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Vote to make St. Patrick’s School number 1
St. Patrick’s School, in Medicine Hat, is a finalist in the Trees of Knowledge nationwide contest to win $20,000 toward construction of an outdoor classroom. Ten schools across Canada are finalists in the contest sponsored by Majesta, a Canadian paper products manufacturer that promises to plant three trees for every one it uses to produce its products. St. Patrick’s, a K–5 elementary school, is the only school in Alberta selected as a finalist. At present, St. Patrick’s is in second place—a distant second place, as the first-place school in Quebec is 16,000 votes ahead. The winning school will be determined by an online vote through the www.majesta.com website. Persons of legal voting age can vote once daily until the contest closes on November 4, 2011. The process is simple: visit the Majesta site and follow instructions.
Calling new administrators
Time is running out to register for this year’s Leadership Essentials for Administrators conference, November 14 and 15. The two-day conference is open to administrators in the first two years of their appointment or administrators new to Alberta. The conference provides a wealth of vital information to assist new administrators and help them be effective in their jobs and offers excellent networking opportunities. The conference will be held at the Sheraton Cavalier, in Calgary. There is no registration fee for ATA members. Space is limited. Please note: The registration deadline has been extended to November 4.
Do you know an outstanding educator?
Nominate a teacher today for the Prime Minister’s Awards. Guidelines and nomination forms for the 2011/12 Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence and Excellence in Early Childhood Education are now available, with nominations accepted until November 30. Awards are worth up to $5,000; national winners participate in an all-expenses paid trip to Ottawa.
New for 2011/12: One certificate will be awarded to a fulltime early childhood education director. Special recognition for a space educator will be offered by the Canadian Space Agency. Visit www.pma.gc.ca to download the nomination package.
Ukrainian arts and education awards available
The Ukrainian Resource and Development Centre (URDC) at Grant MacEwan University invites applications for two awards in Ukrainian folk and visual art, and choral/vocal music. The Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts Award ($500) is offered annually for a project that fosters a greater awareness of Ukrainian art in Alberta. This project may be in the form of an exhibit, tour, festival, educational program or special project. The Roman Soltykewych Music Scholarship ($500) is available to applicants (individual or group) determined to pursue further studies in the field of Ukrainian choral or vocal music. Application deadline is November 30, 2011. Contact Alice Chumer for application details. Telephone: 780-497-4374; fax: 780-497-4377; e-mail: chumera@macewan.ca.
Subsidies available for school-community social action projects
The Canadian Teachers’ Federation, in partnership with the Media Awareness Network, is funding projects that support special initiatives focusing on digital citizenship and social action. Applications for subsidies of $500 or $750 per project must be received by November 7, 2011. Projects must be completed by the end of the 2012 school year. Application is through www.imagine-action.ca. Once teachers have created a profile, they can apply for funding. All projects registered with Imagineaction will receive recognition and access to material, human and cash resources. For additional information, contact info@imagine-action.ca.
Imagination and technology theme of 2012 conference
The Destination Innovation 2012 Conference will explore imaginative practices for learning with technology. The conference will provide a premiere PD opportunity for innovators on the leading edge of technology in learning and teaching, including educators, IT staff, administrators, researchers and teachers. The conference will be held at the Banff Centre, August 19–22, 2012. Destination Innovation is sponsored by the 2Learn.ca Education Society, Alberta Education, the Alberta Teachers’ Association, Alberta Technology Leaders in Education and the Educational Technology Council of the Alberta Teachers’ Association. Registration is now open. The Destination Innovation 2012 Conference team invites proposals that showcase the innovative practices of leading educational technology leaders. More information is available online (www.destinationinnovation2012.ca) and on Twitter (@Dest_2012).
Stories and photos wanted
The ATA News is always on the lookout for interesting articles, photos and cartoons. Articles should not exceed 500 words and should be accompanied by a short byline, stating where you work and what you teach. Photos of teachers or students participating in interesting activities are welcome, as are cartoons. Don’t forget to include photo captions. Please note: Receipt of material does not guarantee its publication. Send your submissions to Managing Editor, the ATA News,
11010–142 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 2R1 or submit electronically to raymond.gariepy@ata.ab.ca.
