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SJF
Sir John Franklin School
“Be the Best You Can Be”
Spring Newsletter
Principal’s Message
Dear Parents and/or Guardians:
Alberta International Music Festival: Our grade 8 and 9 Jazz Band performed
at the Alberta International Band Festival on Wednesday, February 20th and
received a “Gold” award, receiving a “superior” ranking from both adjudicators.
The next day on Thursday February 21st our grade 8 and 9 Concert Band
performed and received a “Gold” award as well, meaning that both
adjudicators gave them a superior ranking again. As if that was not enough, the
Sir John Franklin Jazz Band was acknowledged at the Jazz Awards and Celebration on Saturday, February
23rd as being the “Most Outstanding” Junior High School Jazz Band.
The recognition of Sir John Franklin’s two bands that were entered into the Alberta International Music
Festival is a testament to the exceptional work that our music teacher, Jane McLauchlin, has done with our
program – with the support of Dianna Thornborough for the first half of the school year. It also speaks to
the talent and dedication of our fine musicians and outstanding students here at Sir John Franklin School.
The Gold Awards that the band program received this year are the second and third such awards the
school has received in the past three years. Our Grade 8 and 9 Jazz Band during the 2010 – 2011 school
year was recognized with a Gold Award two years ago. The school did not enter the competition last year.
The accomplishments of our music program is magnified even more considering that the school did not
have a music program for ten years (from 1997 to 2006). When the program was re-introduced during the
2006 – 2007 school year there were 30 students taking music. This year we have 140 students taking full
year band, as well as 220 students enrolled in a trimester option such Choral Music, African Drumming or a
Music Class at the grade 5/6 level. The growth of our music program at Sir John Franklin School is a direct
result of the incredible support the program receives from our music parents’ association. Their support
has improved the school’s instrument inventory, updated our music collection, provides and maintains
band uniforms, and provides fundraising opportunities so students can attend band camps and tour. Many
parents volunteer their time to help supervisor camps, clinics, tours, and field trips.
All stake-holders in our program should be commended for their commitment towards personal excellence
and in their contributions in making Sir John Franklin School an outstanding place for kids.
Basketball Season Comes to a Close: Basketball Season came to a close during the last week of February.
Each one of our three teams should be commended for their excellent play and strong representation of
themselves and of the school. The Senior Girls’ team coached by Ms. Schmidt had a strong showing even
though they played most of the season with a “short bench” playing with 7 or 8 players on most nights.
The Senior Boys’ team coached by Mr. Werner and Mr. Reid had an excellent year advancing to the second
round of the play-offs and winning their fair share of games. As well, for the first time in a long time we
were able to field a third school team, a junior girls’ program, thanks to Mrs. Rhonda Criss who was a
parent volunteer. Mrs. Criss was supported in coaching the team by her daughter Morgan. Staff sponsors
of the team were Ms. Aikens and Mrs. Chow.
Open House: The school hosted its’ annual “Open House” for prospective students on Thursday, February
28th. We had a strong turnout and the consensus that many parents expressed was around the
anticipation around their children attending the school that they can’t wait to be part of. I wanted to
express to all of the teachers, support staff, students and parents who contributed to our Open House how
much you efforts were appreciated. After watching many of the performances and seeing all the displays
and examples of student work, many parents and staff approached me saying, “How proud I must feel
having so many wonderful students and excellent programs”. With comments like that it is indeed a
privilege to be part of such a wonderful school community.
Applications for the 2013 – 2014 School Year: This year we surpassed our projected school enrolment by
over forty-five students. This increase in enrolment allowed us to open a fourth and fifth grade seven class
– hire 2.5 more teachers and 2 additional Educational Assistants to support student learning. The impact
of the increased enrolment on our program gave us the opportunity to open our Construction Shop (CTF
lab), offer students a choral option, hire a dance specialist, and have the staff available to offer additional
extra-curricular opportunities such as a badminton team and junior girls’ basketball.
All indicators suggest that we can expect additional growth for the 2013 – 2014 school year as well. I
would anticipate that we will surpass our projected student enrollment numbers of 372 by 25 to 40
students. With the additional growth I believe it would be possible to add to our learning community
structure to provide the best programming and learning opportunities for students as well as ‘fine tune’
some of the fragmented teaching positions that we currently have. I expect to have approximately 400 to
410 students attending Sir John Franklin next with a teaching staff of 22 teachers (up from the 21 teachers
we currently have). This forecast is contingent on the Calgary Board of Education’s operating budget which
is determined by the provincial budget scheduled to be unveiled on March 7th.
In late April I will be asked to submit my staffing plan to the financing department for approval. My hiring
of staff which impacts program is dependent upon the school’s enrolment numbers as of mid to late April.
If the school’s enrolment numbers are at projections I will be “purchasing” approximately 21 teachers; if
enrolment numbers are higher I will be staffing the school with additional teacher FTE (full-time
equivalency); and if enrolment numbers are low I will need to staff the school with less teachers. Last year
at spring staffing the school was staffed with 18.65 teachers and 3 ACL Educational Assistants – after the
September 30th count (the enrolment numbers that determine staffing and budget) I was able to hire 2.35
additional teachers plus two more educational assistants. The difference between the spring and fall
enrolment numbers was an increase of 45 students. However, to accommodate this increase we had to
revamp our grade seven class lists, open up two additional classes and re-timetable. All of these, though
necessary, did negatively impact student learning for a short time.
Next year I want to avoid this if possible. It is hoped that students and families interested in Arts-Centred
Learning at Sir John Franklin School apply early as it impacts what we are able to do during spring staffing.
Please encourage friends or neighbours who are interested in accessing the Arts-Centred Learning program
to submit their applications as soon as possible. Ideally it would be nice to have as many applications as
possible submitted before mid-April. Currently we are 20 applications ahead of last year’s pace.
Likewise, if any of our current families are thinking about moving or not continuing with ACL next year,
please advise the school in April or May so we can update our information as enrolment numbers
significantly impact our decisions.
Exterior Door Project: Parents’ may have noticed that we are having some upgrades done to our building.
Sir John Franklin School is having all of its exterior doors and door frames replaced. The new doors will be
a metal door that will feature a shatter proof security window and up-to-date hardware. The project
started in early February and is scheduled to finish in mid-April. The main doors, wheelchair accessible
entrance and doorway heading out the playground will be done during Spring Break when there are no
students in the building.
Currently all doors to the building will continue to be locked during the day with the exception being the
main doors. Once the exterior door replacement project has been completed, parents or visitors entering
the school during the day will need to contact the office through either an intercom system or security
camera system that will be installed at the main entrance. This added security measure is now the
standard for many public buildings and schools and will be an added measure to ensure the safety and
security of all students and staff at Sir John Franklin School.
Interviews and Report Cards: Interviews are scheduled for Thursday, March 21st from 3:00 to 8:00 pm. and
on Friday, March 22nd from 9:00 until 1:00 pm. Interviews are “booked” and parents can schedule
interviews starting on Friday afternoon (March 15th) using “Pick-A-Time”. Instructions on how to book
interviews on-line will be in report card folders which go home on Friday, March 15th.
Through conversations around achievement and assessment in our Student Learning Team meetings, some
teachers expressed concerns regarding student achievement this term. Overall, student achievement
decreased this term compared to the first term as a result of a significant number of students not handing
in assignments for assessment. In middle schools and in junior high some students struggle with the
transition from being dependent upon others for their learning to being independent learners. What we
have noticed this term is that some students, regardless of their age, are not as independent as they need
to be in order to be successful. I would ask all students to make a commitment during the third term to do
the following:
• Manage your time – plan and allocate the appropriate amount of time for activities (homework,
recreation, time with family, etc.
•
Identify “time wasters” and minimize the amount time that is lost (TV, talking on the phone,
playing computer games, etc.)
•
Set priorities – determine the important things in life and prioritize events, activities and time (for
10 to 15 year olds family and school should be #1 and #2)
•
Attend to deadlines – hand things in when they are do (as much as deadlines get extended, often
students procrastinate and forget about them)
Sincerely,
Todd Cave
SJF School Council and Parents Association
It’s hard to believe that we are already past the half-way point in the 2012/2013 school year. Your
School Council and Parents Associaton have accomplished a lot over the last 5 months!
The School Council hosted our annual Welcome Back Pancake Breakfast in September – a much
anticipated tradition at SJF – thank you to the large number of parents and staff that came out in
support of this event!...without you it wouldn’t have been possible! In October/November, we
executed our cookie dough fundraiser. Thanks to the support of our amazing SJF families, we raised
over $4,900 to support our school community! Thank you to Angie Watney, Lisa Macklin and Sonya
Bayliss for all the work they did to make this very successful fundraiser happen!
November brought along our Parents Association casino fundraising event. We had a tremendous
response to our call for volunteers and were easily able to fill all volunteer positions for this casino.
Thank you to Sherry Pearen and Erica Foley for coordinating this event and for all the parents who
volunteered their valuable time to work the casino. Your efforts raised a total of $68,849.20 for the
School! Please come to our next meeting where you will be able to hear about the projects those
dollars will support!
On the morning of December 14, the School Council did their part to add to the festive spirit in the
school by hosting our annual Christmas Cheer Project. We served hot chocolate, home-made
baking and fruit to all staff and students as they arrived to school. As always, it was a fun morning
for our volunteers and the many folks who enjoyed the treats.
So what’s next? . . .
STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCHEON
The School Council is hosting our annual staff appreciation luncheon on Friday, March 15. If you
would like information on how you can help, please email Marilyn Dennis at
omdennis@hotmail.com
YOUR CHANCE TO HEAR AND BE HEARD
School Council and Parents Association meets once per month to provide parents the opportunity to
hear and be heard around topics that impact our growing school community. All parents/guardians
of all students attending Sir John Franklin School are welcome and encouraged to attend. Please
consider yourself invited! Our next meeting takes place on Wednesday, March 20 at 7:00 p.m. in
the Library and meeting are generally finished in less than 90 minutes.
BALZAC MEATS FUNDRAISER
Watch for your Balzac Meats fundraising package coming home in your
child’s report card on March 15.
This fundraiser has proven to be a huge success for our community with its
high quality, delicious product. Families who have purchased this meat
have said it’s the best they’ve ever tasted! Chicken, beef and pork
products are available.
HOT LUNCHES - - ORDER ON-LINE!
We are excited to say that our School Council Hot Lunch Program has gone paperless! This School Council
fundraiser is offered to give your child the opportunity to eat something different for lunch than they would
normally bring from home AND helps the School Council to raise much needed funds for the School.
If you haven’t already done so, please log on to www.healthyhunger.ca and register your child. You are
under no obligation to order monthly, but if you do not register your child, you will not receive notification of
the Hot Lunch menus and dates.
The next Hot Lunch day is March 14. On-line order deadline is March 9.
COMMUNITY SPACE DEVELOPMENT
The Parents Association is working with the School toward
developing a useful and welcoming community space in front of the
school.
This plan will include picnic tables and park benches and hopefully
some much improved landscaping and pathways. We also have
plans to work toward the installation of a mural in the not so distant
future.
Substantial financial resources will be required to make this development happen, so please support your School Council
fundraisers - Balzac Meats (March) and Hot Lunches (monthly).
Volunteer labour will be required for this installation. Please be watching for your chance to help.
Congratulations to Mrs. McLauchlin and our Grade 8 and 9 Concert Band AND our Senior
Jazz Band for being awarded the Gold award at the recent Alberta International Band
Festival (AIBF). The Gold award is the highest award that can be earned at the AIBF and to have two
bands from the same school earn Gold is a truly outstanding accomplishment! In addition, our Senior
Jazz Band was awarded the Most Outstanding Junior High Jazz Band award for the entire festival!!
Great work kids! Their trophies and plaques are currently on display in the school office for anyone that
wants to check them out!
Bottle Drive
On Saturday, March 9 the MPA will hold fundraising bottle drive giving students the opportunity to earn
financial credit toward the cost of trips such as Band Camp and Band Tour. The students who work the bottle
drive earn credit for every hour they work. This is an important fundraiser for many of our students as many
of them could not pay for their trip without this opportunity to raise funds.
If you have bottles you’d like to donate, they can be dropped off at the school between 9:30 a.m. and 1:00
p.m. on Saturday, March 9 in the East parking lot (outside the Shop).
RAFFLE
The SJF Music Parents Association annual Spring Raffle Fundraiser is soon
to be launched with over 25 prizes to be won! We have spectacular prizes
on offer again this year…..Tacori jewellery, a limited edition print by a
Canadian artist out of British Columbia, family get-a-way packages, dinner
and movie packages, concert tickets, dance classes and much, much more!
All Band students will be selling these tickets starting
March 18. Only 5000 tickets are being printed, being sold for
only $2 each. We expect these tickets to go fast so be sure to put your order in early! If you are a non-band family, but
would like to support the Music Program (Band, Drumming, Choral), please leave a message in the Band Room at
403.777.7610 ext. 2023. We will set aside tickets for you. Or, get in touch with any Band student and make the purchase
through them. Draw date is April 16, 2013.
Thank you to the following establishments for their generous support:
Airline Ticket Center
Executive Royal Inn
Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
Calgary Civic Symphony
Calgary Corn Maze
Boston Pizza
Kensington Sinfonia
Cactus Club Café
Greenwood Inn & Suites
Pure Energy Dance
Calgary Jazz Orchestra
Heritage Park
Cakeworks
White Spot
Sheraton Cavalier
Calaway Park
Shakers
Butterfield Acres
Altius Brass
Denny’s
Royal Tyrell Museum
BBQ Wednesday
For four years now, the Music Parents Association has been
coordinating BBQ Wednesday – an opportunity for all
students and staff to purchase a hot BBQ lunch every
Wednesday.
Meals are $5 and $6 depending on what you choose and
come complete with an entrée, a side and a beverage. No
pre-order necessary; just bring your cash and order on the
spot! BBQ Wednesday runs every Wednesday till June.
Calendar Update
Date
Thursday, March 7
Monday, March 11
Tuesday, March 12
Wednesday, March 13
Thursday, March 14
Friday, March 15
Wednesday, March 20
Thursday, March 21
Friday, March 22
Saturday, March 23 –
Monday, April 1
Tuesday, April 2
Saturday, April 6
Monday, April 8
Thursday, April 11
Friday, April 12
Wednesday, April 17
Thursday, April 18
Friday, April 19
Monday, April 22
Wednesday, April 24
Monday, May 6
Monday, May 13
Wednesday, May 15
Friday, May 17
Monday, May 20
Tuesday, May 21
Wednesday, May 22
Thursday, May 23
Tuesday, May 28
Thursday, May 30
Event
Practice Internal Lockdown #2 (p.m.)
Grade 7-9 Choral Field Trip to Belfast and Mayland Heights Schools (a.m. & p.m.)
Vertigo Theatre Field Trip – ‘The Stones’ (7A-E, 8A & Grade 7 AIM) – 1:00 p.m.
Vertigo Theatre Field Trip – ‘The Stones’ (8B, 8C, 9A-C, Grade 8-9 AIM) – 1:00 p.m.
Spring Fine Arts Showcase – 2:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Term 2 Report Cards Issued
School Council Staff Luncheon – 1:30 p.m.
Locker Clean-Up
Spring Fling Dance (p.m.)
School Council & Parents’ Association Meetings 7 p.m.
Student Health Conference
Early Dismissal
Parent-Teacher Interviews 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Scholastic Book Fair
System-Wide Non-Instruction Day #7 – No Classes
Parent-Teacher Interviews 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Scholastic Book Fair
Spring Break
Classes Resume
Band Rehearse-A-Thon – 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Track and Field Tryouts Begin
Spring Talent Show – 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Term 2 Award Assemblies
Grade 9 P.A.R.T.Y. Program – Foothills Hospital – 9 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
School Council & Parents’ Association Meetings 7 p.m.
System-Wide Non-Instruction Day #8 – No Classes
Axe Capoeira – ‘Captivating Capoeira!’ Dance Performance – 9:15 a.m. (gym)
Fire Drill #5
Grade 5 & 9 Vaccinations Round #3 – a.m.
Grade 9 English Language Arts Provincial Achievement Test Part A – 9:00 am
Grade 6 English Language Arts Provincial Achievement Test Part A – 9:00 am
School Council & Parents’ Association Meetings 7 p.m.
System-Wide Non-Instruction Day #9 – No Classes
Victoria Day – No School
Spring Arts-Centred Learning Trip – Royal Tyrell Museum – Grade 7 (Group A)
Spring Arts-Centred Learning Trip – Royal Tyrell Museum – Grade 7 (Group B)
Spring Music Concert – 7 p.m.
Spring Arts-Centred Learning Trip – Leighton Centre – 5/6A
Spring Arts-Centred Learning Trip – Leighton Centre – 5/6B
Artists-in-Residence at Sir John Franklin School
update | new schools depend on provincial funding
Alberta needs more schools for our students. We
need many more schools and we need them now.
The need is going to get worse before it gets better.
This is especially true for the Calgary Board of
Education.
What makes the CBE situation more serious and
more urgent? The simple answer has three factors:
growth, capacity and expectations.
explain | capital planning
•
•
•
Calgary is growing rapidly. The CBE has more than
107,000 students today. Working with the city, we
estimate the CBE will have 10,000 additional
students by 2016. In less time than it takes to build a
single new high school, we will welcome enough
new students to fill the equivalent of more than six
high schools.
“The CBE depends on
the province for 100
per cent of funding for
new schools.”
The Board of Trustees approves
a new capital plan and submits it
to Alberta Education every spring.
After 10 years, the CBE is
amending the ranking formula for
capital priorities, which will guide
the next capital plan. This new
capital plan for 2014-2017 will be
reviewed in public by the Board of
Trustees this spring.
We hope that the province will
make an announcement
regarding new capital projects
soon. Any announced capital
projects would be based on the
existing three-year school capital
plan.
The growth puts pressure on our existing 225
schools. We use the number of students and the
school’s capacity to calculate school “utilization.”
Our goal is for the overall system average utilization
to be about 80 per cent. At this level, schools can
use space flexibly for learning.
Some CBE schools are overcrowded with utilization
above 100 per cent; a small number of inner-city
schools are closer to 60 per cent. The overall
average is just above our target of 80 per cent—well
above the provincial average, which is about 70 per
cent.
In the coming years, our schools are going to
become more crowded. Before we can open
another new school, our utilization will reach almost
87 per cent. The only solution is more capacity.
The third factor relates to the high expectations
Calgarians have for their students and their
education. The CBE is one of the best public
education systems in the world. Still, expectations
for improvement, choice, career pathways and
learning continue to rise. Students want more.
Parents want more. Employers want more. As a
system with high aspirations, we want more for our
students too.
So if there is huge growth and shrinking capacity,
what does it take to get new schools? New schools
depend entirely on provincial funding.
The CBE depends on the province for 100 per cent
of funding for new schools. As a board, when we
meet with parents, this sometimes comes as a
surprise. Parents say, “Why doesn’t the CBE build
more schools?”
The truth is that Alberta school districts cannot build
schools without provincial funding. The government
has promised Albertans 50 new schools and 70
major modernizations for the entire province. It may
seem like a lot of construction but it isn’t enough g
given the need.
The CBE has one-sixth of the students in Alberta
and our three-year capital plan requests 16 new
schools and 20 major modernizations. The total
estimated cost of these priority projects is $667
million.
As a system, we do hope that the province will keep
its promises to build the capacity students
need. It has been more than five years since the last
new school was announced in Calgary and it will
take at least three years from a decision for a single
new school to open.
Although our province faces a challenging budget,
we remain hopeful that the government will keep its
commitment to fund new schools for our students in
Calgary.
contact | Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees wants to hear
your ideas or concerns about public
education in Calgary. You can also
visit cbe.ab.ca to learn more about
the Board of Trustees and upcoming
public board meetings. By ward, here
are your trustees:
1&2
| Joy Bowen-Eyre
3&4
| Lynn Ferguson
5 & 10
| Pamela King
6&7
| George Lane
8&9
| Pat Cochrane