Last Week of February

 

Well that went quickly. We are already into the last week of February. We welcome the change in weather. We welcome the added minutes of light. We welcome the last few months of pretty wintry scenes. We welcome the many opportunities to see the Northern Lights. Soon we will welcome Spring! 

I'm sharing with you a quote which pertains to many of our students:

Allowing a student with a hidden disability, ( Adhd, anxiety, dyslexia) to struggle academically or socially when all that is needed for success are appropriate accomodations and explicit instruction, is no different than failing to provide a ramp for a person in a wheelchair.

It is that time of year again when we start planning for next year. As Outreach schools we are assisting students in completing their schooling when they can not or do not wish to attend the High School. We respond to each student's particular needs. The foundation of our Outreach is building relationship, so students who may not have been successful  can see success. We bring to these students that sense of security that they can graduate with us, we will assist them in becoming well.  

The present Alberta Government has pulled their support of Outreach Programs throughout the province. They are giving only $150,000 to the school division and not targeting it to Outreach. You know what that means, many school divisions are turning their backs on Outreach, pulling them into the schools or getting rid of them altogether. 

We heard from other schools in our session at convention, Outreaches are being desimated, depending on the support from their central offices. High Level and La Crete's Outreach programs are huge with aproximately 200 students. They are being supported by our school division. 

It is so sad that there is no uproar about this funding drop. Why? These kids are vulnerable, they have no voice, ( except us) they are the easy money grab, no parents are screaming foul, they are marginalized. Decisions about these kids are being made in each division office in Alberta right now. Let's hope that people realize that society needs these kids to be successful, these kids deserve a chance to feel like they belong, a place where they are recognized and valued. We offer that!

In a time when anxiety in students in skyrocketing, families are tettering and school is low on the priority list, Outreach comes to the rescue of so many. 

Today I am going to talk to more Outreaches and find out what is happening to them. It's always good to have data. There are a few really cool ideas out there as well, let's find out what they are doing. 

We have a meeting Tuesday, March 9th  at 2:30 with Mike, there we can ask questions and get some clarity on our division's stance on Outreach Education. I will get back to you about the structure of this meeting, is he coming out to one of the schools or are we doing this virtually? So our schools will close at 2:30 on this day. 

Remember this fella October was his name. 

Staffing

Everyone is in this week. 

I am in everyday until March 17th. I was supposed to be off today opps. I forgot so I'm working. That is why this blog is completed by both Chad and I. 

Agriculture Trivia:

The answer to last week's questions for jobs related to agriculture was 1 in 8.  Several of you either got the correct answer or made me laugh with the answer you gave.  Both perfectly acceptable ways to secure a point!

Today's Question:

What is the most profitable crop to farm in Canada?

a) Wheat

b) Barley 

c) Canola

d) Corn

What's Up 

• Parent teacher phone calls happen this week. We will have a ten minute staff meeting tomorrow and will get to those calls. Students who are over 18 or independent can have a chat with you about their progress. 

Grad letters- Grad letters went out and students know what they have to do to graduate. The next three moinths are integral for these students. 

High Level is having a wellness session at 10:30 on Wednesday. The session is called, My Level of Wellness. Learner's session review is on this day as well. 

March 9th High Level is running a marketing course.

LCLS is having Green Certificate testing. Dean has been working with Amber to arrange  this. 

ADLC we will hear more news concerning access to on line labs and videos etc in the months to come. Other Outreaches have not created a drive as we have and are really struggling with ADLC closing. Thanks to the hard work of Alex and others we have the materials we need to carry on. So wonderful! Thank goodness for Alex!!

*  The school division has sent out another "Phishing exercise" this one is on CEO fraud and I think does a pretty good job of explaining ways to prevent this.  Please refer to the email from Dexter Gilbert for more info on this exercise.  

Pink Shirt day is this Wednesday, February 24th. We take a stand against all types of Bullying. 

*  On March 9th at 2:30 we will have our COVID "power lunch" @ 2:30.  The team from Central Office will meet with staff from both Learning Stores and NHEC.  I am not entirely clear if this will be done in person or a combo of in person and some aspect of a Teams meeting.  Please stay tuned and more details will be shared as we get closer to the date.  This is a great opportunity to ask questions, share concerns about any aspect of what you deal with on a daily basis.   

Dates of Note

March 31st is the deadline for a leave of Absence request.

May 26th is the deadline for resignations

April 16th the quad ends.

April 19th report cards are due. 

April 23rd report cards go home. 

Enjoy your week! We are inching closer to pay day , yeah!!