Merry Christmas

This is the time of year when we are thinking about how to have the perfect Christmas, and, of course, it's different for everyone.  What's the perfect Christmas?  Is it building a tree out of 365 cream puffs?  Is it attending midnight mass?  We often don't take the time to ask ourselves what would make Christmas perfect for us.  Take the time to ask yourself what would make Christmas perfect for you, and then save your time and energy to enjoy the feeling of Christmas.

On behalf of our Senior Administration, Merry Christmas, everyone, and may what you see in the mirror delight you; may what others see in you delight them.  May someone love you enough to forgive your faults, be blind to your blemishes, and tell the world about your virtues.  And may we live in a world at peace and with awareness of God's love in every sunset, every baby's smile, every teacher's kind words, and in every wonderful, astonishing, miraculous beat of our hearts.

Love Is Something If You Give It Away

"Treat 'em as if they are good, and they will meet your expectations."  Growing up in the small town of Wildwood meant everyone knew everyone, and everyone knew, or thought s/he knew, everyone's business.  In our teen years, our house was Grand Central - the four of us had friends over often: eating dinner, watching TV, listening to KISS on the 8-Track, and fixing motorcycles.  At times, some of our guests were teens of which others in the town did not think highly.  Some of these teens did do things that they should not have done, but, none the less, my mom, Gladys, said hello to them, welcomed them into her home, and treated them as if they were good.  And you know what?  They were good for her!  She would have them helping her dig and carry in potatoes from the garden, water flowers, carry in groceries, and clean their plates and cutlery from the table.  I would always hear, "Yes, Mrs. Monty, please, Mrs. Monty, thank you, Mrs. Monty, may I help you, Mrs. Monty.  Our friends loved my mom because they knew she loved them.

On August 31, my mom held a motorcycle rally at her hotel.  Heaps of people turned out, and as I chatted with the bikers, I heard story after story of how my mom touched their hearts.  These people could have been anywhere in the world that Saturday, but they chose to be in Wildwood with Mom.

One fellow from Edmonton, Dan, told me a story of how a number of years ago he and his wife were riding back from B.C. in the rain.  He said they both were soaked and frozen by the time they reached Wildwood.  He said Mom took them in, helped spread out their wet gear throughout the bar so it would dry, gave them food, drink, and a room to sleep.  He said he will forever remember her kindness.  He attends every rally she has, and he stops in to visit if he happens to be passing through the area.  He said, "Cal, your mom is amazing; she makes everyone feel so loved."

What would my mom do if she were a teacher?  She would love each of her students and colleagues unconditionally; let's do what Gladys would do.

 Love is something if you give it away.

August 27/28 Beginning Teachers' Workshop

Black Gold Regional Division principals, once again, have hired an amazing group of teachers new to both the profession and Black Gold.  I was extremely impressed with these teachers' knowledge, professionalism, and passion for teaching.

Our two day workshop focused on a number of items: lesson planning, growth plans, technology, student services, teacher conduct, teaching strategies, and a bus tour of our division.  I want to thank our new teachers for attending and eagerly participating in the workshop.  I'd also like to thank our presenters for finding time in their busy schedules to present at the workshop: Pam Verhoeff, Norm Dargis, Ray McCubbing, Darren Maltais, Suzanne Stroud, Dianne Butler, Arthur Burrows, and Zane Chomlak.

Great Things are Happening in BGRS!

Ten Ways To Keep Your Best People

1. Fair does not mean equal - give each of your people what s/he needs.
2. Set high expectations - people come to work to do well - they will rise to the expectation.
3. Rules, guidelines, procedures - ensure these don't get in the way of employees doing their jobs.
4. Recognize outstanding performance - if you want it repeated, it needs to be rewarded.
5. Have fun at work - employees will look forward to coming to work each day.
6. Share appropriate information with employees - if you don't, the rumour mill will.
7. Do not micromanage - instead, explain why it needs to be done, why their job is important, and seek their input on how it could be done better.
8. Develop a retention strategy - what are you doing for your people to ensure they stay engaged and on board?
9. Conduct retention interviews - what can we do to keep our employees from looking for another job?
10. Provide a fabulous orientation program - you want to reinforce your new hire's "Buying Decision" (to take the job) not his/her "Hire's Remorse".  Ensure the orientation is well organized, efficient, and exciting.  To reinforce his/her buying decision, deliver these three messages:

• You were carefully chosen and we're glad you're here
• You're now part of a great organization
• This is why your job is so important

 

                                                                                 

Connall Riess Fundraises For Life

"Connall, let me get the scissors and cut your hair.  I'll do a good job; trust me!  It could be a fundraiser; we'll do it in the gym, and people will have to give a twoonie to watch."  Connall's reply was always the same, "Na, na, na, no one's cutting my hair!" 

This was the conversation Connall and I had numerous times since he was in primary school at ÉCPS.  One aspect of the principalship that I miss dearly is the bantering with my students; I don't get interaction now that I'm in Central Office. 

Connall is now in grade five, and I haven't seen him for months.  I was excited when I recently received an e-mail from him.  "Mr. Monty," it read, "I'm cutting off all my hair to support the Canadian Cancer Society and because I'm getting tired of long hair.  At our last day of school assembly, June 27th, would you please come to ÉCPS and cut my hair in front of the whole school?  I am sending my hair to the Cancer Society for wigs and I would like to raise money also." 

Tears formed in my eyes as I read Connall's words; the principal and the student had formed a life-long bond.  I am so proud of Connall; he is an inspiration and his actions are a wonderful example of servant leadership.

Please donate to Connall's fundraiser at http://fundraiseforlife.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1041605&supid=383545624

and we'd love to see you at École Corinthia Park School at 9:00am on Thursday, June 27th, 2013.
                                                                               

                                                                                

Black Gold Principals Recognized for Their Outstanding Leadership

The Jubilee Auditorium on the University of Alberta Campus was abuzz Wednesday evening, May 15th.  Two of Black Gold's principals, Raymond Cable & Susanne Stroud, received the honour of being nominated for the prestigious Council for School Leadership (CSL) Distinguished Leadership Award.

This bestowal creates a learning community of outstanding principals and assistant principals throughout Alberta who can share professionally, interact collegially and act as mentors to new colleagues. It provides avenues for research and sharing of best practices. Distinguished Alberta School Leaders are those who are looking to challenge the status quo, improve learning in their contexts, and be equipped for higher levels of leadership. These individuals are considered role models in a vibrant network of educational leaders with the confidence and capabilities to lead innovative change for 21st century learning.

Congratulations to both Raymond and Susanne; thank you for your commitment and dedication to our students, our division, and life-long learning.  To Susanne, congratulations on being the recipient of the 2013 CSL Distinguished Leadership Award.

Covenant Students Doing God's Work

I had the pleasure of spending part of last Thursday morning at Covenant Christian School enjoying the grade nine students' "Playing My Part in His-Story" presentations.  The confidence, maturity, and passion in their presentations were second to none.  As a graduation project, the students were asked to research a topic of choice, develop a "Big Question", use one of the school's "Throughlines" - God Worshiping, Community Building, Creation Enjoying, Idolatry Discerning, Justice Seeking, Earth Keeping, Beauty Creating, Servant Working, Image Reflecting, or Order Discovering making  connections between the throughline and the topic, and cite relevant biblical scripture passages supporting both the topic and throughline.  Finally, the students were asked to use digital story telling to describe their service learning that went along with the project.

One big question was "How do people with disabilitites affect our values?" another was "Are we helping or hurting the homeless?" and a third was "How are we taking care of sick children and their families?".  These students are doing God's work and were, as Philippians 2:4 suggests, interested not only in their own lives, but were interested in the lives of others. 

The love in that classroom was overwhelming: student to student, student to teacher, teacher to student, parent to child, and child to parent.  There is no better way to spend a morning than immersed in love, because God is love.  Thank you, Covenant Christian.

Concordia University College Welcomes BGRD No.18

Division Principal, Norm Dargis, and I attended Concordia University College's Career Fair, organized by Concordia's B.Ed. (After Degree) students, on Thursday, February 7th, 2013.  We were met with a very warm welcome, treated to unlimited homemade cookies, and given a brief tour of the Faculty of Education in its new location on the upper level of the Ralph King Athletic Centre. 

We presented the students with three twenty minute sessions providing a description of our division (location, size, programs), an indication of staffing needs for the 2013-2014 school year, and advice regarding interviews, portfolios, documentation required, and processes used for hiring teachers. 

Students shared with us Concordia's "Bridges Bursary Program" - a bursary program offered by CUCA to new graduates of the Bachelor of Education (After Degree) program to fund volunteer time in the classroom following completion of their studies (May & June).  The focus is to provide enriched experiences for new graduates as they transition from university to the teaching profession; the deadline for students to apply for approval is the first Thursday in April.  If you are interested in having a Concordia grad volunteer in your school this May and June, please contact the Dean of Education, Dr. Maureen Stratton, Bridges Coordinator at maureen.stratton@concordia.ab.ca 

Education Career Fair 2013/Foire d'emploi en Education 2013

Our Division Principal, Norm Dargis, and I attended the Education Career Fairs at both the U of A and Campus Saint Jean on Monday, January 21st.  We spent the day on the main campus and the evening at Campus Saint Jean representing BGRD No.18 and meeting many wonderful soon to graduate education students.  These young people were eager, prepared, and excited about beginning their teaching careers; education in Alberta will be in good hands.  We'd like to thank Jennifer El-Khatib, assistant principal of École Corinthia Park School, for assisting us at the Foire d'emploi en Education at Campus Saint Jean.