Rocky View Schools (RVS) trustees were busy on Jan. 6, hearing presentations on the status of the public school division’s four-year plan, purchase orders, a board orientation tour, as well as a school operations update at their first Board of Trustees meeting of the new year.
Four-year plan implementation
Lori Meyer, RVS associate superintendent of learning, presented an update on the implementation of the division's four-year plan.
She said preparing the presentation made her realize how proud she is of the work done by the school district after just one year in her role.
The first goal within the four-year plan referred to connecting passions and people, and focusing on real world learning experiences, Meyer explained. Along with determining that all schools would use myBlueprint to make learning visible, administration offered professional learning support like lunch and learn sessions, drop-in sessions, and individual staff meeting presentations.
The second goal referred to achieving potential. Meyer explained that schools focused on supporting students in literacy and numeracy.
This past fall, 15 out of RVS’ 31 schools participated in the provincial learning disruption assessment for grades 2 and 3. Those assessments resulted in roughly $1 million in funding that went directly back into schools that participated, in order to implement targeted interventions for students who showed lagging skills in reading, writing, or math. Funds were mostly used to increase staff positions for literacy supports.
The Grade 1 assessment is set to take place this spring, and Meyer anticipates more local schools will participate after seeing the flow of funds come directly back to participating schools.
Superintendent Greg Luterbach said RVS decided not to make participation mandatory for the assessments in the fall, as schools were already managing a lot of new COVID-related requirements when they opened their doors in September 2020.
All Grade 1, 2, and 3 teachers participated in Layers of Literacy in professional learning, which helped them implement literacy practices and discuss strategies amongst colleagues.
Meyer confirmed that in older grades, literacy support is also being utilized and teachers are reviewing classrooms to adjust their instruction plans based on their students.
The third goal in the four-year plan referred to navigating successfully as global citizens, and addresses how students fit into the world. RVS clarified the need to implement positive behaviour support and offer professional learning for teachers.
Meyer was confident that all schools will be fully engaged by June. On this front, counselors and liaisons are offering sessions to students on healthy relationships, how to handle peer pressure and anxiety, general mental wellness, and the impact of social media.
“The reason they are focusing on these particular areas is because these are the areas that school staff have identified [where] kids seem to be struggling with and potentially struggling with more due to the pandemic situation,” Meyer said.
Meyer noted that some aspects of the new K-6 draft curriculum will be implemented in the fall.
RVS will work with teachers as soon as they can to prepare them for the new curriculum, according to Meyer.
RVS is also looking at data collection of student behaviour, and pursuing an initiative to allow dual credit programs for high school students.
Despite the pandemic and the stress it has caused on teachers, Luterbach noted he is impressed by teachers’ resilience across the school division.
School operations update
The winter break for all students in Alberta was extended by one week, but students will have returned to their classrooms on Dec. 10.
On Dec. 30, 2021 along with the announcement of an extended break, provincial government officials said they would provide access to medical-grade masks and rapid tests to support students and staff in school.
Diploma exams in January were cancelled, which fits in with the RVS boards’ advocacy efforts, according to Luterbach. As well, the provincial achievement tests (PATs) for grade 6 and 9 are being delayed by a few weeks.
School jurisdictions didn’t have prior notice that this would be announced, Luterbach noted.
Along with an extended break, extra curricular activities and school programs were paused during the first week of January, including sporting events.
School divisions are not expected to make up the lost instruction time from the past week.
During the chair’s report in the meeting, board chair and Ward 6 (Cochrane) Trustee Fiona Gilbert noted that RVS is committed to keeping schools open and students learning in person.
Purchase orders over $200,000
Luterbach provided a list of RVS’ purchase orders above $200,000, allowing trustees to ask questions about the transactions.
One item on the list was a purchase for specialized medical support. Ward 1 (Chestermere) trustee Shali Baziuk questioned why education dollars were spent on medical support and why Alberta Health Services (AHS) could not purchase it instead.
Meyer explained that several students across the county require special support that would not be legal or safe for a teacher to provide. This item refers to human resources to provide medical support in a safe manner.
Luterbach noted that medical funding is a complicated and controversial issue, but added he is proud to be able to provide the support in order for these kids to be part of all aspects of school.
Trustee orientation tours
Following the municipal election in October 2021, RVS’ trustees are set tour the school division starting later this month.
Rather than trying to schedule the roughly 60 visits to all schools and programs, administration decided to spread the visits over the second half of the school year from January to June.
Visits to each location will take 45 minutes and trustees will be given a tour and an opportunity to ask questions.
While this is a large time commitment, Luterbach said these lasting impressions will help future board discussions when it comes to facilities and infrastructure renewals or capital improvements.
“Having seen the physical building always helps in that context,” Luterbach said.
The tour is scheduled to start at the end of January.
