In 2006-07, issues included many of the same ones that existed in 2004… and then some!
Class Size, Curriculum, High School Completion, Aging Infrastructure/Lack of Schools in New Neighbourhoods, Improving Transitions for Children, Healthy Living, Responsiveness of Schools to Parents/Community, Size of Schools, Bullying, Role of Trustees, Parent Fundraising, New Immigrants, Staffing, Technology….
And finally, because there is much wisdom in building on strengths, here is what people said about the last topic…
Value of Great Schools/ What Makes a Great School:
- “We need to have better standards and an acknowledgement of the faith system — Christianity — upon which Canada is founded. I’d like to see the Lord’s Prayer brought back…. Yes, it would be good for students to learn about other faiths and cultures in a meaningful way, but still, everybody needs to be exposed to Christian ideal and standards.” – Bearspaw resident
- “In regard to your third point about giving personal attention to all kids, I have to say that that happens in this district. Being a district of choice means children can go whereever to align their schooling with their interests or strengths or weaknesses. ” - Henderson Estates resident
- “I want to say that education is very good in Alberta. My children went to Westbrook, Vernon Barford and Old Scona. For a period we lived in other countries and their knowledge and skills travelled well.” - Westbrook resident
- “My observation is that there is a huge difference between schools? One way to track a good school would be to look at school retention rates. Some schools in the area have huge turnover. What triggers people to switch schools … family situations, or housing, or is the school itself?” - Attendee at Duggan Community registration.
- “All kids need to have proper attention. I get annoyed at all the focus on the “at risk” kids, not because I don’t think these kids should have help, but because the average and above-average kids aren’t getting the help they need.” - Ramsay Heights resident.
- “A strong parent group coupled with a cooperative staff can make a really great school for students.” - Attendee at Yellowbird registration
- “Getting report cards before January would be good.” – Rutherford resident.
- “I can’t say enough positive things about GP Nicholson. The teachers are SO cheerful and so pleasant. You know how you have to rush, rush, rush in the morning and sometimes you are grumpy. It is such a pleasure to arrive at school and everyone is so cheerful. Also, I love how they incorporate the whole family into the school. In K parents were welcomed to come in with their child, read a book and stay for O Canada and the announcements. Plus there is a special adult/parenting section in the library. It’s just great.” - Twin Brooks resident
- “An after-school program is essential to a good school.” - Attendee at Yellowbird registration
- “We’ve done lots of volunteering in our kids’ schools, and we want to say– good schools! Keep up the great work! The schools are safe, and the choice provided by the district is good.” - Keheewin resident
- “Openness to all types of families is really important. Also, I think discipline is good…my child’s teachers are always on the kids to do their work. They don’t let them slide. That’s good.” - Rhatigan Ridge resident
- “I homeschool my children for two reasons: 1) better academics, and 2) our worldview is different than that presented in public schools. I am just so sad that we are not teaching kids based on the biblical principles upon which Canada was founded. There are so many broken homes and broken kids and it has do with the openness of society and schools. Schools should be more principled….. Yes, I know that there are Christian schools within Edmonton Public Schools but the problem there is that while the curriculum is controlled, you can’t control the interactions with other children who come from homes with different values. It’s also expensive. Sticking to the fundamental values is so very important.” - Blue Quill resident
- “Clean schools with SOAP in the washrooms!” - comment from questionnaire on my priorities handed out in Riverbend during April/May
- “What about uniforms? In England they have had uniforms for a long time, and it’s good. It helps set high expectations and makes kids realize they are in school for a purpose. This helps prepare them for entering the work force. Good discipline is really, really important.” - Terwillegar Towne resident
- “Lansdowne is an excellent school. Why? Because parents want it that way and because they’re involved It’s just great… There are 27 different nationalities there and everyone gets along. Kids behave the way their parents behave, so the parent influence is very important. ” - Terwillegar Towne resident
- “Overall, I think Edmonton has good schools. The teachers are willing to go above and beyond, and there are lots of services to access.” - Twin Brooks resident
- “Sometimes schools with great reputations can be victims of their own success. That success is not necessarily rewarded.” - Westbrook parent
- “A spirit of support and collaboration within the teachers and between staff and students and throughout the whole school community is really, really important.” - Rutherford resident
- “Expectations need to be high for students both at home and in schools. I don’t feel my children are being given the push they could be. I never see any homework come home.” - Rutherford resident
- “Consistent standards for all schools need to be in place across the district.” - Blackmud Creek resident
- “Actually, I chose to opt out of the public system for the Catholic system, because the designated public schools for my kids were garbage and I couldn’t get my children into the ones in the area that had good reputations. Testing scores were really low and we didn’t want our kids exposed to other kids with behaviour problems, etc.” — Ward H resident.
Here is the full set of comments: Issues Raised in 2006-07.
