The outcomes for the summer learning opportunity will focus on:

• learning and networking with colleagues from your school authority, zone and across the province.
• continuity of learning, workplace wellness, supporting school leadership during this time, and preparations for students’ learning in relation to literacy and numeracy.
• correlating all learning to SLQS and LQS in preparation for CASS’s regulatory status in 2022.

Drawing on feedback from the SLQS Professional Learning Committee and the CASS Board of Directors, the Alberta stories of practice will focus on school authorities’ plans to support student learning and staff capacity for the upcoming school year.  Session submissions focus on system leaders sharing emerging practices based on this year’s experiences and setting the stage for continuous improvements going forward.  Role alike session time will be facilitated by  CASS members.

The conference will also provide an opportunity for members to be engaged in those aspects of the professional organization status which are most appropriate.  This engagement will be focused on the CASS ACT: Aspirations, Collaboration and Technical Requirements

  CASS Summer Learning 2021 Presentations and Recordings

The CASS Resource Library  is growing and includes numerous “made in Alberta” resources designed for system leaders that will support “pre learning” prior to the  conference.  One example are CASS learning guides, which are intended to apply research, deepen understanding and enhance professional practice within the Alberta context. Learning guides have summarized recent CASS “Alberta Stories of Practice”  and include:

• Ministerial Order on Student Learning
• CASS Community of Practice – Workplace Wellness
• Assurance Framework: From Theory to Action
• Assurance Framework: Approaches to Strategic Planning and Reporting 
• Assurance Framework: Stakeholder Engagement
• Assurance Framework: Local Context and Measures
• Assurance Framework: Creating a Data Culture
• Workplace Wellness: “Why a Workplace Wellness Plan”?
• Workplace Wellness: What, Who and How…
• Workplace Wellness: Measuring Impact
• The online Guide to Relationships and Learning with the Indigenous Peoples of Alberta will offer additional learning focused on Ensuring First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education for all.

Workplace Wellness Resources are compiled here: https://cass.ab.ca/resources/wellness/ and include a Planning and Implementation Guide and Playbook  based on the CASS Workplace Wellness Framework.

Role-Alike Summaries:  2021 CASS Annual Conference

Human Resources and People Services
Chinook’s Edge School Division system leaders Ray Hoppins and Shawn Russell co facilitated this role-alike with Dr. Norman Yanitski CASS director. The group discussed HR topics resulting from the pandemic as well as labor relations and relationships. The group also responded to a Thoughtexchange identifying HR System leaders professional learning needs. (ie;  themes included: negotiations, investigations, sick leave, hiring practices, wellness and sharing stories of practice. Follow up inquiries please contact Ray Hoppins or Shawn Russell Chinooks Edge.

  Summary for Human Resources and People Services

First Nations, Métis and Inuit – Reengaging Indigenous Students in their Learning
This topic was recommended by the CASS First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Action committee to address the concern from many school districts about the lack of engagement of Indigenous students in their learning during the pandemic.

  Summary for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education

Curriculum, Assessment and Technology
This session addressed the Ministerial order and the Superintendent Leadership Quality Standard through our conversations about assessment based on a Problem of Practice. Delegates developed a question of provocation collaboratively, which focused more that 70 system leaders in conversation about this problem of practice.

  Summary for Curriculum, Assessment & Technology

Workplace Wellness
The session featured an Alberta School Authority Story of Practice from Medicine Hat Public School Division related to their very unique wellness coordinator position: Health, Wellness and Attendance Advisor. (See Roles and Responsibilities column 5 in the Padlet) The current Advisor, Sarah Scahill and Deputy Superintendent, Lyle Cunningham, described this Story of Practice. The presentation covered topics such as the problem of practice that led to the new Health, Wellness and Attendance Advisor position, wellness committee work, the process of building trust with all stakeholder groups, data collection, staff wellness support and accountability, and much more.

  Summary for Workplace Wellness