School Council Chair & Trustee General Meeting

October 3, 20117:00-9:00 p.m.

Bishop Carroll High School

Thank you School Council Chairs for all the work you do for our students!

Opening PrayerBoard of Trustees Chair Scarpino: Remembering that we are a people loved by God, we come together:All: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.Board of Trustees Chair Scarpino: Let us open our hearts and our minds to these words from scripture.A lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” The lawyer answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.” And Jesus said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.” (Luke 10:25-28)Please join me in our opening prayer.

Opening Prayer – cont’d.All:Almighty God, creator and guide, you call us to be living witnesses of your love and mercy. Help us to recognize your presence and love in ourselves and in all people that we may know your forgiveness in our lives and serve you with our whole heart and mind. Bless us as we strive to animate your love in the world. May our love and concern respond to the practical needs of our “neighbour” and extend toward all thereby reflecting “action on inclusion.” Bless our discussion and activities this evening. Together may we discover ways in which to strengthen our partnerships, build teams dedicated to quality education and ensure that each child feels welcomed. We ask this through our Lord Jesus, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

Thank you!For taking on the very important role of School Council Chair.

Your Board of TrusteesWards Trustee Phone Number

Wards 1, 2, & Cochrane Serafino Scarpino, Chair (403) 500-2550

Wards 3, 5, & Airdrie Linda Wellman (403) 500-2552

Wards 4 & 7 Margaret Belcourt (403) 500-2551

Wards 6 & 8 Lois Burke-Gaffney (403) 500-2553

Wards 9, 10 & Chestermere Rosemarie Goerlitz (403) 500-2554

Wards 11 & 12 Cathie Williams (403) 500-2555

Wards 13 & 14 Mary Martin, Vice Chair (403) 500-2556

Senior AdminSuperintendent Area Phone NumberDr. Lucy Miller Chief Superintendent (403) 500-2783

Michael Barbero Superintendent, Area A Schools (403) 500-2606

Luba Diduch Superintendent, Area B Schools (403) 500-2431

Judy MacKay Superintendent, Area C Schools (403) 500-2600

Gary Strother Superintendent, Area D Schools / Information Technology

(403) 500-2430

Mark Rawlek Superintendent, Area E Schools / Support Services

(403) 500-2433

Dr. Andra McGinn Superintendent, Specialized Program Schools / Instruction / Religious Education

(403) 500-2419

John Deausy Superintendent, Finance & Business / Secretary-Treasurer

(403) 500-2779

Craig Foley Superintendent, Human Resources (403) 500-2429

Actions Taken

World Café public participation/consultation process

All voices heard and recorded All input and feedback shared with all

stakeholders Input and feedback reviewed to determine

what actions need to be taken Closing the loop: sharing of actions taken

SCC and Trustee General Mtg. Nov 2, 2010FI Re-imagining in the Context of all District Schools &

Programs - Feedback

Parent Suggestions (Nov. 2, 2010): Program changes must come from parents’ input and

feedback Review locations of FI schools Combine several operationally small schools in close proximity Accept non-Catholics Fiscal responsibility must be taken into account Increase enrolment with new program offerings Improve marketing and advertising Transportation is a huge issue

FI Re-imagining in the Context of all District Schools & Programs - Action

Actions taken:The district is continuing to: Schedule public participation meetings to inform parents and

solicit input and feedback Look at locations of all district programs and schools Accept non-Catholic students where there is space and

resources available and where parents have agreed that their children will participate in the faith life of the school community and in religious education

Share fiscal realities with all stakeholders on an on-going basis Support schools with marketing and advertising

FI Re-imagining in the Context of all District Schools & Programs – Action cont’d.

Actions taken: After the November 2nd General Meeting, school

council chairs from FI schools requested that a meeting be hosted at their individual schools to provide an opportunity for the FI school community to better understand their particular situation

Public Participation/school council meetings were scheduled for March 2011 in all FI schools

Trustees and Area Superintendents were scheduled to attend

Parent and Trustee ForumHealthy Choices - Feedback

Parent Suggestions (Nov., Dec. 2010) Use common language with all students Emphasize nutrition education Have fundraising activities related to health

and wellness Visual reminders in facilities Include information in school newsletters and

school websites

Healthy Choices - ActionActions taken: The main benefit was the use of consistent messaging about Healthy Choices

for Healthy Learners throughout all district schools Numerous PD sessions were offered to teachers. These were very well

attended with much interest and ideas brought back to schools to contribute and effect change

Information sessions for noon hour assistants and other non certificated staff was provided. Staff worked together to make revisions to canteen offerings

Resources shared with schools re healthy fundraising activities Healthy Choices for Healthy Learners posters distributed to schools Monthly newsletters shared with administration and posted on the district

website

Parent and Trustee ForumHomework Regulation - Feedback

Parent Suggestions (Jan. 31, 2011): For the most part, the district regulation,

as presented at the meeting, was in line with Cathy Vatterott’s research.

There needs to be education regarding the topic of homework among teachers, administrators, parents and students.

Homework Regulation - ActionActions taken: The Homework Regulation (IKB), (incorporating stakeholder feedback

and input to the maximum extent possible) was posted on the district website on Feb. 28, 2011

Principals shared the regulation with staff and initiated PD planning as necessary including accessing support through Instructional Services

Conversation about the implications of the regulation on teacher practice took place on an on-going basis to the end of the school year and was once again re-introduced in the fall of this year

District-wide PD for teachers offered White Boards in common spaces in schools track assigned

homework

Parent and Trustee Forum Budget Update - Feedback

Parent Suggestions (Mar. 8, 2011) The following principles or guidelines should be considered

in making budget decisions:Maintaining and strengthening school programsPriorities regarding student learning needs, class sizes,

marketing, and equityBest use of school facilitiesGenerating more revenuePrudence in long-term decision makingOptions for purchasing services and productsReview of transportation efficiencies

Budget Update - ActionActions taken: A small increase was put in for transportation (parents did not indicate a

strong concern for transportation). Parents indicated that class size was the most important to them.

Although we heard parents say this, due to budget realities and funding, class size did increase a bit. We also realize that the composition of the class is very important and through centralized support we were able to support these complexities.

Parents also indicated that full day Kindergarten was not a priority. We have continued the existing full day programs because we know that the full day program is giving students in these areas an opportunity for a successful start in their first year a schooling and sets them up for success. We will continue to look at these programs in a fiscally responsible way.

FI School Council/Public Participation Meetings - Feedback

Parent Suggestions (Mar. 2011): Merging/combining some schools and closing others Changing boundaries Marketing/promoting the program Using facilities for district and outside programs, such as

before and after school programs Providing better transportation Increasing options/other programs Having dual track programs in schools Keeping the status quo

FI School Council/Public Participation Meetings - Action

Actions taken: Responses to parents’ questions were provided from

Planning Department regarding facilities and transportation questions

Area Superintendents regarding programs and religious education questions

Superintendent/Secretary-Treasurer regarding finance and business questions

Posted on the district website Will be used to develop proposals for the next phase of district

Program and Student Accommodation taking place in Nov and Dec of 2011 (Help Plan Our Future)

Program & Accommodation Quadrant Meetings (May 2011) - Feedback

Suggestions/Best ideas: Each city quadrant had specific feedback relevant to their

area schools. This feedback is posted on the district website www.cssd.ab.ca / Parent Centre / Program & Accommodation or http://www.cssd.ab.ca/default.asp?V_ITEM_ID=1877 and a hard copy of the feedback is available on your tables

Additional information on past quadrant public participation meetings is also located on this website: http://www.cssd.ab.ca/default.asp?V_ITEM_ID=1877 May 2011 March 2011

Program & Accommodation Quadrant Meetings (May 2011) - Action

Actions taken: Meetings have been schedule to discuss

parent recommendations and district proposals in the next step of “Help Plan Our Future, Program and Student Accommo-dation” meetings:November 7, 8 and 9, 2011December 6, 7 and 8, 2011

Feedback Sheet• Important to have information on what worked well

and areas that need improvement.• Questions: If you would like a direct response, please

provide contact information on your feedback sheet.• All questions and responses will be posted on the

District internet site at www.cssd.ab.ca /Parent Centre /School Councils.

• Feedback for Trustees – please fill out the back of your feedback sheet in response to the question posed by your Board of Trustees.

Thank you!• Mr. Daniel Danis, the principal of Bishop

Carroll High School for hosting this meeting.• Thank you to Bishop Carroll High School staff,

especially:Mr. Cam Wong – head caretaker, andCaretakers: Mr. Claro Pasamanero, Mr.

Julito Galeion, Mr. Edgar Casarrubias, and Mr. Orville Blanco, Romeo Castro

Closing PrayerBoard of Trustees Vice-Chair Martin: In gratitude for all that God has done for us and in anticipation of Thanksgiving, we pray…

All: † In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gracious God, you bless us with many spiritual treasures: faith, hope, love, the presence of your Spirit and so much more. Help us to receive these gifts with open hearts and use them to build your kingdom. Give us grateful eyes to see the abundance of gifts you have placed in the world and grant that we may use these gifts wisely. Bless our children and our families and fill our moments together with a deep appreciation for one another. Continue to lead and guide us in our work with school councils and encircle our school communities with goodness and truth. May our efforts to live the commandment of love make a difference in the world and enable us to bear all things, believe all things and hope all things. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.