Monday Memo Musings

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 ...