Jan. 5 Scholarship Session for Parents & Minister's Update

Student Services is holding a special session on Scholarships for parents:

• Date: Jan. 5th
• Time: 7 pm
• Place: room 102 first floor computer lab

See Parents As Academic Coaches (SGCHS)

Updates:

• Parkland School Division 70's submission on the School Act. discussion paper.
• Minister of Education Year End News Letter 

Below is Spruce Grove Composite High School - School Council's response to the foundational themes (in bold) from the discussion paper on the School Act.

1. All Alberta children have a superseding right of access to the ECS -12 public education system which is not dependent on where they reside.

If funding is extended for ECS services to non early intervention children, then all children should be funded including parents who stay home with their children.  If this is the case, there needs to be an accountability for this funding.  Parents should have a choice in ECS education, with funded preschool programs that are not just childcare for the whole day.  The official age for school entry should remain grade one with readiness assessments taking place prior to grade 1.

2. Students should be able to access instruction at any time, any place, and at their own pace.

Having an age 16 and completion requirement or grade 12 might be the solution to this.  Whichever comes first.  Existing structures need to change for this to happen e.g. diploma exams should not be written only on a specific date.

3. Student success is the primary goal of the education system and government has a responsibility to provide the structure and supports to maximize it.

Parents helping Parents  (Preschool groups, School Council's etc.) need to be supported and work together with professionals so that students and parents receive the support they need to succeed.