Bev Facey School Council Meeting Minutes for February 19, 2019

Bev Facey School Council
                Meeting Minutes for February 19, 2019

Attendees:     4 Staff: Barclay Spady, Trudi Williamson, Cherum Orr, Candeda Shepherd

               12 Families Represented: Amanda Beck, Darren Evans, Cecile Palm, Michelle Dugan,
               Lisa Clamp, Krista Scott, Bev Braat, Jody Tom, Carol Reivonen, Guy Martin, Susan
               Ballash, Jeff Hanrahan

               School Trustee: N/A

               2 Students Represented: Avery Sheppard, Lucy Gordon

1. Call to Order at 6:29 by Michelle Dugan. Round Table introductions were made.
2. Additions to Agenda – 4.2 Postcards & 4.3 Advocacy Resolutions
3. Approval of January 22, 2019 minutes put forward by Krista Scott and seconded by Lisa Clamp.
   Approved
4. New Business
   4.1 School Fees for 2019-20
       Administration is currently drafting the fee structure for the next school year and has requested
       parent input.
       - Fees are to be submitted to EIPS Finance in March with the final approval by the EI PS Board
           at their April Board Meeting.
       - There are some new courses that have been added and some courses will require fees to be
           charged and some won’t.
       - Advanced Placement: we’re unable to collect fees for AP in Grades 10 & 11. We can only
           collect fees in Grade 12 to cover the cost of the exams. Cherum is currently exploring how
           we could off-set or subsidize the cost of these exams over three years. We want this to
           become a divisional program, not just per school. The Superintendent will be looking at the
           data from the past 5 years and will make a decision once the review is completed.
       - Fees are generally only charged for the option classes, ie. Foods, Cosmetology, Welding,
           Woodwork, etc. These are classes that use consumables.
       - Some field trips were not submitted for approval by the deadline and therefore were not
           scheduled this semester.
       - 94 – 97% of the annual budget is allocated to staffing costs. This year we’re sitting at 94%.
           We typically run the school on 5% budget.
       - We’re currently sitting at 84% of fees collected. Try to achieve 92 – 97% of collections by the
           end of the school year.

Parent Questions/Comments:
    1. How does the IB program funding work? The IB Board pays EIPS which then sends the funding to
        Salisbury High School to run the program.
    2. Does the debt from uncollected school fees roll forward into the next school year? No

3. What percentage of school fees was collected last year? 92% was collected.
4. If the burden is on field trips, is that impacting the programs? No
5. Are you able to submit field trips for approval throughout the year? Yes as per the deadlines set
   out by Alberta Education.
6. We really appreciate having the transparency about fees and the budget.
7. Is there any change to the Student Leadership budget? That won’t be discussed until later.

4.2 Postcards
    The school has started to mail postcards to students for such things as Birthdays, Christmas, etc.
    Is there a budget for these cards? Yes, it’s taken out of the Advertising and Marketing budget.
    - Students feel that this is a positive message and enjoy receiving them
    - The new kudos postcards will feature the students artwork

4.3 Advocacy Resolutions
    ASCA, the Alberta School Council Association, draft resolutions to be presented and voted on at
    their AGM. Any that are voted in are then presented to the Minister of Education. ASCA is
    taking the broader voice of the parent directly to the Minster of Education. ASCA provides the
    resolutions to the President’s of the individual school councils. The purpose of bringing the
    resolutions forward by the President’s of the School Councils is to conduct a pre-vote thus
    avoiding having to present and vote on each resolution at the AGM. There are 21 resolutions
    that require pre-vote, the first 10 were presented and voted on and they are as follows:

    1) Funding for Appropriate Physical and Facility Environments to Support Daily Physical
       Activity Policy Expectations
       We request that Alberta Education ensure all Alberta students have access to an appropriate
       physical and facility environment that supports the expectations of the Daily Physical Activity
       Policy by providing additional funding where needed to upgrade existing school facilities, and
       by ensuring that all new school builds have dedicated, adequately sized and equipped space,
       to meet these expectations, and respond to the Common Vision call to action.
    Vote: YES

    2) Preservation of Locally Elected Boards of Trustees
       We request that the Minister of Education and the Minister of Alberta Municipal Affairs
       ensure the value and integrity of locally elected school boards are preserved by maintaining
       that boards of trustees continue to be recognized as elected authorities in the Local
       Authorities Elections Act for the Province of Alberta.
    Vote: YES

    3) Increased Dedicated Funding for Accredited Mental Health Professionals
       We request that Alberta Education increase dedicated funding for accredited mental health
       professionals to be available in schools to best meet students' mental health needs in a timely
       and accessible manner.
    Vote: YES

    4) Education Assistant Quality Standards (EAQS)
       Background / overview: Alberta Education states: The foundation for Alberta’s excellent
       education system is built on the talent, the skill and the ongoing commitment to learning
       demonstrated by teachers, school leaders, school jurisdiction leaders and superintendents

who work every day to help students succeed. Since 1997, the professional practice of all
    Alberta teachers has been guided by the Teaching Quality Standard (TQS), holding teachers
    accountable to the profession and to the Minister. Together with education stakeholders,
    Alberta Education has revised and updated the TQS to describe contemporary competencies
    for our teachers. As well, for the first time in Alberta, a Leadership Quality Standard (LQS) will
    describe the competencies expected of school leaders and school jurisdiction leaders, while a
    Superintendent Leadership Quality Standard (SLQS) will define the competencies expected of
    Alberta school superintendents. These three standards were signed as Ministerial Orders in
    February 2018, making all teaching professionals accountable for their applicable standard to
    the Minister. The new standards will come into effect on September 1, 2019. The important
    position of Educational Assistant (EA) has not been included in the requirement to have
    professional practice standards.

   We request that Alberta Education develop Education Assistant Quality Standards (EAQS)
Vote: YES

5) Policies and Regulations for use of Seclusion Rooms
   We request that Alberta Education, in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, establish
   clear policies and regulations ensuring the proper design, structure and use of Seclusion
   Rooms in any Alberta school. We further request that Alberta Education, in collaboration with
   all relevant stakeholders, establish clear policies and regulations with respect to training
   teaching professionals in the use of Seclusion Rooms in any Alberta school. We further
   request that Alberta Education, in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, establish clear
   and concise language in these policies and regulations ensuring serious and meaningful
   accountability measures for any improper design, structure or use by any teaching
   professional, of Seclusion Rooms in any Alberta school. Resources: ASCA Survey on Isolation
   Room
Vote: YES

6) Funding for Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) Program
   School bus drivers are required to hold a Class 2 licence. Starting March 1, 2019, drivers
   seeking a Class 2 (bus) licence are required to complete Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT)
   in order to obtain their Class 2 licence. ● Training includes a government-mandated number
   of training hours (53.5) in-class, in-yard and invehicle. ● Standardized curriculums must be
   taught at all licenced Alberta driving schools. ● Knowledge and road tests for Class 2 drivers
   will be expanded to include the new curriculum. Any driver who obtained a Class 2 licence
   between October 10, 2018 and March 1, 2019, will be required to retake the new enhanced
   knowledge and road test, prior to March 2020. This is to ensure all new drivers meet the new
   standards. Drivers licensed prior to October 10, 2018 are not required to be MELT certified.
   The cost to become certified through the new MELT program is, at this time, the responsibility
   of an individual. It may also be covered by a school district, using existing funds; additional
   funding has not been provided by Alberta Education or any other Ministry.

   We request that Alberta Education works with the Ministry of Labour to provide funding
   assistance in 2019 and subsequent years for individuals requiring Mandatory Entry Level
   Training (MELT) certification in order to become, or remain, employed as school bus drivers
Vote: YES

7) Ongoing Funding for Math Enrichment through the Canadian Mathematical Society
          We request that the Alberta Ministry of Education continue to provide at least $5,000/year
          support for the Canadian Mathematical Society's math education activities for Alberta
          students, on an ongoing basis.
       Vote: NO

       8) Maximum Ride Times for Bussing
          We request that Alberta Education restrict bus ride times to a maximum of 60 minutes one
          way; We further request that Alberta Education provide additional funding to support extra
          busses and drivers.
       Vote: YES

       9) Change to Funding Model for Schools with Low Student Populations
          We request that Alberta Education add an additional component to the Equity of Opportunity
          grant, which addresses facility and infrastructure operating costs that are not changed by
          student population. We further request that this additional component be calculated to
          ensure basic essential services and repairs can be made at every school site, regardless of the
          number of students, to ensure that all students, regardless of where they live or how many
          students attend their school, have a quality environment to support their learning.
       Vote: YES

       10) Guaranteed In-school Access to Mental Health Programs and Counselling for Students
           We request that Alberta Education guarantee all students in the province have access to
           distinct, qualified mental health programs and professional mental health counselling
           services, as well as educational and career counselling, within their schools, thereby
           increasing students’ wellness and their ability to learn and succeed. We also request that if
           this resolution is accepted, Policy 08-05 be rescinded, as its intent is captured within this
           proposal.
       Vote: YES

5. Reports
   5.1 Student Report
       Some events that FLI has hosted and upcoming events are: Valentine’s event; random acts of
       kindness; candy grams; pie day; wake-a-thon (with proceeds going to the Strathcona Food
       Bank); helping at the open house on February 20.
       FLI had many Grade 10’s join at the start of Semester 2.

   5.2 Administrative Report
       Principal Report – Barclay Spady
       Open House – The Bev Facey open house will be held on February 20.
       Registration Guides- These guides are now available online and will also have copied available at
       the open house. Students will complete their course selections/registration in house the first few
       weeks of March. We’re hoping to provide students with their schedules prior to the current year
       ending so they have them prior to the summer break.
       - We currently have 673 returning Grade 10 & 11’s (can accommodate 723)
       - Currently have 45 boundary exemptions (Grade 9’s)
       - Require 300 grade 10’s or our funding starts to decline.

-   We’ll be hosting a Grade 9 parent meeting to help navigate the course levels and provide
       information.
   -   EIPS will be reviewing the boundary exemptions next year.
   Accountability Pillar Survey – 300 Grade 10’s have completed the survey; 53/54 of the staff have
   completed; only 32 Grade 10 families have completed the survey online. The survey is open until
   March 12.
   Advanced Placement – the AP program was featured in EIPS, the Sherwood Park News and also
   received a phone call from Fort Saskatchewan wanting more information.
   High Performance Advisory Program – we’re looking at starting this program to showcase those
   students and to help provide support for them.

5.3 Trustee Report – Michelle Dugan in Trina Boymook’s Absence
    Re-registration began February 1 and will run until February 28. SouthPointe, FR Haythorne and
    Ecole Campbelltown have close boundaries for the 2019/20 school year. Those who are intending
    to register at a non-designated school will be required to complete their reregistration before
    February 28. Late requests will not be considered.

   At the Board’s January 24 Board meeting, the Board approved a number of motions that will
   address the growing interest in French Immersion at the elementary level in Sherwood Park. K-6
   French Immersion programing will be expanded to the replacement school in Heritage Hills.
   Urban Sherwood Park students residing east of the Cloverbar Road will be designated to the new
   school starting September 2020. Urban Sherwood Park students west of the Cloverbar Road will
   be designated to Ecole Campbelltown. Ecole Campbelltown rural designated area will remain the
   same. Senior Administration is meeting with parents to consult on the development of a
   transition plan.

   Also, at this meeting the Board past a motion to close the German Bilingual Program and replacing
   it with a German Language and Culture program. Senior Administration is working with parents
   and staff in developing elements of the new program.
   Individual High Schools are holding open houses during the month of February. Ardrossan Jr/Sr
   was held on Feb 12. Bev Facey’s will be held on Feb 20, and Sal on Feb 21. Each open house starts
   at 6:30.

   As part of EIPS Annual Parent Survey, parents will be asked a series of questions around student
   cellphone use as part of the consultation on a new policy that will set parameters around how
   and when cellphones and personal devices can be used during the school day. I encourage you
   to take time to complete the survey.

   The survey for naming the replacement school in Heritage Hills has been extended by an
   additional week to allow Ecole Campbelltown parents ample time to provide input. In addition to
   the time extension to the survey a comment box has also been included to gather any further
   thoughts.

   At the Board meeting being held this week the Board will be voting on the 2020/21 and 2021/22
   school calendars. It will also be considering a recommendation that will put in place caps for the

French Immersion program at both Ecole Campbelltown and new school in Heritage Hills with a
       September 2020 implementation date. This is part of the enrolment pressure management plan.

   5.4 Chair Report
       We’d like to thank Administration for allowing us to have a table at the Meet the Teacher night
       and also at the Open House tomorrow night.

       Succession Planning – some of the Council members will not be returning next year as their kids
       graduate this year. Please consider volunteering for one of these positions on the council next
       year and also spread the word to other parents who may be interested.

   5.5 COSC Report
       We did not have a representative at the last meeting but the full minutes can be found by clicking
       this link: Committee Of School Councils

6. Meeting Adjourned at 8:55pm by Michelle Dugan.

Next Meeting will be March 19, 2019 @ 6:30pm in the Bev Facey Library

Minutes prepared by Jody Tom, Secretary