.png){kind=small}
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
_.png)
MAY 29, 2023 | VOLUME 1 | ISSUE 5
IN THIS EDITION
PLANNING DOCUMENTS
|
HIGH SCHOOL UPDATE
RESEARCH & INNOVATION
|
PARENT ENGAGEMENT
|
BUDGET 2023-2024
COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT
|
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 a little about what charter schools in Alberta are:
Alberta charter schools are publicly funded. They cannot have a religious affiliation, charge tuition, or operate on a for-profit basis.
And an interesting crumb of trivia:
In the early days of Aurora, our science teacher wanted to fill a classroom with sand and devise a land rover to traverse it, mimicking Mars!
Have an awesome June!
Ian Gray, Superintendent
PLANNING DOCUMENTS
The Education Plan and Capital Plan will be submitted to Alberta Education and available on our school website on May 31, 2023. These documents outline how AACS plans to foster a community of lifelong learners, empower students, and create an academic environment that supports students holistically, as well as share our school's short- and long-term facility requirements. Based on insights from surveys and measures conducted last year, we have identified the importance of a supportive and engaging learning environment, student supports, and collaboration in line with our Charter Document.
HIGH SCHOOL UPDATE
Students have been enjoying outdoor lunch breaks, providing them with a refreshing change of environment.
Legal Aid sought the expertise of our Legal Studies teacher, Mrs. Tomko, to assist in developing a comprehensive resource for the Legal Studies curriculum for grades 10-12 in Alberta.
A Computer Game Programmer will also visit the school to share their knowledge and insights.
In sports news, our school's Track and Field team will participate in the Edmonton League. Additionally, the School Store has been expanded and is now open daily, with treats particularly popular among students.
Towards the end of the year, there will be an End-of-Year Student and Family Banquet, to which both the Board and Staff from kindergarten to grade 10 are invited. Further, on June 21, the entire school will embark on a day trip to Birch Bay Camp, engaging in activities such as archery and ziplining.
RESEARCH & INNOVATION
On May 25, AACS hosted the Aurora Festival of Research, an exciting event that showcased university research and researchers to our Grade 10 students. This event inspired our students and fostered their interest in academic pursuits.
We are looking forward to participating in the Alberta Security Infrastructure Grant program. We intend to apply for a security and safety audit for our organization, ensuring the continued well-being and protection of our students, staff, and facilities.
We are proud to inform you about the ongoing efforts of the Well-being and Flourishing Forever Pilot Project Team. This team is dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of our students, families, and the wider Sherbrooke Community League. The project emphasizes the importance of holistic well-being and aims to create a nurturing and supportive environment for all members of our community.
Further, we are actively engaged in the development of the Alberta Public Charter Schools' Journal of Educational Research and Innovation. Charter school superintendents and researchers are collaborating to create a provincial journal to showcase cutting-edge research and innovative practices within the charter school sector. Our school is leading this initiative. This collaborative effort will contribute to advancing knowledge and benefit the entire educational community.
PARENT ENGAGEMENT
At the May Meeting of the Board of Directors, school parents were given time on the agenda to express their thoughts and concerns about the new school facility. Thank you, parents, for your open and candid remarks.
BUDGET 2023-2024
There were several challenges to this year's budget, including the addition of new classes and the growth of our high school program. Focus has been on programs that support student learning and well-being, as well as appreciating that fees for parents need to be managed in hard economic times. Our Board is committed to financial transparency and welcomes parental input and participation on our Audit & Finance Committee.
COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT
Teachers and the AACS Board of Directors have ratified an agreement with changes to salaries and benefits. The Agreement will be available to view online following proofreading of the new amendments.