Ward F Newsletter
Updates from the June 18, 2024 Board Meeting
In the News
In case you missed it, some news featuring students at Edmonton Public Schools
Fiesta at Mill Creek School
Young artists learn about entrepreneurship with week-long exhibit at Edmonton Arts Council
Greenfield School Recognizes National Indigenous History Month with powwow
NHL to broadcast Stanley Cup Finals with American Sign Language commentary (Staff and students from Alberta School for the Deaf interviewed)
High schoolers take on CEO, VP roles at company being run out of school classroom (Lillian Osborne)
Edmonton’s Valedictorians: Chelsea Kwon (Dr. Anne Anderson School)
Edmonton’s Valedictorians: Marley Coffill (McNally School)
Edmonton’s Valedictorians: Harris Oldring (Ross Shepherd)
New Basketball Court at Centennial School as part of Edmonton Stingers’ Fresh Hoops Program
Congrats to McKernan Bands!
Special congratulations to Band Director and teacher Ms. O’Shaughnessy and her grade 7, grade 8 and grade 9 band students. Each of these three bands were awarded a rating of “superior” at the provincial band festival. Superior is the highest ranking a band can receive at a festival. To have not only one, but all three, junior high bands honoured with this high rating is quite an achievement! In addition, the grade 9 band was also named best junior high band in their level and brought home a scholarship towards McKernan’s band program. Congratulations Ms. O’Shaughnessy and the junior high band students at McKernan!
Samantha is going to NASA!
Samantha Luchkow is a Grade 9 student at Avalon Junior High in Edmonton. She will be presenting her team’s science project to more than 100 participants from all over Canada and the U.S. at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida this summer.
Read the CBC article and listen to her interview.
It was awesome to get to meet Samantha at the Avalon Science fair earlier this year. Good luck this summer Samantha!
LYC Abilities Expo
Talk about celebrating success and promoting employment skills and experiences! The LYC Abilities Expo earlier this month was fantastic.
This Expo is designed to showcase and recognize the abilities of students with mild intellectual disabilities to participate in vocational areas in and beyond school as they enter the world of work. L. Y. Cairns staff connected with other high schools (and adult volunteers) in and around Edmonton to offer the opportunity to students to participate and connect with peers in the areas of metal fabrication, culinary arts, and cosmetology. A total of eight schools from six different divisions participated.
Events like this are important. It gives students a chance to prove to themselves and show the community at large that they have the ability to make a meaningful contribution to the workforce and society. It’s about enhancing pathways to success and helping students one day transition to a life of dignity and fulfillment.
It was a joy to meet these students and I wish them well in their continued studies exploring various career opportunities.
Notes from the Board Meeting
Tuesday was the last Board meeting of the 2024-2025 school year. I am thrilled to be able to continue in my role as Board Chair for the upcoming school year.
As students finish up exams and teachers wrap up their progress reports, I want to express a sincere thank you. Thank you to school staff, students and families for all the hard work you’ve put in to make this a memorable year.
I wish everyone a fantastic, restful summer break.
Approval of Update to Board Policy on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression
The Board approved an update to Board Policy HFA.BP Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity to ensure language is up to date and aligns with language in the Alberta Human Rights Act. This update does not change the intent or purpose of the policy from its original development. The purpose of this policy is to reflect the Board’s mandated responsibility and expectation for providing a welcoming, inclusive, safe and healthy learning and working environment throughout the Division. The policy does not direct or influence the official curriculum taught in Edmonton Public Schools or serve as a teaching tool; Division schools follow the Kindergarten to Grade 12 curriculum, as set by Alberta Education. Thank you to every one of the 1,137 people who responded to the Board’s survey requesting feedback on the proposed changes.
Participation in the Alberta Education delegation to Germany
Vice Chair Jan Sawyer and I returned this weekend from a week in Germany as part of the Government of Alberta’s education delegation to that country to learn more about dual vocational education. This was a great opportunity to learn more about this model and to bring home ideas to further strengthen Edmonton Public School’s already excellent Career Pathways, Campus EPSB and dual credit opportunities. There is also cause for celebration. Various German Ministers we met with expressed their admiration for several aspects of the Alberta school system, including one special mention to Bannerman School resulting from the visit the German delegation participated in last fall. Our high achievement ratings, use of data to drive educational practices, and the way we support diverse students and staff was also celebrated. We have a lot to be proud of in Alberta and at Edmonton Public Schools, and I look forward to continuing work towards enhancing pathways to student success.
Congrats Grads!
Attending high school commencement ceremonies, as well as grade 6 and grade 9 farewell celebrations is always a highlight of the year. Congratulations to all and thank you for having me at your celebrations. Pictured below are Lillian Osborne, Vernon Barford and Harry Ainlay. Looking forward to celebrating with George H. Luck, Grandview and L.Y. Cairns later this week!
Provincial Announcement – Personal Mobile Devices in Schools
On Monday, the Minister of Education made an announcement related to the use of personal mobile devices in schools. Many schools already have procedures in place to manage the use of personal mobile devices such as cellphones. The Government of Alberta’s announcement will either reinforce what schools already have in place or set new standards for changes to be made. Edmonton Public Schools will be working through the summer to go over the details and determine what this announcement means for Division schools.
Mark your Calendar
June 21 – National Indigenous Peoples Day (no classes)
June 26 – Last day of classes
September 10 – Next Board Meeting
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