INNISFAIL - Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) trustees have met with area MLAs and government ministers to discuss challenges facing the division, including large class sizes.
In her monthly report to the board, superintendent Kathleen Finnigan provided a summary of the Jan. 20 meeting between trustees and elected officials.
The meeting included Nathan Cooper (Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA), Jason Stephan (Red Deer-South) and Adriana LaGrange (Red Deer-North and Minister of Health).
“Discussions included concerns over large class sizes, significant budgetary constraints, the challenges associated with newly introduced early learning assessments, and a potential new school in Sylvan Lake,” said Finnigan.
“These discussions are essential in ensuring our division’s needs are effectively represented at the provincial level.”
Finnigan also reported on recent superintendent school visits aimed at enhancing student learning.
“The superintendent has complied on e round of school and department walkabouts totalling 23 visits as well as 14 coaching sessions with schools and their associate superintendent liaison from the end of November,” she said.
The focus of the tours include two main areas: staff wellness and progress on school improvement plans, she said.
“Discussions during these visits resolve around data related to literacy, numeracy, provincial achievement tests, diploma exams, and actions aimed at enhancing student learning,” she said.
“Additionally, the superintendent engages with students and staff by spending time in classrooms.”
Trustees accepted Finnigan’s report as information. The 10,400-student RDCRS division includes schools in Innisfail and Olds.
New social media policy adopted
In other news from the Jan. 28 board meeting, trustees adopted a new policy that will require all schools in the division to establish social media access practices for all students.
Under new provincial rules, school divisions are required to adopt policies and/or procedures related to the use of personal mobile devices and social media in schools.
The ‘Use of Personal Mobile Devices and Social Media in Schools Policy No. 29’ states that the board “expects schools to establish practices that align with the standards established by Alberta Education and work to ensure the appropriate use of personal mobile devices and social media access on the division’s network by students.
“These practices should contribute to the online safety and security of students, maximize learning by supporting distraction-free environments that promote student well-being, minimize opportunities for bullying, and safeguard personal privacy and academic integrity.”
The policy states that while social media “offer valuable opportunities for communication, information access, and enhanced instruction and learning” the board also “believes that it is necessary to restrict the use of these devices and platforms within schools and the division, particularly concerning students’ use of cell phones and social media to foster caring and respectful learning and working environments.”
Recently adopted provincial legislation regarding the use of social media in schools requires school authority policies and/or procedures to incorporate a progressive discipline approach to address violations.
“The progressive discipline approach is required to include notification to the parent of a child or student who is found to have violated the school authority’s policies and procedure,” the provincial legislation states.
