Stakeholders/Engagement
An Assurance Model for planning means that the Board is committed to consulting with our stakeholders. We are committed to consider the insights of all our stakeholders, including:
- Through the ongoing daily conversations, interactions and engagement that our staff has with students, staff, parents and the larger community;
- Through School Council meetings and representation;
- Through collaboration annually with the Council of School Councils;
- Through Student Advisory conversations;
- Through Division annual surveys;
- Through public board meetings; and,
- Through specific events and activities to engage stakeholders
The Evergreen Catholic School Board of Trustees remains committed to improving and increasing stakeholder engagement.
School Councils
Evergreen Catholic School recognizes the importance of parental involvement to the success of their children. It takes an entire community to set up our students for success. Parents support schools with classroom support, clerical assistance, fundraising activities, and special event planning.
By provincial legislation within the School Councils Regulation 94/2019, each school in Evergreen Catholic Schools is required to have a school council, where possible. A school council is a collaborative collection of parents, school staff, trustees and community representatives who take on an advisory role to the school principal, committing to supporting many areas within the school including school programs, policies and budgeting.
Members of our Board of Trustees attend regular school council meetings.
Building Relationships with Indigenous Peoples
Evergreen Catholic School Division respectfully acknowledges the vibrant history and culture of Indigenous nations in Canada. We continually seek to learn the traditions and contributions of Indigenous nations of Alberta while committing to moving forward in friendship and collaboration. We also recognize the land, upon which Evergreen Catholic Schools resides, is home for our closest neighbours, the Cree and the Nakoda. This territory, known as Treaty 6, is also home to the Métis Nation and many other Indigenous groups. We honor and acknowledge the unique story of this land and continue to work towards strengthening relations with Indigenous communities.
Etienna Moostoos-Lafferty is the Division Indigenous Education Coach and supports teachers, administrators, and division office staff in their commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation's Calls to Action (2015). Through her guidance and support, Etienna leads in the development of staff by:
- Obtaining practical strategies and materials for the full integration of Indigenous perspectives into each classroom
- Offering approaches for teaching Indigenous learners and working with Indigenous families
- Making connections to Elders, cultural instructors, and other resource people for authentic learning experiences
- Promoting further understanding of treaties and agreements negotiated with First Nations and the Métis in Canada
- Providing opportunities to learn about residential schools and their legacy
- Building on existing awareness of historical, social, economic, and political realities of Indigenous individuals/nations
- Participating in whole schools events that foster understanding and respect for Indigenous cultures, languages and histories.
- Supporting staff in the attainment of school resources
- Broadening current practice to include pedagogy that is consistent with Indigenous ways of learning and knowing.
Indigenous education lead teachers from each school meet regularly to further their learning and build confidence in a variety of foundational knowledge areas.
Through capacity building within school communities and enabling all school staff to embark on this journey, the positive effects will be felt in our hearts, minds, spirits’ and happily in our classrooms. Through this commitment, the students of Evergreen Catholic School Division will become the new co-creators of a promising future for all.