I hope you've had a good week and are looking forward to the weekend. We started up our option courses with at-home learning this week - thanks to everyone for your continued support of our programming. We've appreciated it!
Please read below for a few reminders as we continue on with at-home learning.
1. If you have any questions, please reach out via email to:
2. Students are encouraged to stay connected to their courses and learning for the remainder of the year. Teachers have shifted expectations for work (3 hours/week) and are focussing on key curricular outcomes yet to be covered. You might wonder what the incentive is for your child to stay connected (especially as the weather improves). Below is a list of reasons that I can think of that are positive reasons for your child to stay connected to learning.
Prepare them for courses they are taking next
Students in gr. 9 - 11 will be enrolled in new courses next year that will be building off of the content covered in the courses they are currently in! Engaging in learning now will help prepare them for future learning.
Engage them mentally in a time of uncertainty
Whether it is a core class or option class, having something to commit to in a time of unprecedented uncertainty is healthy. The thought of 'controlling what we can control' comes to mind. Students are being provided with a lighter version of their courses every Monday. Giving 6 - 12 hours of their week to learning gives them something they can control.
Positive relationships with teachers
Many of our students enjoy the exchanges they have with staff on a daily basis. Continuing to engage in their learning builds that relationship for now and for the future.
Collaborating with their friends
Students enjoy tackling learning together in many of their classes. This allows them to get together while being apart and work on a common problem or question!
Improve their mark
Rocky View Schools has created assessment guidelines for high school students. This helpful Q & A Document answers questions for our students.
These are just a few of the reasons I could think of. We know there are families dealing with unique challenges during this time. If this is you, please don't hesitate to reach out directly to me and I can help answer your questions.
Thanks again for your support - take care,
Ryan
Mr. Verhees is still recovering from his attempt to keep up with his daughter's dance! Thanks for encouraging us to stay fit with our loved ones Mr. V!
Our football team is (virtually) preparing for the 2020 season. If you were planning on getting involved this year, please see the information below!
One of our German students created a German Easter tree over the break and shared it with Mr. Burns! Well done!
2020.21 Student Course Registration
Thanks to our Bert Church community for your work getting our student registrations done for next year! We only have about 30 students remaining who have not registered for courses. The higher the number of course registrations, the more accurate our planning can be which helps our students out in the long run! We had many great phone conversations this week as well so thank you again!
Timetabling can now begin matching teachers to student course selections. Once this is finalized, student timetables can begin being created. Our goal is to have these done on mid-late June for our students.
Looking for technical support as your child learns from home? RVS has your back. See the message from Superintendent Luterbach below and reach out if you have questions!
Know someone in need of reliable internet?
The ability to access reliable internet is increasingly important in today’s interconnected world and essential for students trying to connect virtually to their teachers’ new digital classrooms.
Internet for GoodTM is an innovative partnership between TELUS, the British Columbia Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, and the Ministry of Community and Social Services in Alberta that provides eligible families with the tools and connectivity they need to succeed.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Internet plans starting at just $9.95 per month (plus applicable taxes) for two years
• Speeds of up to 25 megabits per second (where available) and up to 300 gigabits of data per month
• Access to a low cost, refurbished computer
• Digital literacy support available via the TELUS Learning Centre
• Access to free TELUS Wise® training and tools to participate safely in our digital world
ELIGIBILITY – Internet for Good
The TELUS Internet for Good program is well established and has been supporting thousands of low-income Canadian families with children under the age of majority that are currently receiving income assistance for some time.
Due to recent developments with COVID-19 isolation and schooling from home initiatives, the minimum levels for qualification have been eliminated.
HOW TO APPLY
1. Contact the RVS Technical Support Hotline:
• email: studentsupport@rockyview.ab.ca
• phone: 403-945-4083
2. Provide your Full Name, the name of your child(ren) and the name of the school they attend.
3. Provide your contact information (phone # and/or email address).
4. We will provide a IFG code to allow you to bypass the normal requirements.
Simplified process:
1. Families will call into a special Internet for Good Queue at 1-866-835-8744, tell them their unique Rocky View provided code, and arrangements will be made for the install.
2. $9.95 per month with no minimum term will be billed to the account creator. If families want to keep the plan for more than 2 years’ they will have to re-apply through the Internet for Good team. If families do not re-apply the price will automatically increase to the regular rates.
3. Billing is direct to the household and the responsibility of the family applying.
Alternative Programs - Gr. 9 Students - Room Still Available!
Building Futures, Mechanics Training Centre, and The Farm will continue to offer their programs to current Grade 9 students for the 2020-21 (Grade 10) year. The deadline to apply is April 27 for Building Futures and the Farm. Mechanics and Leadership Academy application deadline is June 1.
Links for more detail about each program are included below. Please contact your school Guidance Counsellor for more information. Bert Church students can still enroll in these programs if they are interested. Acceptance into these programs would trump enrollment in courses at Bert Church for 2020.21.
Building Futures is an immersive and unique program where students learn how to build a house from the ground up. This program is open to all learners, but the type of student who does best in this program is one who is self-directed, isn’t afraid to take risks, can think outside of the box, and wants to experience school differently for a year. Whether you are interested in home building or just want to try something new, this program is for you!
Mechanics Training Centre: 20 spots available. One semester. Half days. https://rvsclc.rockyview.ab.ca/programs/mechanics
Rocky View Schools' Mechanics Program is housed in a fully equipped 4-bay shop in the North East corner of the Cam Clark Ford Dealership in Airdrie, AB. As a Mechanics Training Centre student, you will explore both the theoretical part of the trade and apply this knowledge through experiences like no other.
Students in Airdrie, for their Grade 9 and/or 10 years, can join us on a 15-acre hobby farm located minutes from the city to complete core classes (Science, English, Math, and Social Studies) and option classes, all while learning the ins and outs of what it takes to grow food outdoors, in a greenhouse, hydroponics/aquaponics systems, raise bees, run test plots, laying hens, design and build water capture solutions, explore urban agriculture, livestock operations, large scale farm operations and explore a future in the agriculture industry.
The RVS Student Leadership Academy (RVSLA) offers a full-year 5 credit Special Projects course for RVS students in grades 10, 11, and 12. The program exists to empower students to deepen their sense of self and broaden their network of connections. The course focuses on collaboration, communication, and co-learning as fundamental leadership skills. RVSLA is delivered outside of the regular timetable in a blended learning environment. Students from across the division gather off-campus during monthly interactive leadership workshops, as well as through online videoconference meetings in smaller teams over the course of the school year.
