Extra Fund$ For Wilma Hansen

As was reported earlier in the blog, our newest Premiere has returned some of the cut back funding to Alberta Education.  That money has trickled down and Principal Higgins has explained to our Advisory Council Chair just what she is doing with Wilma Hansen's share of the windfall.

From Mrs. Higgins:

We have a couple pockets of additional money we will be spending.

1.       We are receiving $17,313 that must be directly used to support AISI. We will use these funds to release Lori (AP) to directly work with teachers in an instructional leadership role. The funds are used to support personalization of learning in the school.

2.       We are receiving $61,810 in one-time funding. We will use these funds in two ways:

a.       Part of the funds will support late literacy. In our PAT analysis it is apparent that several of our students are significantly below grade level with their reading. We will be doing targeted intervention with a formal late literacy program.

b.      Part of the funds will support technology in the classroom. This will be a teacher that works directly with other teachers on implementing technology into their classroom. (This was a position that was surplussed in the spring with the reduced funding). 

With the combined $17, 313 and $61,810 we will be hiring a teacher. This teacher will be taking on the assignments of teachers currently in the building (i.e. Lori’s grade 7 Humanities class) allowing them to be free to do the work that needs to be done. We currently have the skillset on staff to do the pieces above if they are relieved of part of their current assignment. I also think the possibility of hiring a teacher at this time with the necessary skillset all in one is unlikely. This plan will allow us to directly impact student achievement with a minimum amount of disruption. While I agree it is disruptive to bring in a new teacher 2 months into the school year and this will impact a couple classes, we are not in the position of a full reorganization which is good news. 

This is all good news indeed and I for one am very happy that we have been able to benefit from the additional funding.