Monday Memo Musings

Going to look on the bright side of welcoming another month, so darn quickly: P/T interviews were very successful in most schools. Report cards are done Many courses are being finalized in the next two weeks. It's cold- there's nothing for the kids to do, but come to school (and work.)  We are exactly 20 days until the days start getting longer- rock on- can't wait!  There are sparkling lights everywhere making everything so beautiful.  People's spirits are bright with lots of opportunities for giving and serving. Welcome December! This is my home, nice eh!  Thank yous Thanks to Jenine who helped us find her replacement Kayleen Dicks. Kayleen is a mother of three gorgeous girls with the oldest being 11 and the youngest 6. She had been working as a child circle worker, that job ends in March due to cuts, so learning Store seemed an excellent option. I will be in Rainbow tomorrow assisting with training and Leah will...

Hoping you are enjoying these warm winter days. Such beauty everywhere you turn! My son and his finance visited the hot pot north of Zama. What a neat natural phenomenon that is! It cost nothing to enjoy that and it is a 11.6 km walk there and back! Great way to spend a day.  Last week, we completed report cards and parent teacher interviews. With our student communication system we are often touching base with parents and students, keeping them informed of our expectations. Most importantly, we are building relationship. Making deposits in their buckets, checking on them  with hopes that they will  complete.  Thank you so very much for the work you put into report cards and comments. It is arduous work, and is so meaningful! Parents expect that communication.  The next four weeks are crucial. It is a natural time to complete courses and start new in January. Encouraging, pushing, hoovering over students is called for this month...

GOOD BUSY!!!  Report cards have gone out,  parent teacher interviews take place this week. We are coming to the end of November, students are expected to be completing a core course soon. Courses are taking place in each location. Rainbow had Leah and I  doing a finance course. We will go back to catch the other 4 students. We will book the Opiod presentation  for the Rainbow kids too.Fort will soon get a wellness session delivered by Jennifer Sewapagaham. Plus, they will have the finance course taught by Leah and I.    La Crete had Linda doing a sewing course.   La Crete has a wellness session scheduled for Dec 3rd at 11:00. High Level hosts ADLC and counselors tomorrow at 10:00.  Our students will cook for these people earning credits in cold food preparation .  PAT's are being scheduled for January. Diplomas should be decided by now. Do you see what I mean, when I say good busy? Each of you  have created a school a...

Here's my story: We have a student who has great difficulty with written work and reading. Generally, he will let me work with him. Last week, he put his head down and said, " No!" I knew he meant it, I backed off saying nothing. That "No," was unusual. I even commented to people about it. Delving a little further revealed that a cousin had died last week.  We all know there is a reason for behavior. With learning stores we have to constantly be keeping our eyes and ears open and never judge with kids or each other.  There is always a reason for behavior. Something is up! Staffing Monday LTM with Chad Tuesday- High Level Wednesday- La Crete am- Fort later pm Thursday- early dismissal High Level planning meeting for November Friday- Rainbow Lake Leah is out sick today.  Dean is in High Level. What's Up Finishing up with diplomas- thanks so much to all supervisors January diploma lists were due last Friday. take the student off ...

We had a health scare this week. Nothing like a health scare to have you asking yourself, what is more important than good health? In our little neighbourhood two people have had operations in the past two weeks, one has had a stroke and Steve got an ambulance ride. So, you can see my focus this week is your health. Are you having a yearly physical? Are you taking supplements or vitamins or herbs? Do you exercise? Do you schedule fun into your life? Do you ever have calm time? Do you realize that 99% of the time the stuff we worry about will never come to fruition?  Please look after your health and that of your family (pets too). Health is number one! It allows you to be you and we really like you!  Our Allan is doing well. He says he is feeling better. We can't wait for his return to good health. He will be back Nov 12th.  Staffing Eva Bonnie and I did not attend the Conference in Lake Louise. I could not leave this week,( still doctoring)...

I hope this baby is getting royalties, his little face is everywhere! You are given time to vote today. Just arrange it with your fellow staff members.  Staffing Anne Monday- High Level with Dean and Crystal- today i work on principal things.  Tuesday- HLLS CRM meeting 9:00- Anne and Crystal in High Level Wednesday High Level- I am teaching today, Crystal is at High Level Public Thursday- Crystal is in. I am in Fort am and La Crete PM for CRM.   Friday- Zombie bootcamp High Level Big News Alex has been asked by the division to cover a Grade 10 dash one course. He will teach at La Crete Public the last period of the day, from 2:00 - 3:30.  We know Alex will help these kids get a great grasp of Social. Huge thanks to Alex for seeing a need and helping La Crete Public out. He will teach until the end of first semester. Thanks Huge Thanks to Dean who has caught on so quickly and rallied 16 full time...

Building Skills In each location our students differ, for instance, in High Level and Rainbow very few of our students have their learners license. In La Crete, most every students has their learners. In Fort half the population has it. Driving is a skill, a skill employers like to see on a resume.  Leah has developed a skills sheet which High level will pilot this week. It will be put in the binder with the grad plan. It is a checklist of skills a student should have upon graduating from our schools. We are excited to use this tool to build skills in our students. With the building of skills comes a generalization of behavior, the student feels confident. Mark Twain says, " A man can not be comfortable without his own approval." In all schools our students are learning to build confidence. We are offering opportunities for that. Thank yous Huge thanks to two students from High Level's school Nathan and Elora. They assisted in the complet...

Educational Equity takes place when educators provide ALL students with the individual support they need to reach and exceed a common standard.  Within equitable schools 4 common characteristics can be observed: Expectations set the bar for high achievement Rigor provides the skills and learning the student needs to succeed Relevancy connects the learner with the instruction and the curriculum- it's meaningful Relationships help the student believe in the teacher's high expectations, engage with the rigorous curriculum, and respond to the relevancy of the learning If any of these is missing the student is likely not to succeed Essentially it's like gardening. The leaders are the gardeners building equity having a strong vision and direction being accountable sustaining innovation in the buildings Educators- plant the seeds engaging curriculum best practices in teaching students valid assessments interventions for those needing it ...

This week in our CRM's we talked about our students and assigned actions to several. We are starting to figure this out;  people are coming forward to volunteer to do that action. In the past, we sat back waiting to see who might be assigned. Now, you are developing relationship with these students and are saying, " I can do that, I know her pretty well." or " I'd like to try to make contact with him, I have a soft spot for him."  That is the way CRM's are supposed to function, thank you for stepping up. CRM's ground us for the month to come. No kid is falling through the cracks without us grabbing his or her arm and trying to pulling him back on track. Wow! Cliche ville there! All English teachers are cringing!  Congratulations Congratulations to Eva, Bonnie, Dean and Jenine. The numbers in our buildings are finalized, that is a lot of work for you and we appreciate your patience.  Congratulations to Chad and Liz for such great numbers at ...