Welcome to the 2009 - 2010 school year. School Opening School opened on August 31 very smoothly and with few surprises. We have a few new staff faces and a few no longer with us. Mr. Doug Raycroft is our new associate principal and Ms. Alysia Proctor is filling in for Mrs. Meyers who is on maternity leave until February 1. Mrs. Barwacz Riou will be leaving us sometime in October on maternity leave as well. Mr. Georgeson and Mrs. Ledene retired and Ms. Toombs returned to Prince Edward Island to work on her Masters Program. Mrs. Galandy is our new guidance counselor. We have 748 students including 63 international students and 51 First Nations students from Siksika. We were surprised by the extra 23 International Students that were assigned to our school. We have some very large academic classes as a result and as a result of teacher cuts last year. A special welcome to students from Hussar and Central Bow Valley as well as all students new to Strathmore High School.

We were forced to cut our Alternative Program for the first semester. This program was designed to provide extra support to students who were struggling academically and personally and to provide them with modified programs. Given the dim financial future it may be a while before we can restore this program to full time status.

World Skills Event

Approximately 280 Strathmore High School students attended the World Skills Competitions on Thursday, September 3. Organizing the trip at the end of June and the first day of September proved to be a bit of a challenge. While it would have been worthwhile for all students to attend, logistically that would have been very difficult. We wanted to focus on students in CTS programs and on those students who were very interested in trade programs. We realize there were a number of students who didn’t go who would have benefited from this experience. Our CTS students will have an opportunity to attend other skills events this year and next. As well, Strathmore High School Student Services organize trips to SAIT and to trades-oriented events in Calgary throughout the year.

Alberta Initiative for School Improvement (AISI)

Alberta Education provides special funding for school boards to develop and institute school improvement projects. Golden Hills and Strathmore High School will focus on new assessment strategies to improve student achievement. The project will last three years.

School Council

The first meeting of the School Council will be September, 30 at 7 p.m. In past years we have not had a council due to a lack of interest. While we are always open to parent input, we feel a School Council gives parents a stronger voice to help the school deal with issues. We encourage you to come out on September 30.

Student Pick-Up and Drop-Off Area

In order to reduce congestion on Brent Boulevard before and after school, we encourage parents to use the Civic Centre parking lot to drop off and pick up students. After school the traffic is hectic and the busses obscure traffic, so students crossing are especially at risk. Please use the East lot.

Cell Phones

Our school policy restricts cell phone use to breaks, before and after school and at noon. Students cannot use their cell phone during class time to send or receive messages or calls. It is vital that our classrooms be effective focused learning environments for all students. Therefore, students caught using their cell phones during class time will have them confiscated for the day. Repeat offenders will face a cell phone ban for 30 days or longer. We encourage all students to use cell phones responsibly.

Bussing

Golden Hills School Division will be monitoring bus routes and times based on late and new registrations. They hope to have the routes and times settled within the next couple weeks. They appreciate your patience during this process. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call the Transportation Manager, Ken Maclean at 1 877 442-4340.

Mr. G. Reagan Principal, SHS