Computer Glitch Woes

A computer glitch is hurting those who hurt the most. Albertans attempting to upgrade their education through the help of a government grant program called Alberta Works are suffering and some may have to drop out of the program due to delays. Ironically Alberta Works newly installed computer program doesn't, and up to 3600 economically challenged would-be students are suffering for it. Click here and here to read more.

Let's Keep our Kids Safe on the School Grounds.

Here's a friendly reminder to parents to please not use the teacher parking lot for dropping off or picking up students. As well, dog owners are kindly asked to not bring their pets on school property.

Thank you for your consideration!

CBE Stick with Teacher Layoffs

We followed this story extensively in the spring - click here to see all the stories on our blog concerning the cuts including some exclusive content from phone and email 'interviews'.

Interesting to note in this update article from the Herald that our trustee - Carol Bazinet, voted against the motion of layoffs and use of reserves stating that this choice was a matter for the trustees not the administration.

"In a report Tuesday to a meeting of Calgary Board of Education trustees, Johnson said the board will use nearly half of its $21 million in reserves this year, even as it sheds 277 full-time workers, including 192 teachers. The report was accepted, although trustees Pat Cochrane and Carol Bazinet voted against the motion." - Calgary Herald

What this means to Haultain has yet to be measured and would be a good question for our principal. You may have that opportunity at the next council meeting - September 30 in the library @ 6:30. See you there.

Booking Parent/Teacher Conferences

Just a reminder that you are now able to book your parent/teacher conferences for this week online - as opposed to phoning to book.

Simply visit our Haultain homepage (http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b362/) and click the conference booking link. This will take you to a secure site at pickatime.com.

Once there, create an account by entering your email address and creating a password. Email addresses will be used to send your conference confirmation only.

Once you have logged in, select the teacher you wish to book with. If you wish a Thursday interview, scroll down and select an available time slot. Should you wish Friday, you should not need to scroll. Simply click the appointment box you desire. Be sure the colour matches the teacher legend.

Now that you have selected the time slot, enter your child's FIRST NAME and LAST INITIAL so it can be recorded on the teacher's schedule. If you would like a reminder email, enter that information as well.

That's it! We hope it's as easy and painless as I described. If you do not have access to a computer (... wait a minute, how could you be reading this?) or if you know someone without access, either help them out by doing it for them OR have them contact the school and Pat or I will set things up.

By the way, let us know what you think of this process. We realise it isn't communicating with a person, but we also hope the convenience, ease, and reduced office stress will balance things out. Comments are welcome!

Key Communiqué

(Our monthly newsletter, from Karen at the CBE.)

School and Parent Communications
For the next year, you will be receiving the Key Communiqué from Karen Drummond. Karen will be handling parent and school communications for the next year while Katie Young is on leave to further her education.

Karen was working as a Communications Advisor in the Office of the Board of Trustees at the CBE prior to taking on this role. She has two children, a boy in Grade One at Fish Creek School and a girl who is three years old. She worked at SAIT Polytechnic and the University of Calgary prior to joining the CBE.

September's School Newsletter

If you haven't already seen it, can be viewed by clicking here.

Schools strive for healthier attitude toward fitness

The 'c-word' sidelined too many students
By Chris Zdeb, Postmedia News

Today’s schoolkids could grow up to be the first generation of adults whose gym classes turned them on to physical activity for life.

Unlike previous generations, they’re less likely to have humiliating memories of being picked last to play baseball, or being ridiculed by jocks for not being able to run fast or not being able to spike the ball over the volleyball net. That’s because the ’c-word’ — competition — is no longer the focus of physical education; inspiring a healthy lifestyle is.

Click here to read the full story.