The Alberta Teachers’ Association

$60,000 university scholarships available

The Schulich Leader Scholarships are available for students enrolling in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) areas of study at a participating Canadian university in fall 2012. The Schulich Leader Scholarships program invites high schools across Canada to select one student to represent their school as a Schulich Leader Nominee. From this pool of nominees, 20 preselected universities across Canada will each choose one outstanding student to be their Schulich Leader, each of whom will receive a four-year scholarship valued at $60,000 to support their studies at that university in a STEM faculty. The name of the Schulich Leader Nominee must be sent in no later than Friday, January 13, 2012. For guidelines, visit www.schulichleaders.com.

Skipping school takes on new meaning

Did you know that only nine per cent of boys and four per cent of girls meet the 2011 Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines? You can change that statistic by registering for Jump Rope for Heart, which gives every student a free skipping rope and the chance to stay active and form positive habits for a lifetime. Upon registration, you will receive resources for your school and students, including skipping skills posters and educational activity booklets to help you organize a memorable event. To register, call 780-733-3681 or visit
www.jumpropeforheart.ca/Teachers-JumpAndYourSchool.asp.

Youth privacy tool unveiled

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada has launched a tool to help teachers and community leaders talk with young Canadians about protecting their privacy online. Protecting Your Online Rep is engaging and effective. The package includes a PowerPoint presentation with detailed notes for each slide, along with class discussion topics, targeted at Grades 9–12. A package suitable for Grades 4–8 will be available later this fall. The package is available online at www.youthprivacy.ca. For more information, contact Anne-Marie Hayden, Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. Telephone: 613-995-0103; e-mail: Anne-Marie.Hayden@priv.gc.ca.

It’s not just a box

Literacy-in-a-Box is an innovative resource developed by Calgary Reads to help educators promote family literacy in fun, engaging and effective ways. Research shows that the family is one of the best ways to support the development of children’s literacy skills. Literacy-in-a-Box contains three family literacy events, including invitations, agendas, handouts, electronic presentations, speaker notes, supply lists and to-do lists. As well, there are guides for forming a literacy action team, family engagement resources and family literacy resources. Calgary Reads offers seminars highlighting the resource. Visit www.calgaryreads.com for more information.

Autism Services to host conference

The Children’s Autism Services of Edmonton is holding its 5th annual conference, January 19–21, 2012, at the Edmonton Marriott, River Cree Resort. Keynote speaker is Eustacia Cutler, author, advocate and Temple Grandin’s mother (Grandin is an American doctor of animal science, a professor at Colorado State University, a bestselling author and a consultant to the livestock industry on animal behaviour. Grandin is a person with high-functioning autism.)

Special guest speakers are Dr. Winnie Dunn, Sensory Processing in School Home and Community; Dr. Pat Mirenda: Video Modeling and Using AAC for Social Interaction; Sue Mitchell, Promoting Independence—Strategies for Developing Self-Help Skills; Emily Rubin, Social Communication in Adolescents with High Functioning Autism; and Dr. David Nicholas, Pervasive Parenting Dilemmas in ASD. To register or for information, call 780-495-9235, or visit www.childrensautism.ca.

Autos for sale

2010 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 Tech—Blue Pearl; cashmere/leather bucket seats; HD radio technology package; tilt/cruise control; air-conditioning; navigation system, HID headlights; approximately 24,899 kilometers.

2009 Honda Pilot— Black; heated leather seats; 4-wheel drive; block heater, wheel locks, electric hook up for trailer hitch, roof crossbars, air-conditioning; 155-watt AM/FM/CD audio system, tri-zone automatic climate control with filtration system; approximately 127,004 kilometers.

2008 Nissan Rogue—Airstream (Silver) with grey leather; remote starter; tinted windows; studded ice radials; Bose stereo system; power windows, locks and mirrors; tilt/cruise and air-conditioning; approximately 126,350 kilometers.

Sealed bids marked "Car Bid," attention ATA Business Manager ­Jeffrey Loke, 11010-142 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 2R1, will be accepted until 5 p.m., December 15, 2011. The Alberta Teachers’ ­Association ­reserves the right to refuse the highest bid if it’s deemed to be ­inadequate.

For more information, contact Mr. Loke. E-mail: jeffrey.loke@ata.ab.ca. Telephone: 780-447-9458 in Edmonton and area, or 1-800-232-7208 (toll free) from elsewhere in Alberta.

Join the movement now!

The Canadian Teachers’ Federation and the Media Awareness Network are funding projects about digital citizenship and social action. Projects should address topics related to technology and social media: How to use it to engage youth; how to use it to mobilize for a cause; and putting research into action at the community level. The deadline to receive applications for subsidies of $500 or $750 per project has been extended to December 11, 2011. Projects must be completed by the end of the 2012 school year. For information and to apply, visit www.imagine-action.ca. All projects registered with Imagineaction will receive recognition and access to material, human and cash resources. Thousands of students and their teachers are already making a difference through Imagineaction-supported projects that provide curriculum-based, student-centered, authentic learning in real life situations. 

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.