Naming of Facilities
Policy –
the proposed policy was presented to school councils last month. The Board
passed a motion to approve the new policy that deals with naming of
division-owned facilities/spaces.
Synervoice
– the automated call-out
system will be available to all schools in the division. The Board approved the
annual fee for the 2013/2014 school year. The service will be evaluated for its
effectiveness.
Government of
Alberta/Alberta Teachers Association Framework Agreement
- SPERD trustees formally passed a motion to accept the GOA/ATA agreement. The
board agreed to the framework in principle back in March.
Locally developed
courses –
The Board approved two more courses developed by other school divisions:
Forensics 35 and Abnormal Psychology 35
Policy review
– Trustees reviewed and
made recommendations to the Policy Committee on two policies regarding trustee
code of ethics and board operations.
Council of School
Councils (COSC) –
school councils/parent advisory councils are invited to meet June 12; 6:30 - 8:30
p.m. at Central Office Board Room - budget presentation and other possible
topics, such as an update on Facebook, outcomes-based reporting, etc.
SPAN cafeteria lease
- tabled to June meeting for further information gathering
Financial support for
students reaching provincial competitions - Board sponsors local
sports teams who reach provincials, but what about students excelling in other
areas? Administration will poll principals on participation level of all
students across the division and bring back recommendations to the Board.
Highway 36/45
improvement committee –
Trustee Rudkowsky has been
attending meetings regarding wide, heavy loads traveling through the Two Hills
area. Pedestrian crossing will be limited, but student crossings were given
attention. An open house will take place in June for the proposal by the
committee.
Superintendent's Report:
Field
trips –
school administrators are developing more information for pre-trip checklists.
All relevant information will be available to parents - everything from
crossing the street to the park to traveling outside of the province.
Science
Olympics –
took place April 18 at Racette School with a number of activities challenging
students' science knowledge.
School
fundraising policy –
administration is examining existing Admin Procedure 520 in order to ensure
equity, consistency and balance for all fundraising activities at the school
level. Community and school fundraising groups will be consulted during the
process.
Risk/Threat
Protocol and Emergency Preparedness procedures will be
standardized for every classroom across the division by the beginning of the
next school year.
Outcomes-based
report cards - K-6 teachers will review and make
changes if necessary - no plan to move outcomes-based report cards beyond Grade
6 - Junior and Senior High courses still need to align to Diploma exams and
post-secondary requirements.
Grade 4/5 students
across the division are attending Ag Safety Day on May 10 - 200 students - St. Paul Ag Corral.
Financial Report
- for 2012/2013 - outstanding ATA agreement still leaves some questions for
this year - for 2013/2014 - looking at relying on some reserves to carry us
through a slight shortfall, but it will not impact the classroom - Operations
and Maintenance, AISI programs, etc. cut –
staffing will remain status quo
Capital Projects:
THMS - driving piles for concrete – contacting government again re:
postponed sod turning
FG Miller still on schedule
Racette - final detailing - trustees toured progress last
month
ASBA Zone 2/3:
GOA/ATA agreement - some boards having difficulty reaching
settlements
Edwin Parr Awards - nominee from Mallaig, Kayla Fluker, has
completed interview process –
the award recognizes successful first-year teachers
ASCA conference
- Trustee Lafrance attended conference on April 26-28 with two parents from St.
Paul Elementary and Myrnam schools –
many of the sessions focused on operations of local school councils as well as
Alberta Education’s
emphasis on moving forward with the Inspiring Education initiatives.
Northern Tier
- five years ago St. Paul Education was at the bottom of the list of this
ranking of schools - found out this year we are rated the highest division in
the Northern Tier.
Parent letter
- a parent from Saddle Lake expressed concern that aboriginal students were not
being represented at the board level. The Board is writing a letter in return
explaining that our division has a First Nations Metis and Inuit coordinator,
school council meetings and local trustees as options to have a voice in our
division.
St. Paul Friends of
Playschool - currently leases a classroom in St.
Paul Elementary School –
the Board approved motion to extend lease at current rate.
