Judi Hunter – Ward 5 Trustee
High schools have completed their term- one departmental exams and students have entered the second term. Plans are underway for June departmental exams and graduation ceremonies for graduating Grade 12 students.
Two Rocky View School projects were announced under the Alberta Governments accelerator program: Full construction funding for Airdrie High School ;Full construction funding for Chestermere K-9. The anticipated completion of these projects is Fall 2028.
Rocky View Schools is transitioning to the WheresTheBus App. This app provides information that checks the current location of the bus, when it arrives at your child’s stop and school. WheresTheBus replaces the Bus Status App, which will no longer be available effective March 6.
The Board of Trustees approved a $300 000.00 contribution to the Ed Eggerer Athletic Park in Airdrie which will provide opportunities for the three Airdrie high school students to access this field as part of a joint-use agreement with the City of Airdrie. The Board contributed $230000 to the Cochrane Turf Field and $500 000 to the new Horseshoe Crossing High School turf field in Langdon. Turf projects are costly and can only happen with the contributions of many partners. Where possible, the Board seek to support opportunities to improve the athletic opportunities for students. Football Alberta and the Alberta Schools Athletic Association require artificial turf for playoffs and regional championships.
The education landscape is seeing labor unrest. Educational support workers from many of Alberta’s Northern Boards are currently on strike.
The Board will be addressing bussing fees as part of its budget process, which will begin in the next month. Parents can expect an increase in fees due to a rise in fuel prices and wages incurred by our transportation partners. This year, the Board was able to defer those increases as the Board drew down transportation reserves.
The Airdrie Space accommodation changes will commence September 2025. The Board is in the final process of re-evaluating the numbers and considering any further adjustments.
Early learning testing mandated by the provincial government is under fire by Alberta teachers, who are concerned with the amount time used to conduct the testing.
- In 2024, Learning Disruption Funding was renamed Literacy and Support Funding, to support the development of crucial early literacy and numeracy skills in Alberta’s youngest learners.
- All students in grades 1 to 3 are being screened twice a year, in September and January.
- Students requiring additional support will be screened a third time at the end of the school year to monitor their progress.
- New screening requirements will be introduced for students in grades 4 and 5 in September 2026.
For detailed information visit: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/educ-general-information-bulletin-literacy-and-numeracy-screening-assessments.pdf#search=literacy%20and%20numeracy%20testing
The Board is in the third year of its 4-year strategic plan. The Board will be receiving administrative updates on the progress being made in each of the areas:
- Improving student learning
- Strengthening our workforce
- Bolstering our infrastructure
- Connecting with community
A recent study of myopia in young people found a 30% increase since the pandemic.
