Upcoming AGM & STEM Talk 

CAPSC’s Annual General Meeting | Wednesday, April 20
7 PM | Connect Charter School | 5915 Lewis Drive SW

If CAPSC has helped you in past, please consider supporting education by joining our executive. Even a few hours a month make a big difference to the services we are able to offer to Calgary parents. Whether your skills include advocacy, event planning or accounting, we can use you! Join us to vote in CAPSC’s 2016/17 executive and to review bylaws in need of updating.

STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) in Education | Dr. Gina Cherkowski

Dr. Gina Cherkowski is a mathematics educator and researcher, a STEM professor and educational game changer. She earned a double cognate Ph. D. in mathematics education and culture studies. Dr. Cherkowski believes all students can, and should be, mathematically literate in the 21st century. Her Mathematics Education Research uses digital technology to teach math visually by engaging the spatial temporal reasoning system, in partnership with the MIND Research Institute in California. Through her research, Dr. Cherkowski has noted that teaching math in ways that engage the spatial temporal reasoning system leads to increases in engagement, increased performance and conceptual understanding for students that typically struggle with math. In a quest to ensure all students are mathematically literate, Dr. Cherkowski has developed highly engaging math lessons that use robotics, programming, and other digital tools to foster computational literacy, conceptual understanding, mathematical problem solving and other critical mathematics skills. Through her role at STEM Alberta, Dr. Cherkowski advocates to ensure all students are equipped with the necessary skills, abilities and mindsets to be full and productive citizens in a rapidly-changing digital world. This starts with getting all kids engaged in mathematics. Math is the gatekeeper to educational opportunities, to greater career opportunities, to higher paying jobs, and to the STEM fields. Sadly, math is far too often the reason many kids drop out, disengage, or walk away from school altogether. In addition to volunteering for STEM Alberta, Dr. Cherkowski founded STEM Learning Lab as a way to get meaningful STEM activities to kids so they are aptly positioned to reap the rewards and benefits of our highly technological world.

RSVP to let us know you will be there! 

Transportation Update

If you want to take part in the upcoming discussion about transportation, find full details and sign up for one of the group workshops to be held on April 6, 7 and 12 using the link below. Community forums will also be held on April 16th.  The technical study on the CBE’s transportation system is now available.

CBE Public Engagement 

The CBE website now lists current opportunities to give feedback on upcoming decisions. Planning on budget, school openings, and a long term transportation strategy is now underway. Visit cbe.ab.ca/dialogue for full details.

Changes to CAPSC Bylaws

The AGM will include a vote on the following proposed changes:

A. Proposed Change to Membership Bylaw

4.3.1 Membership Year – The membership year is one year from the date payment is received.

4.3.2 Setting Membership Fees – Each school year, executive may review the membership fee, and after consultation with the membership body, schedule new fees to take effect with 30 days notice. 

4.4.5 – Only members who are listed and in good standing seven days prior to the AGM shall be entitled to vote.

For the 2016/17 year, our executive recommends that individual memberships be free. This will allow more parents to have a voice in education in a time when many families are experiencing financial difficulties and CAPSC is actively building membership.

B. Change to Meetings of the Society Bylaw

5.1.1 – The Society holds its Annual General Meeting in Calgary 13 months less a day from the last Annual General Meeting. The Board sets the place, day, and time of the meeting.

Communicating with CAPSC

If you have a question or concern about your school or with education in general, please contact us. For more frequent updates on what is happening in education, please visit and like CAPSC’s Facebook page.

Thursday, January 28th | 7 PM
Performing Arts Centre | Webber Academy
1515-93 Street SW

• What are some best practices being used to achieve results in mathematics?
• What specific ideas can parents use to support their child’s learning at home?
• How are the needs of different populations being met? For instance, what strategies have proved more successful for students with English as a second language?
• International Rankings – how does Alberta fit?
• What types of assessments are best? How are Student Learning Assessments (SLAs) used?
• What is happening with curriculum design and changes?
• With all of the discussion taking place about diversifying our economy, how important are math achievement and rankings?

• REGISTER for the Math Excellence Forum on January 28.

Tickets $7 | CAPSC is a non-profit, volunteer fuelled organization which exists to encourage discussion about and excellence in education. If the charge for this event is a barrier to attending, please select the deferred payment option as you register and pay what you can at the door.

Great math education is a major topic of interest for Calgary parents. There is much discussion in the media, on the playground, and in homes about what is happening in math, and how to ensure every child is set up for success.

Parents are curious about how schools are achieving strong results in math. CAPSC is pleased to present our Math Excellence Night on behalf of Calgary parents.  Through this event, education stakeholders can get a glimpse of some best practices, and hopefully continue the dialogue in their own community afterward.

To hear CAPSC president Lisa Davis discuss details of the Math Excellence event, please access the January 24 Global news clip.

JOIN US TO HEAR WHAT THESE OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS HAVE TO SHARE ABOUT MATH LEARNING:

STUART WACHOWICZ | Confucius Institute, Edmonton 

Stuart Wachowicz, B.Ed, B.Sc, M.Ed, is an educator with 44 years of experience.  He taught for 25 years in Alberta, where he primarily taught mathematics and served as a school administrator. In 1997 he became Director of Curriculum for Edmonton Public Schools. He is one of the key architects of the education system that shot Alberta to the top of the world education rankings in the early 2000s. Upon retirement in 2009, Mr. Wachowicz became Director of the Confucius Institute in Edmonton, of which he is presently Chairman of the Board of Directors and Advisory Board.  Mr. Wachowicz will be including a discussion on how strong math results were achieved in schools with a high English as a Second Language population.

ANNA STOKKE | University of Winnipeg

Anna Stokke is Associate Professor of Mathematics at the University of Winnipeg. She received a Ph.D in mathematics from the University of Alberta in 2003, an M.Sc (Math) from the University of Manitoba and a B.Sc (Math) from Brandon University. She is the President of Archimedes Math Schools, which is a non-profit organization that was founded by math professors in Winnipeg who recognize the need for a low cost after-school math program for elementary school children. Anna is a math education advocate and a cofounder of the Western Initiative for Strengthening Education in Math (WISE Math). She received a 2015-2016 YWCA/YMCA Women of Distinction Award in the Community Activism and Social Enterprise category for her work in math education. She also received the University of Winnipeg’s Clarence Atchison Award for Excellence in Community Service in October, 2015.

NEIL WEBBER & JAY NIVEN | Webber Academy, Calgary

Neil Webber, President/Head of School at Webber Academy, has a PhD in Mathematics Curriculum.  Jay Niven, Senior High School Mathematics Instructor, holds a B.Ed and Masters degree in Mathematics teaching.  Webber Academy is a non-denominational, co-educational, university preparatory private school offering Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. There is an environment of high expectations for student achievement and behaviour. After 18 years of operation, Webber Academy has become an international school with students from many different backgrounds, cultures and religions.

AARON RENERT | The Renert School, Calgary

Aaron Renert, M.Sc, LL.B, is a mathematics educator and the founder of Renert Education, a Calgary-based company that has been offering academic services to over 80,000 students since 1992. The company is known for its unwavering commitment to excellence in teaching. In its 26-year history, Renert has been an educational innovator and the first to offer diploma examination review courses, on-demand tutoring centres. Aaron is the curriculum lead and developer of Bright Minds – a revolutionary mathematics enrichment program that groomed dozens of math competition winners. Aaron’s techniques and methods have helped thousands of students to overcome their fear of math and to thrive in the field.  Renert’s latest project is The Renert School at Royal Vista, a K-12 private school which opened in September 2013. The school offers a new model of education dedicated to nurturing.

We look forward to seeing you at this event focused on best practices in mathematics education. 

Congratulations to member A. Hausermann, who won two free tickets and an invitation to the VIP reception preceding the event. Become a member today – it’s free! 

Minutes from our November meeting are now available.

A lively and informed speaker, psychologist Dr. Steiner-Adair spoke compellingly about the effects of technology on developing minds and bodies. She referenced current research on neurological development, suggesting that caution and thoughtful limits for technology are an important part of parenting today. Dr. Steiner-Adair’s eight suggestions for strengthening family connections can be found on her website, along with details on her book, The Big Disconnect.

CAPSC thanks Calgary Reads and Juno House Foundation for partnering with us to bring this event to Calgary parents on May 7 & 8, 2015. Representatives from Juno House and CAPSC are shown above, along with Dr. Steiner-Adair.

Want to stay informed about this and other upcoming CAPSC events? Subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on Facebook and become a member. Thanks to the generosity of a sponsor, individual memberships are currently free.

If you want to skip forward in the video: Question 1 at 04:05, (Q2 wasn’t asked), Question 3 at 12:15, Question 4 at 19:20, Question 5 at 28:00.

Articles

Metro News – Calgary school trustee candidates call for funding, parent input

Calgary Herald – CBE trustee candidates talk budget concerns

Live Tweets

Jeremy Nolais @Metro_Nolais.

• Just into opening remarks at #yycbe forum. Five candidates, one seat, who will survive. #realityshowthrowback #yyc #abed
• Question is how to engage parents/solicit feedback. Lloyd points out she was head of CAPSC until recent. CAPSC hosting forum #yycbe #yyc
• McAsey says school councils primarily focus on in-house issues. Says trustees help escalate plans to next level #yycbe #abed #yyc
• Morgan says she wants to talk more with students. Notes they’re becoming more vocal on issues. #yycbe #abed #yyc
• Have covered a few trustee forums. Biggest crowd I’ve seen at one http://ow.ly/i/abcDy  #yycbe #abed #yyc
• “Kids don’t have a filter, they tell it like it is,” Morgan says #yycbe #abed #yyc
• Hrdlicka says many don’t know role of trustees, “this a problem” #yycbe #abed #yyc
• Next question is on no funding for growth. over/under 3 candidates say “predictable, sustainable” in that order #yycbe #abed #yyc
• McAsey has talked a couple times already about partnering with pvt industry. Interesting stuff #yycbe #abed #yyc
• Did McAsey say he would or wouldn’t question #yycbe expenditures. Isn’t that part of the job? #yycbe #abed #yyc [note: he said “wouldn’t”]
• Morgan says #yycbe needs to stop spending on non-essential items #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Morgan says at one school parent council was asked to fundraise for toilets. Wowza. #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Phillips say tech in schools “archaic,” says many comps are “hand me downs.” He is a former teacher #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Hrdlicka says “cuts have ripple effects,” addressing 3 per cent reductions in certain grant areas #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Hrdlicka says if teachers can’t perform at their best, how will students #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Lloyd says boards “fighting for teachers, not textbooks.” Province has said boards not allowed to reduce teacher counts #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Lloyd references cuts to CAPSC last year. Says her campaign focuses on value of money, smaller signs, etc. #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Interesting — everyone sticking close to notes. Have seen past forums where candidates pretty much went at it free of paper #yyc #yycbe 1/2
• Not sure this way engages audience as much. See many bowed heads . . . and just caught one guy dozing a bit #yyc #yycbe #abed 2/2
• Phillips talks staffing. Big question is who will teach in new schools. Some BG near bottom of this http://ow.ly/L3ypv  #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Lloyd says no way gov. gives back taxation powers soon. Hrdlicka has called for such a move http://ow.ly/L3yA1  #yyc #yycbe #abed
• McAsey says there “lots of businesses out there that have funds, that want to spend it” #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Early schtick of McAsey is pvt partners, Llloyd is past CAPSC experience, Hrdlicka is community connections. #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Morgan focusing on talks with kids and school councils. Phillips talks from view of man who was in system #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Yes, there will be free-for-all audience questions. I expect will be more telling part of forum #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Hrdlicka says CBE is a “huge bureaucracy,” reiterate that people don’t know about trustee role #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Hrdlicka refs Christine Meikle, notes Varsity saying it wasn’t consulted. Here’s where that’s at http://ow.ly/L3yZ8  #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Lloyd says she’s the only candidate to have attended board meetings for past year. I don’t even go anymore #yyc #yycbe #abed
• McAsey says “we can only beat this horse so long” when it comes to prov. funding #yyc #yycbe #abed
• McAsey is really straying furthest from current practice, methinks. Do others in the audience agree? #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Morgan says twice she’s been “disillusioned” in CBE decision-making, has been denied ability to have her say twice #yyc #yycbe #abed
• First question is vision for system. Hrdlicka vouches for “community hub” schools, including during summer #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Morgan says she doesn’t want to see kids put on list for charter school #yyc #yycbe #abed
• “Public education needs to be everybody’s first choice,” Morgan says #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Phillips wants kids to become “lifelong learners,” says many HS students disengaged #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Question asked about learning from charters and expanding their mandate, trustees have no control over the latter part #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Lloyd says charters should remain, but wants to build base for public board #yyc #yycbe #abed
• “CBE is just as good as any of the other schools,” McAsey says, adds too much focus on the “bad” #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Morgan says 5 charters within walking distance of her community. Says kids leave CBE for Grade 4 #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Phillips is talking about alternative CBE schools, not charters. I don’t think he gets the question. #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Charters are publicly funded, pvt schools do receive funding too, but not 100 per cent #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Hrdlicka says charters have created “competition,” doesn’t vouch for them. Says all kids should have equal opportunity. #yyc #yycbe #abed
• McAsey says he’s not aware of pvt school funding model. He doesn’t see problem with those schools #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Morgan says she wouldn’t take money from charters, pvt. #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Phillips says “he’s totally against” pvt school funding, but says trustees have no say #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Phillips draws one clap, at least one boo for speaking against pvt schools #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Hrdlicka has problem with pvt, says priority has to be with public #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Morgan brings up the “new math” some fear with Inspiring Ed. Says there’s a need to embrace fact that society’s changing #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Phillips says Inspiring Ed varies among schools, teachers, says it will work with proper funding #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Hrdlicka says “many teachers haven’t been trained in this process,” referring to Inspiring Ed #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Question is who knows best principal or board — Hrdlicka say likes local autonomy #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Lloyd says building strong community base is key. She’s said it a few times #yyc #yycbe #abed
• McAsey gives the most blunt answer — vouches for principal. “Principal knows best” #yyc #yycbe #abed
• Last question — how will you work trustees you disagree with? 1/2
• Fun! Hope none say “we’d go in pvt and come up with a common answer” #yyc #yycbe #abed 2/2
• Lloyd says board camaraderie is key, but also notes majority rules #yyc #yycbe #abed
• McAsey says few of the candidates actually live in the ward. Anyone have a count on that? #yyc #yycbe #abed

Responding to the evaluated needs of many of our city school councils, CAPSC created a Saturday training seminar for city school council executives. We had space donated by CBE, and very strong support from the Alberta School Council’s Association (ASCA), which presented three full workshops.  Professional groups, experts, and experienced school council executives also contributed information sessions. Dr. Jim Brandon, PhD (University of Calgary) spoke about his recent research regarding Alberta School Councils. It was an excellent seminar with lots of positive feedback from those who participated. Over 70 busy school council volunteer executives in Calgary took the time to attend and benefit from the five hours of training.

link to seminar overview and materials

CAPSC hosted this free seminar about the particular challenges of helping our boys to learn. School parents from both the public and separate school boards of Calgary were invited to attend. The response was enormous. Hundreds of interested school parents had to be turned away, as the facility could only accommodate 500. It was a very good presentation, with great information, help and suggestions.