Micro Survey #3

Proposed Alberta law doesn't make evolution classes optional: minister

(Make you glad to be Albertan? What's your take on this story?)

A controversial new bill does not give Alberta parents the right to pull their children out of science classes when evolution is discussed, according to Lindsay Blackett, the provincial minister responsible for human rights.

New rules buried in a proposed amendment to Alberta's human rights legislation that extends rights to homosexuals would require schools to notify parents in advance of "subject matter that deals explicitly with religion, sexuality or sexual orientation." Parents can then ask for their child to be excluded from the discussion.

Click here to read the full story.

Results - Micro Survey #2

Thanks to all who responded; here are the results to the question "How would you like to receive Mr. Barkley's monthly Haultain Newsletter". Email was the largest preference at 55% with Hard Copy and Website coming in at 19% and 17%, with the Blog coming in at 9%. I'm sure Mr. Barkley will be relieved to know that "I never want to see it again." came in at 0%. Keep up the good work Mr. Barkley!

Pending approval and based on this survey, we will likely be sending the newsletter out in all digital formats. I'm sorry to all the people who wanted a hard copy but the CBE has asked all schools to try as hard as possible to cut back on paper usage. That being said, I will have a couple of hard copies of the newsletter available at each Council meeting from now on - so all you paper lovers come out to the meeting and pick up your newsletter.

Stay tuned for Micro-Survey #3.

Want To Know More About Cricket?

As a supplemental guide to the students' efforts in learning the game of Cricket, this very basic page summarizes the game and its rules of play.

Cricket is a team sport for two teams of eleven players each. A formal game of cricket can last anything from an afternoon to several days.

Although the game play and rules are very different, the basic concept of cricket is similar to that of baseball. Teams bat in successive innings and attempt to score runs, while the opposing team fields and attempts to bring an end to the batting team's innings. After each team has batted an equal number of innings (either one or two, depending on conditions chosen before the game), the team with the most runs wins.

(Note: In cricket-speak, the word "innings'' is used for both the plural and the singular. "Inning'' is a term used only in baseball.)

Click here to read more!

Updated May Calendar

I've updated the google calendar at the bottom of our page for May. Please let me know if I'm missing anything, and I'll add it asap.

Here's a reminder that grades 3-6 are playing cricket this week, and that Div II Floor Hockey is being played tomorrow at 3pm.

Here's another reminder to get involved in Haultain via this blog, and tell other parents to get involved. Asking questions, emailing your thoughts and feedback, offering information or photos to put on this blog - all great ways to show your commitment to keeping Haultain as a part of the community.

Enjoy your Monday!

Do kids a favour: Teach them to save

Teaching children to save money is easy when you have a plan. Tell them they are going to start to get an allowance and you are going to show them how to be responsible with money.

Start by making up a three-column (credit, debit and balance) financial ledger. You can buy this Treble Cash journal at an office supply store or just set it up on the computer on a spreadsheet, whatever works for you.

Click here to read the full article.

Watch what you say, I can hear you now

By HUNTLEY ADDIE, The Gazette

The leaves seemed suddenly crisper. "Mom, I need sunglasses," said I, while eyeing my mom with her gargantuan sunglasses on my 8-year-old face. "I see a lot better with sunglasses on."

She shrugged and obliged. But when I donned my first sunglasses, I was profoundly disappointed. The leaves just continued to blur in the wind, albeit somewhat darker.

Click here to read the full article.