Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Divisional School Council Meeting notes

As posted by Rachael Miller, School Council Chair on Face Book Monday January 25,2016.

 Today there was a divisional school council meeting, at which the division discussed the new LBTQ policy guidelines set out by the government. They handed out an information packet, “The Westwind LGBTQ Policy Development Backgrounder”, which can be found on the Westwind School Division website. We wanted to let you, as parents, know that the division seems very concerned about protecting the needs of ALL children. The division has the responsibility to write a policy, and the policy committee was meeting this afternoon, to start work on the policy. They are taking the approach that this policy is to protect ALL children (this was reiterated to us several times in the meeting). The division and board seem to understand the key concerns that we have as parents, concerning the guideline put out by the government. We felt reassured that our school board is trying to develop a policy that reflects the values and standards of our community and that will ensure a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment for ALL students. They communicated to us today that they will try to be specific in their policy, so as to protect ALL children; it is our understanding that they will try to do so by clarifying some of the so called "grey" areas, or areas in which parents have addressed concerns over. After this 1st policy writing meeting, they will then present it to the board, and the policy will continue to be worked on. The school board will work very hard in drafting this policy, but it must then be approved by the government. If you have concerns, let your board members know. We encourage everyone to be respectful in their communication, as we want our board members to work with us. Also keep in mind once the board has completed their policy it must be approved by the government, which is why it is important to write letters to MLA’s, the Education Minister, the Opposition Education Critic, etc.

Friday, January 22, 2016

School Council Emergency Meeting Minutes

RES School Council Emergency Meeting Minutes
Raymond Elementary School
January 22, 2016

This emergency meeting is in response to Tuesday's meeting where parents and council participated in a discussion, with one of our trustees, on the government’s LGBTQ policy.
We the Raymond Elementary School Council have communicated and put forward the motion to
request an emergency resolution that

 “Raymond Elementary School Council opposes the Gender Identities and Expressions Guidelines as currently written. It is our request that the Government of Alberta; document titled “Guidelines for Best Practices: Creating Learning Environments that Respect Diverse Sexual Orientations, Gender Identities and Gender Expressions” be further reviewed and brought to public debate prior to being put forth as requirements for Alberta Schools. We request an emergency resolution for ASCA and Alberta School Board Association.” 


Presented the Motion and Voted
1st Rachael Miller
2nd Christal Bevans
Voted in Favor
Barbara Nickle
Jenn Smith
Cheri Gilbert
Carmen Lowry
Loni Sala
Nancy Rose
Loretta Cahoon
Jen Wegwitz

The Motion was approved and passed.
Forwarded onto the ASCA


Wednesday, January 20, 2016

January 19, 2016 RES Council Meeting minutes

RES Council Meeting
January 19, 2016

In Attendance from Council
Jen Smith
Rachael Miller
Nancy Rose
Elaine Ross
Jamie Jensen
Carmen Lowry
Christal Bevans
Marlin Hogg

Opening Remarks: Rachael Miller
Time turned over to Our School Board Member Ron Fromm

Discussion on proposed  2016/2017 Calendar

-When doing the Calendar there are one or two choices each year that need to be worked around depending on when Christmas and Labour Day falls
-Sometimes difficult to set - there are things to factor in like when Christmas is on a Sunday or when labor day is
- *Full day Fridays floated around, made the video to explain
-  survey sent out and 1000 responded, 230 teachers and 770 community input - lots of feedback
- a large majority from Raymond {Good Job}
- You have been heard we have taken all into account
- Is this a done deal? No, though the original calendar has been scraped
- Came up with a new calendar
- principals got together to come up with a new calendar and came up with one that was really close to the boards revised calendar
- Calendar is in negotiation -found no value in extended Fridays
- Start day as well as Christmas holidays still in the works - there was a three way split on surveys as to when to start
- the Board’s and Principals’ calendars together were used as a guideline to come to a decision as to what is best
- the revised calendar will be presented Monday morning the 25th to principals first and then to school councils at 10am and then made public thereafter
- No full Fridays but teachers will have more to do on Fridays
- PD/PLC days will continue to be valuable for our teachers

- Question asked about a unified lunch hour in Raymond - the BOARD DOES NOT set lunch hours

- Question asked if Teachers will have time on Fridays to coach? volunteer? as part of their schedules -
Answer: Yes it will all be worked out

Next Topic "Guidelines for Best Practices: Creating Learning environments that respect diverse Sexual Orientations, Gender Identities and Gender Expressions" Rules

- LEGISTRATION is set.
- Passed last week.

Reviewed best practices and points in document:
- to support individual needs
- respect to self identification
- dress code elimination, uniforms, etc {no effect on our division}
- gender segregated sports will be affected
-if you have concerns, write your MLA!
- participation in activities confidential from parents
- safe washrooms and change rooms
- inclusive bathrooms
-some good things
-some scary things

{Division to have policies in place by March 31st according to government}
-Bathroom sign removals and redesigns will be forthcoming (parents will know before this happens)
-BUT our Teachers are the best and will do everything to protect our children

-Bill 10 was already passed last Wednesday
-must follow rules or face consequences
*Catholics are our hope that they are going to fight this – we’ll watch them and together will be stronger

-If we don't comply they will close schools and cut funding

-We have constitutional rights too *we must fight* talk to our reps *MLA Grant Hunter


Other news:
- Question asked about international field trips: ISIS has threatened tourists, and Canadians are listed as one of the targets so there will be no international trips in the division

RES Council Briefs
- discussion on Teacher Appreciation treats and supervision

- Carmen Lowry:
- Overview of funds:1578.06, then we made about $906 from Baskets {minus $14 for posters}
Making $2484.06, then AR payout for school reading program in the amount of 678.22 leaving roughly $1805.84
-Council will vote at next meeting on how to allocate the funds and where
Ideas such as: a buddy bench, indoor field trips, tether balls, etc

-Discussion on writing a Grant {with school} for Lockdown Kits for each class
- Voted Unanimously in favor 
Rachael Miller/ Jen Smith/ Carmen Lowry/Nancy Rose/ Loretta Cahoon
Christal Bevans

-Feb 29th – assembly unveiling of new book for ONE BOOK ONE SCHOOL


ADJOURNED - Next Meeting is Feb 10th @ 9am

Monday, January 18, 2016

January 19 Council Meeting Agenda

RES Council Meeting
Jan. 19th, 2015
(7:00 pm in room 18 at the school)

-        Appreciation project
o   What we will bring and when (recess or lunch)
§      Volunteers – need volunteers to be serving food and to be on supervision
o   Make a specific plan and volunteer list

-        Evening training mtg – March?(come up with a specific month)
o   What training?
o   who will take charge
o   need to get a commitment before asking the teacher(s)
o   make a plan

-        use of funds
o   quick overview of what we have – Carmen
o   how to use the funds we raised with the gift basket fundraiser
§      list of ideas
·        Loni – indoor field trips
·        Others

-        Mr. Hogg will do training next month on use of technology in the classroom, including OSMO

-        Mr. Ron Fromm, one of our trustees
o   Information sharing regarding proposed schedule for 2016/17
o   Answering of questions (questions emailed to chair in advance)

-        Other
o   Next month’s mtg will be on Wed., Feb. 10th, at 9:00 am (the 2nd Wed of the month)


Friday, January 15, 2016

January 19th School Council Meeting

Parents,
We are changing our monthly school council meeting this month to Tues. evening, Jan. 19th.  It will be at 7:00 pm at the school.  We are excited to have one of our local school board trustees, Ron Fromm, attend our meeting.  As usual for our school council meetings, all parents are welcome to attend.  As part of the agenda, Mr. Fromm will address us regarding the proposed schedule for the 2016-2017 school year, and then we will allow for some questions.  For the sake of time, if you do have questions, please email them to me in advance, and we will try to get through as many as possible.  My email address is thomrn@alumni.uleth.ca

The meeting will be in the conference room, room 18 (down the hallway towards the gym, just past the kitchen).

Rachel Miller, Council Chair

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

School Council Meeting

The School Council Meeting scheduled for tomorrow Wednesday, January 13, 2016 has been CANCELLED. 

We will update you when this has been rescheduled. 

Council Meeting Wednesday, November 15th 2017

Raymond Elementary School Council Meeting Wednesday, November 15 th 2018 8:45am In attendance: Marlin Hogg, Ela...