School Council

School Council Agenda

   Springbank Middle School (SMS)

December School Council Meeting

A G E N D A

1. Welcome
2. Call Meeting to Order
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Approval of Meeting Minutes  
5. Trustee’s Report - Judi Hunter
6. Administration Report - Glen Brooker & Diana Stapor
7. Co-chair’s Report – Sandra Kachuik & Caley Remington
8. Reports from Representative Positions
9. Athletics Report
10. Band
11. Canadian Parents for French
12. Fundraising
13. Fun Lunches
14. Spirit Day
15. Volunteer Coordinator
16. Grants
17. Learning Commons
18. Open Floor
19. Next Meetings
20. Adjournment

A G E N D A

1. Welcome
2. Call Meeting to Order
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Approval of Meeting Minutes      
5. Trustee’s Report - Judi Hunter
6. Administration Report - Glen Brooker & Diana Stapor
7. Co-chair’s Report – Sandra Kachuik & Caley Remington

      -Discuss School Funds

 

5. Reports from Representative Positions
   1. Athletics Report
   2. Band
   3. Canadian Parents for French
   4. Fundraising
   5. Fun Lunches
   6. Spirit Day
   7. Volunteer Coordinator
   8. Grants
   9. Learning Commons
   10. Open Floor
   11. Next Meetings
   12. Adjournment

School Council Meeting Minutes

November Meeting

Call to Order: 7:12pm

Approval of Agenda: Caley & Jean

Approval of Meeting Minutes: Caley & Tammy

Trustee’s Report - Judi Hunter

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER, TRUSTEE HUNTER, WARD 5Students’ Unique Invention Protects Parks Through Hands-on Learning

Grade 1 and 2 French Immersion students from Airdrie’s A.E. Bowers Elementary School collaborated with Parks Canada in 2023/24 to develop a tool to keep our national parks and picnic areas clean.  Students developed critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, collaboration, creativity, innovation and citizenship skills all key to building future-ready students which is one of the goals of Rocky View Schools’ (RVS) Education Plan.

Board to Requests the Town of Cochrane Provide Serviced School Site as Previously Agreed

The Town of Cochrane and RVS signed a memorandum of understanding in 2021 which required the Town to provide a serviced site in the community of Horsecreek by the end of 2024. The Board will send a letter to the Town mayor and council requesting the Town honour the terms of the memorandum of understanding. The new high school in Cochrane is number six on RVS’ Capital Plan priorities list for 2026 and a necessary addition of student spaces. Municipalities play an important role in ensuring school sites are ready when they are needed as part of the Provincial government’s school project approval process.

Chestermere Student Accommodation Engagement OpenRVS’ schools in Chestermere are experiencing enrolment pressures that require new school builds as soon as possible, but despite design funding being approved for one Chestermere school in Budget 2024, this pressure on existing schools will continue until this much-needed school can be built.   A Board accommodation decision will be made at the public Board meeting on Jan. 23, 2025.

Supporting Inclusion and Diversity Update

The RVS Learning department provided an update to the Board on professional development opportunities presented to classroom staff and school administrators in 2023/24, which support RVS’ inclusion and diversity guidelines  Providing student-centered education that is inclusive, safe and supportive is one of the goals of RVS’ multi-year Strategic Plan.

Ward Boundary Decision

The Board has approved the recommendation of the consultant for the Board Boundary review.  The change will see an additional trustee in the City of Cochrane and the combination of Wards 2 and 4 as one trustee position and adding one trustee position to Cochrane, leaving the Board composition of 8 trustees.

Search for a new Chief Superintendent begins

Superintendent of Schools, Greg Luterbach, has given notice. We thank him for his eight plus years of service and his commitment to providing quality learning for the students of Rocky View Schools.

2025/26 School Calendar Approved

The Board has approved the 2025/26 school calendar.  The calendar is now posted.

2024/25 Advocacy Priorities Focus on Space and Supports for Students.

The Board has approved the priorities to guide its advocacy work for the current school year – Space for Students and Support for Students. These thoughtfully developed advocacy priorities are specific areas where increased government support is essential to address critical needs that impact the educational experience and outcomes of students.

Alberta’s opt-in bill for sex education

The legislation requires parents to be notified each time a teacher addresses gender identity, sexual orientation or human sexuality instruction.

Metis learning to be implemented

Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools in Okotoks have recently announced a new educational services agreement with the Rupertsland Institute, to help students at local Catholic schools learn more about Métis history and culture.

Ottawa to mull restricting protests outside 'vulnerable' institutions

Over the past few years,  protests at schools, places of worship and other community places have increased. The City of Ottawa is considering enacting a bylaw to protect such institutions from harm, intimidation and vitriol.

Inflation impacts Purchase of New Buses

Rising costs have impacted the purchase of new buses and vehicle parts for the Northern Lights Public Schools Division (NLPS). “We have seen prices rise to 70 percent on new buses in the past five years,” said a spokesperson for the school division, who explained that some vehicle parts have increased in price by as much as 200-300 percent in the same period.

Labor unrest hits education

Edmonton Support Workers vote for strike action.

Administration Report - Glen Brooker & Diana Stapor

Smoothest Halloween year with care awards plus dance, inviting parents etc.

FI care celebrated together all in French. Staff were happy, the day flowed by. Drama production was good. Costume contest was good because they went to every class ;) Loads dressed up and great fun was had by all.

Nov break “poo-pooed” by Rockyview District Schools. Too much disruptive knock-on effect.

More conflict this time of year. GB told staff to keep an eye out. Boys teasing girls, etc., we need to reign them in. Some charged language going on. They’re not using it at people specifically, but inappropriate words are generally being used –becoming part of the vernacular. GB is looking for a speaker re words – a guy from Vancoouver but $5k.

FI summit GB sat with the FI team about what we’re doing and how can we celebrate FI more. A Christmas event will happen, talking about resources re literacy, dynamic engaged event. Do we stick FI’s in a wing of the school? Re-structure the time table? FI programme needs more focus. Teachers said that resiliency is poor … teachers are having to fold and speaking English. Kids using google translate. G5 meeting needs to happen right away – discussing resources with parents, explaining class, etc. Kids struggling to read the French questions on tests etc. More information sessions required, more might follow on Sign up genus.  

Co-chair’s Report – Sandra Kachuik & Caley Remington

Discussion of School Funds: School generated funds are not for the school council to spend.

Staff appreciation/Spirit days? In December? When would be a good time? Decided that January is best. Perhaps ask kids to write a letter to teachers? Sign up genius could be used to engage parents.

Reports from Representative Positions

1. Athletics Report – N/A
2. Band – lots of fundraising and concerts in Dec and end Nov.
3. Canadian Parents for French – No rep! Have Judy come to French Soiree (info will be coming)
4. Fundraising – Nothing going on in works now
5. Fun Lunches – going great. Prices going up a little.
6. Spirit Day – Jean will chat with Sarah and figure it out + Caley
7. Volunteer Coordinator – Nothing on right now.
8. Grants – None at moment.
9. Learning Commons - Library was torn apart for book fair. Initially we were only going to do 4 days, but we did 5 and have decided that it’s too long – suggest back to 4 next time. Reading pods discussed.

Open Floor

Family Skate Food drive at 12:45 to 2:45 Red Dutton at SPFAS on 11 Nov.  

Policy re funds spend – give to Dinah to summarize.

Next Meetings

4^th Dec at 1pm

Adjournment – 8:32pm

Minutes

Attendees:

Chelsea, Jill, Tammy, Jean, Jean, Glen, Caley, Sandra,

Meeting to Order at 7:05

Approval of Agenda – Motion: Jean; Second: Caley

Approval of Meeting Minutes – Motion: Caley; Second: Sandra            

Trustee’s Report - Judi Hunter

 

October 2024 Newsletter      Ward 5 Trustee Hunter

School has been in session for over a month now and students are busy with their studies, and extra-curricular activities.  School calendars are posted on the school’s website for family planning.

The Board is scheduling student accommodation community engagements for the City of Cochrane and the Town of Chestermere.

A few community updates

• Rocky View County held its meeting on the proposed Petro Canada station at RR33 and highway 1. A decision to follow.
• Calaway Park will be expanded TWP Road 45 to the West.This will impact access to  Springbank Middle School – more to come on that.
• Please be aware that many RVS buses are equipped with cameras to register the license plates of cars who do not stop and pass the bus while the stop arm is out
• Schools report satisfaction with the new cellphone use policy. Link to parent awareness of social media.https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/digital-danger-parents-key-to-keeping-kids-safe-on-social-media
• The City of Airdrie held a successful back-to-school clothing drive and swap in September.
• https://www.discoverairdrie.com/articles/over-150-families-helped-at-back-to-school-clothing-drive-and-swap

Alberta opens its first Autism school. https://globalnews.ca/news/10753356/jim-jiwani-autism-academy-edmonton/

Link to children’s autism organization:  www.childrensautism.ca

Alberta Beef Producers has initiated a new program for elementary students called “Running with Ranchers”.  It is sponsored by the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation (GRPF).

Link to initiative

https://www.stalbertgazette.com/beyond-local/new-curriculum-at-some-alberta-schools-has-students-learning-from-ranchers-9505693

Alberta government in a joint initiative with CASA Mental Health is supporting  9 new  5 -month student mental health programs for across the province. This a link to the story.

https://globalnews.ca/news/10750131/alberta-mental-health-classrooms-fall-2024/

Link to CASA website https://casamentalhealth.org/getting-help-2/casa-classrooms/

Across the country

In Manitoba, Bill 35, the Education Administration Amendment Act, was passed unanimously last spring.  It is like bills in Alberta and other provinces that offer public information regarding teacher misconduct

Manitoba implement school nutrition program https://www.kenoraminerandnews.com/news/local-news/manitoba-launches-universal-school-nutrition-program-for-all-students

Recommended Reading

For those of you who would like educational related reading the following recommendations are worth a look:

Supercommunicators

Charles Duhigg

https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/supercommunicators-how-to-unlock-the-secret-language-of-connection/9780385697743.html

Can American Capitalism Survive?

Steven Pearlstein

https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/can-american-capitalism-survive-why-greed-is-not-good-opportunity-is-not-equal-and-fairness-wont-make-us-poor/9781250185983.html

Eco Anxiety

Harriet Dyer

digo.ca/en-ca/eco-anxiety-and-what-to-do-about-it-practical-tips-to-allay-your-fears-and-live-a-more-environmentally-friendly-life/9781632280848.html?searchType=products&searchTerm=eco%20anxiety

Links are provided so you can see the cover and read the synopsis

 Administration Report - Glen Brooker & Diana Stapor

Quarterly meeting with OT’s and psychologists. Miss Bersado (“MB” she’s the CDA) helps comms with families. She is the gateway to bring in services and support. Child psychologist background. Knows who needs to be involved to work with families as needed.

“FSL” liaison – support school & family. “Soft-landings” for kids to arrive at school.

GB meets once a week with MB and they talk about kids/process etc.

Math pre-assessments have been completed to see where students at, but results not back yet (targeting all FI Grades 5&6).

What’s guiding our year – categorizing students, what types of learners they are, how do they read?

Added EFT time for all students…not just FI.

7&8’s literacy support, and each teacher has to submit the subject based learning plan, starting next Friday – dedicated time to read is needed. What groups of kids need what. Not speaking, reading or writing enough French.

Co-chair’s Report – Sandra Kachuik & Caley Remington

Cheese fundraiser for the FI – who will be the fundraiser? Need a volunteer!

“Fit Set Ninja” – obstacle course in the gym in winter discussed – 300 kids a day….$1,750 per day (Caley said elementary didn’t like them.  Sandra asked Caley to double check if ok?  

FOSMASS – fundraising through the Casino (March 18^th and 19^th Pure Casino (can Caley take it over?) – Secretary leaving, so we need a secretary too. “Jill” has been doing it.

Reports from Representative Positions

1. Athletics Report – read by DK
2. Band – rep needed
3. Canadian Parents for French – rep needed
4. Fundraising – everything filled
5. Fun Lunches – great! Lots of volunteers
6. Spirit Day – Halloween – we’re having the care awards during the mornings, then maybe a dance afterwards. time, last 2 periods.
7. Volunteer Coordinator – Nick?
8. Grants – No update but some “in the works”
9. Learning Commons - teachers can have a wish list for books further direction needed though. Book Fair volunteers required.
10. Open Floor – N/A
11. Next Meetings

Nov 6^th 7pm

8. Adjournment

8:02pm.