Monday Memo Musings

 Merry Christmas  everyone, This snow is helping, had that precipitation come down in rain form, many communities would have been in more trouble than they are now. As it stands, 1000's of residence of Chateh are evacuated to High Level. Other communities are threatened, let's just say a prayer that the weather cooperates, Spring must come. Forget spring, summer must come, spring had it's chance.  Thanks to all of you who attended the meeting Thursday PM. Your minds were put at ease and you have an idea of what the merger looks like. Looks like there will be  more staffing which will assist incredibly. The merger is happening next year, we still have this year to complete with grace and integrity. We will wrap it up as well as we started it. Closure is important.  We are busy this week with making sure our grads are on track. Our grade nines know about PATS next week. Several students are finishing up their core courses, with this weather they will be more incli...

T'is the Season of Change, Spring.  Each year we go through transitions at this time of year. They always happen.  This year, however, is a total metamorphosis. Outreach is amalgamating into Pathways, pretty cool.   I am moving into a new position, doing what I love, leading a counseling role with High Schools and Post Secondary institutions. Kim is leading both the Outreach side and the At Home Side, that is an enormous task.  In addition, Bonnie is transferring into a new position at Spirit of the North. This is another metamorphosis. Bonnie is our Rock Star, she rocks everything wherever she goes. That is who she is, a smart, classy lady. Spirit is lucky.  Reluctance describes intial feelings concerning these moves, as both Bonnie and I are crazy advocates for Learning Stores and always will be. We worry our baby, ( Outreach) won't be a priority. But that is not the case, our kids will be looked after, you will be looked after, Kim has our heart. She kno...

  The geese are back and wondering what the heck is going on up north! Poor guys have no food, it's hidden under 8 feet of snow. They should have stayed in Manning. Hopefully by Easter we will have more signs of Spring. Start planning for fun, your holiday starts on April 15th and runs until April 25th. A well deserved break for you all.  What a celebration of normalcy when diplomas are taking place in our schools. Yeah! Never, ever, believed I would say yeah to diplomas! Yeah, we are busy this whole week with diplomas and into next week for some.  With a pending holiday we are in high gear getting students to do as much learning as they can now, just get it done kids!!! We are getting as much done as we can,  preparing for a calm year end. Each student knows where they stand, they know our important dates, they know now is a great time to get ahead. We are working everyday building courses, preparing for courses, making student contacts and doing report cards. We ar...

Good afternoon everyone, What a day, a sunny, gorgeous day. Hoping you spend the afternoon outdoors. It's too beautiful to miss. You must love wearing a parka to school and short sleeves home, that's  being a Northern Canadian. Edmonton is not North!!!  Enjoy the calm week before diplomas start. Diploma week will be calm too, just a few more logistics to manage. Please read up on who is supervising and prepare. I pick up diplomas tomorrow from central office.  Staffing Don't we know it, we have been suffering from staffing shortages all year. We dodged covid for two years, now we are making up for it. We have always said, "Everyone gets a turn at adversity.' It's Learning Stores turn. We never worry though, we will always figure things out. Excellent staff allows us to do that. We cover for each other any time we are needed. We worry when you aren't here, and would do anything we could to fill in for you, making sure we look after your students. Stay well p...

  Come on Spring... we need you to show up early this year.  We welcome Crystal back after the passing of her ex husband, and great friend, Stewart McAteer. Her message to us all is to make sure your documents and wills are in order. Check the beneficiaries. Every five years those documents need to be revisited. It can be catastrophic for your family, if those things are not in order. I'm making our appoinment with the lawyer today. Thanks for the information Crystal, we learn things through adversity.  Staffing We are all in this week. Yeah!! I can't recall when that happened last! Feels so good. You are missed when you are not here.  There are 19 school days until we have our school's Spring break. Other schools down south are starting their Spring breaks this week and next week. Ours begins April 14th.  We are very thankful to Mike for the break he built into our calendar last week. We are refreshed and ready to give our all the next four weeks.  Anne's ...

  Happy Monday, February 14th to you.  She's ( Miss Febraury) behaving the way we thought she would. Next week I'll add another F word to our title. Let's see which one I pick.  This is a three day week of teaching. Then teachers have their virtual convention. Hoping this is the last year of virtual convention. Bonnie and Eva have these days off as do support staff. Secretaries take these days off and work two days in the summer months collecting mail, paying bills and organizing. Enjoy the mini break everyone, you deserve a lovely little vacay.  Staffing Crystal is out. She is tending to family. Prayers needed here.  Amanda is most likely out. Hoping she gets well soon.  What is Happening  Diplomas in April are sure to happen. So let's get the sittings in. Look over your students and predict who should be writing. Diplomas are worth 10%. Getting these kids through is a priorty. Next year values will return to 30%. If then can, they should write this y...

  Febraury is going to be a fidgety, funky month. Fidgety means restless, edgy, uneasy. Funky means unconventional, hip, supercool.  Why would I say that:  Staffing- people are sick and that requires them to stay home, leaving us managing. Which we knew, but Febraury is where it is going to hit and already has in High Level.  Families- some families are having a hrad time right now and we can see it reflected in their kids. Some are leaving the kids in their rooms all day to do whatever..... as long as they are quiet. Weather- should it rain should it snow, should I wear my parka or my sweater. What weather warning can we have next? It's wonky and funky.   We have teacher's convention, zoom in from anywhere you wish. Then family day off, but do you plan to go anywhere because of the weather????  Let's add Valentines Day or Galentine's day or Guyentine's day because you don't have to be in a relationship to enjoy Valentine's Day anymore. Treat yourself ...