CBE Prioritizes School Construction to Catch up to City's Growth

The following is a portion of a news release from the CBE.  This segment of the document seems to be the most applicable to our school and community. However, you can read the entire letter by clicking on the link at the bottom.

"In addition to new school requirements, many CBE schools require significant upgrades, repair and modernization work.

“Sixty per cent of our schools are more than 40 years old and a number are nearing the end of their life cycle,” says Frank Coppinger, Superintendent, Facilities and Environmental Services. “Our schools must be safe for our students, without question. These projects are urgently needed, and represent a significant financial requirement.”

The 2014-17 Three-Year School Capital Plan and the new ranking methodology will be debated by the Board of Trustees at a Public Board Meeting on May 28, at 3 pm at the Education Centre, 1221 – 8 St S.W.

Johnson adds, “As much as we are grateful for the new school funding that was announced earlier this month, this report highlights that without significant capital investment in the coming years, it will be very hard for the CBE to catch up to the demands of Calgary’s growing population.” "

Read the full document here.

Preschool Reportedly Bans Imaginary Superhero Play

 

Read the story here.

Playing With Older Children

Some younger children tend to gravitate towards playmates a few years older than them. Why do these youngsters prefer to play with older children?  Should young children be discouraged from playing with older ones?

Dr. Patrick J. McGrath gives his answers to these questions on www.aboutkidshealth.com .

Read the article here.

Are You Being Held Ransom by Kiddie Extortion? Strategies For Teaching Your Child Self Control

From Calgary's Child Magazine:

"It’s never too early to start giving your children the tools they’ll need to be successful throughout their lives. As you focus on this goal, remember that self-control isn’t just about waiting; it also includes self-regulation and self-motivation. Read on for eight tips on how to help your children learn self-control."

Read the full article here.

The Board of Trustees Decision

From the CBE:

"The Board of Trustees reconvened in public today to debate support of the proposed framework agreement between the Province of Alberta, the Alberta Teachers’ Association and the Alberta School Boards Association. The Board of Trustees continues to reject the agreement.

Trustees voted 5-1 in support of a motion such that the Chair of the Board of Trustees advises the Minister of Education that the Board of Trustees does not ratify the proposed Framework Agreement between Her Majesty the Queen in Right of the Province of Alberta (Government), the Alberta Teachers’ Association (The Association) and the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA). One trustee was absent from the vote due to a pecuniary interest.

Information about the Board of Trustees’ initial response to the agreement, made public on March 20, can be found here."

Key Communique

CBE balances tough 2013-14 budget

The Calgary Board of Education will balance its 2013-14 budget in spite of a $62-million shortfall.

The operating budget was presented to the Board of Trustees on May 7. A full debate of the budget will happen on May 28.

While the operating budget directs as much funding as possible to classrooms, it will be impossible to maintain the level of service in many areas of the organization. Severe cuts to administration were required.

Community input sought

Parents and the public are invited to provide feedback on the Calgary Board of Education’s 2013-14 operating budget.

We invite the public to submit ideas online up to May 14, after which time a summary of findings will be released.

An open house will be held at the CBE Education Centre on May 21. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and make suggestions about our 2013-14 operating budget.

On that same date, the Calgary Association of Parent and School Councils (CAPSC) meets and there will be an opportunity to share ideas with the Board of Trustees and Administration.

Read more

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Most student fees frozen for 2013-14

The CBE is freezing most student fees at current levels for 2013-14 in spite of the challenges of the provincial budget.

Information about the 2013-14 school fees is now available online. Most fees can be paid online. For more information and to set up your My CBE account, click on “online fee payment.”

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CBE celebrates school openings, launch of centre

The Calgary Board of Education is pleased to celebrate the official openings of four middle schools (Captain Nichola Goddard, Twelve Mile Coulee, Ted Harrison, Nose Creek) and the launch of its Career and Technology Centre (CTC) at Lord Shaughnessy High School.

Read more

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Board of Trustees to host election information night

Find out how you can get involved in supporting public education in this year’s civic election for public school board trustees to be held on October 21.

Join us to learn more about what a trustee does and what it takes to be a trustee, take a tour of the boardroom and more.

May 15
6 – 8 p.m.
Free underground parking, access from 12 Ave. S.W.
RSVP to electionrsvp@cbe.ab.ca

More information about Election 2013

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New schools benefit CBE students

Calgary Board of Education students will have six new schools thanks to the Government of Alberta.

Alberta’s Minister of Education, Jeff Johnson, announced the eagerly anticipated schools today. The schools come at a time when the CBE expects to welcome almost 10,000 more students within three years.

Read more

CBE News

Calgary Board of Education freezes most student fees for 2013-14

The CBE is freezing most student fees at current levels for 2013-14 in spite of the challenges of the provincial budget.

Fees will be unchanged for transportation; instructional supplies and materials; incidental activities for students at lunchtime and music instrument registration.

Read the full news release here.

Calgary public teachers reluctantly endorse provincewide deal

Calgary public teachers weren’t doing “cartwheels” when they reluctantly voted in favour of the province's proposed framework agreement Thursday evening — which putting them at odds with their trustees.

“There was no jumping for joy,” said Frank Bruseker, president of the Calgary Public Teachers Association, shortly after the votes were counted. Bruseker said teachers expressed concerns over the bargaining process and the prospect of not seeing a salary increase for three years.

Read the full story here.

Sound Advice For Cel Phone Use

Does your child own a cel phone?  Are you thinking of purchasing one for her?  Will he be getting one when he moves up to Junior High?  Consider the following message a mom shared on the Internet.

Janell Hofmann, mother of five and writer, posted a contract she created for her son's new iPhone on her website. There is sound advice in her message for both teens and adults when it comes to using cel phones.

The contents of the contract include:

"It is my phone. I bought it. I pay for it. I am loaning it to you."

"I will always know the password."

"Hand the phone to one of your parents promptly at 7:30pm every school night & every weekend night at 9:00pm. It will be shut off for the night and turned on again at 7:30am."

"It does not go to school with you. Have a conversation with the people you text in person. It’s a life skill. "

"Do not text, email, or say anything through this device you would not say in person."

"Turn it off, silence it, put it away in public. Especially in a restaurant, at the movies, or while speaking with another human being. You are not a rude person; do not allow the iPhone to change that."

"Keep your eyes up. See the world happening around you. Stare out a window. Listen to the birds. Take a walk. Talk to a stranger. Wonder without googling."

Read the full contract here.

New Schools Benefit CBE Students

"Premier Allison Redford announced new schools for Calgary at an event in the northeast. Of the nine new schools that will be built, six will be for students of the Calgary Board of Education. Jeff Johnson, the Minister of Education, is pictured right of the Premier." "Students from the CBE’s Ted Harrison School and a Grade 1 class with the Calgary Catholic system were on hand for the announcement of new schools by the Premier of Alberta. Some of these students may attend a high school announced for the CBE in northeast Calgary. " "Print, radio and television reporters gathered with a crowd of anxious parents for the announcement of new schools for Calgary. The event was held at the YMCA Saddletowne in the northeast. One of the schools announced by the Premier will be a new high school for CBE students that will be built near the Saddletowne YMCA. "

"Students in the Calgary Board of Education will have six new schools thanks to the Government of Alberta.


Alberta’s Minister of Education, Jeff Johnson, announced the eagerly anticipated schools today. The schools come at a time when the CBE expects to welcome almost 10,000 more students within three years.

“We are thrilled that the province recognizes that education is a priority for Albertans,” said Pat Cochrane, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “Given the fiscal challenges facing the province, the decision reflects the importance the government places on our children and their education.”

The government announcement paves the way for new schools in six Calgary communities in the coming years. Elementary schools were announced for Copperfield, Evanston and New Brighton. Middle schools will be built in Saddle Ridge and Royal Oak. Northeast Calgary can look forward to a new northeast high school.

The time to plan and build new schools varies, depending on the procurement approach. As a general rule, elementary schools take three years. Based on the CBE’s recent experience of building the Ernest Manning High School a new high school takes about four years.

Cochrane continued, “On behalf of our students, we thank the Government of Alberta for making our students, and their success, a priority.” "

CBE Anticipates New School Announcements

From www.cbe.ab.ca :

 

"The Calgary Board of Education is excited the Government of Alberta is announcing new schools for Calgary on Wednesday.

The government chooses which schools to announce from a list of priority projects which the CBE submits annually in the form of a capital plan. The 2013-2016 Three-Year School Capital Plan, submitted in the spring of 2012, requested 36 new schools and major modernization projects for a total of $667,000,000. The CBE has used the same methodology to create its capital plan for 10 years.

The Capital Plan was approved at an open meeting of the Board of Trustees March 20, 2012. For more information, see our publications page where the School Capital Plan is listed.

The CBE looks forward to Wednesday’s announcement. We are delighted that this community’s need for new schools is being recognized. Jeff Johnson, Minister of Education, is announcing the new schools at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the YMCA lobby, 7556 Falconridge Blvd. N.E.

The next CBE Three-Year Capital Plan, which covers the period of 2014-2017, will be discussed at a public board meeting this spring."