half-a-point – the Mini Florentine Frittatas from Sage and Sady. Here they are, with the coveted Iron Chef apron. A good time was clearly had by all. Thanks for inviting me Ms. Reid, and thanks everyone for making me feel so at home.

“CYA” means… “Conduct Yourselves Accordingly”

So it is a big one…today is my actual birthday, but last night my husband orchestrated a surprise birthday party: family, good friends, good food and laughter. No better recipe.  I am a lucky girl – actually, “old lady”.

Because it is my birthday, I am exercising my “birthday person” privileges by writing about what the heck I want. A theme has emerged for me over the last 10 days or so, and which prompted the title of this post: conducting oneself with kindness, assuming goodwill on the opposing side, and behaving like a grown up.

During a kaffeeklatsch with two pals that I hadn’t visited with in a while, one made the observation that if we three ruled the world,  we’d tell our people they must treat each other well, with consideration and respect, then send them on their way with the command: “Conduct yourselves accordingly…”

This civility motif continued when an educator I follow on Twitter – an arena known for bloviation, snark and intemperance, where razor-sharp wit is most often used to flay others rather than hone an argument – this fellow said “meant to say thanks for your positive and balanced voice in all the debate that seems to swirl around education.”. Wow.  I was so pleased to get this bouquet, because my style can get a wee bit, um, hyperbolic.

I’d love this to become a meme, that CYA became code for the act of behaving decently, with an altruistic attitude. It’s that idea of doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. What a world it would be. I’d love our students to manifest this deportment.

Lastly, I have been working on a committee to update Administration Policies and Procedures around Safe and Caring Schools, defining bullying and crafting a stand-alone policy/procedure regarding respect for diversity of sexual orientation. It is very important to get this right. I truly believe lives can depend on it. This video, a lovely animation of a Shane Koyczan work, imparts the pain that bullying, unkindness, and casual thoughtlessness inflicts on its victims. Since I don’t rule the world, as the sparklers on my cake extinguished, my birthday wish was: let us all be kinder to each other, let us all learn to take a breath and not ever unleash, unconsidered cruel words…like bullets, they can not be called back.

My Valentine to my public school district: Canadian Rockies Public Schools (CRPS)

This picture of our home-grown Amaryllis blooms is meant to convey the love, respect and pride I hold for our community of schools. We aren’t perfect, but it is not for want of trying, or disciplined mindful work. I have seen examples of staff at all levels – teachers, custodians, bus drivers, educational assistants, principals, admin. assistants, senior administration – everyone – going above and beyond to make things work. Kudos and thank you.

Last night I attended the Kindergarten Information & Registration Session at École Elizabeth Rummel School. I became quite nostalgic: both our boys, Ben and Beamer, went through school in Canmore. But how different it was then! When Beamer started in 1988, there was just one public school in Canmore. French Immersion (FI) – an alternative program -  had just been introduced the year prior (1987, ) but started at Grade 1; FI Kindergarten was established the following year. At the Info/Reg night 25 years ago, the parents were mostly moms; “I’ll do the car and house repair stuff, honey, you do the school stuff”. Last night moms and dads were almost equally represented.

By the time Ben rolled up in 1993, there were three public school buildings in Canmore (but only one elementary level). The separate and Francophone schools – also public – would open more than five years later. There was also a private school, Mountain Gate,  which opened in 1996 and closed at the end of the ’06 – ’07 year.

Now the registration for ’13 – ’14 has begun and there are more choices than ever. As the staff presented and the parents listened intently, I realized that the district’s strengths lie in our people. The focus of our district must be on doing what we do. We do it excellently well and will never stop striving to improve. I was a passionate advocate of public education back then – what I saw and heard last night reaffirmed my conviction.

Sentimental artifact is a lesson in teaching, or: Grandmotherhood and 30 and 60: still learning!

Today is the 30th birthday of my son, Beamer David Comfort. Beamer, facing his landmark date, mused on Facebook: “4 days left in my twenties! I guess I need to admit I am an adult,” to which someone else responded: “I think the baby gave you away.”

The shape of my life was certainly redefined at the birth of our grandson, Jack Eldon Comfort, not quite 10 weeks ago: I am a grandmother. I thought I was ready – I wasn’t. I’m not. Everything has changed. Today I am feeling sentimental and nostalgic – being on the verge of my 60th birthday is certainly part of that. And Beamer’s actual birth day was tumultuous and dramatic so I am always “verklempt” on this date. Happy birthday, Beamie!

The art piece adjacent came to light at a Christmas purge/cleanup, at the behest of our kids. (Remarking on our decline into hoardership, they rolled up their sleeves and waded in, dragging us in with them.) Beamer said “I remember this.” I did also. It marked the beginning of the end of innocence about school, creativity and “the rules” for both of us.

The assignment, in Kindergarten, was to do a portrait of Dad; one that shows “who Dad is”. The unadulterated original was just the blue figure, sans gi-normous head. Underneath the later-added-on green blob at the right, was Beamer holding hands with his Pops, while the green blob on the left always represented the Christmas tree. Beamer’s dad and I thought it amazing and touching that part of “who Dad is”, for Beamer, was their relationship, their closeness. The teacher had a different reaction. The assignment was a picture of Dad, not Dad and child. She directed him to change the picture and follow the instructions. So the hydrocephalus head was appended and Beamer obscured. Most telling for me, was Beamer’s current take on this. While I lamented the imposed revision, Beamer said: “No, part of going to school is learning to follow instructions. I didn’t follow the instructions.” True enough…but educators need to be careful when trying to teach the lesson of self-discipline and rigour, not to achieve only compliance.

Lastly,  my New Year’s gift to you: take 20 minutes out to watch this TEDx talk by Jarrett J. Krosoczka: How a boy became an artist.  Settle in with the libation of your choice and be prepared to be inspired and uplifted by this gentleman. Take particular notice of the homage he pays to the influence that the love and care received from teachers had on his life and career.

Stop bullying – yes, you… Stop it.

This week November 12 – 17, 2012 is Bullying Awareness Week. There are various events taking place in our schools to acknowledge that we all need to combat this scourge to children’s lives. A recent survey of our Canadian Rockies Public Schools community showed that bullying is not seen to be prevalent. That is all well and good, but for the kids who ARE bullied, it is a terrible problem and blights their lives.

Please come out to hear speaker Bill Belsey at Canmore Collegiate Theatre in Canmore tonight at 7:00 p.m. TONIGHT.  “The cost is FREE and the presentation is priceless,” as the poster proclaims.

Bill is the founder of www.bullying.org and is credited with coining the term “cyber-bullying”. Brian Wityshyn, Principal at Lawrence Grassi Middle School, invited him to speak.  It promises to be a very useful and interesting presentation. Please do consider joining us.

Craig and Marc Kielburger,  founders of We Day,  are getting on board with “The Pledge”and Bill Belsey:  “That’s why we’re signing on to support a Facebook initiative to take back social media and empower youth. It’s called Be Bold, Stop Bullying, and part of it is The Pledge which begins: ‘Here is my pledge: I will speak up — I will take a stand when I see kids humiliating or hurting each other.’”  I hope kids, parents and teachers will visit this page.

Do you know a caring kid who has stood up to bullying? Commend them for that behaviour and nominate them for this award – who doesn’t like pizza?

My grandson, Jack Eldon Comfort. His feet. That is all.

There’s so much I want to say on this topic. I do understand what it is to be a victim of bullying.  A diplomat’s brat, my whole early life was moving from place to place, with the result I was “the new kid” at school at least every third year. I resigned myself to some form of hazing lasting until Christmas, from mild teasing to cruel name-calling and physical harassment.  Back then, said the dinosaur, it was just “the way things are.” Suffice to say, some of that time was excruciatingly lonely and tough to get through. I am glad I made it and I want to be proactive about making a difference for today’s kids. And not just because I am now a grandmother…but that’s part of it too. I thought I understood that mama-grizzly-bear-protective-instinct from having my own kids…let me tell you, that is nothing compared to the same emotion as a grandmamma.

See you tonight at CCHS.

Birthdays, babies, awards, issues, meetings…oh, and the transformation of education

Bought myself a new hat. The dog likes it too. Thanks Ambler!

September flew by without my managing more than one blog post. Now it’s the spook-tacular last day of the month. I am not dressing up but Rose the dog might. That’s her in the photo, wearing MY new Ambler hat…she needs to stop borrowing my clothes.

To follow up on previous posts:

• my father-in-law, Eldon Comfort did indeed celebrate his 100th birthday on September 30th. He was surrounded by a multi-generational collection of relatives, friends and colleagues… and love. The MP from the constituency attended to bring greetings from PM Stephen Harper – an un-Comfort-able moment, since Eldon is an NDP supporter and deplores our PM. Ah politics. Greetings from the G-G and HRH were welcomed.
  

  Her majesty sends her best to our honoured centenarian.

  It was also a reunion. Many folks reconnected, some after long absences. There was cake:

It was Black Forest. It was homemade-delicious. It was all gone within 10 minutes of the first cut. Thank you, sis-in-law, Janet Bojti!

De rigeur at all such Comfort celebrations were the limericks.  Eldon was selling his latest edition of his collection, “The Satanic Verses”,  proceeds to charity.

and here’s my favourite, Eldon’s take on reaching 100:

October the 4th is when

 I turned a hundred , and then

                                                          There was a celebration

                                                         With considerable elation.

                                                    But I don’t think I can do it again!

The whole family hopes to have Eldon with us, hale and hearty and compos mentis for some time to come.

• No grandbaby yet. Enough said. The due date was two days ago. My son, the grandbaby’s papa, has a well-deserved reputation for outrageous Halloween costumes. Wait one more day before you meet your dad. Please. What could one more day hurt?
  

  Sorry for the graphic imagery but too good to resist for my nurse daughter-in-law due NOW!

   On to school board business. With the advent of our new superintendent, Chris MacPhee, there’s change in the wind. Chris is taking the time to meet everyone in Canadian Rockies Public Schools – and beyond -  face-to-face. He is on a Listening Tour. Chris is a passionate advocate for teacher leadership excellence. He is instituting change where it is necessary.

  Superintendent MacPhee has also made a priority of bringing our technological capacity up to speed, by partnering with another school district in a pilot program that may one day serve as a model for the province. The main district website is now full of very current information on such diverse topics as Professional Development with a video of Sharon Friesen’s presentation to the work being done in two of our elementary schools on habits of mind. Please visit often to explore what’s going on in the division. Oh, and please, give us feedback!

  And a hip-hip-hooray to Deb McKibbin, who I think is the first teacher in CRPS to have a blog that is all pedagogy, all the time.  I look forward to following the deep learning that Deb is pursuing.

  The Canadian Rockies Public Schools international student program website is up and running. This is an important part of our school community. Aside from the much-needed revenue received, these foreign students add richness and diversity to our school population, broadening the minds and aspirations of our young people. That being said, this aspect of the district operations is under continuous close examination through the IHM filters to ensure it makes sense for this division.

  

  Getting our ducks in a row.

  At the September 11^th Board Committee meeting, the discussion ranged over issues and opportunities arising from previous strategic planning sessions + Inspiring Hearts and Minds (IHM) work + the June 20^th meeting of the Community Education Network (CEN). The strategic function of the board is developed through a generative process with staff, school councils, students (where appropriate), and other partners.  This process is both generative and iterative; it is useful at times to declare current priorities. These are not fixed in stone, but will be informed as further learning emerges in consultative collaboration.

  So these are the four key priorities for this 2012 – 2013 school year:

  1) EDUCATIONAL/LEARNING – The Board expects that the Superintendent commence division-wide work, going deeper with our three-year work/plan to bring IHM to life by “Nurturing a Culture of Excellence” by focusing on the two most important factors to improve student achievement:

  1. instructional excellence
  2. instructional leadership

  2) FINANCIAL PLANNING - To increase the effectiveness of our financial planning in relation to our key priorities. We are changing the way we review and monitor our ongoing financial management as well as the budget process.  Alberta Education undertook a review of our financial situation which confirmed what was already known. The board has formed a budget committee (board, superintendent, administrators) to deal with these challenges.

  3) COMMUNICATION  – To review and update our communications processes and systems so that we are timely and relevant in how we communicate with our public – parents, students, school councils, community and other audiences.  The goal is to improve the flow of information, knowledge and understanding to inform effective action and decision-making.  Last year’s 3-year Calendar and Superintendent hiring processes were examples of a more focused and intentional approach to communication. New this year is “Board Highlights”, a newsletter produced by trustee Carol Picard. Exactly as the title describes, it will bring to the forefront the issues and initiatives that the board is jazzed about, as well as concerns and issues seen over the horizon.  The board and superintendent will also provide information to politicians and other stakeholders, and advocate for the division with those parties.

  4) POLICY REVIEW-  To update our policies to reflect current practice and the new approaches developed through IHM, CEN and other processes. This is often dry work – housekeeping outdated documents, cleaning up redundant or moribund items. Anything of significance will be brought to public scrutiny.

  WHEW! The picture below is by way of an intermission, to break up the text before launching into the next section. It is just one day recently, up at the off-leash area above Canmore.

  

  There are days when the Rockies look like the Himalayas – this was one of them.

  So the Community Education Network (CEN) had a broad discussion about options to manage the issues of grade configuration and infrastructure within CRPS in order to address the twin issues of declining enrollment and the attendant reduction of funding.  The CEN group told CRPS: “Don’t fear making the tough decisions which need to be made for both fiscal and academic reasons. What does it do to the community if we don’t make decisions?” In addition CEN wishes to continue its involvement in the ongoing decision-making process. Moving forward, the model will be similar to the process used to determine the calendar: gather data from multiple sources, provide plenty of time for input and discussion, communicate. Elements of IHM will be used as a basis for discussion to zero in on the key issues:

  1. Academic: ensure there is sound pedagogical reasoning behind options
  2. Social
  3. Economic/fiscal
  4. Community needs

  And, overarching it all: what is best for students?

  Last couple of items:

  The Education Act, Bill 3, just passed the committee stage in the Alberta Legislature last night. Follow this as you can; Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) and other groups will be shedding light on the implications. As always, the devil is in the details, so it will be the regulations put in place to implement the laws that will inform what comes next.

  Tripartite talks: breaking news: October 31, 2012
  Parties agree to continue tripartite talks beyond Oct. 31 deadline
  Joint Statement – Government of Alberta, Alberta School Boards Association and the Alberta Teachers’ Association have been engaged in discussions on a new long-term framework to achieve workforce stability and transform Alberta’s education system.
  All three parties share a common interest in reaching an agreement. At this point, the parties have agreed to continue these discussions beyond our self-imposed deadline of Oct. 31, 2012.
  We remain committed to the transformation of the education system to ensure student success in the 21st century.                                                                                                  Stay tuned. This one is important, but may not be settled very soon.

  And finally, a brief shout out on the Canmore Collegiate High School Awards presentation. I know many pedagogues and parents who are against or ambivalent about such celebrations, but I find these ceremonies meaningful and uplifting, not just for the students and their parents, but for the whole community. The affection and respect between the students and the teachers is palpable.

  Huge props to Canmore Rotary. President Lawrence Nyman presented 18 cash prizes, four of which are new this year.  This organization does so much to support our schools with the foreign student exchange program and the “Adventures in...” courses for 15 to 18-year-old youth, as well as other behind-the-scenes efforts – the breakfast program and Science Fair in particular. Many thanks to this public-spirited group of doers.

  I did miss May Riva who passed away in June of this year at the age of 94. She always came and said something like “I’m back. Fooled you, didn’t I?” She told the kids to not only remember to thank those who gave them money but also to take the time to tell those sponsors and supporters what they were doing with their lives.  Principal Glenn Nelson called her to mind at the presentation of the Eileen Reid Fine Arts Bursary and we all smiled at the memory of her inimitable presence. In the Craig Douce photo here, May is at the dedication of the park named for her at Elizabeth Rummel School.                            Miss you, May.

   

Back to business, back to work.

I wrote the title for this post on the Labour Day weekend, inspired by this poster. Then I got interrupted then here we are three weeks later…how does that happen? I have been busy doing.

Next time someone disses unions to me, I’ll be obnoxious, and remind them of the benefits for which union men and women fought – and sometimes died.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a bit of an aside, the mountain ash seem to be more laden with berries than in previous years.  Birds are glutting themselves; I captured this robin from the parking lot at work.

I love robins, don’t you? They are looking fat and sassy right now. I just smile when I see one.

I am pleased to say that I reached my reward goal for quitting smoking: The Burgess Shale hike on September 9th with a Parks Canada guide, three good friends and nine strangers. At 22 kilometers distance and nearly 800 meters elevation, it was not your average Sunday stroll for this dowager duchess! And I sprained my ankle and road-rashed my knee on the Thursday just prior to going. Never mind. I had made up my mind to go. I did not get to the Quarry, but to the Discovery site about 100 meters below, where we found a treasure trove of fossils.

205 million years old, I believe we were told. Wow.

I learned again the sweet satisfaction of achieving an objective despite the odds. I never would have made it to the end without the encouragement of my pals. It was a very special weekend. Thanks all.

The pals who got me there. Did I mention it was sleeting and just a little breezy? Bless you ladies for your support and your laughter.

The school district is in full swing. The Board had its first committee meeting on the 11th of September and the first public meeting on the 19th. The agendas and minutes from those are on the CRPS website. Our budget is not entirely set yet, because the money is tied to our student numbers as at September 30th.  Meanwhile the work continues.

Kevan Funk answers questions from the audience at The Banff Centre: The Club, Sept. 14, 2012.

On Friday September 14th I was lucky enough to attend the community screening of four short movies produced by a Banff Community High School graduate Kevan Funk. So very interesting to see the work of this nascent filmmaker. I look forward to seeing his future work. Kevan has a lot of talent and his work already shows a clear level of professionalism; he will be one we hear from in the future.

This past Friday, I was privileged to be inspired by another brilliant speaker: Dr. Sharon Friesen. She was working with our teachers on instructional excellence and educational leadership. Fascinating absorbing material…and it will serve the teachers and principals well – and thereby, our students.  More on this later…it really is very exciting.

Nope this is not Canmore’s Duck Race: they put in 1,000 tiny ducks – I just like this graphic.

I am racing to finish as I leave for 10 days holiday,  but must add that our Superintendent Chris MacPhee, along with his many other attributes, also turns out to be lucky: he won first prize -$1,200 -  in the football team’s annual Duck Race fundraiser. I wonder how he will spend it?!

Oh and I learned this week that the slang term for a question mark followed by an exclamation mark, as at the end of the previous sentence is an “interro-bang”: lifelong learning.