Dear Clearview Community and Families,
I would like to take this time to introduce myself to each of you on what is officially my first day as your Superintendent. I could not be more honoured and humbled to have this opportunity. I would like to thank the Clearview Board of Trustees for entrusting me with this important work. I want to echo that the enormity of this responsibility, especially during this pandemic, is not something that I take lightly.
As I stated in all my interviews and meetings to date, and it is something that I believe to my core, all students can succeed at a high level. I see it as my responsibility to provide our principals with the support and resources necessary for that to occur. This will guide the work that all of us do for our students; I want to see them succeed.
Clearview holds at its core seven universal goals that are intended to drive our decision making, our actions and ensures Clearview Public Schools are the 'First Choice Education' in our communities:
Providing optimal learning environments to all learners, whatever their needs or community. Clearview is a First Choice Learning Environment.
Approaching all people with an Inclusive and Growth Mindset; seeking to ensure that all are engaged in the life of the school community in a manner that fully meets their needs.
Increase our students’ opportunities for success by ensuring their high performance on provincial examinations and quality CTS and CTF programming.
Fostering a Culture of Wellness that acknowledges that learning happens best when the physical and emotional needs of the learner and staff are met.
Developing Leadership skills among all members of the school community through the provision of opportunity, mentorship, development and support.
A determined focus on First Nation, Métis and Inuit student success in school as well as broadening the understanding of all members of our school community regarding Indigenous cultures, history and ways of learning.
Clearview is well-governed and managed.
Relationships are at the core of the work that we do in education. Clearview Public Schools has invested in developing and maintaining relationships built on a shared commitment to meeting the needs of the students we serve. I feel very fortunate to be part of a school division that maintains a clear "First Choice" focus. We All Belong. We All Succeed.
Over the next few months, it is my goal to meet with schools, towns, and community representatives in order to gain a deeper understanding of our communities' educational needs. This is important to me in order to fully understand and become integrated with all of our communities. If you see me, please feel free to say hello and introduce yourself; I welcome that!
July 21st, Alberta Education and Alberta Health Services released guidelines for school re-entry as Scenario 1: in-school classes resume (near normal with health measures). The full document can be found at Alberta Education 2020-21 School Re-Entry Plan, as well as, COVID-19 information: guidance for school re-entry - Scenario 1. Clearview has created a re-entry plan following these guidelines. That plan was sent to parents and staff in July. Clearview senior leadership, in collaboration with school principals, will be creating a more extensive learning plan to be shared at the end of August. The goal is to get all students and staff back in school safely and continue our education success.
The guidance document from Alberta Education provides direction and insight into the medical research behind the health measures and some of the more significant requirements for a safe reopening in late August! We understand there are dozens of unanswered questions and many operational issues that still need to be resolved. I am confident more information will be shared by Alberta Education and Alberta Health Services in the weeks ahead and as I get this information, I will be sure to pass it along to you.
Clearview has recently hired Rairdan Services, Inc. who will be working closely with the Board of Trustees and our school division to help share key messages and information to our schools and communities. We welcome Wendy Rairdan and her team to our Clearview Public Schools team. As the new school year approaches, communication will be key to Clearview’s success and we encourage you to follow us on our website and our social media platforms for information.
Website: https://www.clearview.ab.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CPS71
Instagram: https://www/instagram/clearviewpublicschools
Twitter: https://twitter.com/csd71
I also plan on using SchoolMessenger as a way to communicate with you as well as emailing links to newsletters, posting on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and the Clearview website.
I am looking forward to working closely with the Senior Administration Team of Mr. Daram van Oers as Deputy Superintendent, who will oversee curriculum and instruction, inclusion, human resources and technology. Daram has been an instructional leader in Clearview for over 24 years (7 as Gadsby principal and 17 as Gus Wetter’s principal) and has over 27 years of experience. As well as, Peter Neale, our Associate Superintendent of Business and Finances who has been in his role at Clearview for over 7 years and has been in school finance and business for over 14 years. We are fortunate to have Peter’s financial expertise at Clearview Public School Division. Our team will be working closely to serve the students, staff, parents and the communities of Clearview Public Schools.
Please watch for a short questionnaire that will be sent to parents, staff and students seeking information about school re-entry. We would appreciate you completing the questionnaire by August 17, 2020 to assist us in our re-entry planning.
I hope you have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the holiday weekend and the rest of the summer. I will continue to update you regularly on what is happening at all our schools.
All my best,
Brenda MacDonald
Superintendent Clearview Public Schools
Submitted by Clearview Public Schools August 1, 2020 @ 12:05 PM
Comments