Monday Memo Musings

Dr. Jody Carrington reiterated with us that everyone has a story. If we took the time to build relationships, we might get to hear that story. If you missed that PD, please go on You Tube and catch some of her teachings. Many of us really enjoyed her talk and will continue to focus on building relationships in our schools. We are all educators, she said there should be at least one person in the school who has that child's heart. One person that the child really likes and who really likes that child. If you aren't the one, find someone who can connect with that kid.  She said, "Joy was our most vulnerable emotion." We don't let ourselves be joyful for very long. We look for things to go wrong. Just enjoy joyful moments for what they are, it's okay to be joyful. Just as it's okay to grieve and be sad. Thank you  Thank you for sitting for 6 hours in those uncomfortable chairs and listening to both speaker's messages. We know we can learn a litt...

Some of you have been with us for a whopping 14 days. Please realize, there is no way to master anything in just 14 days. You are/we are rocking it. You are the right fit for these students, you care ( believe me there are educators who don't ). You ask questions when needed, you patiently wait for answers. You already let students tell you their stories. One boy told me his Mom was having another baby. He is the quietest kid ever, so telling me that news was a celebration.  Thank you for handling one of the busiest start ups ever with grace, calm and laughter.  La Crete and High Level are over projections by over 25 students. Fort is up by 7 students. Rainbow is right where we knew it would be, perfect. The weird things about these students is that they are doing work!!! I know... right!!!! Alex has already marked over 90 modules and Chris is not far behind him. Sorry, I haven't checked with everyone else on that front, we know the students are serious about seeking an ...

The new catch phrase in Education these days is laser focus. When we know what we want to accomplish, and direct all of our attention to that, we are laser focused. At Outreach, we  build relationships with our students and in doing so, move students forward to graduation.  We've been doing school plans for the students but are finding we can't make decisons about their courses until be know what career path they are choosing. In other words, we need to speak to the student before making desions that affect their education. Chris was speaking to a student and found out she wanted to be a speech assistant, that requires dash 1 English so he adjusted her plan to reflect that. Making it a practice to know the student's plans is good teaching.  Every student should have a plan, we know it, now we have to find the time to do it. Staffing  Anne  High Level- Monday High level - Tuesday- High school counselor meeting- grade book training 3:30 La Crete- ...

I have had this song in my head since I played Rock Band on Friday night and sang it. It is fitting for this weeks' post as we are starting a new week which I predict will be calmer.  We were so busy last week. Each school is over projections. Students are starting out with goals in mind, hopefully to accure as many credits as possible to graduate. In the next two weeks staff will be assigned students to make contact with. Here we go again, making sure our students know their job is to learn, and realize they have power over their educational outcome.  Staffing Welcome to Annelise, Jennifer, Lisa and Chris.  Jenine is out Monday and Tuesday. Anne's schedule Monday High Level- I do Engish and Social on these days, when Allan is out.  Tuesday- Leadership meeting in Fort Vermilion Wednesday-  High Level till lunch then Fort for Get To Know You Night. Thursday- La Crete Learning Store am- Home schooling pm Friday- Either High Level or Rainbow hal...

Summer arrives Thursday.  We have nine days till year end. So far we have had three lovely award gatherings. One in Rainbow, one in Blue Hills and one in High level last Friday.  Each was a celebration of all that students do and all that staff do, to get kids to a space where they can see success.  Kat Winter spoke about Eric and his impact on her. She said she was a reluctant student and he made her believe she could do it. She travelled from Vancouver to honor her teacher. Now that's a lovely way to retire! What an honor to hear her talk about Eric. (made me tear a little.) Huge thanks to Bonnie for inviting her to our celebration.  You all  impact our kids daily and for years to come. You might never know it  but you do. How lucky are you to be working in Outreach and Zama. How lucky are our kids that you are working in Outreach!  Schedules Monday- In GP- Seems little grandbaby is aching to get out! So kelsey is in labor right now. ...

Our Grads chose this as a song. Have a listen. Nice way to start the morning. Eva has an exciting week with Raelene graduating.  New Happenings We are so excited for Darren, he has his wish to be back in the classroom. He will be teaching Junior High at Hillcrest. That's a fabulous age to teach, enjoy.  An ad for Darren's job will come out today. We welcome new staff to our schools, great to harness the skills of many.  Janet and I relocated some materials to other schools in the division. Better that those books are in the hands of kids!   Allan Sprelrem will start with us in High Level next week. He will have today as an orientation day in High Level. Allan will work four days a week with us until the end of the school year. Hopes are that he can become comfortable with the course material to have an smooth start in September.  Educational Assistant contracts are to be signed this week. I am bringing them around to locations.  Vuln...

Here are some cool outdoor classroom ideas. TO HAVE GROWN WISE  AND KIND IS REAL SUCCESS  Schedules Anne-  Monday- High Level am La Crete pm- Home School BBQ Tuesday- Fort Vermilion Am- La crete pm- bringing diplomas.  Wednesday- Zama School pick up of furniture by maintenance Thursday- High level Community Gardens BBQ Friday- High Level Darren is out Monday Eva is out Monday Petra is out Tuesday Eva is out Thursday Alex is out Friday If I've missed you please on this list please let me know.  Instruction and Programming CFS intervention checks are required by the diviison for each employee next year. Scot Leys will get back to me about the La Crete,Fort, and Rainbow times. High Level can just skip over to cfs at anytime in the day to get theirs done. That is on my list of things to do. It must be done this month. All you do is fill out a little form show ID and then it's done. Student contacts please keep up with your input of st...