Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Urban Coyotes

Last week, I saw a coyote walking on a sidewalk in Queensland in the middle of the afternoon.  It was alarming to me, as the animal was deeply imbedded within the community during school hours.  As a precaution, I phoned the City of Calgary (3-1-1), as well as the two nearby schools (including Wilma Hansen).  Here is some information I found on the City of Calgary website regarding urban coyotes:


"Coyotes are common in Calgary. Keep your dog leashed at all times, and pick up children or small dogs if a coyote is spotted. If you are in a remote location and spot a coyote, leave the area immediately. Never leave food in your yard, even pet food, and avoid hanging bird feeders that contain lard or suet.
For more information on coyotes, call the Coyote Hotline at 403-297-7789 or visit the Living with coyotes website.

Who should you call regarding coyotes?

  • In an emergency situation where there is immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
  • For non-emergency situations and to report coyote sightings, please call 3-1-1 (from within Calgary) or 403-268-CITY (2489) (from outside Calgary).
  • Calgarians can also report coyote sightings or injured coyotes to the Calgary district office ofAlberta Fish and Wildlife at (403) 297-6423

    Urban coyotes

    Calgary's natural spaces are part of what makes our communities unique. Many of us appreciate the abundance of green spaces within the city limits where we can enjoy nature and for a little while, remove ourselves from the bustle of the city.
    Coyote
    Enjoying those special places brings a responsibility—we must realize we share these spaces with other creatures, some of which can be dangerous on occasion.
    Coyotes are one such species. They exist within Calgary and residents need to be aware of their presence and what to do if they are encountered. Because of several factors, coyotes are not necessarily staying in traditional natural areas—they are present in many urban areas within the city. This may be happening because they are finding food sources within the city and are not discouraged from utilizing those sources.
    Although coyotes mainly feed on small mammals such as mice and rats, they will attack domestic pets. Coyotes are generally no threat to people but should be treated with respect and never approached or fed. People with small children should be especially careful with their children around animals.
    While there have been reports of coyotes attacking people, these attacks are extremely rare.
    Coyotes are part of our urban wildlife and should be enjoyed, but from a safe distance.
  • The Alberta government is responsible for wildlife management. The City of Calgary is providing this information as a public service.​"

Police Charge Minor With Online Threats

From the CBE:

"The safety and security of our students and staff is of utmost importance to us at the Calgary Board of Education. To that end, we support the Calgary Police Service in its efforts to serve and protect young people and are circulating the following news media release which police released today, Nov. 25. "

Read the story here.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Respect Group Inc Comes to the CBE

The CBE has partnered with Sheldon Kennedy's Respect Group Inc to bring Respect in the Workplace to their organization. Read all the details here and for more information on this fabulous online program, click here.

Fundraiser: FundScrip - Where Shopping Is Fundraising

http://www.fundscrip.com/
WILMA HANSEN Giftcard Fundraiser

With the Christmas season coming soon this makes gift giving easy! 
Purchase gift cards at no extra cost to you !

When you order $150 in gift cards, you pay $150 and you get gift cards worth $150!

Over 100 different gift cards from gas to groceries to restaurants !

HOW DO I START RAISING MONEY? SIMPLE:
  • Check out the order form by clicking here for a full listing of cards available,
  • Print out the sheet, 
  • Fill in your orders,
  • Make out your cheque to Wilma Hansen School Parents Association
  • Drop off forms at the office.

Please note our final day for orders is FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29th

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Alberta Education Partial Cutback on Cutback...

"I delivered"

 Thomas Lukaszuk, Alberta's Education Minister is taking full credit, he promised to look for money after the heavy $150 million cuts to post-secondary education - "and I delivered". $50 million will be distributed among institutions around the province. Read the whole story here.

CBE Newsletter - November

November Meeting

Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday November 20th, 7:00-9:00pm AE Cross school library (3445 37 St SW).  Please stay tuned for details on meeting content.

September Meeting Follow Up - The Personalization of Learning and Iris

Please see the attached document for a summary of our September meeting.  It covers a brief description of the CBE presentation, much of which encouraged dialogue between CAPSC members and the CBE administration.  Should you have specific questions related to the meeting content, please forward them to us at info@capsc.ca, or to Karen Drummond at the CBE kldrummond@cbe.ab.ca.

October Meeting Follow Up - ASCA meeting, co-hosted with the CBE

Several members of the CAPSC executive were in attendance for the October 16th CBE co-hosted meeting with ASCA (Alberta School Councils' Association).  CAPSC executive member Karen Lloyd offers these comments from the meeting.  To read up on the meeting content, please click here and make sure to check out these great tools provided by ASCA
ASCA presenter Marilyn Welsch touched on a lot of information that could be of great value to your school council.  As a school council in the CBE system, your council has an automatic membership to ASCA, so make sure to take advantage of the resources they offer.  For specifics on the ASCA research behind the importance of parent involvement in student council, please find the attached document.

CBE Council of School Councils (COSC)

The first COSC meeting of the school year is scheduled for November 27th.  For details on the meeting please click here.

VoilĂ  Learning - Free Online Homework Help in French

 If your child is studying french and is in need of programming and support, please feel free to check out the attached information from VoilĂ  Learning.

Helping Boys Learn

Dr. Edmond Dixon will be returning to Calgary Nov. 27 to 29 to make several presentations on helping boys learn.  For information on the workshops or to schedule a one hour presentation for your council, please see www.helpingboyslearn.com  

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Trustee Procedural Review Takes 'Backseat'


Rookie trustee Trina Hurdman introduced the motion Tuesday for an ad hoc committee to examine whether board meetings at the Calgary Board of Education are in keeping with the “principles of openness and transparency.” - From the Calgary Herald