The official magazine for the College of Alberta School Superintendents the Spring 2020 Volume 16, Issue 1 Keys to Student Success Wellness & Well-being: Canada Post Publications Agreement Number: 40609661 Messages: Message from the Minister of Education Message from the CASS President Message from the CASS Executive Director FOCUS ON… WELLNESS AND WELL-BEING: KEYS TO STUDENT SUCCESS Features: Supporting a Focus on Wellness Across Alberta School Authorities A Culture of Mutual Support Stronger Together Measure of Student Affect: Keys to Student Success Positive System Leadership for Enhanced Well-Being Nurturing Growth Healthy People, Healthy Workplace: Maintaining Financial Wellness Index to Advertisers 5 7 9 10 13 15 17 21 23 25 26 contents The CASS Connection The official magazine for the College of Alberta School Superintendents Spring 2020 Published for: The College of Alberta School Superintendents #1200, 9925 – 109 Street Edmonton AB T5K 2J8 Phone: (780) 451-7126 Fax: (780) 482-5659 admin@cass.ab.ca www.cass.ab.ca Published by: Matrix Group Publishing Inc. 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The College of Alberta School Superintendents 3Adriana LaGrange | Alberta Minister of Education Message from the Minister of Education L ike many Albertans, I feel revitalized as the days lengthen and we shift our thoughts to welcoming and embracing spring. As a mom and former school trustee, I’ve seen how students are energized during the spring transition. The sun is a natural rejuvenator. While it contributes to a sense of well-being, I know students also need a strong educa- tion system that supports their health and wellness to thrive. Our government believes all students deserve a positive and caring learning envi- ronment to reach their potential. We made a commitment to provide safe schools that protect students against discrimination, harassment, and bullying. I know this com- mitment is shared by all our education system partners. I also know from experi- ence that when there is a respectful culture in our schools, our students feel safe and supported. That’s why we’re providing a four-year grant for Respect in School online training to help develop social-emotional competencies. I encourage everyone in the education system to complete this training for the benefit of our children. Last fall, I let you know we were main- taining school authorities’ funding for the School Nutrition Program. Since then, we have established a pilot program that part- ners non-profit organizations with school boards. I believe innovative solutions will come from these partnerships. By work- ing together, they will find more effective ways to deliver tailored programs that give students one nutritious meal a day. As we know, addressing food insecurity helps our students learn more effectively, and stay healthy, active, and happy. Students also develop a sense of well- being when they feel confident their educa- tion is preparing them for the future. Our government believes every child deserves a world-class education that gives them the intellectual, social, and job-ready skills for life in the 21st century. We know cur- riculum can set a child up for success, which is why I established an independent cur- riculum advisory panel to get advice on the best way to move forward with curriculum redevelopment. The panel has provided recommendations for curriculum direction and drafted a new Ministerial Order on Student Learning with input from education partners and the public. I am grateful to the 12 panel members for their diverse perspec- tives, collaborative approach, and thoughtful insights completing these mandates. The panel’s work is guiding and informing our next steps in updating the curriculum and we look forward to having the new Ministerial Order on Student Learning in place before the start of the 2020/2021 school year. The curriculum working groups are reviewing the K-4 curriculum revisions to ensure it aligns with the ministerial order before it is released to the system for validation. Stay tuned for the timeline and details regarding future cur- riculum development. The working groups are also moving forward on the Grades 5 to 9, and 10 to 12 curriculum, which are still in the early phases of development. I am confident we are taking the right approach to provide our children with the knowledge, skills, and competencies they need to be resilient and live their best lives beyond high school. In addition to setting new direction for curriculum, our government has also intro- duced a new funding model for education that will deliver the best outcomes for our students. With stable and predictable fund- ing allocations, the share of funding going into classrooms will increase while cost growth will be contained. Rural jurisdictions will be treated equitably, and there will be more collaboration between school authori- ties to enhance outcomes for our students. School divisions will maintain autonomy to manage their own resources and ensure students continue to receive the education and supports they need to succeed. I’m proud of the steps our government has taken to strengthen the education sys- tem. As leaders, you play a significant role in ensuring our students receive the quality education they deserve. I trust the spring transition will re-energize your commitment to providing students with the foundations for well-being and success in the classroom and beyond. Your ongoing dedication to your students and school communities is recognized and greatly appreciated. Adriana LaGrange Minister of Education Our government believes every child deserves a world-class education that gives them the intellectual, social, and job-ready skills for life in the 21 st century. The College of Alberta School Superintendents 56 Spring 2020 • The CASS ConnectionBevan Daverne | College of Alberta School Superintendents Message from the President I n recent years, there has been a growing awareness around the impact wellness can have in our schools and work- places. For some people here in Alberta, an economic shift was one of the triggers impacting increased stressors within their family. Amongst our CASS members and their staff, a new job or increasing complex- ity within an existing position has added to what people are already finding to be challenging roles in schools and as system leaders in Alberta. Many school divisions across the province have brought in new programs and adjusted their internal struc- tures to better support students and district staff. Understanding the range of approaches used, as well as beginning the process to iden- tify best practices in support of our students and staff, are a priority for CASS. Read- ers may be interested to learn more about the actions CASS has taken in partnership with WellAhead to prioritize a better shared understanding and effective sharing of these best practices in support of wellness and well- being across Alberta school districts. In addition to this research, CASS is look- ing to strengthen its supports for members. This year, we have added to our mentorship program. While we continue to provide a mentorship program for all new CASS mem- bers, we have added additional enhancements with the option of in-district support for new Chief Superintendents. With close to a third of CEO’s new to their role in the last two years, this enhanced programming has been very well received by those individuals starting in these challenging roles. And finally, we are considering what other supports might be of most benefit to our members. Currently, we are undertaking a survey of all CASS members for feedback on those roles and areas most in need of more structured supports. This information will be very helpful in our planning for next year. The well-being of our membership is impor- tant to us and critical to the overall health of school divisions across the province. Bevan Daverne College of Alberta School Superintendents President Bevan Daverne Superintendent of Schools Golden Hills School Division Past President Kurt Sacher Superintendent of Schools Chinook’s Edge School Division 1 st Vice-President Karen Shipka Chief Deputy Superintendent Grande Yellowhead Public School Division 2 nd Vice-President Dr. Wilco Tymensen Superintendent Horizon School Division Zone 1 Director Sandy McDonald Superintendent Grande Prairie Public School District Zone 2/3 Director Dr. Rhonda Nixon Assistant Superintendent Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools Zone 4 Director Rita Marler Superintendent of Schools Battle River School Division Zone 5 Director Dr. Scott Morrison Superintendent of Schools Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools Zone 6 Director Amber Darroch Associate Superintendent Horizon School Division Director – Metro Schools Authority Gary Strother Chief Superintendent Calgary Catholic School District Director – Metro Schools Authority Christopher Usih Chief Superintendent Calgary Board of Education Director – First Nations School Authority Cam Shade Superintendent of Schools Kainai Board of Education Director – First Nations School Authority Chester Auger Director of Education Bigstone Education Authority Executive Director Barry Litun Executive Director College of Alberta School Superintendents CASS Board of Directors Currently, we are undertaking a survey of all CASS members for feedback on those roles and areas most in need of structured supports. The College of Alberta School Superintendents 78 Spring 2020 • The CASS ConnectionI would have not known it as an 11-year- old that my career path would be set when my friend Calvin Haines asked me to join him and his dad on a trip from my hometown of Chipman to watch a new movie at the Lamont Theatre, To Sir With Love starring Sidney Poitier. From that moment, I was enthralled at the ability of one person, a teacher, to support and shape the lives of others. It led to a calling to be an educator, school leader, and system leader. This will be my final contribution to The CASS Connection as the Executive Director; a position I have been honoured to hold for the past seven years. My career has been truly blessed because I have been supported by family and so many colleagues. As a youth, I was a voracious reader. I recall going over to Dave and Marion Pirnak’s home to read their encyclopedia. My dad and mom purchased a World Book Encyclopedia in Canada’s centennial year, and I am sure that I read the entire set two or three times over the years; I think the term for me in those days was a ‘nerd’. Ironically, Dave Pirnak became my first principal when I, working a summer job driving a grader in Hines Creek, Alberta, received a call from Superintendent Dr. Jack Dobush offering me a job. I had not applied anywhere after graduation, planning to travel to Australia; however, it rained hard all sum- mer and I did not have enough money to go to Calgary, let alone Australia, so the call was heaven sent. My second principal was Allan Herchek, from whom I learned so much in my final three years as Vice Principal at Lamont Jr/Sr High School. Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have individuals to learn from and who supported me when mistakes were made. I recall my second superintendent Roman Wiznura, listening to a mea-culpa and offering a ‘don’t let it happen again,’ or Assis- tant Superintendent Allan McMann getting a call from me when my physical education 30 class was so excited while rock climbing that I had to take a dozen students to Canmore hospital with assorted bumps and bruises. My first principal position was at Hilltop High School in Whitecourt. I will forever be grateful to Superintendent LeRoy Larson for his willingness to hire a relatively inexperi- enced young administrator to lead a school going through tremendous growth. When I drove to Whitecourt to drop off my resume, LeRoy invited me into his car and we drove around the entire town, offering me an opportunity to learn about the town and the school district. Vice principals Rob Jones and Jim Govenlock, as well as the entire Hilltop staff, were instrumental in allowing me to learn on the job and develop a better sense of who I was as a school leader. From Whitecourt, I went to Red Deer, where I recall being astonished that Super- intendent Dave Blacker invited me to take a tour around Red Deer when I delivered my resume for a position with the district. The lesson learned was to devote time to those you work with. Joining Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School as a vice prin- cipal and then being named principal, I was blessed to work with exceptional leaders: Paul Gowans, Keith Carscadden, Gil Graboski, Yvette Burndred, Dr. Ted Isenor, Rob Porkka, Mona Knudslien-Stock, Blair Hanna, John Johnston, Dave Maclean, Rick Ramsfield, and Phyllis Wilson. I often joked that we had more staff than lived in my hometown. When he became Superintendent, Len Luders sup- ported my request to travel to Missoula, MT every third Friday to pursue graduate studies. Prior to distance learning, my experience was nine hours of driving on Friday, then studying Friday night and all-day Saturday, followed by another nine-hour drive, retuning home about 4:00 a.m. Sunday. My first system leadership position was as Deputy Superintendent with Red Deer Public. I was incredibly appreciative that Superintendent Don Falk and Associate Superintendents Jim Horne and Deb Beck immediately accepted me as a contributing member of the Senior Executive team. The Board of Trustees in Red Deer were very supportive, as were the Trustees of Leth- bridge School District when I was hired as superintendent. District 51 was the final school authority I worked in and was where I had the privilege of working with outstanding leaders of the Executive Council: Wendy Fox, Don Lus- sier, Sharon Mezei, and Tim Rollingson. Unnamed, but certainly not unappreci- ated, are the many hundreds of colleagues that have supported me over my career. Finally, a heartfelt thank you to my wife Gail, and my sons Justin and Adam. Every educator reading this knows the sacrifices that spouses and families make to allow us to dedicate the time necessary to fulfill our calling. I look forward to committing all my time to Gail, Justin, Adam, my daughter in laws Kealy and Erin, and my grandsons Noah and Everett once I retire this summer. Thank you as well to each of the authors in this edition of The CASS Connection for sharing your Alberta Stories of Practice about wellness and well-being being the keys to student success. And once again, on behalf of all CASS members, I extend sin- cere appreciation to the sponsors who adver- tise in The CASS Connection. Your support enables us to publish the magazine, which is shared with all education partners in the province as well as all the parallel organiza- tions of system leaders across Canada. Barry Litun College of Alberta School Superintendents Barry Litun | College of Alberta School Superintendents Message from the Executive Director The College of Alberta School Superintendents 9Next >