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ENGAGE
A U R O R A A C A D E M I C C H A R T E R S C H O O L
B O A R D U P D A T E
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JANUARY 23, 2023 | VOLUME 1 | ISSUE 2
IN THIS EDITION
SCHOOL CALENDAR
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LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
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CHARTER AMENDMENTS
POLICY CHANGES
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AFFORDABILITY ACTION PLAN
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EDUCATION ASSURANCE SURVEY
The AACS Board of Directors would like to thank our members for attending and supporting the Board at the Annual General Meeting in November. Parent participation is crucial to the success of our program, and we are so fortunate to have such invested and caring parents in our organization.
Every month we will share an element from our charter and a piece of trivia to help our school families understand a little more about Aurora.
This month, we would like to share the school's vision:
The best choice for highly-structured and enhanced academics.
And an interesting crumb of trivia:
Mrs. Susan Mallory, who started with Aurora in its first year, is the longest-serving member of our school staff. Susan has been with us for over 26 years.
Have a wonderful February!
Ian Gray, Superintendent
SCHOOL CALENDAR
At the January Meeting of the Board of Directors, the school calendar for the 2023-2024 year was passed. It can be viewed on our website or by clicking on the following link:
LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
The AACS Board of Directors believes in expanding and ensuring that our school is committed to citizenship which includes leadership qualities in all staff and students, and as such, has requested a leadership program be initiated in all schools. As such, we are embarking on the Open Parachute program to support this direction.
Open Parachute
Although there are a number of active leadership programs in our schools, including School Council(s), student leadership classes, Seven Sacred Teachings, CUBS Elementary club, intramurals, hot lunch student leadership, and soccer camp leadership, the need for a leadership program for all groups, including students, teachers, and school administrators, in all grades, is apparent. Our middle school is currently acting as a control group for a pilot program with Open Parachute, which supports social-emotional learning and mental health support for all students and staff, with the intention of full participation by 2024-2025.
CHARTER AMENDMENTS
Admissions & Registrations
Last August, the Minister of Education approved changes to the Charter Document to ensure that all "students are assessed to place, and no child will be turned away when a space is available."
Also, a reminder to parents that beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, admissions will be based on a weighted lottery as opposed to a first-come, first-served basis.
POLICY CHANGES
5100 BP: Deferred Salary
Aurora School believes eligible employees should be given the opportunity to finance a one-year leave of absence without compensation by deferring portions of their salary to provide for a self-funded leave of absence for personal and professional development purposes. At the January Meeting of the Board of Directors, 5100 BP: Deferred Salary was passed into being.
AFFORDABILITY ACTION PLAN
Many families in Alberta are struggling with inflation and the cost of living. The Government of Alberta has put a plan in place until June 30, 2023, that supports:
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Families with household incomes under $180,000 can apply for $600 per child under 18.
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Seniors who have household incomes under $180,000 and do not receive the Alberta Seniors Benefit can apply for $600 per person.
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Anyone receiving monthly benefits through AISH, Income Support, Alberta Seniors Benefit or services through Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) will automatically get their personal $600 payment but will need to apply for additional payments if they have kids under 18.
If you qualify for the Affordability Action Plan, you can apply at https://www.alberta.ca/affordability-payments.aspx
EDUCATION ASSURANCE SURVEY
Alberta Education will be sending the Annual Education Assurance Survey to parents in grades four through 10. Surveys may be completed by mail or online at https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-education-assurance-survey.aspx.