Allison McCaffrey

April 2022 Message

Hello Colleagues, 
 
As we approach Holy Week I am hopeful you will find the opportunity to take some time for your spiritual renewal and use your Easter Break to strengthen connections with family and friends.

It has been a busy month, and we have seen the Government of Alberta table Bill 15 which lays out the Ministry of Education’s roadmap to break up our Association by removing the discipline function. Their rationale for this bill is based upon an assortment of mistruths and misrepresentations that are easily disproved but are continued to be repeated by the Minister.  Our determined advocacy (meeting with MLAs, voicing our displeasure on social media) is critical to stop this reckless bill from moving forward. To find out more, access the facts here:  www.teachers.ab.ca 
 
The attacks on our profession continue with the government’s determined refusal to halt the draft curriculum. Thank you to all who came out to the Rally for Education on Saturday, April 2nd to voice your dismay. We saw well over 400 concerned teachers, parents and advocates for public education at McDougall Centre and there were protests held throughout the province engaging 1000s of Albertans.  Our battle is not finished, and we will continue to stand up for our students who deserve a curriculum that is written and supported by Alberta teachers, has the diverse voices of all Albertans (Indigenous, francophone, etc)., has been fully piloted and has well written resources - none of which we have seen with this unsupported curriculum. In fact, the final curriculum document is still being written, and still the Minister expects full implementation of 3 curriculums (LA, Math and Phys Ed) beginning September 2022.
 
Friends, we must stand up for our students, we must stand up for ourselves we must stand up for fully funded public Catholic education. Keep voicing your concerns to this government – we cannot be silent now.
 
Please see below some of the highlights from the last CSR as well as the ways you can help to vocally advocate for our profession and our Association.

• ONE PROFESSION UNITED – As mentioned above we must be united to combat the relentless attack by the government on our Association.  

 
What can you do?

• Educate yourself on the issue.  ATA Provincial has a thorough compilation of the issue, the background information and talking points about this matter.  Go to www.teachers.ab.ca to access these documents.  A brief overview can be viewed here.
•  Contact your MLA – Write, call and request a meeting with your MLA and explain your concerns - you don’t have to be perfect, just be persistent.  Consider going with a group of teachers from your school so you have collegial support.  Feel free to reach out to the Local for support and we are always happy to join you in your visit.   

This fight is worth your time.  ATA is renowned globally for being a leader as a professional organization as we foster a culture of professionalism and collegiality that focuses on what’s best for both students and teachers.  Let’s not let this government change what has worked exceedingly well for close to 100 years.
 

• Conference and Workshop Funding – Please note that there remains significant funding available to attend conferences, workshops and for tuition funding. 
  • Virtual and In-City Conferences/Workshops 
    • $500 + up to 2 sub days
  • In Province Conferences/Workshops 
    • $1200 + up to 2 sub days
  • Out-of-Province and International Conferences/Workshops 
    • $2000 + up to 2 sub days
  • Tuition - $500 for accredited courses

You may apply for funding if you are within a 5-month window of your conference start date.  Please visit www.atalocal55.ca/funding.html for guidelines and applications.
 

• New Teacher Induction/Orientation – It has been a couple of years since we have been able to gather to celebrate our newest teachers in the Local.  This year we are looking forward to celebrating all new teachers to the District in the past two years.  CSRs – keep your eyes open as you will be receiving a form to complete to advise us of all your beginning teachers so they will receive an invite to this event happening on Thursday, May 19th, 2022 at the Blackfoot Hotel. 

 

• Mentorship Meeting  - Thursday, April 7th, St. Leo Centre.  Contact pd@ataloc55.ab.caif you require more information.

 

• #RedForEdAB Merchandise – We continue to sell our merchandise to make wearing #RedForEdAB on Fridays easier.  If you would like to purchase, simply go to https://bit.ly/3lqEsxf  to place your order.  Join your colleagues in donning your red apparel on Fridays and tagging @atalocal55 on our social media channels for your chance to win one of our weekly coffee cards.  It’s so great to see so many of you showing your support for fully funded Catholic Education.

 

• CSR Highlights – Members asked if they could have a summary of the items discussed at the Council of School Representatives (CSR) meeting. You can access this document for the March 29, 2022 meeting by following this link: www.atalocal55.ca/csr-highlights.html

 
In closing, please accept my sincerest thanks for the kindness you show to each other every day. Your incredible professionalism, dedication, and compassion make a difference to the students you teach and the colleagues with whom you work beside. Enjoy your well-deserved Spring break.  We are always available at the Local should you wish to reach out.
 
Peace and blessings,
 

Allison McCaffrey
President
Calgary Catholic Teachers’ ATA Local 55

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