District gives leaseholders more time to adjust

June 18, 2013

In response to concerns expressed by its leaseholders, Edmonton Public Schools has decided to extend the timeframe of its lease rate increase by two years. Now, rather than phasing in the lease rate increases over four years, community organizations will see their lease rates increase over a six year period. In addition, the lease rate increase for 2013-2014 has been limited to $1 per m2 per month for all leaseholders.

“I am hopeful these two measures will assist our valued leaseholders in successfully adjusting to the new rates,” says Edgar Schmidt, Superintendent of Schools. “However, I remain steadfast in my decision to close the gap between current district lease rates and the higher rates we need to charge to recover our costs.”

Edmonton Public Schools is facing significant financial pressures and can no longer afford to heavily subsidize the lease rates it charges community organizations.

“We cannot in good conscience continue to use instructional funds intended for the classroom to subsidize our lease rates, even though we greatly value the services provided to students, families and the wider community.”

Leaseholders will receive updated lease agreements from the District within the next two weeks. Click here to view a copy of the letter.

 

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Four lucky students become “Minister for the Day”

June 14, 2013

Four students from Edmonton Public Schools were selected to participate in “Minister for the Day” during Environment Week (June 2 to 8). The foursome – Emma Klein from McKernan, Jaxson Hawreluk from Glenora, Mais Abu-Sa’da from Malmo and Keltie Stewart from Bisset – were part of a group of twelve Grade 5 students selected from approximately 1600 contestants from across the province.

The “Minister for the Day” program, sponsored by the Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Resources, focuses on what Grade 5 students would do to take care of the environment. During their day at the Legislature, the students learned more about governing the environment and personal stewardship, and they had the opportunity to share their concerns and ideas with Minister Diana McQueen. They also toured the Legislature including the Minister’s Office, Mock Legislature and participated in a real media event with the Minister.

Student Emma Klein says, “The day was great because it is a unique opportunity that not a lot of students get. I really liked meeting Minister McQueen. I pledge to walk, ride my bike, carpool and take public transit in order to reduce air pollution.”

Her teacher Jason Ludwar adds, “It was a wonderful learning opportunity for these twelve students and their teachers. Everyone had the chance to experience firsthand what Minister McQueen and her staff are trying to do: work towards a better environment and a healthier, sustainable Alberta.”

Visit the Ministry’s blog for more pictures and to watch video of the mini ministers sharing their ideas with Minister McQueen: http://aesrd.wordpress.com/2013/06/06/grade-5-students-become-environment-ministers.

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Tornado warning and impact on schools

June 12, 2013

A tornado warning has been issued for the Edmonton area. District principals have been instructed to make decisions on whether or not to dismiss students based on the conditions near their school. If a principal feels student safety is at risk, they will not dismiss the students and will contact parents directly to arrange pick up at the school when it is safe to do so. Yellow bus service will continue at all district schools, but there may be some delays.

Filed Under: District News, School News Tagged With: ,

Edmonton Public Schools wins first place at Corporate Challenge

June 12, 2013

Corporate Challenge has wrapped up for this year and Edmonton Public Schools has come out on top – taking first place in the Red Division (made up of the largest companies of employed staff in the city) for the second year in a row.

Thanks to everyone who participated!  Kudos to all of the captains who arranged the teams and a special thank you to Corporate Challenge organizer, Tim Floyd. Well done!

Teams that scored big, include:

Horseshoes (pictured below) – Gold
Mountain Biking - Gold

Foam Dodgeball (pictured below) - Silver
Bowling - Silver
Bunnock - Silver

Lawn Bowling - Bronze
Orienteering – Bronze

Volleyball - 5th place
Darts – 5th place

Horseshoes team from left to right: Peter Chalcraft, Karen Urbanovitch, Lori Urbanovitch and Tony Kirkpatrick. Missing: Caroline Trenholm and Jon Dziadyk.


Foam dodgeball team from left to right: Sam Pankiw, Lisa Sandercock, Ryan Flannigan, Will Rice, Anita Altmiks, Nathalie Reye-Donovan, Coreen Moccia and Tony Kirkpatrick. Front row: Dajana Fabjanovich and Cathy MacDonald. Missing: Conrad Lutz and Chris Douglas.

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High School Student Protest

June 10, 2013

The Administration has learned of a student protest planned for high school students on Tuesday, June 11. Through social media, students are being encouraged to walk out of their classes at 11 a.m. to meet busses waiting outside their schools. They will be taken to the Alberta Legislature to protest the education cuts they feel will negatively impact their education next year. After the protest, busses will return the students to their schools.

This event is not being organized by Edmonton Public Schools and is not being endorsed by the District. It is unclear who is organizing the event, providing transportation or supervising the students. If students begin to leave their classrooms, teachers will inform the students they do not have permission to leave and will be marked absent if they do leave. District staff will remain at the school to teach the students who remain in class.

Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about the protest and to make it clear that if students leave the school, there will be no district staff joining them or supervising them.

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Honouring Celebration recognizes educational journey of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students

June 7, 2013

Last night, the 6th annual Honouring Celebration recognized the educational journey of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students from across the District.  Family, district staff, Elders, guests and community partners gathered at Victoria School to celebrate with the 70 students in attendance.

Congratulations to all of the grads!

Filed Under: District News

Update on Music Enrichment

June 3, 2013

Music Enrichment is working towards a new chapter in its strong history of providing quality after school music programming for children and youth in the Edmonton area.  As funding cuts have caused Edmonton Public Schools to have to step back from offering the program, Music Enrichment parent groups have stepped up and taken the lead in shaping the program for the years to come.

The District is currently working with representatives from Edmonton String Players Association and All City Choir Parents Association as they strive towards a new model of Music Enrichment for this September.  Edmonton Public Schools remains committed to Music Enrichment and enthusiastic for the future of this program under the leadership and commitment of the community.

Filed Under: District News

Six teachers recognized for excellence

May 31, 2013

Six educators from Edmonton Public Schools have received 2013 Excellence in Teaching Awards. The recipients were recognized at a gala hosted by Alberta Education in Edmonton on May 25.

The award winners are:

  • Kristen Buchynski, a teacher at A. Blair McPherson School;
  • Sandra Carl Townsend, the principal at Forest Heights School;
  • Yanick Jean-Proulx, a department head at Harry Ainlay School;
  • Jody Lundell, the principal at Westglen School;
  • Tiffany Reed, a teacher at Queen Elizabeth School; and
  • Linette Smith, Strathcona, a department head at Strathcona School.

In addition to the finalists, the district had 28 teachers among the semi-finalists for the award.

Congratulations to this amazing teachers, department heads and principals on receiving this well-deserved award.

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District Art Awards – 2013

May 30, 2013

The work of Grade 12 art students, representing seven district high schools, is on display at the Centre for Education. Art portfolio submissions including the jury-selected “Best of” each portfolio show off the depth of the students’ inspirations and the diversity representative of their wide-ranging interests and passions.

The jury, consisting of an artist from the University of Alberta and art teacher from Hillcrest School, selected “Best of” works based on technique, content, composition and takeaway value. Sylvia Calver of Victoria School (teacher: Theron Lund) won top prize. According to the jury, her piece is not only tremendous in technical skill, but is well-researched, thoughtful and sends a powerful message.

The art will be on display at the Centre for Education until May 30th.  Afterward, selected pieces will be displayed at the ‘Edmonton Public Schools Grade 12 Best of High School Portfolio’ Exhibit at the Kids in the Hall bistro in Edmonton City Hall from June 19th to September 14th, as part of The Works Art & Design festival.

Filed Under: District News, School News

Board shares information on cost saving initiatives

May 22, 2013

At yesterday’s regularly scheduled board meeting, the Board of Trustees received a report that summarized a number of areas where special initiatives over the past two years have resulted in significant cost savings for the District.

The initiatives include a range of work processes, procurement strategies, contract management and technology improvements resulting in savings of over $9 million since 2011.

“As our schools and departments are being asked to do “less with less,” Trustees are extremely pleased staff  have found areas where cost and efficiency savings have been implemented,” says Board Chair Sarah Hoffman.

The Board also approved a policy position recommendation to take forward to the Alberta School Boards Association Zone 2/3 asking the province to establish a stable revenue stream to fund K to 12 education as an alternative to depending on fluctuating revenue from non-renewable resources. This supports the Board’s ongoing request to have predictable and sustainable funding.

In keeping with cost-saving announcements, Superintendent Edgar Schmidt informed the Board he was reducing the number of assistant superintendents to four from five for the 2013-2014 school year.

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