Your parent voice is important in

supporting student success!

PARENT-TRUSTEE FORUM

DECEMBER 5, 2017

CHAMPIONS OF STUDENTS

All:

O God of hope, our hearts desire the warmth of your love and our minds

are searching for the light of your Word. Come into our midst and speak to

us in the quiet of our hearts. Open our eyes and our ears to your

presence and make our lives a home where your goodness and love

resonate. Increase our trust in you and keep us faithful in prayer that we

may be found awake and alert for the coming of the Lord.

Bless and guide us as parents and educators that our children may know

your ways, your love and your welcoming presence through the

generosity of our words and actions. May they continue to be shaped by

your hand and enriched by your gifts as they eagerly await your coming in

joyful prayer. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

CHAMPIONS OF STUDENTS

Territorial Acknowledgement

CHAMPIONS OF STUDENTS

Opening Remarks

TrusteeUpdates

CHAMPIONS OF STUDENTS

Alberta Catholic School Trustees Association

• New Trustee Orientation • AGM and Conference November 17-19• Call to Missionary Discipleship

• Keynote speakers: Bishop Henry and Father Penna

• Awards and Recognition• ACSTA Honorary Life Award – Bishop Henry

• Appreciation Award:

◦ Father Eric Nelson

◦ Dr. Gerry Turcotte – St. Mary’s University

Alberta School Boards Association• Fall General Meeting and Conference November 19-

21

• Association business; • Policy Positions• President, Vice-president elections• Congratulations to Trustee Mary Martin; acclaimed as

President

• Dreaming our Legacy

• Trustee Orientation

Education Legislation

• Fall sitting of the Legislature

• Bill 24 – an Act to support GSA’s

• Bill 28 – School Amendment Act, 2017

• Meeting with Minister Eggen November 24, 2017

Work of the Board

• Approval of the Combined Annual Education Results Report (AERR) and Three Year education plan

• Approval of Audited Financial Statements 2016-2017

• Budget Process• ThoughtExchange starting in January

• Board decision on Bursary for ASCA Conference & AGM

Catholic Education

• Catholic Trustees dual mandate

• Constitutional right to Catholic Education

• Challenges to Catholic education – single system

• Support from stakeholders

Opportunity to:

• Provide feedback and direction for the Board

• Meet with Board members, school council chairs, parents, administration

• Have your voice heard

• Network and spend time with as many participants as possible

World Café Conversations

CHAMPIONS OF STUDENTS

• Choice of three topics for conversation (questions on your tables)

• Each participant engages in two out of three topics

• Select your first choice topic and move to that table (if you are not already at your preferred topic table)

• Follow process shared by facilitator

• Engage in conversation

• Allow for everyone at your table to have an opportunity to speak

Process

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• Recorder will record conversation and salient point(s) made to share with all later in the meeting

• Select the salient points you wish to share with whole group

• Select person who will be sharing

• When time is up, move to second choice topic

• Facilitators do not move tables

Process Continued…

CHAMPIONS OF STUDENTS

The Importance of Catholic Education

Why is publicly funded Catholic Education important?

By our actions, how can School Councils support in bringing Catholic Education alive in their schools and communities?

Topic 1

CHAMPIONS OF STUDENTS

The Importance and Responsibility of Funded

Catholic Education

The Importance of Catholic EducationWe are an arm of the Church.

Founded by Christ himself who we believe is God and guided to this day actively by the Holy Spirit.

The Catholic Church has sustained for 2000 years; through the rise and fall of empires, our teachings have endured. We believe in the strength of these teachings for humanity.

We are a pastoral arm of the Church with a purpose of working pastorally with all whom we serve.

Why Catholic Education?Holistic Education ◦ Emotional, Intellectual, Physical,

Social and Spiritual Wellness

We believe God is revealed in:

◦Truth

◦Goodness

◦Beautyand we are called to grow in mind, soul and heart.

The Choice of Generations

Great sacrifices made by our ancestors in faith for publicly funded Catholic education, and they intended it tocontinue for our benefit and the benefit of ourchildren and our children’s children.

The choice of school in Alberta is probably the most democratic choice an Albertan gets to make.

Legally Speaking

Challenges to Catholic Education are not particularly new.

Catholic Education was the first form of education in Alberta, pre-existing Alberta as a province and the secular government did not start schools; the churches did.

Our present-day Canadian Constitution Sec 93(1), the Alberta Act Sec 17 (1&2) and The Charter of Rights and Freedoms Sec 29 all equally affirm the right to Catholic Education in Alberta.

The Constitution Act“93. In and for each Province the Legislature may exclusively make Laws in relation to Education, subject and according to the following provisions:

(1) Nothing in any such Law shall prejudicially affect any Right or Privilege with respect to Denominational Schools which any Class of Persons have by Law in the Province at the Union;”.

The Alberta Act“1. ‘Nothing in any such law shall prejudicially affect any right or privilege with respect to separate schools which any class of persons have at the date of the passing of this Act, under the terms of chapters 29 and 30 of the Ordinances of the North-West Territories, passed in the year 1901, or with respect to religious instruction in any public or separate school as provided for in the said ordinances.’”

The Alberta Act“2. In the appropriation by the Legislature or distribution by the Government of the province of any moneys for the support of schools organized and carried on in accordance with the said chapter 29 or any Act passed in amendment thereof, or in substitution therefore, there shall be no discrimination against schools of any class described in the said chapter 29.”

The Charter of Rights and Freedoms “29. Nothing in this Charter abrogates or derogates from any rights or privileges guaranteed by or under the Constitution of Canada in respect of denominational, separate or dissentient schools.”

Reasons for Catholic EducationCatholic Schools are continuing to grow in Alberta so this shows that the people of Alberta value Catholic Education and the choice it can uniquely offer.

We get to accompany all people on our shared journey.

Catholic Districts in Alberta are Successful– Safe and Caring Results

School Councils work with the Board of Trustees

What do you see as the best possible way for School Councils to develop relationships with the Board to engage in conversation about matters relevant to student success?

Topic 2

CHAMPIONS OF STUDENTS

School Councils’ work with Board

• Board of Trustees govern the district

• Identify district priorities

• Priorities provide the foundation for the work of the Board, administration, schools and school councils

The Board…

Provides overall direction and leadership to the district

Focus is on strategies that recognize the importance of:◦ seeing the face of Christ in everyone, ◦ continual improvement, ◦ respecting and encouraging diversity, ◦ identifying and removing obstacles that may impact on

the District’s success.

Specific Areas of Responsibility

Accountable to the Community

Setting direction for the district through governance

Fiscal Accountability

Accountability for student learning

Accountability to provincial government

Excellence in Catholic Education

School Council Work with Boards

• The Board sets district direction with student success at the center

• The Board advocates in the best interest of students, and

• Needs to hear from School Council about what is important to parents to ensure student success

Open conversation aboutissues important to you

What issues or concerns would you like to bring to the attention of the Board?

Topic 3

CHAMPIONS OF STUDENTS

Combined Parent & Trustee ForumsTuesday January 23,

2018

Dr. Jody Carrington

Combined Parent & Trustee Forum

Intended Audience: SC Chair, Executive & interested Parents

Coast Plaza Hotel1316 33 Street NE

Calgary AB T2A 6B6

Tuesday March 13, 2018

Dr. Jody Carrington

Combined Parent & Trustee Forum

Intended Audience: SC Chair, Executive & interested Parents

Coast Plaza Hotel1316 33 Street NE

Calgary AB T2A 6B6

Reminders:• Sign in• Feedback

Sheet

Prayer

All:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord God, always giving what is good, you sent your Son Jesus to be among us as

one who served. Guide us as we strive to follow in his footsteps and imitate his

actions. Deepen our understanding of what it means to serve with joy that we may

faithfully carry out our mission to share the Good News with all people. Help us to

be strong and effective bridges to faith for our children that they may be animated

by love for you and for others.

Grant us wisdom and mercy as we support our children in learning. May our

engagement foster growth and enhance their achievement and well-being that

students’

natural talents and spiritual gifts may mature and find a place of service within the

Body of Christ. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

CHAMPIONS OF STUDENTS