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 WORTH DOING Additional Financial Wellness Session Due to popular demand, another Financial Wellness session has been added to the schedule. There are two sessions planned for Saturday, April 10 and Saturday, May 8, 2021, both beginning at 10 AM. Links to register for one of these sessions are as follows: April 10th: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/financial-wellness-101-with-capital-estate-planning-and-mnp-debt-tickets-145113573605 May 8th: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/financial-wellness-101-with-capital-estate-planning-and-mnp-debt-tickets-140149353489 The two-hour Financial Wellness 101 session presented by Capital Estate Planning and the MNP Debt Group is built to give you tools to take control of your financial situation:
A Zoom link to your session will be sent out to all registrants closer to the date of the session. WORTH SHARING! Workshops to support the financial wellness of Teachers will be presented by Capital Estate Planning and MNP. Sign up here: April 10th: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/financial-wellness-101-with-capital-estate-planning-and-mnp-debt-tickets-145113573605 May 8th: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/financial-wellness-101-with-capital-estate-planning-and-mnp-debt-tickets-140149353489 #WEAREATA 
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WORTH KNOWING Budget 2021 The provincial budget mostly arrived on February 25. We say “mostly” because, while we know the total allocation for education, key pieces of information are missing at this time. In past years, the funding manual and projected funding allocations for school boards are released with the budget. However, this year the government has not yet released the funding manual or profiles. Instead, it has promised to deliver these items by March 31. The lack of specifics in the funding manual and funding profiles presents two problems. First, it is not possible to do a detailed analysis at this time without knowing the specifics. Second, it raises the question, how did the government arrive at the overall funding amount without having the funding method in place? One would expect the funding amounts determined by the funding manual to drive the end result. Only a very high-level analysis of the information is available at this time. Comparisons to 2020/21 are rather difficult. The pandemic has caused most budgeted amounts in the previous budget to be thrown out the window. Due to COVID-19, total education spending in 2020/21 will likely be about $132 million more than budgeted. Education spending in 2021/22 should be about $109 million more than budgeted in 2020/21. However, it will be about $23 million less than actual spending in 2020/21. Unfortunately, as the saying goes, the devil is in the details, and at this point we do not know those details due to the lack of funding profiles. A couple of areas that do appear to explain part of the funding change is an increased allocation for schools and facilities. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Many boards have had to subsidize their plant operations and maintenance with money from instruction. If the added money for schools and facilities eases that pressure, then there may be a bit more money for instruction. Bear in mind that these numbers are for the government’s fiscal year, which runs from April 1 to March 31. In contrast, school board fiscal year coincides with the school year and runs from September 1 to August 31. How these spending allocations actually affect school boards can be impacted by the difference in fiscal years. Once we are able to see the funding manual and funding profiles for school boards, we can do a more detailed analysis. Worth Sharing Budget 2021—the devil is in the details. At this point we know the total allocation for education; however, key pieces of information are missing at this time. #WEAREATA Education Daily News Summary January 29, 2021 Alberta
7 results CBC Radio One CBX (Edmonton, AB) at January 28th 2021 9:00 AM CBC Radio One CBX (Edmonton, AB) - January 28, 2021 device or Internet connection at home aborted teachers Association President Jason Schilling says the province needs to hire more education Edmonton AM CBC Edmonton (CBXT) - January 28, 2021 and calgary say these staff are essential workers. Alberta teacher's association president jason schilling says the union fully reports the Missing students: Edmonton educators tackle truancy for online classes during COVID-19 CBC.CA News - January 28, 2021 said. "I would say that that isn't unique to Edmonton Public Schools. These are incredibly challenging times for families." People want CTV News Calgary at 6 CTV Calgary (CTVO) - January 27, 2021 with their province over their pensions to court. The alberta teachers association upset that the kenney government ordered aimco, the International students are on their way Fort MacLeod Gazette (Print Edition) - Frank Mctighe - January 27, 2021 Nineteen international students will be in Livingstone Range School Division classrooms to start the next semester. Students from Germany, School boards advocate for staff vaccinations Edmonton Journal (Print Edition) - Jeff Labine - January 27, 2021 over the last week. Christine Meadows, communications manager with Edmonton Catholic Schools, said in an email that in-person classes at Alberta Federation of Labour calls school outbreaks very alarming Red Deer Advocate - Susan Zielinski - January 26, 2021 five schools elsewhere in Alberta. Those schools have not returned to online learning. Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Bargaining 2 results Conseil Scolaire Centre-Nord teachers vote in favour of a strike Edmonton Journal - Dylan Short - January 26, 2021 If the teachers end up striking they would be the first teachers in Alberta to do so since 2007, the ATA said. “The decision to go on strike Teachers vote to strike in Alberta's largest Francophone school division CTV News - Steven Dyer - January 26, 2021 potential strike to contact their school trustee. If Centre-Nord teachers go on strike they will be the first teachers in Alberta to do Canada 1 results Early childhood educators launch campaign calling for pay equity CBC - Nova Scotia - Michael Gorman - January 28, 2021 unfair imbalance for those working in the sector. Claudia Chender, the NDP's education critic, said addressing the situation comes down to a Research 1 results Strands of Indigenous language need to be woven like a braid of sweetgrass, says educator THE STAR - Journalism Initiative Reporter - January 27, 2021 at the University of Victoria and Canada Research. Funding has to support Indigenous language teachers to develop their languages, both on Discipline 1 results Gym teacher punished for tossing dumbbell at student Vancouver Province (Print Edition) - David Carrigg - January 28, 2021 dumbbell was. The teacher was reported and on March 3, 2020, the Burnaby school district issued Ryan a letter of discipline that required President in the News 10 results CBC Radio One CBX (Edmonton, AB) at January 28th 2021 9:00 AM CBC Radio One CBX (Edmonton, AB) - January 28, 2021 device or Internet connection at home aborted teachers Association President Jason Schilling says the province needs to hire more education Alberta school boards lobby to have school staff prioritized for COVID-19 vaccine CBC Calgary - Lucie Edwardson - January 27, 2021 the federal government to do their job." ATA joins call Jason Schilling, president of the Alberta Teachers' Association, said teachers Newstalk 770 CHQR at January 27th 2021 5:11 PM Newstalk 770 CHQR - January 27, 2021 what's real pleasure on the drive to be joined by jason Schilling Jason shelling is the Albert teachers Association President Jason thank Alberta Teachers’ Association to challenge pension order in court rdnewsNOW - David Opinko - January 27, 2021 and we will turn to the courts to do so,” says ATA president Jason Schilling. He believes that teachers have been “betrayed” by their MLAs, Global News Morning Global Edmonton (CITV) - January 27, 2021 reports are expected this spring. >> Vinesh: the alberta teachers' association plans legal action against the province over a ministerial Alberta teachers suing UCP over changes to pension investments 660News - Derek Craddock - January 27, 2021 two entities can’t do it amongst themselves. President of the ATA Jason Schilling said the order is overstepping and offensive, adding it CTV News Edmonton at 11:30 CTV Edmonton (CFRN) - January 26, 2021 but also the families as well. >> Matt: alberta teachers association says prioritizing teachers or vaccines would allow learning to continue Alberta Teachers’ Association planning legal action over finance minister’s order affecting pension management Global News - Phil Heidenreich - January 26, 2021 we will turn to the courts to do so,” ATA president Jason Schilling said in a statement posted on the professional association’s website. Alberta Teachers’ Association going to court to reverse ministerial order CTV News - Steven Dyer - January 26, 2021 stopped and we will turn to the courts to do so,” says ATA president Jason Schilling in a press release. “We will fight the order in court, Teachers association to take legal action against Alberta government over pension dispute CBC Calgary - Sarah Rieger - January 26, 2021 remain in control of pension decisions — a promise ATA president Jason Schilling argues the recent ministerial order negates. "Teachers were Alberta - Full Text Articles Missing students: Edmonton educators tackle truancy for online classes during COVID-19 CBC.CA News - January 28, 2021 Edmonton educators are worried students learning online may be missing hundreds of hours of lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic. Edmonton educators are worried students learning online may be missing hundreds of hours of lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic. Edmonton Public School Board Superintendent Darrel Robertson said many students registered for online learning are not engaging in their classes. "They're just sort of dropping off the face of the earth, so to speak," Robertson told the board at a meeting Tuesday. "We continue to try to connect with them and work with families." Board Chair Trisha Estabrooks said it's been an ongoing issue for many schools. "There are students who — the division doesn't know where they are," Estabrooks said. "I would say that that isn't unique to Edmonton Public Schools. These are incredibly challenging times for families." People want to be at school - Jason Schilling, Alberta Teachers' Association In response to the attendance drop, the EPSB has hired four new social workers to help engage students and parents and plans to hire another five to try to connect with families. "Just to do a check on them and welcome them back into our classrooms to make sure that we can get them going on that learning journey from wherever they're at now," Robertson said. The school division will have a total of 20 social workers to help nine school-linked teams that help bridge the online learning issues. The social workers help check-in and support families whose children may not be regularly attending online or in-person learning, an EPSB communications spokesperson said in an email. About 32 per cent of public school students have opted to learn online since last fall. Edmonton public school trustee Michael Janz questioned whether part of the problem is related to students having the proper equipment. A number of students may not have the proper device or internet connection they need, especially with some of their parents working from home, he suggested. "I'm very concerned about some of the most vulnerable communities where one computer is a luxury in the home, even a phone, let alone having multiple devices to support students in education," Janz said. Robertson said the divisions wouldn't be able to afford to give each student a device but some are borrowing technology if they go online. The EPSB also purchased more Chromebooks last year. The technology department is working for other ways to fill the gap, Robertson added. Yo-yo effect On Monday, six Alberta schools — including two in Edmonton, M.E. LaZerte and J. Percy Page high school — opted to close in-person classes for two weeks, as COVID-19 cases spiked. The president of the Alberta Teachers Association, Jason Schilling, said the flip-flopping can be a problem for students. "Kids might disconnect for a week or several days before they can get connected," Schilling said in an interview with CBC News Wednesday. Schilling agreed that part of the problem could be access to equipment and technology, which varies among students. Having stability is also important, he said. "People want to be at school. This last pivot that we did with [grades] 7 to 12 just before Christmas was hard on people. They wanted to be at school," Schilling said. The ATA has been urging the provincial government to hire more teachers and hire back education assistants so they can split classes into smaller numbers and avoid quarantine. "I keep impressing on the government to improve the plan so that we can keep schools open, so that we can keep kids in classrooms and not have this yo-yo effect." The Edmonton Catholic School Board chair wasn't available for comment on the issue Wednesday. Edmonton public and Catholic divisions both said it will take time to compile recent attendance numbers. @natashariebe Return to top of Article Return to top of Newsletter International students are on their way Fort MacLeod Gazette (Print Edition) - Frank Mctighe - January 27, 2021 Nineteen international students will be in Livingstone Range School Division classrooms to start the next semester. Students from Germany, France and Vietnam will be in Alberta despite the COVID-19 pandemic. "The process to get these few has been very detailed," associate superintendent Chad Kuzyk said. Kuzyk provided trustees with an update on international students during the Jan. 19 meeting at the G.R. Davis Administration Building in Fort Macleod. Fourteen students from Germany will be in Livingstone Range, along with four from France and one from Vietnam who was here last year and remained through the pandemic. Willow Creek Composite high school in Claresholm, Crowsnest Consolidated and J.T. Foster school in Nanton will each host four students. F.P. Walshe school in Fort Macleod and Matthew Halton school in Pincher Creek will each have three students, and Livingstone school in Lundbreck will host one student. Kuzyk told trustees schools were required in July, to submit quarantine plans to Alberta Education who in turn sent them to the Public Health Agency of Canada for approval. Livingstone Range's plan was approved. International students need documentation with negative COVID-19 tests seven hours prior to boarding their flight to Canada. The students will also download the ArriveCan app prior to arrival in Canada, for tracking purposes. Kuzyk said Livingstone Range will pick up the international students at the Calgary airport and transport them on a school bus to their host families, where they will enter quarantine for seven to 14 days. "Most likely, most of the students will be quarantined for the 14 days," Kuzyk said. International students will wear masks, socially distance from others, and handle their own luggage. If students test positive for COVID-19 when in Canada, they will follow the government of Canada's self-isolation protocol. Home stay co-ordinators will check in daily. A virtual student orientation is planned for Jan. 31 via Google Meet. "I think it's incredible that you've managed to keep the program open during the COVID pandemic," trustee Greg Long said. Return to top of Article Return to top of Newsletter School boards advocate for staff vaccinations Edmonton Journal (Print Edition) - Jeff Labine - January 27, 2021 Alberta's largest school boards are asking the province to prioritize all staff who directly work with students for COVID-19 vaccinations. Edmonton and Calgary public and Catholic school division chairs sent a letter on Friday to Health Minister Tyler Shandro to advocate for the vaccination of all school-based staff including teachers, educational assistants and custodians, as they are considered essential workers. Board chairwoman Trisha Estabrooks said during an Edmonton Public School Board (EPSB) meeting Tuesday that vaccinating school-based staff would reduce the spread within schools. She said the school boards didn't ask for a specific time for when staff should be vaccinated, only that it should be prioritized. "I'm really pleased that the four (chairs) representing thousands of families and thousands of staff came together to advocate on behalf of staff," Estabrooks said. "We haven't heard back from Mr. Shandro or our education minister on this yet but we look forward to a discussion on this." Alberta's vaccine rollout strategy, which is on hold following a shortage of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, is spread out over three main phases. The province is currently in Phase 1A with 1B anticipated to start in February following the arrival of more doses of vaccines. The call for staff to be vaccinated follows six schools across the province having to shift to either online or at-home learning due to the virus. In Edmonton, M.E. LaZerte and J. Percy Page high schools moved online after more than 37 combined cases of the virus were discovered over the last week. Christine Meadows, communications manager with Edmonton Catholic Schools, said in an email that in-person classes at Kisiko Awasis Kiskinahamawin School were cancelled on Jan. 12 and students were shifted to at-home learning. She said students are anticipated to be back in class on Feb. 8. Justin Marshall, press secretary for Education Minister Adriana LaGrange, confirmed in an email the other schools as Morrin School near Drumheller, Blackie School near High River and St. Joseph High School in Red Deer. He said the province continues to monitor the situation closely. "Last week, we saw an average of 80 new cases a day," Marshall said. "Significantly lower than the average of 140 new cases a day in this same population the week before school started. We recognize schools play a critical role in children's emotional health and overall well-being." Meanwhile, an EPSB report on seclusion rooms shows their usage has generally gone down, however, this is in part because some students are learning at home. From September 2019 to March 2020, the rooms were used more than 4,000 times. Of those times, 2,291 were "self-selected" or when a student chose to use the room and 1,711 were "non-self-selected." From September to November last year, self-selected was used 286 times and non-self-selected 234. EPSB noted that in October 2019 the school board had 137 seclusion rooms but the number has since dropped to 63. EPSB Superintendent Darrel Robertson said the board is training staff in consultation with schools. "We are not going to take our foot off the gas in terms of ensuring that our staff have the appropriate professional learning and that we're doing everything that we can to head off these instances where these rooms are being used," he said. "That's our long-term goal. We share the aspiration of the elimination of the use of seclusion rooms but we also have some responsibilities with respect to the safety of folks and whatnot to navigate." jlabine@postmedia.com Twitter.com/jefflabine Return to top of Article Return to top of Newsletter Bargaining - Full Text Articles Conseil Scolaire Centre-Nord teachers vote in favour of a strike Edmonton Journal - Dylan Short - January 26, 2021 Teachers employed by the Conseil Scolaire Centre-Nord have voted in favour of striking if a negotiated settlement cannot be reached with their employers. The teachers have 120 days to serve strike notice to their employers after 94 per cent of them voted in favour of taking action, the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) said in a news release Tuesday. The union must provide the notice 72 hours before any strike would commence. If the teachers end up striking they would be the first teachers in Alberta to do so since 2007, the ATA said. “The decision to go on strike is not made lightly or without much discussion, but the results of this vote show the solidarity of our members,” said Eric Cloutier, a spokesman for the union local, in an ATA news release. “We would prefer to be in the classroom, but we don’t believe that francophone teachers should be treated as second rate compared to the rest of the teachers in the province. Requests for comment from Conseil Scolaire Centre-Nord (CSCN) were not returned Tuesday evening. The school board operates 19 francophone schools across north and central Alberta. Cloutier said the teachers have offered to meet with the board on Jan. 30 in hopes of reaching a negotiated settlement. The union said CSCN teachers have been working for more than two years without a finalized collective agreement. Cloutier said they are looking for an agreement that would include access to a wellness account and language on administrator lieu days. “It is unfortunate the board refuses to accept reasonable affordable and universal terms and has forced us to this point. They have now left teachers with no options but to take job action,” said Cloutier in the ATA release. “Parents need to be prepared, because a strike means teachers would not be providing any at-home learning.” dshort@postmedia.com Return to top of Article Return to top of Newsletter Discipline - Full Text Articles Gym teacher punished for tossing dumbbell at student Vancouver Province (Print Edition) - David Carrigg - January 28, 2021 A Burnaby physical education teacher has been suspended for a day after admitting he angrily tossed a dumbbell at a Grade 12 student, which would have struck the student's face if it hadn't been caught. According to a ruling released Tuesday by the B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation, Lawrence Paul Ryan was teaching a Grade 12 class at a Burnaby secondary school on Feb. 13, 2020, when the incident occurred. The statement of facts shows that the student had attempted to "toss a dumbbell to a classmate but it fell to the floor instead." Ryan then spoke to the student in a loud voice in front of students from four different physical education classes and was perceived by the student to be angry. The commissioner wrote that Ryan said to the student "what is stupider, throwing a dumbbell across the gym or trying to catch it?" At that point, the student said that the dumbbell had been dropped by accident. Ryan then picked up the dumbbell and threw it aggressively and underhand toward the student, saying loudly "do you think this is an accident?" The dumbbell travelled three feet and if the student had not caught it, the student would have been struck in the face. The ruling did not state how heavy the dumbbell was. The teacher was reported and on March 3, 2020, the Burnaby school district issued Ryan a letter of discipline that required him to apologize to the student, the student's parents and all the students who witnessed the event. He was also required to undergo counselling. The case was then passed up to the commissioner, who drafted an agreement with Ryan that suspended him for one day and had him admit that he "failed to model appropriate behaviour expected of an educator." dcarrigg@postmedia.com |
