SOFA

You are invited to attend a public meeting with Minister of Education Dave Hancock on Tuesday, January 25th, 2011 at 7 p.m. at Central Memorial High School Theatre, located at 5111 – 21st Street S.W. in Calgary.  

This event is co-sponsored by the Calgary Board of Education and the Save Our Fine Arts  (SOFA) Committee.   It is also endorsed by the Calgary Catholic School District, Candian Rockies School Division (Bow Valley) and the Palliser School District (Lethbridge).

Following opening comments from Naomi Johnson (Chief Superintendent of the CBE), the Minister of Education will deliver a presentation on the Inspiring Education Steering Report and the Inspiring Action Strategy.  He will also address how fine arts programming will be represented in the new curriculum.  

There will also be a panel discussion on the topic of fine arts education.  We can confirm the following people will be participating:  Hon. Dave Hancock (Minister of Education),  Malcolm Edwards (Music Education Professor, University of Calgary), Jane Rogerson (CBE Area Director), Dr. Andra McGinn (Superintendent of Instructional Services, Calgary Catholic School District), Fay Kerwood (former Principal of the CBE Monterey Park Elementary School in Calgary, 2006 Canadian Outstanding Principal Award Winner, 2006 Global Television Woman of Vision Award Winner), and Sam Gregory (Grade 12 honors student at Dr. E.P. Scarlett High School in Calgary, one of the original founders of SOFA).  If you have a question you would like to ask a question of one of our panelists, please CLICK HERE. 

Who should attend?  Parents, students, and teachers from Public, Catholic and Charter school systems; musicians; performers; artists; business leaders; politicians; and the media.   Anyone who is concerned about fine arts education and wants to see it maintained and enhanced.

Come meet the following people who have confirmed their attendance as of the date of this posting:

• Alberta Government:   Honourable Dave Hancock (Minister of Education), Honourable Lindsay Blackett (Minister of Culture and Community Spirit, MLA for Calgary-Northwest), Honourable Cindy Ady (Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation, MLA for Calgary-Shaw),  Ellen Hambrook (Assistant Deputy Minister, Education Program Standards and Assessment, Alberta Education, Edmonton), Teresa Woo-Paw (MLA, Calgary-Mackay), Kent Hehr (MLA, Calgary- Buffalo), Harry Chase (MLA, Calgary-Varsity), Dave Taylor (MLA, Calgary-Currie), Kyle Fawcett (MLA, Calgary-North Hill), Wayne Cao (MLA, Calgary-Fort, Deputy Speaker & Chairman of Committees), Art Johnston (MLA, Calgary-Hays),  Joan Engel (Acting Curriculum Director, Arts, Communications and Citizenship Branch, Alberta Education, Edmonton), Spence Nichol (Executive Assistant to Minister of Education, Edmonton), Christine Bouchard (Team Member, Curriculum Standards and Process Redesign Project, Alberta Education, Edmonton).
• Calgary Board of Education:   Naomi Johnson (CBE Chief Superintendent), Cathy Faber (CBE Superintendent, Learning Innovation), Jane Rogerson (CBE Area 5 Director), Pat Cochrane (CBE Chair, Trustee for Wards 8 & 9), Pamela King (CBE Trustee, Wards 5 & 10), George Lane (CBE Trustee, Wards 6 & 7), Sheila Taylor (CBE Trustee, Wards 11 & 13), & Carol Bazinet (CBE Trustee, Wards 12 & 14), Ronna Mosher (Director, Curriculum Design and Assessment), Leslie Yeates (Specialist, Fine and Performing Arts).
• Calgary Catholic School District:  Dr. Andra McGinn (Superintendent of Instructional Services), Mike Ross (Director of Secondary Education), and Holly Schile (Consultant of Fine Arts),  Serafino Scarpino (Chair, Trustee Wards 1 & 2), Mary Martin (Vice Chair, Trustee Wards 13 & 14), Linda Wellman (Trustee, Wards 3 & 5), Marg Belcourt (Trustee, Wards 4 & 7),  Lois Burke Gaffney (Trustee, Wards 6 & 8), Rosemarie Goerlitz (Trustee, Wards 9 & 10), Cathie Williams (Trustee, Wards 11 & 12).
• Canadian Rockies School Division (Bow Valley):  Trustees Esme Comfort, Carol Picard, and Arlene Rheaume.
• Calgary Association of Parents and School Councils (CAPSC):  Eryn Kelly (Co-President), Leslie Newton (Co-President)
• Alberta Teacher’s Association:  J.C. Couture (Executive Staff Officer)
• Fine Arts Industry:  Paul Brandt (singer, songwriter, Top 10 Recording Artist) via video presentation, Murray Ord (Motion Picture and Television Executive Producer, Actor, SOFA Executive Member), Dr. Haley Simons (author, educator, recording artist, founder of Creative Alberta, and one of Canada’s most accomplished pianists).
• Others: Ken Chapman (lawyer, author, blogger, and considered by Venture Magazine as one of Alberta’s Most Influential People),  Vera Goodman (teacher, best selling author) 

For more information:

• CLICK HERE - for a map showing the location of Central Memorial High School
• CLICK HERE - for a 1-page fact sheet addressing “Who is SOFA?”
• CLICK HERE  - for a copy of the above poster

For more information, check out the Calgary Board of Education’s website at  http://www.cbe.ab.ca/ under “What’s New”.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the future of education in our province.

Ken Chapman is a well known Albertan.  He is a lawyer, author, and founder of a grass roots movement called “Reboot Alberta” (http://www.rebootalberta.org/).  In July 2010, Venture Magazine ranked him one of \’The Top 50 Most Influential People in Alberta\’

On December 11th, 2010, he published an article on his blog entitled, “Creativity as a Key to High Performance Public Education.”   In his article, he talks about the role that a fine arts education can play in developing creativity and innovation.  He also talks about the importance of an engaged society where community, citizens, employers, teachers, parents, and especially students are involved.

Please take a few minutes and read what he has to say.  You can find a link to his blog by CLICK HERE.   If you would like to read more about Ken, CLICK HERE.

Our SOFA Committee is greatly appreciative of his comments about the work we are trying to do to support a strong fine arts education in Alberta.

Recently,  Education Minister Dave Hancock released his “Inspring Action” Discussion Paper as a follow up to the “Inspiring Education” strategy. 

In his Discussion Paper, he states, “… we will need each and every Albertan to play a part in building a bright future for our children. This begins with education and we must do everything we can to ensure that each and every child has the opportunity to maximize their potential – to be able to grow up equipped to take care of themselves and their families and contribute to their communities. Alberta’s future depends on a well-educated population capable of competing with the world.”   To view the “Inspiring Action” Discussion Paper, CLICK HERE.

If you are supportive of the ”Inspiring Education” philosophy Mr. Hancock is proposing, we urge you to let the Alberta Government know by completing their online survey at the following link:  Inspiring Action Survey

For more information, check out their website at:  http://engage.education.alberta.ca/

It’s time to get involved…

GWYNNE DYER  is a well known Canadian freelance journalist, columnist, and lecturer in Canada and around the world.  He regularly can be seen as a guest on the CBC National News.

STEPHEN MURGATROYD is an internationally recognized author, journalist, lecturer, and keynote speaker.  See previous posts on this website.

On May 31st in Calgary and June 1st in Edmonton, both gentlemen gave a presentation at a “Learning Our Way to the Next Alberta” event.  These were both open to the public.

During the lectures, Dr. Dyer talked about the importance of fine arts education in Alberta and he stated, “… don’t regard spending on culture as a an indulgence – it is a critical investment in the future of Alberta and will produce profound and poignant social and economic returns.” 

Dr. Murgatroyd made similar comments in support of fine arts education.  He stated, “…spending on arts education and creativity is as critical as spending on maths and science if Alberta wants to become an innovation economy where every talent is found, developed and available to help Alberta become the place the world needs to see. Cutting arts funding and arts education is a decision to limit the future of Alberta and will permanently damage our ability to compete and be successful as a Province – it makes no sense.”

For more information on the above, check out the following link:  http://www.learningourway.ca/

Note – we received permission from both Dr. Dyer and Dr. Murgatroyd to publish their comments on our website.

One day after massive teacher and support staff layoffs were announced at the Calgary Board of Education, Dave Hancock (Minister of Education) announces a new “Inspiring Education” strategy for students in kindergarten to grade 12.   It was announced via a live broadcast at 2:00 PM this afternoon by Mr. Hancock on the Alberta Government’s “Inspiring Education” website. 

If you are interested in viewing the press release, CLICK HERE.  To view the 56 page “Inspiring Education” report, CLICK HERE.

According to the strategy, it’s time to make a dramatic change in how students are educated.  It states, “…we need to prepare our kids for the future, not the past.”

The strategy is very similar to the ‘guiding principles’ Dr. Stephen Murgatroyd has been promoting over the past few months.  If you are interested in reading these, please check out our earlier posts.

Although the general philosophy of Minister Hancock’s “Inspiring Education” strategy has plenty of merit, “the devil is always in the details.”  Several questions need to be answered:

• What will the curriculum look like once it is implemented several years from now? 
• Will the Alberta Government have the courage to provide the financial resources to ensure it can be implemented effectively?
• Will there be enough qualified educators, especially after the massive layoffs announced recently? 
• What is the position of the Calgary Board of Education, the Edmonton Public School Board, and the other Boards around Alberta? 
• How can we be assured that fine arts education will play a prominent role in the new curriculum?

Please tell the Alberta Government what you think by signing Dr. Murgatroyd’s petition.  You can view it at the following link:  http://www.gopetition.com/online/35101.html.  It’s time to get involved…

According to the Alberta Government’s press release, an education discussion paper will be released by Minister Hancock on June 15th.

Stay tuned!

Interested in watching two great video presentations on the importance of education?  If so, please keep reading…

Sir Ken Robinson is an internationally recognized leader in the development of innovation and human resources. He has worked with national governments in Europe and Asia; with international agencies; Fortune 500 companies; national and state education systems; non-profit corporations and some of the world’s leading cultural organizations.

Over the past few years, Ken has spoken at conventions around the world on the future of education.  Two such presentations were done at TED Conventions in California (one in 2006, the other in 2010).   Here are the links:

TED TALKS:  Do Schools Kill Creativity? (19 minutes):  http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html

TED TALKS:  Bring on the Learning Revolution (16 minutes): http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/sir_ken_robinson_bring_on_the_revolution.html

If you are not familiar with TED (“Technology, Entertainment, and Design”), it is global organization with a focus to promote ‘ideas worth spreading’.  Some of the most influential people in the world have spoken at TED conferences, including Bill Gates (Chairman of Microsoft), Steve Jobs (CEO of Apple), Bill Clinton (former U.S. President), Tony Robbins (Motivational Speaker), and Al Gore (former U.S. Vice President).  

If you are interested in downloading a copy of the above for your I-Phone or I-Touch, all TED TALKS presentations are downloadable free of charge from the I-Tunes website.  You can do a search for the TED app.

Enjoy the presentations and please tell us what you think of them by clicking on the “Leave a Comment” icon below.

Sir Ken Robinson is an internationally recognized leader in the development of innovation and human resources. He has worked with national governments in Europe and Asia, with international agencies, Fortune 500 companies, national and state education systems, non-profit corporations and some of the world’s leading cultural organizations

“He makes an entertaining (and profoundly moving) case for creating an education system that nurtures creativity, rather than undermining it. With ample anecdotes and witty asides, Robinson points out the many ways our schools fail to recognize — much less cultivate — the talents of many brilliant people. “We are educating people out of their creativity,” Robinson says. The universality of his message is evidenced by its rampant popularity online. “*    If you are concerned about the future of Education, in particular the fine arts, STOP WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING and watch the video -  CLICK HERE   For more information, on Ken Robinson, CLICK HERE or HERE   * – source:  Google

Dr. Stephen Murgatroyd is a recognized author, journalist, researcher and keynote speaker. He is the former Dean of the School of Business at Athabasca University, and first Executive Director of the Centre for Innovative Development – home of Canada’s largest Executive MBA, a program he developed and directed.  He has worked extensively in the public and private sector as a management consultant across North America and around the World. Further, he is widely regarded as one of Canada’s leading experts on e-learning.

As a resident of Alberta (he lives in Edmonton), he is concerned about the quality of education currently being taught in our schools. In a recently published paper entitled, “Building the Schools that the World Needs from Alberta”, he states, “…Our social and economic well-being requires a different kind of school and learning from that which helped build such a successful Province. Essential skills (literacy, numeracy, critical thinking, digital navigation) remain essential, but so are other skills – social networking and team skills, problem solving, participatory democracy skills, Imagineering and creative skills, design…there are many such lists and different conceptions of what these lists mean. The point is simple: we need to rethink what it is our schools are doing and how they are doing it, building on our success in doing so.”

At a recent Calgary Association of Parents and Student Councils (CAPSC) meeting, Dr. Murgatroyd gave a fascinating presentation on educational reform, the future of education in Alberta, and shifts we might expect to see in our education system over the coming years. He believes the Alberta School Act should be based on a new set of guiding principles.  Further, the education of Albertans should involve a stronger partnership of schools, parents, students, and the wider community. During the presentation he made at the above meeting, he stated, “…in this century, given our nearly ubiquitous access to information, ‘knowing’ will rarely be enough. The real skills that must be developed involve ‘doing’ rather than simply ‘knowing’ … we need to find a new balance between real learning, assessment and accountability.”  He believes the following should happen:

• “Reduce role of Provincial curriculum to 50-60% of class time and let teachers create the balance
• Trust teachers assessment
• Sample test on standard tests
• Restore the engagement of community in their school
• Develop learning passports for each student – recognize common needs and individual differences
• Focus on academic disciplines in the context of real world problems – challenges drive content
• Invest in professional development of teachers – enable and equip them to offer 21st century teaching
• Invest in education – don’t cut it”

He also believes strongly in the importance of fine arts education to promote skill development in the areas of creativity, expression, and innovation.

Dr. Murgatroyd provided SOFA a copy of his presentation and discussion paper for posting on our site.  If you are interested in viewing the PowerPoint presentation he gave at the CAPSC meeting, CLICK HERE. To read his discussion paper on the future of education in Alberta mentioned above, CLICK HERE. To learn more about Dr. Murgatroyd, you can find him on Wikipedia by CLICKING HERE. His bio can also be viewed by CLICKING HERE.