city-wide school council committee meeting gh dawe … · city-wide school council committee...

CITY-WIDE SCHOOL COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETING

GH Dawe School 100 – 56 Holt Street, Red Deer

Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - 7:00 p.m.

AGENDA

Approximate Time 7:00 pm 1. Welcome & Introductions 2. Adoption of Agenda 7:10 pm 3. Presentation by GH Dawe Community School, Anie Schroderus, Principal 7:20 pm 4. Minutes of May 4, 2010 5. Election of Officers for 2010/11 a) Chair b) Vice Chair 7:30 pm 6. Exchange of Ideas, Concerns and Questions

• Please bring an idea, concern, issue, or question to share 8:00 pm 7. New Business a) Establishment of CWSCC Bylaws re: Election of Officers – Piet Langstraat b) Setting the Direction (attachment)– Jodi Goodrick c) Recognition Night – Piet Langstraat 8:20 pm 8. Connections Break 8:35 pm 9. Reports:

a) Board of School Trustees (attachments) Dr Bill Stuebing b) Alberta School Councils' Association ‐ Brad Vonkeman c) Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools ‐ Lisa Johnston

8:55 pm 10. Next Meeting • Tuesday, November 23, 2010

• Location ‐ Central Services 4747 53 Street, Red Deer 9:00 pm 11. Adjournment

CITY-WIDE SCHOOL COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETING

Joseph Welsh Elementary School 4401 – 37 Avenue, Red Deer

Tuesday, May 4, 2010 ‐ 7:00 p.m.

MINUTES

1. Welcome & Introductions Kaliana Johnston welcomed members and invited introductions. 2. Adoption of Agenda 3. Presentation by Joseph Welsh Elementary School, Mike Fritz, Principal Mike Fritz introduced Grade 4 student representatives who presented information about Joseph

Welsh Elementary School and highlighted activities and programs in their 7 Habits school. 4. Minutes of March 16, 2009 The minutes were reviewed and approved. 5. Matters Arising from Minutes Lice Fund ‐ Don Falk presented background information from the information presented at the last

City Wide School Council Committee meeting and the request for schools to respond to the questions posed. Discussion was held. Kaliana Johnston asked for a vote which resulted in favour of school councils to continue to support the lice fund.

• To continue – 7 • To discontinue – 1 • Abstained – 2

Don Falk suggested that the agreement to continue to support the fund be communicated to all schools.

6. Exchange of Ideas, Concerns and Questions

Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School – Judy Ann Wybenga • Graduation is on May 28. • Presentations were held at the school council meeting about the school trips to Japan and

Costa Rica. • The Grad car wash will be held on May 8 ‐9.

Joseph Welsh – Sharon Adams

• A Family Dance will be held this Thursday with over 360 people attending. • Kaliana Johnston requested information about the 7 Habits philosophy at the school. Sharon

Adams provided information about some of the ways in which students follow the habits. Hunting Hills High School– Damien Smith

• A meeting was held with Dr Stuebing and Deputy Superintendent, Mr Langstraat to discuss the new principalship.

• A spring dance will not be held this year. • Fifteen students are being sent to the Alberta Leadership Conference. • Presidential and Executive membership nominations are being submitted.

Oriole Park Elementary School– Brad Vonkeman

• Oriole Park will be hosting the Young Writers’ Conference. • A Kindergarten showcase will be held later this month. • A new Chair will be selected soon.

Mountview Elementary School – Ashna RawjiRuchkall

• Mountview held an Arts View Open House. • A Straight Talk session with Dianne Macaulay was held. • Bob Burrows is retiring at the end of this school year. A meeting was held in regards to the

new principalship. • After the last ASCA meeting the school council would like to focus next year on encouraging

fathers to get further involved in the school. • Ashna Rawji‐Ruchkall requested information on “Speak Out” from Damien Smith. Damien

Smith informed members that Hunting Hills and Lindsay Thurber student representatives were selected to go to the Student Town Hall meeting where there were a series of questions that were facilitated. He commented that some of the issues that students had were not proposed at the meeting. Bruce Buruma informed members that the District has implemented a student town hall meeting for high school students which will be a continuing event.

Aspen Heights Elementary School– Kim Boutestein

• The Aspen Heights 50th anniversary celebration was held. • The micro society is underway and will become full time next year. • A Family Dance is coming soon.

Grandview Elementary School– Val Wollms

• Grandview has had volleyball, alien inline skating, tennis and rugby. • Quest Theatre will be at the school in two weeks.

Westpark Middle School – Dawn Iatrou

• Westpark is holding an “Electronic Scavenger Hunt” to raise money for a bus. Mattie McCullough Elementary School– Dawn Iatrou

• Mattie McCullough has had murals painted on their walls about the 7 pillars of the community. • A Family Dance was held. • The school will be received new modular classrooms soon.

Eastview Middle School– Janis Makota

• Eastview Middle School has purchased a bus and disposed of one. • The school is sad to see Stu Henry leave but they are happy for his new opportunity.

Glendale School– Kaliana Johnston

• Glendale School has fundraising ongoing. • Work is continuing on their playground. • The school council has worked on the District Policy feedback. • The nutrition Policy remains an item of interest.

7. Connections Break

8. Reports:

a) Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools – Bruce Buruma • 175 students will be recognized on May 18 at the Striving For Excellence Dinner. He asked

that if School Councils have not had an opportunity to respond for sponsorship please consider this, and he encouraged school councils to attend. Pat Morrow is the key note speaker.

• Information was distributed about funding requests which was sent to schools. The deadline for proposals is May 19.

• Bruce Buruma highlighted one of the focus pilot projects on Healthy Active Living that will be held on May 17 – 20, “The Body Image Play.”

b) Board of School Trustees Dr Bill Stuebing

• Dr Stuebing reminded members that the policy review is ongoing and that further packages for feedback will be circulated.

• Dr Stuebing informed members that Stu Henry has been appointed as Deputy Superintendent.

• The 3 Year Education Plan will be brought forward as well as the operating budget for 2010/11. The strategy for the coming year is to affect a few economies that do not affect the District without doing harm to the programs that we have.

• Dr Stuebing informed members that there are likely four principals that will be appointed as well as a number of vice principals.

c) Alberta School Councils' Association Brad Vonkeman

• Brad Vonkeman informed members of a conference held in Red Deer along with the AGM – Brad has been re‐elected as the Vice Chair. The executive has made large efforts to be involved with school trustees in efforts to collaborate to advance education and to make sure that education does not take shortfalls. As one of the strongest education systems worldwide they want to make sure that parent involvement continues to be part of this.

• The AGM had 14 resolutions. • Ashna Rawji‐Ruchkall was elected as a provincial director.

9. New Business a) Red Deer Regional Capital Planning Study Don Falk

• Don Falk informed members of his upcoming retirement. He commented that it has been his distinct privilege and pleasure to serve this council over the past ten years, and he has enjoyed the opportunity, and he thanked the Board of Trustees, the parents and the students, who participate in this very worthwhile activity. He stated that a significant part of the strength of our operations is largely due to parents and he commended parents for their work.

• Don Falk presented information pertaining to the Red Deer Regional Capital Planning Study. He spoke about the study being commissioned by Alberta Education where previous studies were done in collaboration with other jurisdictions with request for the acquisition of spaces for students where they are needed. There is a crying need for student space in particular areas of the city. He highlighted the priorities in the plan. He informed members about the utilization our schools are at and highlighted the key recommendations of the plan.

• Dr Stuebing informed members that the Board had opportunity for input in the report. He commented that the Board could have pressed for more to include the need for a school in the Timberland (North East) area, that this could not be included at this time, but that the Board remains optimistic and that it feels that this is the best solution at this time.

b) Recommended Dates of City Wide School Council Meetings in 2010/11 (all meetings at 7:00 pm on Tuesdays)

• GH Dawe K‐8 School ‐ October 5, 2010 • Red Deer Public School District Central Services ‐ November 23, 2010 • GW Smith Elementary School ‐ January 25, 2011 • École Mountview Elementary School ‐ March 15, 2011 • Aspen Heights Elementary School ‐ May 3, 2011

c) Special Presentation – Dr Bill Stuebing

• Dr Stuebing presented Kaliana Johnston with a thank you gift for serving as Chair of the City Wide School Council Committee for the 2009/10 school year.

10. Next Meeting Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Location ‐ GH Dawe K‐7 School 11. Adjournment

Setting the Direction FrameworkGovernment of Alberta ResponseJune 2010

ALBERTA EDUCATION CATALOGUING IN PUBLICATION DATA

Alberta. Alberta Education.

Setting the direction framework : Government of Alberta Response

Alberta / Alberta Education.

Also available online at www.education.alberta.ca

ISBN 978-0-7785-9079-8

1. Special education – Alberta. 2. Children with disabilities –Education – Alberta.

3. Students with disabilities – Education – Alberta. 4. Education and state – Alberta. I. Title.

LC3984.2.A3 A333 2010 371.904

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction 2

Government Response to Vision, Mission and Principles 2 Vision 2 Mission 2 Principles 3

Government Response to Proposed Strategic Directions 3

2

IntroductionAt the request of school jurisdictions, Alberta Education conducted a comprehensive review of school jurisdictional practices with respect to students with severe disabilities in the fall of 2007. Based on the review of file documentation provided by school jurisdictions, only 56% of the files met Alberta Education’s policy requirements. Across the province, inconsistencies were found with the application of Alberta Education’s special education coding criteria and how supports and services were being provided to students.

The review confirmed the need for a broader examination of how the education system can best meet the educational needs of students with disabilities and those who are gifted and talented. Setting the Direction for Special Education in Alberta was launched in early 2008 with a mandate to create a new framework for special education in grades 1 to 12. From the consultations with more than 6,000 Albertans, it became clear that children in early learning programs and students who were transitioning out of the school system would also be impacted by a new framework for special education. Therefore, the proposed framework includes directions for building an inclusive education system that meets the needs of all students.

At the Minister’s Forum in June 2009, the proposed framework was officially presented to the Minister of Education by steering committee chair, Naresh Bhardwaj, MLA for Edmonton-Ellerslie. The framework recommends that the current special education system be replaced by an inclusive education system supported by effective policy, funding and accountability. Careful consideration has been given to ensuring that the policy directions in the proposed Setting the Direction Framework are considered in the context of the Inspiring Education: A Dialogue with Albertans initiative, and will be reflected in any anticipated review of the School Act.

This document outlines the Government of Alberta’s response to the Setting the Direction Steering Committee’s proposed vision, mission, principle statements and strategic directions.The Government of Alberta accepts each of the strategic directions and will develop detailed implementation and transition plans for the short, medium and longer term. These plans will be developed in the context of available resources and in consultation with partners and stakeholders. The proposed strategic directions will have significant impacts on the education system, and the Government of Alberta is committed to building an inclusive education system in a collaborative way.

Government Response to Vision, Mission and Principles

Vision:One inclusive education system1 where each student is successful.

Mission: To work with Government of Alberta partners and stakeholders to build an inclusive education system, based on integrity, best practices, and respect for difference.

1 An inclusive education system is: “a way of thinking and acting that demonstrates universal acceptance of, and belonging for, all students. Inclusive education in Alberta means a value-based approach to accepting responsibility for all students. It also means that all students will have equitable opportunity to be included in the typical learning environment or program of choice” where such a placement is appropriate, and is undertaken in full consultation with a child’s parents/guardians, teachers, school officials, and relevant community service providers. Inclusion and choice must never be considered in a vacuum.

3

Principles: Government of Alberta and its partners and stakeholders believe:• that all students can learn and be successful

• that when stakeholders work together in a collaborative and purposeful way, more is accomplished for students.

Government of Alberta and its partners and stakeholders value: • an education system that is fair, appropriately resourced, highly accountable

and which provides equitable opportunities for all students

• parents as vital members of the learning team2 who contribute important expertise and insights

• diversity as a positive and enriching aspect of Alberta’s education system

• the learning that happens for everyone when students with disabilities are effectively included in school life.

Government of Alberta and its partners and stakeholders commit to: • working together for the success of each student in an inclusive education system

• ensuring students and families are welcomed, respected and supported so they can be successful

• ensuring teachers and the school system are supported so they can be successful

• being learner centered in all decisions to help ensure the learner is the priority in any decisions made with respect to that learner’s needs.

Government Response to Proposed Strategic Directions

Strategic Direction 1

Create provincial tools and models for interpreting the current Programs of Study so that all students have opportunities for learning and growth based on their strengths.

Government Response

Government will provide tools to help school authorities adapt and utilize the current Programs of Study and learning and teaching resources for students with specialized learning needs within the context of the student’s school and community. The development of future Programs of Study will continue to include a focus on accessible and assessable material.


Gather information at the Ministerial, jurisdictional, school and classroom levels to support all students.

Government Response

Government will continue to collaborate with stakeholders to develop and implement a data collection approach to support student learning and capture student records and information regarding achievement and progress.

2 Learning team: means a team that consults and appropriately shares information relevant to an individual student’s education and plans, implements and evaluates special education programming and services as required.

4


Develop accessible learning resources (print and digital) for all students.

Government Response

Government will create and implement provincial standards for ensuring that print and digital learning resources are accessible to help meet the learning needs of all students. Education will continue to work with publishers to achieve this goal.


Develop practices that demonstrate that parents are respected as important members of the Learning Team.

Government Response

Government will work with stakeholders to create and implement provincial guidelines for educators to increase the involvement of parents in their child’s educational program planning. A provincial process will be developed to assist parents and schools in situations requiring resolution or mediation.


Implement a province-wide expectation that school-based expertise will be in place to support teachers in meeting the needs of students with disabilities and diverse needs within learning environments.

Government Response

Government will work with stakeholders to develop guidelines outlining role descriptions for teachers, learning coaches, educational assistants, administrators, parents and specialized service personnel who are working in an inclusive education system. Government will also work with stakeholders to build capacity to support an inclusive education system. This would include appropriate instruction and training for undergraduate students enrolled in Bachelor of Education programs, and continual professional development opportunities for teachers as their careers progress.


Develop a set of standards so that instructional excellence in inclusive education practices becomes the norm in all schools.

Government Response

Government will work with stakeholders and partners to develop and implement guidelines for working in an inclusive environment and determine ways to identify and share best practices from highly successful schools that are practicing effective inclusivity.


Increase access to technologies to support the learning of all students.

Government Response

Government will maximize the power of technology to personalize learning and present material in multiple ways to support the learning of children and youth in an inclusive environment. Government will share relevant learnings derived from innovative projects supported by ministries to enable the provision of supports and services for children and youth and their families (e.g., using videoconferencing to facilitate a meeting of the Learning Team), especially in remote and rural areas.

5


Develop a provincial service delivery model for specialized supports and services to address the needs of students in the context of their schools, family and community in a timely and culturally sensitive manner.

Government Response

Government will work with stakeholders to develop a regional collaborative service delivery model to support students in an inclusive education system.


Develop and support a seamless, Alberta-wide wraparound approach that provides timely access to coordinated supports and services to students and families and schools in the right place at the right time.

Government Response

Government and other organizations, through shared responsibility, will develop and implement protocols for a wraparound approach, including a definable planning process, comprehensive, coordinated supports and services offered through multiple professionals and agencies that support working in a collaborative way.


Develop and implement a model of support for young children who experience at-risk factors that enable programming and support in the most natural pre-school environment along with a seamless transition into grade 1.

Government Response

Government will work collaboratively with organizations, communities, and families to develop an approach to early learning that takes into account support for pre-school children who are at-risk and provides opportunities for children to begin their early learning experiences in an inclusive setting.


Develop an accountability system that measures success at meeting the needs of learners with diverse needs.

Government Response

Government will determine system indicators that reflect programs goals for students, identify key instruments for measuring students’ outcomes against these indicators and institute a measurement framework that captures results. This evaluation system supports continuous program improvement.


Consider the funding model presented in the draft framework that supports inclusion of all students.

Government Response

Education will develop a funding model that takes into consideration relevant cost drivers such as geography, accessibility of specialists, school authority size and population, and situations where students with extraordinary high-cost needs may exist. Education will review current grants to school authorities related to the provision of specialized services (e.g., Children and Youth with Complex Needs, Student Health, Regional Educational Consulting Services) to determine the most efficient and effective method of maximizing available resources to assist school authorities in best meeting the needs of all students without funding being driven by student identification. The funding formula will recognize the varying system needs within school authorities and be flexible to these needs.

Highlights from the May 26, 2010 meeting of the Board of Trustees for Red Deer Public Schools

CELEBRATIONS • Trustees from jurisdictions across Central Alberta met with

area MLAs to discuss issues and concerns. • 175 outstanding students were honoured at the 13th

Annual Striving for Excellence Dinner hosted by the Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools. Congratulations to Lisa Johnston and her committee who made this a great evening of recognition.

• Grade seven students participated in “Under My Skin” a play addressing issues related to body image. It was an excellent presentation with a powerful, positive message.

• Congratulations to Suzanne Bleaken who is a finalist for the provincial Excellence in Teaching Award.

• Congratulations to our Director of Finance, Colin Cairney for meeting the requirements for his CGA designation.

• Lindsay Thurber took first place in a nation-wide blood donor competition among high schools. Hunting Hills came in third.

• “Understanding the Early Years” has developed maps on a variety of factors such as educational attainment, mobility, income levels etc. that may impact early years for children and assist in program planning.

• The Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools invited schools to make funding requests for next year. 66 proposals totaling more than $169,000 and impacting more than 21,000 students were received.

• Interest in the establishment of a Red Deer University is growing, an initiative being led in part by our Board.

• Glendale Idol showcased some outstanding talents. • The annual “Go Girl” event was another great success

promoting the activity levels of grade 5 girls. • “Insight to Government” profiled and provided favourable

comments on the PSBAA document the “Essential Elements of Excellent Education.” The foundation of the document is that public schools are the most important social institution of any democracy. Trustee Diane Macaulay was part of the committee that developed the paper.

• A grade 5 student from Ms. Cotnoir’s class at Fairview will spend the day with the provincial environment minister as part of a province wide contest on how students can help the earth by reducing, reusing and recycling.

Life and Learning at Westpark Middle Schools Built in Canada’s centennial year, Westpark serves 340 students from grades 6 to 8 as well as students in the Foundations and Pathways programs. Enrollment

projections anticipate significant growth over the next ten years even though the school is currently at 90% capacity. Using a “Prezi,” a web-based presentation application and storytelling tool, the school showcased an exciting array of activities, events, features and accomplishments. The school provided an overview of its school education plan and results report. These included many successes and improvements as well as some challenges along with strategies to address student needs. The school is using ePearl, an electronic portfolio encouraging active reflective learning. The web-based electronic portfolio software tracks what students are learning through the development of ‘artifacts’. The program promotes goal setting, reflection and feedback with the objective to increase student engagement and involvement in their learning. The program also encourages parents to be actively involved in their child’s learning. The school is also using Kagan Structures that utilizes the latest in brain research to promote cooperative learning to provide optimum learning. Student Recognition The Lindsay Thurber Handball team captured the bronze medal in the inaugural provincial tournament while three members of the Thurber badminton team won gold, silver and bronze medals at provincials. Both the senior and intermediate School Reach teams from Hunting Hills won bronze medals at the provincial tournament. The Board of Trustees recognized the players and coaches for their achievements. Alberta Student Leadership Conference 2011 The student leadership teams from Lindsay Thurber, Hunting Hills along with Notre Dame high schools will host up to 700 student leaders at the Alberta Student Leadership Conference in May 2011. The conference, which is a project of the Alberta Association of Student Councils and Advisors, works to develop effective student leaders. The conference will include motivational speakers, workshops and opportunities to connect with other student leaders from across Alberta. Ultimate Science Experience to Florida Grade 8 students from middle schools across the District

will have the opportunity to travel to Florinda during Spring Break 2011 to visit a number of sights that extend science beyond the classroom. The trip will include stops at EPCOT Centre, the Kennedy Space Centre, Sea World, Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Gatorland. Gateway Students off to Nicaragua Grade 12 students from Gateway Christian School will have the opportunity to travel to Nicaragua during Spring Break. In addition to touring parts of the country, students will be involved in service learning helping build and repair Christian schools. The trip is a short-term project that will have a long-term impact for both our students and the children of Nicaragua. April Enrollment Summary 9967 students attended Red Deer Public Schools in April an increase of 134 students from the same time last year and up 61 from the beginning of the year. Policy Amendments Approved Following a review of several policies and their distribution to stakeholders for feedback, the Board gave final approval to a number of board policies as referred to in the agenda. Alberta School Councils’ Association The District will purchase school membership in the Alberta School Councils’ Association for each of our school councils. We believe this will provide a strong voice for these important groups through the work of the ASCA. Correspondence Received • Active Healthy Kids Canada – report card on the

physical activity for children and youth. It raises concerns about the activity level of children, particularly in early years.

• Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations – announcing the New West Partnership to promote economic growth in the three western provinces.

• Society for Safe and Caring Schools and Communities – an update on the work of the society in violence prevention and character development.

Highlights from the June 9, 2010 meeting of the Board of Trustees for Red Deer Public Schools

CELEBRATIONS • The Board and Senior Administration appreciated the

opportunity to have dinner with the executive of the ATA Local to make connections and share perspectives.

• Students from the Class of 2010 at Hunting Hills and Lindsay Thurber celebrated their success and accomplishments at recent graduation ceremonies, the culminating activity of their education in our District. We wish them great success in their future.

• Staffing for next year, particularly in our three schools that will be reconfiguring to K to 8, has gone well and is almost complete.

• ‘Tis the season of concerts and year end celebrations, capping off another great year in our schools.

• The PBSAA Spring Meeting included a wonderful celebration for David King who is retiring after 20 years of service as the Executive Director of the Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta.

• Trustees of the “Next Metros”, urban boards with similar, but diverse profiles, met which provided an outstanding opportunity to discuss how other jurisdictions are addressing issues.

• The ASBA Drug Action Committee hosted a roundtable session that showcased a variety of resources and partners addressing substance abuse issues among youth.

• The Zone 4 Edwin Parr Awards recognized outstanding beginning teachers across central Alberta. We are proud to Everett Tetz from the Venture Program at Glendale Middle School who was our nominee and represented our District very well.

• The ASBA Spring Meeting included some outstanding professional development opportunities for trustees.

• The Excellence in Teaching Award Ceremonies recognized Suzanne Bleaken from the Aboriginal Family and School Frontline Program as a finalist.

• The New Principals Mentorship Program wrapped up and provided an opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding first years for three new principals as well as the support they received from their mentors.

• Retirement celebrations are honouring the careers of 12 staff across the District. Best wishes to them all in their retirements.

• Students from the CTS program at Lindsay Thurber donated an amazing wooden truck play structure to the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter

• Red Deer Public is one of two vendors who will be participating in the pilot phase of Alberta Education’s “Provincial Approach to Student Information”

Student Recognition • Environment Minister for the Day: Juliana R. from

Fairview was one of twelve students who served as Minister of the Environment for a day. She earned the honour as part of a contest by Alberta Environment to have students apply learning about air, water, land,

waste and other conservation efforts and how they would motivate Albertans to be better stewards of our environment.

• Young Blood for Life: Our high school students competed in a national blood donor drive challenge and came out on top! Lindsay Thurber students came out as the top school in the country with Hunting Hills finishing third. The initiative is intended to promote blood donations among young adults, hoping they become donors for life.

• Skills Canada Competition: Having won gold at the provincials Skills Canada Alberta Competition, Reese B and Jordyn S from Lindsay Thurber were awarded gold medals for their outstanding performance in the 3D animation competition at the Skills Canada in Waterloo, Ontario. Trustees were amazed and impressed by their animated production, “Are we there yet?”

Congratulations to all students for these outstanding achievements. District Education Plan The three-year education plan provides strategic direction for the District and our schools. Developed through a process of wide consultation, the plan is far reaching. Items of particular interest include: • A review of educational programming provided to

students in the Alternative School Programs. • A Credit Recovery Program to support students who

are within a few credits of completing high school. • The reconfiguration of GH Dawe, Glendale and

Normandeau to serve students from K to 8. • Starting a Spanish Language and Culture program at

Lindsay Thurber. • A Sciences and Technology Focus developed at

Glendale School. • New programs of studies in mathematics, career and

technology studies, modern languages. • Subject to approval, establishment of a Confucius

Classroom at Hunting Hills. • Developing a certificate that acknowledges student

participation in international studies. • Preparations for significant anniversaries at North

Cottage High School (100 years) and the District (125 years.)

Setting the Direction The Department of Education’s “Setting the Direction Framework” recommends the establishment of an inclusive education system that meets the diverse learning needs of all students including those with special education needs. The most recent update provided the Board with additional information regarding the initiative. Priorities include: • Curriculum – adapting and aligning curriculum that is

consistent with the program of studies for all students.

• Capacity Building – supporting staff to meet the needs of all students in schools.

• Collaboration – wrap-around services provided where students need them and with other partners.

The report included comparisons between the existing system and an inclusive education system to highlight the new direction that we believe are a positive in meeting the learning need of all students. The report will be released on Friday, June 11 by the Minister of Education and we are confident Red Deer Public Schools is well positioned to respond to the new direction. School Fees Schools provide a list of proposed fees for next year review by the Board. The Board is strongly committed to ensuring school fees are not barriers for families and also want there to be consistency in fees among our schools. Trustee Remuneration The Board’s practice is to do a survey of trustee remuneration in the spring before an election to review compensation compared to like jurisdictions in order to provide fair and reasonable remuneration for the important work of trustees. On review of the survey, the Board approved an increase to Trustee remuneration by $2000 effective September 2010 aligning remuneration closer to the median of like jurisdictions. Policy Amendments Approved Following a review of several policies and their distribution to stakeholders for feedback, the Board gave final approval to a number of policies as referred to in the agenda. Correspondence Sent • Community Leaders – inviting them to discussions on

establishing a university in Red Deer. Correspondence Received • Faculty of Education – University of Alberta:

appreciating the tremendous support of student teachers who had practicum placements in our schools.

• Red Deer Chamber of Commerce: sharing results from their “Education Survey” which sought feedback from members relative to the role business can play to support high school completion. We appreciate the Chamber’s interest in promoting high school completion and a well educated workforce and community.

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