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SCHOOL
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3 ISSUES!
BACK TO
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Special Projects manager: Barb Livingstone, 403-235-7339; blivingstone@calgaryherald.com
Special Projects co-ordinator/designer: Karen Petkau, 403-235-7513; kpetkau@calgaryherald.com
A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CALGARY HERALD
Reaching 305,000 households, Neighbours Back
to School is the perfect venue to market your
message to parents and students preparing for the
2012-2013 school year.
Maria Canton
For Back to School
S
hifting your child from a routine
of summertime fun to schooltime habits doesn’t have to be
difficult, says Calgary psychologist and education expert Kimberly
Eckert.
“It absolutely doesn’t have to be difficult, but it’s critical to remember that
it’s about establishing back-to-school
routines and habit training,” says Eckert, owner, founder and director of the
Calgary-based Eckert Psychology and
Education Centre.
“It’s important to let your child know
that it’s normal to take some time to get
back into a routine. And at the same
time, parents need to keep their expectations reasonable.”
Using several tried-and-true techniques, you can easily ease your child,
and yourself, back into the habits that
make for a successful start to the school
year.
At least two weeks before school
starts, Eckert suggests re-introducing
early wake-up times. This should be
done in stages over the two-week period, starting with first setting the alarm,
but not necessarily
having to get
up when it
rings, and
“
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A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CALGARY HERALD
Alex Frazer-Harrison
For Back to School
Ernest Manning High School’s relocation to the Springbank Hills area might
represent the only new Calgary school
expected to open this fall, but both the
public and separate school systems have
plenty more waiting in the wings.
Formerly dubbed the West Calgary
High School, the Calgary Board of Edcuation trustees unanimously agreed to
transfer the Manning name to the new
1,300-student-capacity building when it
opens this fall off the west end of the new
LRT extension.
CBE chairwoman Pat Cochrane says six
new schools are expected to open in the
next few years.
“However, a long-term innovative
funding model for constructing new
schools and modernizing our older
schools is urgently needed in Calgary,”
she says. “We need to have well-maintained schools in the right places for our
students and their families.”
September 2012 is shaping up to be a
big month as four grades 5-9 CBE schools
are scheduled to open serving Coventry
Hills, Tuscany, Taradale/Coral Springs
and Panorama.
Meanwhile, a “partial modernization”
renovation underway since 2009 is ex-
Tuning We need to have wellinto musicmaintained schools
programsin the right places
$1,000 each
L
THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2011
Preparing students to
be "Future Ready"
Master's College (gr. 10-12) launching this fall
i.d.school (innovation + design school)
CALCH045252_1_1
Companion leaderboard/big boxes on the microsite, with
1/3 share of voice from Aug. 16 to Sept. 16, 2012 (one
month duration).
Teamwork is often associated
with the business environment,
where staff members pull together to launch that perfect pitch
or complete a monumental project. But it is also critical in another
environment, where stakes are as
high and results are as important
— schools.
As a consultant and parent of
nine-year-old twins Ryan and
Alanna, Cathy Kaser is a case in
point.
“Yes, we are busy,” she says
of Calgary parents. “But if you
want a voice and you’d like to see
things improve, you should make
time for that one-hour-a-month
school council meeting.”
And you should make time to
join the team.
School council meetings are
perfect venues for information
sharing and co-operative decision
making at the local level, says
Kaser, whose children attend St.
Vincent de Paul School.
Attended by the principal,
vice-principal, council executive,
subcommittee representatives
and parents, these meetings cover
school updates such as field trip
destinations and upgrades to
reading program materials.
Fundraising is also frequently
55,555 leaderboard OR 37,037 big box run-of-site
impressions on Calgaryherald.com website, which gets
779,000 unique visitors and 19,190,520 page views each
month!*
*comScore Media Metrix/Adobe SiteCatalyst, March 2012
TO BOOK,
call your Herald
advertising
representative
or 403-235-7168
discussed; how to get more
money for laptops or access
grants.
Kaser was the president of her
school’s educational society for
the 2010-2011 school year. The society is a
non-profit
entity
that also
organizes
fundraising activities for
projects,
such as
the construction
of a new
playground.
Parents can choose to voice
their opinions at the once-everytwo-months parent-trustee forums, she adds.
“It is very helpful to attend
these events for an even broader
look at and participation in the
system,” says Kaser.
The forums are held in each
quadrant; elected trustees and
area superintendents are also
present. All parents from the
region are welcome. These meetings advise attendees of the area’s
financial situation (they may also
report on board or provincial
constraints or limitations) and
include a discussion of a single
topic in a round–table format.
“It gets you creatively thinking
and strategizing,” says Kaser.
For example, for this past year,
homework was a hot topic.
“If kids
are overloaded,
they cannot be successful in
extracurriculars,”
she adds.
“We were
consulted,
and
content
from the
discussions drove a revision to
homework policy.”
Today, the Calgary Catholic
School District has more flexibility regarding due dates for
homework assignments. A new
mission statement — Living and
Learning in our Catholic Faith —
also morphed out of discussions
at forum events.
“Parents having a voice is key,”
echoes Lucy Miller, chief superintendent for CCSD. They inform
decision-making and guide
policy development regarding
the budget, healthy food choices
in schools, fee structures, administration needs, enrolment issues
“
Parents having a voice
is key. We look for feedback on a lot of issues
calgaryherald.com/schools
A 300-word advertorial/business profile on the Back to School
microsite, with image.
BTS 3: PUBLISHING: AUG. 30
AD BOOKING DEADLINE: Aug. 17
SCHOOLS:
CBE:
NO.
■2
Opening: Ernest Manning High
pected to end this fall at Western Canada
School (September 2011)
High School, while work upgrades are un■ Under construction: Coventry
derway at Lord Shaughnessy High School
Hills (September 2012 – grades
as it becomes home to the CBE’s Career
5-9); Tuscany (September 2012 –
and Technology Centre.
Grades 5-9); Taradale/Coral Springs
The Calgary Catholic School District,
(September 2012 – grades 5-9);
meanwhile, has only one school under
Panorama (September 2012 – grades
construction, a 900-capacity elementary
junior high in Copperfield that’s also
5-9); North West High School, Arbour
scheduled to open in September 2012, says
Lake (2013-2014 – grades 10-12)
senior communications specialist Janet
Jacqueline Louie
Corsten.
CCSD:
Back
to School
“ThisFor
will
join
Christ the King which
and CCSD are being funded through Al■ Opening: None
opened recently in Cranston and St. Albert
berta Education’s ASAP (Alberta Schools
■ Under construction:
the Great in McKenzie Towne,” says CorAlternative Procurement) initiative, a
Copperfield Elementary Junior High
sten. “We’re still earning
workingmusic
on the name.”
Public-Private Partnership. To date, there
a gift that major con(September 2012 – K-Grade 9)
With the CCSDisin-between
have been two phases of ASAP — all the
children
can enstruction projects,
the district
is overseeing
new schools under construction in Calgary
for the
rest Work
modernization ofjoy
several
schools.
with the exception of Ernest Manning
of their
lives.Calgary’s Notre Dame
will begin
on north
“2.0” were approved under the second
success in the way the Alberta model was
“From
music,
kids
learn
High School in spring 2012, adding 1,865
phase.
created.”
andbuilding,
especially,
squarediscipline;
metres to the
increasing
The B2L Partnership (Build to Learn)
The province estimates the number
theyspace,
learn not
givemusic,
up,” gym,
classroom
withtonew
was
given
the
task
of
building
the
ASAP
of
students
in Alberta could increase by
Marisa Feria
Feria,
an ac- studies
storagesays
andMarissa
career and
technology
II schools, and consists of seven construc100,000 to 700,000 within the next decade.
creditedsays.
music
therapist,
Suzuki
areas, Corsten
Work
is expected
topiano/ tion and architect companies, plus equity
In May, Alberta Education announced
Suzuki
early
childhood instructor and investors.
conclude
by fall
2013.
$550 million in funding for the construceducator
for children
with special The province estimates taxpayers saved
Exactmusic
enrolment
figures
for the 2011-12
tion and modernization of schools. CBE
school needs.
year won’t be known until the fall,
about $118 million through ASAP I alone.
and CCSD received funds for moderniza“They
also
responsibility
but Corsten
says
herlearn
district
expects the at a veryWith the first two phases of ASAP, Altion, but not for new school construction
young
age — because
they
to showberta Education spokesman Tim Chamber- in the latest round.
numbers
to “increase
slightly.”
In need
2010-11,
Photos, Michelle Hofer for Back to School
if had
they99,491
have practised
weekand
or not. lin says “all the efficiencies and timing of
the CBE
students this
in K-12,
andeight-year-old
CCSD post updates
on school
Above and inset: piano instructor Marissa FeriaCBE
teaches
Shanthi Mikiko
Nishimura lessons.
45,766 Through
at CCSD. that experience, kids learn to delivery of schools to school boards, mainconstruction on their websites: cbe.ab.ca
people
and
they learn tenance and warranty components spelled
Mostwork
of thewith
newother
schools
under
CBE
and at cssd.ab.ca.
from other people.”
“After 18 years of Suzuki Early Childthey don’t get betarts education, students can gain a deeper
Feria has been teaching piano for 15
hood education with parents and children ter. It’s as simple as
appreciation of language, learning, hisyears, and currently teaching Suzuki
from birth to three, we can declare this
that,” Feria says.
tory, culture, precision, measurement and
piano at Mount Royal University’s Conprogram highly successful, in terms that
The Calgary
scientific rigour,” Faber says.
servatory of Music and a Suzuki early
ability develops early,” says music educa- Board of Education,
Music programs are invaluable for
childhood baby class at the Alexander
tor Marge Patipatanakoon, who founded
meanwhile, has
a child’s educational foundation, says
Centre, as well as private lessons.
the Suzuki Early Childhood Education
positioned music as
teacher and former music specialist AnThrough music, children “learn how
program in Calgary in 1993.
central to the notion
gela Pantony.
to appreciate the beauty of things,” she
For parents interested in music lessons
of student creativ“At that age, they aren’t afraid to try.
says. “They also learn good manners and
for their child, “there are tons of good
ity, engagement,
They gain this love and appreciation of
posture.
programs and great teachers out there,”
motivation and enmusic,” she says.
“Overall, we are developing the whole
Recognized
for excellence
infor
education
bysays
the CBE
Fraser Institute
says
Feria, who thinks
it’s important
joyment,
Music is something that is passed down
child. Through music, children are able
parents to find a music teacher “who will
superintendent of
through generations, Pantony adds,
to build confidence. They are able to com- fit with their personality to open that door learning Cathy Faber.
noting when she was growing up, her
municate through music with the outside
to develop their creativity.”
“We see music as foundational to the
mother sang all the time.
world.”
It’s important to meet the teacher, talk
way in which we can support learning
But for those who don’t have a musical
The Suzuki baby program includes into him or her and bring the child in to see
and student success in all curricular areas. family, the education system offers an
strument playing, listening, imitation and if they like the learning environment, she
Faber notes the CBE is continuing to exopportunity to gain a basic foundation in
movement with music. Babies learn by
adds.
pand its musical education programs.
music, she says.
For more
call 242-7034
210
observing and through contact with their
Many special
needs information:
children are sensi“We’re inxtthe
process of building net“It’s different from academic learning
peers, says Feria.
tive to music, she adds, so it can help
works and inventories so that schools can
because you are learning to think and feel
“Babies observe what older children
them blossom, says Feria. The good habits work collaboratively and share expertise,
intrinsically. As a child, it is a valuable
are doing and imitate them, and the older
learned through music, can be applied to
as well as resources. We want to open up
skill for life. You are learning to hear the
children feel a need to be a good model
school work and extracurricular activities, access to musical education in as many
inner message of the music, not just what
for this baby,” she says.
as well.
ways as we can, for all students.”
is on the surface,” she says. And when
The Suzuki baby program builds rela“They learn about deadlines for doing
Music is “about rhythm, appreciation,
learning music, students learn how to
tionships through music education, adds
homework; and with sports, it’s the same
culture and community and recognizing
work together, “which is really important
Feria.
idea. If they don’t go home and practise,
that through the lens of musical and fine
in terms of group dynamics.”
Parents have a voice; they just need to use it
EACH sponsor GETS:
BTS 2: PUBLISHING: Aug. 23
AD BOOKING DEADLINE: Aug. 10
BTS TIPS
New schools opening, others planned
Colleen Biondi
For Back to School
(Minimum of two sponsorships have to be sold for microsite to be launched)
BTS 1: PUBLISHING: Aug. 16
AD BOOKING DEADLINE: Aug. 3
then progressing to getting up at the set
“Tell them it’s normal to be nervous,
time.
I always say if your nervous about someEarlier bed times should by re-introthing it’s your brain telling you that you
duced next, again in stages, asking your
need a plan. So talk about it and make
child to go to bed 15 minutes early the
plans to help your child succeed.”
first night and then progressing toward
For example, if your child expresses
their school bedtime in 15-minute increconcern about not being able to open
ments.
their locker, find
For high school
a lock at home so
students, re-estabthey can practice.
lishing curfews
The same goes
■ Familiarize yourself with your
will also help ease
for fears about not
child’s school website, it will have
the transition.
having anyone to
information about the first day of
“It’s much easier
eat lunch or walk
to re-set our waketo school with or
school, transportation and supplies.
up cycle than our
to walk to school.
■ At least one week before school
sleep cycle, so I
Eckert says helpstarts, buy school supplies and back-toalways recoming
your child deschool clothes.
mend starting
velop a plan will
■ Re-introduce early curfews.
with waking
go a long way in
■ Two weeks before school starts,
up early,” says
making them feel
slowly re-introduce early wake-up
Eckert, whose
comfortable.
times, followed by early bedtimes.
centre is a private
Attending
■ If your child walks to school, walk
supplementary
school orientathe route with them, remind them about
education and
tions, and even
mental health
just driving or
traffic, signage and where to cross.
clinic.
walking to the
■ If they ride the bus, walk to the bus
“You are esschool before the
stop with them, find out pick up and
sentially breakfirst day, can also
drop off times.
ing a routine
help alleviate jit■ Discuss homework expectations.
and establishing
ters.
■ Plan a final trip to a water park,
another. You’ll
Parents might
amusement park, museum or their
be far more sucalso find their
favourite
spot
to
signal
the
end
of
cessful if you
children who have
summer.
take these tiny
lost interest in
■ Whatever your strategy, keep it fun
steps with your
certain subjects or
and positive.
child than if you
school altogether.
try and do it cold
In this case, Eckert
turkey.”
recommends talkPurchasing school supplies and back- ing to your child and looking for reasons
to-school clothing well before the first
why they should go to school, and then
day of school is another step parents
connecting it to what they want to do
can take to help their child feel NEIGHBOURS
orgaand
like
do.
BACK
TOtoSCHOOL
IS A PUBLICATION OF THE CALGARY HERALD SPECIAL PROJECTS DEPTARTMENT
nized and prepared. Letting children
“Make sure your child knows that you
Special
manager:
Livingstone,
pack their backpack and pick out their
feel
theirProjects
pain, and
whenBarb
they
feel like403-235-7339; blivingstone@calgaryherald.com
Projects co-ordinator/designer: Karen Petkau, 403-235-7513; kpetkau@calgaryherald.com
first-day outfit can be exciting and help Special
you’re
getting what they’re saying, then
ease nervousness.
you can move onto your concerns,” says
A change in schools, from elementary Eckert. “After that, you can try and conto junior high or junior high to high
nect it to their character and to skills that
school, will undoubtedly bring about
they might want to learn.”
some anxiety for students, but Eckert
As well, set guidelines for homework
says the best way to handle it is to acbefore school starts. Re-establish this
knowledge it.
routine by setting aside 10 minutes for
“Try to avoid cheerleader parenting
“quiet” or study time starting on the first
and really take their concerns seriously
day of school, gradually increasing the
— recognize their emotion and honour
amount of time until it’s appropriate for
it,” she explains.
the grade level.
BACK TO
“ “
BE A MICROSITE SPONSOR!
THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2011
NO. 1
Getting your brain in school mode
calgaryherald.com/schools
With three issues to choose from, and discounts given
to those advertisers who decide to book in all three,
Neighbours Back to School is loaded with information on
private, public, speciality and online schooling options. It
has insightful articles on the supplies needed, dealing with
budgets, school openings and closures, latest trends in
fashion and electronics, how to choose the best school for
your needs and MORE!
04/16 NSP
NEIGHBOURS BACK TO SCHOOL IS A PUBLICATION OF THE CALGARY HERALD SPECIAL PROJECTS DEPTARTMENT
Photo, Michelle Hofer for Back to School
Consultant Cathy Kaser is the parent of nine-year-old twins Ryan and Alanna.
and program development. “We
welcomed here) and take advanlook for feedback on a lot of istage of yet another opportunity
sues.”
for dialogue and strategic probSt. Angela’s School was slotted
lem solving. And student advito be closed. But after consultsory councils represent the broad
ing with parents,
a “workplace
voice of
student from
NEIGHBOURS
BACK TO SCHOOL
IS the
A PUBLICATION
OFarea
THE CALGARY HERALD SPECIAL PROJECTS DEPARTMENT
school” was created where
they Projects
junior
high and
schools.
Special
manager:
Barb high
Livingstone,
403-235-7339; blivingstone@calgaryherald.com
could use the location for before- Co-ordinator:
ParentalKaren
involvement
begins
Petkau, 403-235-7513;
kpetkau@calgaryherald.com
and after-school child care.
at the ground level, says Miller.
“We made it work for parents
If it is a classroom issue, parents
who were downtown,” she says.
should go to the teacher. If it is
Miller also meets with district
a bigger issue, the principal can
leadership councils (area superweigh in. If it is more systemsintendents, directors, school prin- based, the area superintendents
cipals) once a month to get input
should be reached.
on educational concerns.
“Having parents involved in
This group brings the content
our schools is critical to the sucof discussions from each of their
cess of their children,” she adds.
schools to the table.
“Children need to see that their
District advisory councils are
parents and their schools are
venues for school council chairs
working together to do what is
to come together (parents are
best for them.”
BACK TO
SCHOOL
A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CALGARY HERALD
THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011
NO. 3 to
Preparing students
be "Future Ready"
Trades careers
getting a boost
Recognized for excellence in education by the Fraser Institute
Master's College (gr. 10-12) launching this fall
i.d.school (innovation + design school)
Cosmetology and welding are among the offerings
at the CBE’s Career and Technology Centre
For more information: call 242-7034 xt 210
CALCH045254_1_1
560 per semester after construction is complete in 2013.
The centre accepts students from across the
n the heels of graduating from
city.
Grade 12 this spring, Janine
“It is a centre, not a school,” explains Mark
Ouellette landed a job as an
Anderson, on-site administrator, who counts
assistant at Diva Salonspa in
the community, business, industry, labour
Chinook Centre.
and post-secondary institutions as partners.
She sweeps up piles of hair, greets and
Students can still dabble in the trades at loprepares customers for service and
cal high school locations, but the CT Centre
stocks shelves. She looks forward to the offers an industry-driven and -focused apday when she becomes “new talent”
proach to learning specific skills, and a com— that is, she has her own clients and
mitted environment for high-quality training
a bona fide practice.
and advancement.
That day is coming soon, as
Students attending here are readied to work
Ouellette, between work hours, is
as professionals in their fields.
wrapping up her studies to be“This is not fluff and puff,” says Sandra
come a licensed hairstylist.
Alexcae Moren, owner of Kyron Spa & Sa“Hairstyling is my paslon Consulting and a journeyman cosmesion,” she says. “I am going tology teacher.
to be at the top of my proStudents attaining 50 credits become eligifession.”
ble to be licensed. And “they earn while they
She picked up 15 credlearn,” making $1,000 for each apprenticeship
its of cosmetology course
section they complete, up to $4,000.
work (which included
“The industry is demanding us to protraining in hairstyling
duce students that will drive the industry
and spa treatments) at
and help them produce staff that is capable
Central Memorial High School in of working in their environment,” adds
grades 10 and 11 — and in Grade
Jodi-Lee Silliker-Nordquist, a journeyman
12, she took 20 additional credits
cosmetology instructor.
at the Calgary Board of EducaAngie O’Brien, a journeyman welding
tion’s new Career and Technolteacher at the centre, agrees.
ogy (CT) Centre in southwest
“We are raising the bar for the industry,
Calgary.
for education,” she says of the facility, which
Thinkstock
Opened in fall 2010, the centre
offers up to the first year of welding apHairstyling and other aspects of the cosmetology field are among the trades-based careers draw(formerly Lord Shaughnessy
prenticeship for students with a ratio of 20
ing increased interest from students, the education system and industry players.
High School) is currently unstudents per instructor.
dergoing extensive renovations
“It is about making the journeyman ticket
to accommodate the exclusive
be an equal credential to a university detraining and educational needs
gree; to get the respect it deserves. Even if
of high school students interyou are academically inclined, bound for
ested in the trades.
university to study engineering, welding is
Along with cosmetology, the
an excellent dual credential.”
CT Centre offers training in
O’Brien cites a top welding student who
nine program areas connected
went on to study professional cooking as anto 27 occupational specialties
other example.
such as pre-engineering and
“Welding lends itself to an excellent lifefabrication (welding) in what
style,” adds O’Brien. “You can make a lot
are called “suites.”
of money.”
Rennay Craats
Training is done by industry
Journeyman welder Jay-R Medrano
For Back to School
professionals, and the centre ofworks alongside O’Brien as an instructor at
fers top-of-the-line theory and
the CT Centre.
Kindergarten is much more than crafts
practice opportunities, personalHe also continues to work in the field,
and sand tables; its programs introduce
ized learning and the latest in
and is an example of industry working
children to formal schooling and are the
equipment and technology.
closely with education to produce the next
foundation on which the next 12 years of
It is anticipated that 250 stuwave of tradespeople.
learning are built.
dents per semester will attend
“We come in and care every day. It is
How that foundation is best established,
the centre this fall, and up to
bringing learning to a higher level,” he says.
however, is open for discussion.
Some four- to five-year-olds — the age
at which kindergarten usually begins —
are ready to take on the responsibilities of
schools; parents in the designated areas can
school, while others are a bit unsure.
choose to register in half-day kindergarten,
Children who are ready and seeking
too.
challenges at school might be good candiMany families are eager to find a school
dates for full-day kindergarten, while other with full-day kindergarten, both for the
youngsters do better in a more traditional
learning benefits for children and convehalf-day program.
nience for working parents.
The Calgary Catholic School District has
At Webber Academy, parents enrol their
more than 20 schools offering full-day kinchildren in either full- or half-day four-yeardergarten, while the Calgary Board of Edu- old junior kindergarten, which is followed
cation offers that option in 15 schools.
by full-day kindergarten the next year.
“They are selected based on which comChildren explore the same curriculum
munities it would have the greatest imregardless of how many hours they attend
pact for, and then we closely monitor the
school, but they delve into topics more
progress the children make, as well as the
deeply in the full-day program.
demographics that informed our choice,”
“Whether it’s half- or full-day, they
says Joan Green, CBE’s system principal for cover the same things,” says Neil Webearly learning.
ber, founder and president of Webber
These limited full-day programs are
Academy.
available in areas where children need exWebber’s full-day program is very poputra support in language development and
lar; it eases child-care hassles for parents
other developmental areas. Children must
while giving children a head start in follive within the designated boundaries of
lowing directions and developing listening
these schools to qualify for full-day kinder- and fine motor skills, all in a fun way.
Photo: Wil Andruschak
garten.
See KINDERGARTEN, page NA2
Welding instructors Jay-R Medrano and Angie O’Brien with a senior class project.
Full days are not mandatory in these
Colleen Biondi
For Back to School
“
O
Kindergarten choices
crucial for children
“
Whether it’s half- or
full-day, they cover the
same things.
Preparing students to
be "Future Ready"
Recognized for excellence in education by the Fraser Institute
Master's College (gr. 10-12) launching this fall
i.d.school (innovation + design school)
For more information: call 242-7034 xt 210
CALCH045255_1_1