From Global Calgary:
"A Calgary mother who says her child has been the victim of a bullying teacher now says she has the evidence to prove it.
After raising the problem with the principal of Grant MacEwan Elementary, she felt there was no resolution. Her next step was to send her son to his Grade 5 classroom with a recording device.
'We went from having a son excited and happy, to very worried and not sleeping at night and not wanting to go to school in the morning,' the mother told Global News. 'That’s when I noticed there was something I needed to look into.'
The device caught the following exchange between the teacher and another student.
Teacher: 'Can you stop making excuses? Did you call the teacher’s attention to say I was trying to write this and ask your neighbour? Did you talk to your neighbour?'
Student: 'Yeah.'
Teacher: 'Which neighbour?'
Student: 'Her- she said she didn’t know and I asked, and then I didn’t get the rest of it' (student crying)
Teacher: 'Oh, so keep crying, Prince. After you ask, I asked everybody to put a red strip on the top of their table if they needed help. Did anybody hear me say that?'
Class responds: 'Yes.'
Teacher: 'Where is your red strip?'
Student: 'I don’t know.'
Teacher: 'How then would I know you needed help? I am not a magician. Stop making me one or I will make you vanish.'
In other portions of the recording, the teacher was soft-spoken and encouraging to students.
Officials with the Calgary Board of Education say they cannot comment on the case because it is a personnel issue. They add they are aware of the concerns and have taken action to 'ensure the safety of students.'"
The tone of the teacher's voice portrays a clearer description of how the conversation was carried out.
Listen to the recorded conversation here.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Monday, October 21, 2013
Election Day!
Polls open at 10 am today (close at 8pm). If you are unclear about where to vote, click here to find out. If you are unclear about which Trustee to vote for, read Rox's blog entries below or follow this link to read about the candidates (our ward is 12/14).
Get out to vote! It takes minutes to get it done, you provide an excellent example for your kids, you exercise your most fundamental democratic responsibility, and (best of all) you earn the right to complain about elected officials for the next 4 years.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Forum for CBE Trustee Candidates
This past Thursday, I attended Centennial High School Parents' Association Forum for the Board of Trustees Candidates in wards 12 & 14. The attending candidates were Amber Stewart, Christina Steed, Todd Newman, Helen Mowat, Malik Amery and current trustee, for wards 11 & 13, Sheila Taylor. The two hour forum included an opening and closing remark from each candidate, as well as, an open question period by audience members directed at the panel. The evening was informative and helpful in forming my decision on what CBE trustee candidate to vote for on October 21. Here is my summary of what each candidate presented:
Amber Stewart described herself to be "well rounded," "understanding parents in the thick of it," as she is a parent of school aged children herself. She advocates for transparency, communication, more detail and discussion within the board. Stewart expressed concern around mental health issues in students, particularly at the middle school level. She offered a unique idea for future board meetings, with a "we come to you" approach by using facets like Twitter, Facebook and holding board meetings at high schools. Stewart energetically jumped to answer audience questions promptly during the forum.
Christina Steed, who currently works for an MLA, spoke of her expertise in understanding "how government works, who to talk to, how to talk to them." Having a special needs youngster (and three other children), she feels strongly about early intervention in education. Christina struck me to be intelligent and methodical. She often took her time to answer audience questions and offered lengthy answers.
Todd Neuman, a software developer and small business owner, expressed his ability to "break apart complex issues." He is focused on getting the "attention of the CBE back on learning" and to "open the doors of communication" by connecting parents with the trustees. Neuman feels disconnected to the existing board and if elected, plans to engage open communication between the board and school councils. I appreciated his direct and 'to the point' approach. When the panel was asked a series of fact based questions like, "how many schools are currently within the CBE?" Neuman was the only candidate who knew the facts.
Helen Mowat passionately spoke about character, integrity, holistic learning and working/ speaking from the heart. As a former teacher of fifteen years, she spoke of the "hierarchy" that has caused "a lot of problems within the CBE." She stated that the top management at the CBE "does not want to listen." Mowat feels strongly about providing a sound foundation at the beginning of education for kindergarten and grade one students. At times, her answers got off track and confusing.
Malik Amery introduced himself as a "product of the CBE." With his expertise in finance, Amery offers a business-like approach to the trustee role, expressing his commitment to "allocating resources." He feels that the current group of trustees has "failed to safeguard the image of the CBE" and spoke of offering more public forums like Peter Demong's 'Alder-talk.' Amery was the only candidate that touched on the diversity within wards 12 & 14, recognizing the range of needs from maintenance of schools to the "middle school issue."
Each attending candidate has a website you can visit to obtain more information. Check them out and plan to vote on Monday, October 21. Your child's education is worth the vote.
Amber Stewart: www.stewart4trustee.ca
Christina Steed: www.steed4trustee.ca
Todd Neuman: www.toddneuman.ca
Helen Mowat: www.helenmowat.com
Malik Amery: www.malikamery.com
Amber Stewart described herself to be "well rounded," "understanding parents in the thick of it," as she is a parent of school aged children herself. She advocates for transparency, communication, more detail and discussion within the board. Stewart expressed concern around mental health issues in students, particularly at the middle school level. She offered a unique idea for future board meetings, with a "we come to you" approach by using facets like Twitter, Facebook and holding board meetings at high schools. Stewart energetically jumped to answer audience questions promptly during the forum.
Christina Steed, who currently works for an MLA, spoke of her expertise in understanding "how government works, who to talk to, how to talk to them." Having a special needs youngster (and three other children), she feels strongly about early intervention in education. Christina struck me to be intelligent and methodical. She often took her time to answer audience questions and offered lengthy answers.
Todd Neuman, a software developer and small business owner, expressed his ability to "break apart complex issues." He is focused on getting the "attention of the CBE back on learning" and to "open the doors of communication" by connecting parents with the trustees. Neuman feels disconnected to the existing board and if elected, plans to engage open communication between the board and school councils. I appreciated his direct and 'to the point' approach. When the panel was asked a series of fact based questions like, "how many schools are currently within the CBE?" Neuman was the only candidate who knew the facts.
Helen Mowat passionately spoke about character, integrity, holistic learning and working/ speaking from the heart. As a former teacher of fifteen years, she spoke of the "hierarchy" that has caused "a lot of problems within the CBE." She stated that the top management at the CBE "does not want to listen." Mowat feels strongly about providing a sound foundation at the beginning of education for kindergarten and grade one students. At times, her answers got off track and confusing.
Malik Amery introduced himself as a "product of the CBE." With his expertise in finance, Amery offers a business-like approach to the trustee role, expressing his commitment to "allocating resources." He feels that the current group of trustees has "failed to safeguard the image of the CBE" and spoke of offering more public forums like Peter Demong's 'Alder-talk.' Amery was the only candidate that touched on the diversity within wards 12 & 14, recognizing the range of needs from maintenance of schools to the "middle school issue."
Each attending candidate has a website you can visit to obtain more information. Check them out and plan to vote on Monday, October 21. Your child's education is worth the vote.
Amber Stewart: www.stewart4trustee.ca
Christina Steed: www.steed4trustee.ca
Todd Neuman: www.toddneuman.ca
Helen Mowat: www.helenmowat.com
Malik Amery: www.malikamery.com
Computers Available for Families with Limited Resources
The Calgary Board of Education has partnered with Alberta Computers for
Schools to support a number of families who don’t have the financial resources
to equip their child with a laptop for learning.
The CBE program has 100 refurbished computers available. In the event that there are more applicants than computers, students will be selected through a random lottery process.
The purpose of this program is to supplement teaching and learning activities, in and out of the classroom. Successful recipients will have a computer delivered to their school. Please note that as the computers are refurbished, they will be provided as is, and the CBE will not be providing a warranty or support on the hardware or software.
To receive a refurbished laptop from the Computer for Kids program, you must have had your school fees for the current academic year waived and be between grade 3 and 11.
Only one computer will be allowed per household.
Please fill out the application to apply. A teacher reference is also required. Teachers will be contacted during the year to gather data in order to determine the success of the program. The application is to be signed, scanned and submitted to Suhayl Patel in the CBE Learning & Innovation Department at supatel@cbe.ab.ca by Oct. 21, 2013.
All students must adhere to the CBE digital citizenship guidelines.
All laptops will have the following specs:
Download the Application for a Refurbished Computer.
The CBE program has 100 refurbished computers available. In the event that there are more applicants than computers, students will be selected through a random lottery process.
The purpose of this program is to supplement teaching and learning activities, in and out of the classroom. Successful recipients will have a computer delivered to their school. Please note that as the computers are refurbished, they will be provided as is, and the CBE will not be providing a warranty or support on the hardware or software.
Eligibility
To receive a refurbished laptop from the Computer for Kids program, you must have had your school fees for the current academic year waived and be between grade 3 and 11.
Only one computer will be allowed per household.
Process
Please fill out the application to apply. A teacher reference is also required. Teachers will be contacted during the year to gather data in order to determine the success of the program. The application is to be signed, scanned and submitted to Suhayl Patel in the CBE Learning & Innovation Department at supatel@cbe.ab.ca by Oct. 21, 2013.
CBE’s digital citizenship
All students must adhere to the CBE digital citizenship guidelines.
Computer specifications
All laptops will have the following specs:
- 80GB hard drive
- 2G RAM
- Microsoft Windows 7
- Microsoft Office 2003
- Wireless Capability
- And will be accompanied by a laptop bag
Download the Application for a Refurbished Computer.
Nominate a Great Kid Today
Nominate a special young person whose generosity, leadership, courage, and compassion made a positive impact.
Every year, young leaders make outstanding contributions – at home, at school, and in their communities.
Why not thank them for their great achievements and share their stories to inspire other Albertans to reach their full potential and build a better Alberta?
The Alberta government will honour all nominees and 16 great kids at an awards ceremony at the Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton in April 2014. All winners will receive a trophy and a
How to nominate a great kid
Go to the website below, print off the nomination form; fill it out; and fax, mail or e-mail it to:
 | GREAT KIDS AWARD Alberta Human Services Community Partnerships Branch 10th Floor, Sterling Place 9940 106 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2N2 f | 780-644-2671 e | HS.greatkids@gov.ab.ca |
All nominations must be received by Dec. 9, 2013 at 4 p.m
For more information, please visit www.greatkids.alberta.ca, call 780-415-8150 (for toll-free access, dial 310-000) or email HS.greatkids@gov.ab.ca.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
CBE Chief Superintendent is Stepping Down
From the Calgary Herald:
"The hunt for a new chief superintendent for Calgary’s public school board unofficially began Tuesday with the surprise announcement that Naomi Johnson plans to retire next April.
Johnson, who joined the Calgary Board of Education 33 years ago, made her decision known at the last public board meeting before the Oct. 21 election.
She was contractually required to give the board six months’ notice, and her five-year term that was set to end July 2014.
Her resignation takes effect April 8."
Read the full story here.
"The hunt for a new chief superintendent for Calgary’s public school board unofficially began Tuesday with the surprise announcement that Naomi Johnson plans to retire next April.
Johnson, who joined the Calgary Board of Education 33 years ago, made her decision known at the last public board meeting before the Oct. 21 election.
She was contractually required to give the board six months’ notice, and her five-year term that was set to end July 2014.
Her resignation takes effect April 8."
Read the full story here.
From the CBE
"CBE celebrates another year of strong student achievement:
Calgary Board of Education students demonstrated another year of strong academic results on those 2012-13 Provincial Achievement Tests and Diploma exams that were written. ... 'Alberta continues to be one of the highest achieving jurisdictions in the world,' says Naomi Johnson, chief superintendent of schools. 'Our objective is to exceed provincial targets and we have done so in almost every subject and grade level. For another straight year, our student results are outstanding.' "Read the full post here.
Monday, October 7, 2013
From CAPSC
CAPSC October Meeting
The
Calgary Association of Parents and School Councils (CAPSC) and the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) are pleased to co-host a development session for
CBE school councils. This session will be delivered by Alberta School Councils’ Association as follows:
Date: Wednesday,
Oct. 16
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Place: Multipurpose Room, Education Centre, 1221 – 8 Street S.W. Parking: free underground parking provided (access off 12 Avenue) Topic: Tools for effective school councils
We
were
planning to have ASCA at our October meeting this year, and when we
learned that CBE also wanted to host an ASCA workshop evening, it seemed
natural to join up for this project.
ASCA
has
offered workshops to schools now for some time. One of our executive
members participated in their workshop at her school recently - here's what she had to say
As
CAPSC executive, we feel that your school
council will be greatly enhanced by attending this evening workshop. It
is the kind of information
that is fundamental to operating a successful school council and working
with your administration in a positive, collaborative way. Attending
this ASCA session will be a great benefit to the children of your
school, and, in the end, that is our ultimate goal!
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Trustee Forums
CAPSC
is still set to co-host two public school board trustee forums this month, prior to the October 21st elections. Please see the information below
for how you can participate.
Citizens’
Public School Board Trustee 5+10, 6+7, 8+9 Forum
Thursday, October 10, 2013, 7pm Triwood Community Association Hall 2244 Chicoutimi Drive NW
Citizens’
Public School Board Trustee 1+2, 3+4 Forum (corrected)
Tuesday, October 15, 2013, 7pm Thorncliffe Greenview Community Association Hall 5600 Centre St. N Calgary |
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CAPSC Memberships
Don't
forget to purchase your CAPSC membership now! For questions regarding your membership status or to receive a copy of the membership form, please
contact our Communications Coordinator.
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Fundraiser Information
Magazine Fundraiser: The end of our magazine fundraiser is fast approaching. October 19th will mark the final day you can support this effort. The Canadian Community Reading Plan is owned and operated in Western Canada and is a great way to promote reading and raise funds for our group. Click here to complete your order.
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