It has been my pleasure to host three community meetings – in 2008, 2009 and 2010. I encourage you to review the ideas generated at these meetings.
LET’S DIG DEEPER! into Strengthening Families, Improving Communication, Enhancing Innovative Citizenship Education
On January 14, 2010, about 45 people attended the Let’s Dig Deeper! meeting, which built directly on the May 2009 meeting (see below). To read their thoughts and the Q&A with the three special guest speakers, check out the Let’s Dig Deeper! Final Report . The three special guest speakers were Susanne Frolek from Community Services who spoke about the SW Community Mapping Project and how it will help to Strengthen Families over the next few years, Principal Karen Linden who spoke about the Innovative Citizenship Education happening at Greenfield School as the school works to develop our future leaders, and Councillor Don Iveson who spoke on the concept of Open Data as a way forward in Improving Communication.
Sunday, January 10: A package of pre-reading material was sent to all registered attendees: Let’s Dig Deeper! Community Meeting Pre-Reading Package.
As an offshoot, and with respect to Strengthening Families, I met with a small group in April/May 2010 to read and discuss Hold On To Your Kids by Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Mate. This was profitable for me and those who attended. I encourage you to read this book and/or study it as School Councils, parenting groups, faith groups etc.
I also created a community wiki to experiment with the idea of everyone in the southwest having a common space to share ideas and events related to these three themes. So far, there has been little uptake! Carry on the conversation by visiting: http://swedmontonittakesavillage.wikispaces.com/
Let’s Talk Schools! Let’s Talk the Future! Let’s Talk Community! (May 2009)
“On the evening of May 20, 2009, 34 people gathered in the Riverbend Community Centre in southwest Edmonton to participate in a community conversation entitled Let’s Talk Schools! Let’s Talk the Future! Let’s Talk Community! …” So begins the summary report of this exciting and engaging community conversation. I invite you — encourage you! — to read the full report and then send me your comments: Let’s Talk the Future! Final Report (May 2009).
It Takes a Village” Community Meeting (March 2008)
This meeting included:
- Introduction of the New District Priorities
- Q&A with Mr. Edgar Schmidt, Superintendent of Edmonton Public Schools
Here are some ideas generated in the small Group Discussion of how individuals and community groups, including school councils, can support these priorities: It Takes A Village! Community Meeting Ideas (March 2008).
