THE BUGLER ATA LOCAL #28 Volume 4 Issue #1

4

The Bugler ATA Local #28

September 2019

CHECK OUT THE SUMMER PHOTO CONTEST RESULTS ON PAGES 7-8 TEACHERS SUPPORTING TEACHERS

AN UNCERTAIN START TO THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR by Deneen Zielke comments are made that this will happen with With the announcement improved ‘efficiencies’, we that the government would are left wondering what not be releasing budgets to exactly is going to happen. school boards until In the end, if the amount November 2019 many of money transferred to Conferences and Other decisions were made that school boards does not Events have an impact on our increase IN TOTAL to Important dates! Page 10 colleagues, classrooms, support new registrants and students. there is indeed a cut to We have seen many education funding. Many colleagues fail to have their school districts, including contracts renewed, school EIPS, have assumed that budgets reflect funding the Classroom constraints, and potential Improvement Funding increased class sizes. (CIF) will not be continued

Government has made and will recognize a huge comment that they will cut to their budget. Screaming for Change continue to fund education (continued on page 2) A guest article about students as in the past, and they will writing protest songs. Pages 3-6 be funding increased

enrollment. But, when THE BUGLER ATA LOCAL #28 | VOLUME #2 Issue #1 2

(From the Local President continued) one with teaching be able to apply and access Bill 9, the labour bill that experience in this PD funds. has been met with a legal millennium. Currently a response from the ATA, pilot program is set to MLA has interfered with the launch in fall of 2020. collective bargaining Then came the Mackinnon CONTACTS process. When our report. If Bill 9 wasn’t By Irene Deatcher memorandum of heavy handed enough, the Do you have concerns you agreement was signed by report recommends wish to voice? Please both parties in the spring legislated salaries for public reach out to your MLA. we agreed to arbitration sector workers, (for the salary clause) that performance-based school Education Minister would take place this funding that would see the Honourable Adriana month. If any government most needy of students LaGrange (UCP) is successful in passing receive the least resources, MLA for Red Deer-North legislation that undermines and more that undermines the legal process of the public education Email: collective bargaining at any system. RedDeer.North@assembly. time for any reason, there ab.ca is no safety for workers or As you can see these, and

organizations that bargain potential further actions MLA for : in good faith and reach an have and will continue to Mr. Jordan Walker (UCP) agreement. Once an have a huge effect on our Phone:780.417.4747 agreement has been students, our classrooms, Email: ratified by both parties, in our profession, and our Sherwood.Park@assembly. this case the provincial personal lives. The ab.ca government and ATA, both provincial ATA and our

sides are expected to Local ATA are actively MLA for Strathcona- respect the agreement. responding and working on Sherwood Park: Anything else is not only communication plans that Honourable Nate Glubish unfair, it is illegal. will reach all our teachers. Being informed and taking (UCP) Regarding the curriculum, part in campaigns to bring Phone:780.422.6880 there has also been a awareness to these issues Email: plethora of and seek change can make Strathcona.Sherwoodpark announcements. First it a difference. WE MUST @assembly.ab.ca was going to be shredded, WORK TOGETHER, then it was paused, then EVERYBODY’S VOICE IS MLA for Fort Saskatchewan- the Memorandum of IMPORTANT, AND ONLY A Vegreville: Understanding with the LARGE VOICE WILL BE Ms. Jackie Armstrong- Homeniuk (UCP) ATA to work collaboratively HEARD. was cancelled by the Phone:780.632.6840 government, then it was Please visit (Vegreville) restarted with a panel of elkislandlocal28.ca and Phone:780.992.6560 (Fort ‘experts’ to oversee it. It is create your Local account Saskatchewan) beyond comprehension so you can receive up to Email: how this panel does not date information on FortSaskatchewan.Vegrevill include one teacher and no association business and [email protected] THE BUGLER ATA LOCAL #28 | VOLUME #2 Issue #1 3

SCREAMING FOR CHANGE: THE POWER OF PROTEST SONGS

By Kristian Basaraba (NXT) “This Machine Kills Fascists” was the phrase on a sticker that adorned the guitar of folk singer Woodie Guthrie and thus provided the inspiration for the protest song writing project that Next Step High School students worked on this past year. This project was made possible by the Aspen Foundation for Labour Education grant in support of social justice learning and its goal was to have students write, record and perform a ‘protest’ song for an audience. The result was a song entitled “Scream for Change” and included the themes of environmental awareness, climate change, indigenous rights, reconciliation, sexual equality, corporate greed and more. Before sitting down to create this song students first explored the history of protest music throughout the ages and its power to evoke change. They were introduced to the various movements some songwriters have been involved with including Bikini Kill and the riot girl movement, Kendrick Lamar and the black lives matter movement and Sam Cooke and the civil rights movement. Once gaining an idea of what constitutes a protest song, students were encouraged to bring their own voice to the song writing table, explore issues they are passionate about and wanted the world to hear about. Working alongside local musician Braden Sustrik the students began to flesh out ideas for their song and chose musical instruments to learn and subsequently play. It was decided that the Woodie Guthrie classic “This Land Is Your Land” would form the backbone of the song and be rewritten and made their own. Each student wrote their own verse on a social justice issue identified earlier and as this process enfolded the group of students slowly evolved into a band named Morality Control Unit. A name used in an ironic fashion to raise awareness of the Pisces Bathouse Raid in on May 30, 1981 where 56 men were Student created Morality Control Unit Logo ultimately humiliated for their sexual orientation. Armed with their newly penned verses, instruments and well-rehearsed song the band entered the recording studio to begin the process of documenting their work. The result, as stated above, was a song entitled “Scream For Change (This Land Is Your Land)” and can now be found on YouTube for all to hear. On top of this recording the band took to the road and embarked on a three school tour to perform for a total of 250 elementary students. This allowed the band to engage these students in discussions of the themes in the song, what it means to be a global citizen and how these social justice issues are important to us all. THE BUGLER ATA LOCAL #28 | VOLUME #2 Issue #1 4

Some teachers at the performances even commented on how the song would be used in their classrooms to introduce their units on social justice. Hearing this was a humbling experience for the band and also speaks to the sustainability of this song and hopefully inspires others to “scream for change.”

Evaluation The ultimate goal of the project was to write, record and perform for an audience a protest song at a May Day assembly; for the most part mission accomplished! Although, the initial theme of the song was one that explored the labour movement and worker’s rights it deviated from that to be a song about social justice issues of climate change, mental health, sexual equality rights and indigenous rights and reconciliation. The students all felt strongly about these issues and in order to give some ownership of the project to them that deviation was permitted. If this project was to be implemented again, I would like to have had a tighter timeline and more frequent “jam session” to carry the momentum which may have allowed us to finish THE BUGLER ATA LOCAL #28 | VOLUME #2 Issue #1 5

before our May Day goal. We missed that date due to timing issues but felt more practice and the fact that we were no longer writing a song exclusively on worker’s rights justified the delay. It also allowed us to organize a “band tour” of local elementary schools that we felt provided a more engaged audience and discovered that this was in fact true. Student Feedback Over all, I think the project went much better than expected. I didn’t have much musical experience before joining the band and I thought that would be a problem. I ended up playing the bass for the first time and was happy to find it was not as difficult as I thought it would be. Going on tour to different schools was also a refreshing experience because we got to perform the song we wrote in front of elementary classes. At first, I was nervous about performing, but I got over my anxiety once we started playing and ended up having a good time. I was surprised when so many teachers came up to us after the performance to tell us how much they liked the song. I never expected it to have such an enormous impact on people, and I’m glad they enjoyed listening to it as much as I did making it. - Becca M.

Morality Control Unit – in the recording studio (left) and posing (right)

THE BUGLER ATA LOCAL #28 Volume 4 Issue #1

4 Scream For Change From Nitza’s Pizza to the This land is your land, this (This Land Is Your Millenium Skatepark land is my land This land was made for From Refinery Row down Land) by Morality you and me. the Baseline Road man Control Unit From Nitza’s Pizza to the (Original song by Once ancient meeting Millenium Skatepark grounds, places to gather This land was made for Woodie Guthrie) Forced them on reserves ‘cuz you and me. This land is your land, this they don’t matter land is my land These Treaty 6 lands were It feels so lonely without a From Refinery Row down theirs before us center the Baseline Road man This land was stolen (from Lack of safe space for us to From Nitza’s Pizza to the them) for you and me. enter Millenium Skatepark I wish that there could be a This land was made for But we can fix this, and help place for youth like me you and me. with healing Let’s make a (safe) space for Change our perspective and you and me As I was driving down start believing Colonialism can be defeated Having gay pride should not Dreary fields of brown, Let’s make this land for you be fearful gloomy skies of gray and me Wear a rainbow flag, receive Colorless buildings and empty an earful alleyways This land is your land, this Preach acceptance so us Let’s make this land for you land is my land becomes we and me. From Refinery Row down Let’s make a (safe) space for the Baseline Road man you and me

I passed by The Row, and From Nitza’s Pizza to the As I was walking, down saw cajoling Millenium Skatepark Chimney stacks smoking, and darkened hallways This land was made for I saw around me a familiar gas clouds rolling you and me. The smog was lifting, and I face

was thinking Despaired and lonely, I wish When I return home, to the Let’s make this land for you they’d reach out Park I see and me Because life can be hard on Taller power lines, wider you and me SUVs The thought of future jobs - Larger corporate greed, more oil dependency This school is your school, refineries Seems so bleak to me let’s this school is my school Let’s make this land for you use green energy Monkey bars, swings and and me Listen up leaders -Stop the the science lab room

climate change! In the gymnasium we will What there needs to be, is Let’s make this land for you sing with you and me change for you and me This song was made for Have more tolerance, more you and me. community This land is your land, this This land was made for We can raise our voice, and land is my land you and me. all scream for change! From Refinery Row down the Baseline Road man Let’s make this land for you and me

THE BUGLER ATA LOCAL #28 | VOLUME #2 Issue #1 7

WHAT I DID ON MY SUMMER VACTION 2019

CONTEST RESULTS

by Irene Deatcher Every year, your Communications Committee is blown away by the creative photography and amazing adventures that our Local members share with us. We received over 40 entries and it was truly challenging to narrow the field to two first place photos (each receiving a $75 gift certificate for their choice of Boston Pizza or for Amazon) and three honorable mentions (each receiving a $20 gift card for their choice of Tim Horton’s or Starbucks). Thanks go out to EVERYONE for participating in this annual contest! Please visit elkislandlocal28.ca to see even more photos!

FIRST PLACE:

(continued on page 7) THE BUGLER ATA LOCAL #28 | VOLUME #2 Issue #1 8

(Photo contest continued) HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Early morning view of Mount Robson (taken from Berg Lake) – Julie Halbersma (SCE)

SEPTEMBER TRIVIA 2. What must you have in order to Email Maxine Holm, Local CONTEST access the Communications Members/EasyPD Officer- lco@elkislandlocal2

By Maxine Holm area of the 8.ca with your answers. website? Hey, folks! Read this 3. Where can you All entries with the correct newsletter AND visit the learn about how to answers will be entered in elkislandlocal28.ca website sign up for an a random draw for a to be able to answer these account? $100.00 gift card at Indigo. questions and participate in 4. How much would it Deadline for entries is this contest  cost to buy 10 midnight on October 11th. movie passes?

1. Name one of the 5. When was the ATA Blog Posts on the Webcast? And how Public Blog. can you watch it? THE BUGLER ATA LOCAL #28 | VOLUME #2 Issue #1 9

editions are available POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT QUICK BITS here. UPDATE

YOUTUBE!!! On Thursday, September • Need information 12th, Deneen Zielke, Janet Did you know that Local 28 about committee Vader, Stephen Anderson and has its own YouTube frames of reference, Darryl Webb met with MLA channel?!?! Our LCO, Maxine local election Jordan Walker. The meeting Holm, has been working hard guidelines, or was very productive and quite to make sure information is nomination forms? direct in presenting the more accessible to members. You can access these educational issues that we documents here. She currently has posted two face in this district and

videos. The first one details province. We plan on • You are GUARANTEED how to register on the continuing this relationship as to not miss important elkislandlocal28.ca website governmental decisions emails/updates! Your (gives you access to progress. EasyPD)– remember that this staff rep is no longer is the best way to stay responsible for TQS Session! informed by having access to forwarding emails Thursday, October 3, 2019 the blog and by being on our from the Local. The from 4:15-6:15 pm at mailing list for important only way to get these Headquarters Restaurant updates. notifications is by and Bar (#101 – 100 signing up on the The second video Granada Blvd in Sherwood website. Park). demonstrates the steps needed to create an • Regular blog updates! Appetizers will be provided! application for PD funds which Our website is much Beverages will be available is another advantage of being more accessible and for purchase. registered. current than our The new Teaching Quality We recommend that you newsletters. We post Standard requires all teachers subscribe to our channel – information and to demonstrate foundational more videos (including articles as we receive knowledge about First updates from our Local them. Currently you Nations, Métis and Inuit for President) will be coming can view information the benefit of all students. soon! about movie passes, a Where should you start? more complete ELK ISLAND LOCAL 28 In this session, participants compilation of summer WEBSITE will be introduced to short, photo contest entries, interactive activities designed Here are the top reasons for information about an to enhance their registering on the website important event, MLA understanding of and visiting often: contact information, reconciliation, resources facts about the new • We have a calendar! specifically produced to build curriculum, To see a complete list their competence and information on how to of upcoming events confidence, and ideas about access pd funds, and a relevant to Local 28 the many paths they can list of teacher members, including pursue on their future discounts. Local Council meeting professional Indigenous

dates and education learning journey. • Access to applying for conferences, please pd funds! Click on “My check it out! PD”.

• Missed the Bugler? Current and archived THE BUGLER ATA LOCAL #28 | VOLUME #2 Issue #1 10

IMPORTANT

Oct. 17 – 19 Sept. 30 DATES AND Council For Inclusive Education Orange Shirt Conference – West Edmonton Mall Day EVENTS Oct. 3 Oct. 18 Indigenous Beginning Colony Educators – Magrath

Content in the new TQS, 4:15 Oct. 18 Headquarters Restaurant, Sherwood Elk Island Local 28 ATA Inductions 6-11 Park pm

Oct. 3 - 5 Oct. 18 – 19 Outreach Education Council Conference Facing the Future – Social Studies – River Cree Resort Council Conference – Airdrie

Oct. 4 - 5 Oct. 18 – 19 Religious & Moral Education Conference Substitute Teachers’ Conference – - Calgary Calgary

Oct. 5 Oct. 19 World Teacher’s Day Fine Arts Council Mini-Conference – U of Oct. 5 A Teacher Welfare Liaisons, Barnett House (invitation only) Oct. 19 Everyone Can: Resources to Support Oct. 7 to 11 ELL, Calgary Read In Week Oct. 21 to 25 Oct. 8 Bus Safety Week Caregiver Series: Breaking the Cycle of Anxiety, 6:00 RHG Oct. 21 to 25 Association for Educational Oct. 10 Communications and Technology World Mental Health Day Convention - Las Vegas

Oct. 10 - 13 Oct. 25 - 26 International Literacy Association Mathematics Council Conference - Jasper Conference - New Orleans Oct. 24 Oct. 11 United Nations Day Professional Learning Day Oct. 26 Oct. 14 Retirement Consultations, Barnett House Thanksgiving (invitation only)

Oct. 17 – 19 Oct. 29 Aspiring Superintendents Academy – ATA Local Council Meeting, 4:30 BFH Chicago

THE BUGLER ATA LOCAL #28 | VOLUME #2 Issue #1 11

LOCAL #28 EXECUTIVE President: Treasurer: Deneen Zielke John Murphy cell: 780-940-5525 (school) 780-992-1272 [email protected] [email protected]

Local Communications Officer: Professional Development Chair: Maxine Holm Janet Vader cell: 780-965-3651 (school) 780-449-2787 [email protected] [email protected]

Teacher Welfare Committee: Secretary: Jennifer Fredeen TWC Chair Kim Zapesocki cell: 780-217-3197 [email protected] [email protected] District Representative: Political Engagement Officer / Paul Froese Annual Representatives cell: 780-951-2461 Assembly Chair: [email protected] Darryl Webb politicalengagement@elkislandlocal2 Teacher Board Advisory 8.ca Committee Chair: Stephen Anderson cell: 780-267-2419 [email protected]

LOCAL #28 OFFICE

Administrative Assistant: Karen Topma Office number: 587-988-3663 [email protected] Address: #847- 33 Blackfoot Road Sherwood Park T8A 4W5 Office Hours: Tuesday 08:30 - 15:00 Wednesday 10:30 - 17:00 Thursday 08:30 - 15:00 THE BUGLER ATA LOCAL #28 | VOLUME #2 Issue #1 12

The WHO Bugler ARE YOU ATA GOING Local TO #28 CALL?

For pay issues, leaves and For policy concerns, working conditions and anything related to the issues related to how collective agreement, Twitter: @ElkIslandLocal things operate in EIPS contact the Teacher contact the Teacher Board Welfare Committee (TWC) Advisory Committee or the Negotiating Sub- (TBAC): Committee (NSC): Facebook: ATA Local #28 – Jennifer Fredeen TWC Stephen Anderson TBAC Elk Island Public tbacchair@elkislandlocal 780-217-3197 28.ca twcchair@elkislandlocal

28.ca For questions about ARTA ( Retired Teachers’ For professional conduct YouTube: Elk Island Local Association) that are not issues, contract concerns 28 answered on the website or and employment issues, for questions about EIRTA contact the ATA at Barnett House: (Elk Island Retired Teachers' Association): The Alberta Teachers’ Website: Karen Atkinson Association (President) elkislandlocal28.ca 780-447-9400 [email protected] OR 1-800-232-7208