ÉCPS Choir Performs at EIA Remembrance Ceremony

Staff, students, parents, and families from École Corinthia Park School joined Edmonton International Airport staff in remembering the Canadians who selflessly defended our freedom.  The choir opened the ceremony with the singing of O'Canada and ended with In Flanders Fields.

BGRS/ATA Healthy Interactions Program

On November 7th, 90 teachers participated in the "Healthy Interactions Workshop" offered collaboratively by Black Gold Regional Division and the Alberta Teachers' Association.  The program provides participants with a toolbox of communication and problem-solving skills that will assist in handling concerns.  The feedback received was very positive and suggested the training was timely as parent/teacher interviews are occurring later this month. Thank you to everyone for participating, and thank you to both Principal Zane Chomlak and Division Principal Norm Dargis for presenting.

Student Recognition at ÉCPS

I spent 45 minutes this morning at École Corinthia Park School's assembly, and what a treat it was. Many students were recognized for demonstrating their "Cougar" values, for "filling the buckets of others", and for being caught speaking French - our students are top-notch!

Grade 3J sang a wonderful song called "May There Always be Sunshine", Mr. Deverdenne's grade 5 class, under the tutelage of Mlle. Sorensen, performed a beautiful piece on the xylophones, and Mrs. Lyall's speech about the upcoming medieval themed book fair culminated in a joust between two worthy horsemen: Mr. Maron and Mr. Cable.

Amazing Assemblies

I miss the ability to walk down the hallway and step into a classroom or the gymnasium and see students working with their teacher and each other enjoying learning, so when I get invited to visit a school and observe our wonderful students and staff in action, I accept with excitement and anticipation.

This past week I was fortunate to attend assemblies at Leduc Estates School, East Elementary School, and École Dansereau Meadows School: I wasn't disappointed!  The grade 3's "Scarecrow" song, Halloween story, and grade 4 cooking demonstration at LES, the grade 6 leadership team's YMCA dance and the students' overwhelming joy when receiving their student of the month certificate at EAST, and the grade 2's magnet song, the Jr. High "Be Proactive" skit, and the school support staff's air band at ÉDMS were all completely amazing!

Great things are happening in BGRD No.18!

École Dansereau Meadows Professional Development Day

École Dansereau Meadows staff spent the afternoon of September 19th carousel brainstorming and reflecting on what quality teaching and effective student engagement looks and sounds like.  The afternoon ended with a fabulous discussion on the topic of meaningful home learning opportunities for students.  Great things are happening at ÉDMS!

Black Gold Regional Division's Welcome Back - September 19th

It was an amazing morning!  Staff chatted with school and division colleagues in the foyer during the continental breakfast.  Then, at 8:45, our former student Emcees, Allegra and Taylor welcomed our new student Emcees, Reegan and Isabella, and the program began.  The LCHS gymnasium was stuffed with Black Gold employees; their energy: radiant!

Congratulations to each of our long service recipients for reaching the various milestones: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 years of service.  Also, congratulations to Cheryl Hafso on being this year's recipient of the Inspiring Success Award of Distinction.

Thank you to the staff from each of our employee groups for giving their warm welcome back wishes, and thank you to Gene Simmons for his guest appearance.  Black Gold Regional Division is second to none!

Black Gold Regional Division's Beginning Teachers Receive Two Days of Orientation

It was back to school for Black Gold's new teachers on August 25th & 26th.  Day one provided these amazing people with information on the services Central Office has in place to support them throughout the year, and day two saw them out at École Corinthia Park School sitting elbow to elbow with current teachers learning, networking, and preparing for the first days of school.

Thank you to the following staff for coming back early and sharing their craft knowledge with our new teachers; thank you for providing us with your leadership: Norm Dargis, Pam Verhoeff, Dianne Butler, Ray McCubbing, Darren Maltais, Patrick Gamache-Hutchison, Rachel Djordjevic, Ray Cable, Jennifer El-Khatib, Cayley Stewart, Leanne Barrett, Chelsie Marion, Dennis Johnston, Zane Chomlak, and Dakota Williams.