News to Know

Celebrating 100 Eight Rocky View Schools (RVS) students were applauded by Per Cent the Board of Trustees for obtaining a perfect score on a June Achievement 2019 provincial diploma exam, some for the second time! Students were/are from the schools listed below: Recognizing Exemplary Two students from Bert Church High School (Chemistry Student Performance 30 and Biology 30) One student from Chestermere High School (Chemistry 30) Three students from Cochrane High School (Math 30-1 and Biology 30) Two students from Springbank Community High School (Math 30-1) The next 100 per cent achievement presentation will take place in May 2020 for diploma exams written in January 2019.

NEWS TO KNOW

Langdon Middle/High School Capital Announcement On Nov. 1, 2019, the Alberta Government announced design funding approval for RVS' number one capital priority, a new middle/high school in Langdon. RVS will continue to work closely with Alberta Infrastructure, as well as consult with the community about possible joint-use possibilities. With the site ready, the design process is set to begin in the new year.

Additional Transportation Fees Approved Transportation fees are on the rise. Following a fierce debate at its Nov. 14, 2019, public meeting, the Board of Trustees voted in favour of introducing additional student transportation fees of $308/student, applicable to riders who attend their designated school and live 2.4 kilometres or further from the school.The decision was made to offset a $1.4 million shortfall in the student transportation budget, resulting from the province's elimination of its Transportation Fee Replacement Grant.

Understanding Antibiotics Staff is asked to educate themselves on the usage, frequency and appropriate use of antibiotics. International Antibiotic Awareness Week, which runs from Nov. 18-22, 2019, aims to highlight the increase in antibiotic resistance due to overuse, resulting in strains that are difficult, if not impossible, to treat. For further information on antibiotic use, visit the Antibiotic Awareness website. Questions can be directed to Occupational Health Nurse JoAnne White.

Health Care Spending Account Update The 2019/20 teacher Health Care Spending Account deposits have been updated with Manulife. Teachers can view account balances on the Plan Member website and submit online claims. Costs incurred prior to Aug. 31, 2019, must be received by Manulife no later than Nov. 29, 2019. Questions can be directed to Benefits Officer Paula Van Tol.

Crocheting Towards Reconciliation Interested in putting your crocheting skills to good use? If so, please complete this short survey. Staff members with intermediate to advance crochet skills are invited to lend their talents towards Project Reconciliation. For the past three years, RVS staff has been quietly crocheting blankets to gift to Elders/Knowledge Keepers who visit RVS schools. In order to keep up with the demand, the Learning Supports Department is putting out a call to crocheters to donate their time and talent towards this very important project. Materials will be provided, with a gathering to take place in the New Year to stitch the blankets together. Questions can be directed to Learning Specialist, First Nations, Métis, Inuit and Diversity Chelsea Jackson.

Power App for Booking School-Based Rooms and Resources In an effort to facilitate school-based room bookings and resources (carts, projectors etc.), RVS has made available a Microsoft Power App to allow teachers and school administrators to easily book a room or resource in their respective schools. This handy app works in conjunction with Outlook. School- based staff interested in trialing the app can contact their school tech and/or O365 School Lead. Questions can be directed to O365/SharePoint Specialist Alex Siedule or Software Support Analyst Risto Harkonen.

INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES Education Solutions' Planning Inclusive Cultures in Schools (PICS) is a resource tool developed to assess school-wide inclusive practices and encourage school-based staff and communities to reflect on the concept of inclusion. Not only does PICS provide an inventory and analysis of current school practices, tt also helps schools plan for purposeful improvement. For more details, review the About the Pics Tool website.

RVS STORYTELLERS

Writing-on-Stone follows a group of RVS teachers as they journey into the history of Áísínaiʼpi, a blackfoot language word meaning "it is pictured." Led by Blackfoot knowledge keeper, storyteller, educator and author, Saa’kokoto, the group learned about the significance of the land through stories of the Blackfoot people. Located on traditional Blackfoot territory, Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park is one of the largest areas of protected prairie in the Alberta park system, serving as both a nature preserve and protection for many First Nations rock carvings and paintings. The park is important and sacred to the Blackfoot and many other Indigenous Peoples and synonymous with the Áísínaiʼpi National Historic Site of Canada. Watch the latest RockyDoc, Áísínaiʼpi (Writing-on- Stone), to experience the journey.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Numeracy Concept Deep Dive: Whole-Part Relationships Grade 5 - 8 teachers looking to dig deep into the mathematical concept of Whole-Part Relationship won't want to miss Numeracy Concept Deep Dive: Whole-Part Relationship, Nov. 27, 2019, at the Education Centre. The session will provide educators with the opportunity to explore student learning progression and pedagogical strategies to support the development of fluency, reasoning and problem solving skills. Register via the RVSPL System.

Indigenous Film Viewings and Discussions Educators and support staff interested in building their Indigenous foundational knowledge are encouraged to attend Indigenous Film Viewings and Discussions, Nov. 29, 2019, from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m., at the Education Centre. Participants can view one or more films, which will be followed by a group discussion. Participants also will be introduced to the MMIWG Final Report and ideas to increase classroom engagement (Walking with our Sister Campaign, Red Dress Project, Moose Hide Campaign, Taken - The Series, etc.). Questions can be directed to Learning Specialist, First Nations, Métis, Inuit and Diversity Chelsea Jackson. Register via the RVSPL System.

RVS BLOG

RVS Guest Blogger: Prince of Peace Lutheran School Principal Shawna Neis People, Poster Paper, and Post-Its - The title of Rocky View Schools’ (RVS) new Four Year Plan, Innovators by Design, is a perfect descriptor of the jurisdiction’s quest to collaboratively design learning environments where everyone can experience success. Guided by the School Playbook, Prince of Peace started its journey by delving deeply into the strengths and needs of our community. We called upon our staff, students and stakeholders to walk side by side and contribute to the collective vision of the road ahead. The lasting benefit of this scaffolded process of inquiry has been the creation of a climate where staff, students, and parents feel empowered through voice, connected to common goals, and valued as integral contributors to realizing its success.