ACHIMOWIN
January/February 2013 Issue
NORTHLAND SCHOOL DIVISION NO.61
Literacy: Front and Centre at Superintendents Message Northland School Division Tansi, Edlanet’e Welcome to another addi on of January 27th was Family Literacy Day in Cana- the Achimowan ou know the old saying that me da; but because the day fell on a Sunday, many flies when your having fun; that’s truly the case for schools across Northland School Division decid- many of our students, teachers and parents. The ed to celebrate on a weekday. The signature January and February issue showcases a number of day was also a good opportunity for Northland Family Literacy Day events, a look into the future of School Division to celebrate successes following CTS programming for Northland School Division, the the launch of their new literacy ini a ve. launch of a new dual credit welding program along Teachers, principals and support staff have with a newly formed school council. The newsle er a ended professional development sessions will also share a story involving Calling Lake School focusing on the ini a ve, and so far lots of and CBC Television and two special accomplish- posi ve feedback. The rst couple of pages will ments achieved by two special people. I hope you showcase Family Literacy Day celebra ons enjoy this issue. If you would like an item added in across the division. the ne t Achimowan, email our Communica ons Coordinator Cur s Walty at Cur- s.Walty northland .ab.ca.
Literacy Day at Paddle Prairie School
Despite the cold weather, Paddle Prairie School celebrated Family Literacy Day on Friday January 25th. Several students from junior high visited the daycare to read to the kids as well as put together an impromptu puppet show. Junior high students also read to elementary groups and there was “Readers Theatre” by grade 5 students. Parents were also involved in reading to students.
Inside this issue:
Family Literacy Day 1
Family Literacy Day 2
CTS Presenta on 3 NORTHLAND SCHOOL DIVISION NO.61 Dual Credit Welding Program at Mistassiniy 3
First School Council in Fort Chipewyan 4 9809-77th Avenue Special Honour for Music Teacher 4 Peace River, AB T8S-1V2 Calling Lake School Showcased on CBC 5 Phone: 780-624-2060 Principal Recognized with Special Award 5 Fax: 780-624-5914 E-mail: Random Acts of Kindness/Reminders 6 [email protected] Twitter: @northland61 Page 2 ACHIMOWIN
Literacy Day at Dr. Mary Jackson School
Dr. Mary Jackson School celebrated Literacy Day on Friday February st . The day was jam packed with so many fun events. Students ate bannock bread boys, par cipated in an alphabets scavenger hunt, a book swap, dressed up like story book characters, enjoyed some Mrs. Doreen Batchelor sharing chocolate fondue and skated oral tra i ons on the outdoor rink.
Stu ents enjoying some choco- late fon ue!
Literacy Night at ADCS
Athabasca Delta Community Des na on two gave stu- studied a book called “Pigs” and made School hosted their fourth dents and parents a chance cra ed pigs. The evening wrapped up reading night with a Robert to make cookies while read- with door prizes and students leaving Munsch author study. Be- ing “Mmm, Cookies”, others with a new book. The event was spon- fore the event began, every- studied “Stephanie’s Pony- sored by Shell, ACFN and Cenovus. If one received a passport to tail” and made ponytails at you would like to learn more about literacy, which had 5 des - des na on three. Students “Reading Night”, email Hillary Banks at na ons. Each family was and parents also had the Hillary.Banks northland .ab.ca. allowed to choose three out op on of crea ng sandcas- of the ve to a end. At tles at des na on four des na on one, families while reading “The Sand” created hand print art while and at des na on ve, fam- studying the book “Love ilies ou Forever”.
Literacy Day in Conklin
The weather outside may Nakewin Community Hall. have been cold but that Principal Jack Howell said didn't stop Conklin Commu- despite the cold weather, nity School from celebra ng students had warm hearts Family Literacy Day on Mon- and their behavior was e - day January 28th. Students emplary. He also said that and parents started the day reading has caught on in a par cipa ng in a ska ng big way. party. Following the skate, everyone enjoyed hot dogs, hot chocolate and some uiet reading me at the Page 3
CTS Presentation
Career and Technology Studies CTS took centre stage for part of the Northland School Division Board Meeting on January 24th. CTS School/Industry Partnership Principal, Randy Chernipeski shared the CTS Strategic Plan to the board through a PowerPoint presentation. The PowerPoint looked at the current state of CTS programming, future goals and how will goals be achieved. The current CTS programming situation at North- land School Division is a work in progress according to Chernipeski. During his presentation, Mr. Chernipeski talked about how there needs to be a focus on offering more CTS courses in small high schools, career awareness, gathering input from students, increasing ability to use technology and improving facilities. Some of the goals Stu ent working insi e the new mentioned in the strategic plan included asking potential teachers if they have CTS inter- shop facility at Bill Woo war ests that would benefit the school, improving access to online CTS courses, access to School trailers e uipped for teaching mechanics, carpentry along with cosmo/esthetics, e po- sure to role models at work sites, NAIT, University of Alberta and connect students with opportunities like the Skills Canada and the Registered Apprenticeship Program RAP . Chernipeski admits there’s a lot of work to do to better support CTS programming for Northland School Division, but he did highlight some good things going on right now like the new state of the art shop at Bill Woodward School, a cosmo/esthetics course at Paddle Prairie School, food and shop courses at ADCS and a CTS welding trailer and dual credit welding program at Mistassiniy School. The CTS strategic plan will identify short term objectives, priorities, initiatives and performance targets for Northland School Division. Chernipeski said that the short term and long term goals have to be realistic, specific and measurable. He also commented on the importance of partnerships, fundraising to support the CTS programming, student attendance and communicating and monitoring the steps of the plan.
Dual Credit Welding Program at Mistassiniy
The duel credit welding program is up and running at Mistassiniy School. The program is being operated in conjunc on with Northern Lakes College. Dual credit allows high school students to earn credits in high school and college at the same me. Dual credit programs are currently well established in Bri sh Columbia, ntario and Manitoba. A number of dual credit pilot programs have been ini ated in Alberta. The pilots form a part of Alberta's strategy to ensure student success in secondary educa on. Page 4 ACHIMOWIN
School Council in Fort Chipewyan
n January 2 st, parents, caregivers, community members and staff gathered at Athabasca Delta Community School ADCS to establish an official school council. The Alberta School Councils’ Associa on assisted the group, following procedures from the School Councils Regula on for establishment, including determining their membership, the members and size of their e ecu ve, their model of governance, and the elec on of their e ecu ve. Respect for local culture and beliefs were a key focus of the mee ng, resul ng in cultural representa on on the E ecu ve in addi on to tradi onal members. Par cipants were very pleased to learn, as the mee ng progressed, they would have a formal avenue to address educa on issues as well as transporta on, discipline, school budge ng and student achievement from their local community perspec ve. Principal Michael Flieger is e cited to have an engaged group of parents working with him to support and enhance student achievement at ADCS. For more informa on about the Alberta School Councils’ Associa on and how school council establishment can bene t your school, please call -800- -3470 or visit www.albertaschoolcouncils.ca
Special Honour For Music Teacher
Bill and Emily Sewepagaham from Kateri School are pleased to announce that their daughter Sherryl has been selected to translate and perform the official song for Music Monday 20 3 from English to Cree Music Monday unites hundreds of thousands of young people through their schools and communi es from coast to coast through a simultaneous musical event on the rst Monday of May. This year’s event will take place on Monday May th in an effort to “Fill the Skies with Music”. Sheryl, who’s currently an Aboriginal Music Consultant at Edmonton Catholic Schools’, received le ers from the Coali on for Music Educa on Canada asking for her to translate and perform the official song called “Is Somebody Singing”. Astronaut Chris Had eld, who is taking part in a si month mission aboard the Interna onal Space Sta on, teamed up with Ed Robertson of the Barenaked Ladies to write and perform the song between Space and Earth. Had eld and Robertson’s recording is posted on CBCMusic.ca so students can learn the song before Music Monday. Sherryl said her parents helped her out with transla ng the song from English to Cree and added her version will be posted online in the near future. Sherryl has an incredible resume. She has been recognized for her tradi onal song wri ng and co-wri ng with numerous music awards and nomina ons, including a 2005 Juno nomina on with the Edmonton-based Aboriginal women’s trio Asani. She also wrote the music and lyrics for the Na onal Arts Centre’s Music Alive Program song, to be shared with elementary schools across Canada. This event will be e tra special because students at Kateri School will be singing “Is Somebody Singing” on May th in Cree along with many other schools across the na on. Page 5
Calling Lake School Showcased on CBC
Calling Lake School students e uipment and coaches to lympics in Salt Lake City. were able to e perience a remote communi es. The The event was organized by once in a life me oppor- event was showcased on MD of pportunity # 7, Stat tunity during the utdoor CBC News The Na onal il, Cross Country Alberta, Winter Ac vity Day at the h p //www.cbc.ca/player/ Calling Lake Job Corps, Call- Calling Lake Mul ple . Stu- Sports/Skiing/ ing Lake Trails Associa on dents spent the day snow- ID/232 00 50/ and Ski Fit North. shoeing, making cra s and The students were also cross country skiing with invited inside the mul ple e yler am- lympic gold medalist Beck- to listen to a presenta on bler, mi le ie Sco and Ski Fit North from Sco about tness, Beckie Sco , Instructor Andrew Urton. dedica on and healthy liv- right yler Bar- Ski Fit North is a program ing. She also passed around on. et me know that brings the lympic gold medal she if you have any won at the 2002 Winter ues ons.
Principal Recognized with Special Award
Northland School Division would like to recognize a special achievement by Conklin Community School Principal Jack Howell. Mr. Howell was rec- ognized on Thursday January 24 th as a Champion of Wood Buffalo during the Mayor and Council’s Toast of Champions. Nine champions were rec- ognized from nineteen nominees. The event was described as a heart- warming celebra on of the people in the region and guests enjoyed ge ng to know each recipient through the story told during a video por- on. ou can view Jack’s video on ouTube. h p //www.youtube.com/ watchv=58TsmbuWurM&list=UUmn4I8PUQp gzPFdM8EVdWg&inde =5 The video truly reflects the reasons why he has been recognized by Mayor and Council as a Champion of Wood Buffalo.
Jack Howell right being presente the awar from Fort McMurray Mayor Melissa Blake “Every Student is a lifelong learner and successful in life”
Random Acts of Kindness
fl p p p p g p v p p p . CTS S / I P p P p , C p v . T /B gg N .
T ' z "It can't be true, it's all made up." T T ' ' ? awesome - ' "Why did this person act this way? What were his her true inten ons?" - ' - '
YOUR INPUT MATTERS! UPCOMING EVENTS
Date Events D ' T - February 12, 2013 Administrators’ Meeting fi - February 13, 2013 Professional Development Day for Teachers and Administrators’ February 14, 15, 2013 Northeast Teachers Convention February 18, 2013 Family Day (No School) Y February 20, 2013 Advisory Committee Meeting Y K F F T - February 21, 2013 Board Meeting