CAIS in Point

President Obama’s Yes We Can leadership, global in its reach and ambition, may be instructive for us in independent schools. The issues for both the President and independent schools are, admittedly, on different scales, but their complexity creates even greater challenge for the leadership of our schools as it does for the leadership of a super power. On many fronts - the economy, healthcare, human rights, nuclear disarmament, terrorism and education - Mr. Obama insists compellingly that these issues are so interrelated and consequential that the world cannot afford delay in addressing them simultaneously. A recent article in the Trustee’s Letter, “The Upside of the Downside Year” (www.edu-directions.com) in a similar way demonstrates why our schools should understand the need to focus very closely on each aspect of their operations. The article points out that the economic downturn has already influenced schools to undertake many such examinations.  For example: • Intensive enrolment management programs have clarified mission, philosophy, and, the overall message schools want to deliver • Schools leaders have worked more closely together • Regional associations are expanding their support • Boards have become more knowledgeable • Budget “necessities” have been questioned • “Right-sizing” exercises are taking place The article concludes that our schools should take advantage of the downturn in the economy to sharpen the institutional focus proactively, and so develop the nimbleness necessary to meet the challenges they face. What has changed, whether for President Obama or for the leaders of independent schools, is that the challenges have come bundled in the immediate and require a comprehensive, collegial and simultaneous response. I recommend the brief article to school leaders as they prepare for next year and benefit from some reflective time during the summer. Will Mitchell Executive Director (Interim)

“Engage Your World” - Sacred Heart School of Halifax Renews Brand

In a move to position itself as the best choice for a holistic education in the region, several months ago, Sacred Heart School of Halifax announced it is renewing its brand. The new brand, to be implemented in stages, includes a new visual identity designed to reflect that families are seeking an educational environment that addresses the needs of the whole child.

Patricia Donnelly, headmistress at Sacred Heart believes the timing is just right. “The new brand is being unveiled at a time when the school is preparing for great events: the opening of our new home for the boys’ high school, and the celebration of 160 years of educating the children of Halifax,” says Donnelly. “By renewing the Sacred Heart brand at such a critical point in our history we are able to celebrate our heritage while presenting the school in a new and refreshed way.”

Sacred Heart foundress St. Madeleine Sophie once said to her students, “Your example, more than words, will be an eloquent lesson to the world”. Today, over 160 years later, here in Halifax, Nova Scotia, as it is in 200 schools globally across 44 countries, her message remains timeless as it comes to life and is reflected in the school’s renewed brand: “Engage Your World”.

Mark Bursey, chair of the board of governors, speaks positively about the rebranding. “We see this as an opportunity to revitalize our brand and build upon the solid foundation of academic excellence provided at Sacred Heart for over a century and a half,” says Bursey. “After significant research, we determined that our brand needed to be welcoming, visionary, accomplished and inspiring. We believe we’ve accomplished just that."

With a mandate from the Board of Governors to establish an updated representation of Sacred Heart’s identity, the public relations’ committee worked closely with Halifax based PR firm, Privateer Integrated Advertising and key stakeholder groups to create the new brand. In addition to the brand statement and strategy, and a visual identity, a rebranded website offering enhanced functionality will be launched in the spring.

According to Deirdre Casey, grade 12 student at Sacred Heart, the new brand truly showcases the spirit of what the school is all about. “I love our new brand. It portrays us as a modern school with traditional values that inspires us to do great things in life -academically and in all aspects of our lives,” says Casey. “That’s exactly what it’s like here at Sacred Heart.”

Sacred Heart’s emphasis on a modern, gender appropriate, open and diverse education, combined with the traditions and spirit of its rich history, addresses the needs of the whole child. The school provides co-ed junior primary, primary and elementary programs, complemented by distinct girls’ and boys’ high schools. Working together with its students, Sacred Heart develops critical thinkers, engaged individuals and responsible global citizens.

Sacred Heart is also in the home stretch of its capital campaign, building the only all boys’ high school east of Montreal on its Spring Garden road campus. With construction nearing completion and less than $1 million left to raise in a $4.5 million campaign – fundraisers are hard at work. To learn more about the Family Campus Campaign and how you can contribute, please visit www.shsh.ca.

For more information please contact:
Patricia Donnelly
Headmistress
(902) 422-4459
pdonnelly@shsh.ca

CIS Residence and School Life Conference

CIS is pleased to invite CAIS member schools to attend the CIS Residence and School Life Conference to be held at Lakefield College School from August 26-28, 2009.  The conference theme is “Healthy Minds for Healthy Futures” and it is appropriate for day schools staff involved in Guidance, Counselling and Health Services and well as residential staff. The conference fee includes accommodations and all meals.

Please see the flyer below for more details.

CIS_Residence_and_School_Life_Conference.pdf

St. Clement's School AP Summer Institute

For new and experienced AP Teachers!

Date: Monday, June 28 -­ Friday, July 3, 2009
Time:  All day
Location: Toronto

The 8th annual St. Clement's AP Summer Institute offers intensive training for new and experienced AP and Pre-AP teachers, coordinators and administrators. 
 
New this year:  AP Environmental Science
 
For information on courses, presenters, the schedule, special events, accommodation, etc; to register on-line or to download a registration form, visit our website:
 
http://scs.on.ca/ap_summer_institute.asp
 
If you have questions, please contact Lynda Robinson at: lrobinson@scs.on.ca

Havergal College Summer PD Opportunities

Havergal College is hosting several exciting Professional Development opportunities this summer. Please see below for more details, and this information can also be found on the CAIS website at: http://www.cais.ca/summer_programs.

1) Monday, June 22 to Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Communication for Professional Learning Communities

Havergal_PLC_Jun22-23_COL.pdf

2) Monday, August 10 to Thursday, August 13, 2009

Understanding by Design with Jay McTighe and Seonaid Davis - A workshop that focuses on developing aligned curriculum using the Understanding by Design model.

UBD.pdf

3) Monday, August 24 to Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Intensive Training in Cooperative Learning

IntensivetrainingCoopLCOl.pdf

Pickering College – ESL Summer Program 2009

Pickering College – ESL Summer Program 2009

Pickering College has an exciting summer program for students aged 12 to 18 who plan to study in an English-speaking school, or who wish to study English as an academic subject in their own country. Learn English and experience the wonders of summer on a 42-acre campus, an ideal location for a unique program that combines intellectual learning with a summer vacation in Ontario, Canada.

The ESL Summer Program is well-balanced between classroom activities during the day and evening/weekend activities designed for entertainment and as a means to further improve English skills. All aspects of the program provide opportunity for leadership development and personal growth through peer support, creative problem-solving and team-building.

Students enjoy the excellent residential, dining, academic, athletic and social facilities of one of Canada’s oldest independent schools focused on providing students with the social conscience, confidence and skills to shape the future. The summer program is managed and supervised by experienced staff; 24-hour-a-day supervision is provided by residential counselors and tour escorts of university age or older. These counselors are there to ensure students have a safe, exciting and enjoyable stay.

Dates for summer 2009:
Session #1: June 27 - July 23
Session #2: July 25- August 20

The “all inclusive” ESL Camp fee/tuition of $4,600 Cdn. per session consists of:
• 25 hours per week of language instruction (approx.)
• 24 hour supervision by Pickering College staff
• Accommodation in a modern twin-bed study room
• Three meals per day and daily snacks
• Health insurance while at Pickering College
• Report Card and Certificate of Completion
• Premium escorted weekend and evening social travel programs including:

• 3 days and 2 nights weekend trip to Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve, including Tour of the Forest, Canopy Walk through the trees, canoeing, visit to the Wolf Centre
• Day trips to Niagara Falls, Canada’s Wonderland Amusement Park, CN Tower and a Toronto Blue Jays baseball game at Rogers Centre
• Evening on-campus activities including sports, cultural night, barbecue and talent show
• Evening off-campus activities including, miniature golf, bowling and movies

Optional fee: Airport pick-up and drop off.

Additional Costs:
• $200 damage & key deposit which will be refunded upon departure it not required
• Airplane ticket
• Personal spending money

For more information, please visit our website at www.pickeringcollege.on.ca or call 905.895.1700 x402 or e-mail eslsummer@pickeringcollege.on.ca

Lola Stein Symposium

CAIS members are invited to attend the First Annual Lola Stein Symposium in Toronto, Ontario. The Symposium offers an opportunity for educators to start the 2009-2010 school year inspired and enlightened by 24 hours of powerful energizing learning.
 
On the evening of September 1, 2009, Professor Howard Gardner of the Harvard Graduate School of Education will speak on “Excellence in Education.” Professor Gardner is renowned for his theories on Multiple Intelligences and Habits of Mind. His latest work involves investigation into the moral development of young people and how the best education can promote deep learning for valuable results. After his address, he will be taking questions. 

The following day, Wednesday, September 2, Symposium participants attend three professional development sessions from an offering of four workshops. Lunch is provided.
 
Each of the workshops delivers a classroom tested programme and workbooks that offer teaching tools with useful take home value. Some workshops are based on elementary generative topics, while others are at the junior high level. The ideas in all workshops can be applied across the grades.
 
The methods presented in the workshops incorporate the curriculum development theory of backwards design and strategies for differentiated learning. Educators have the opportunity to be inspired and enriched by a day of hands on learning, and untimately, find new insight to start the school year with excitement and fresh thinking.  The Director of the Lola Stein Institute will frame the day of professional training. In the morning the  presentation will address creative curriculum design and what inspired teaching really means. The day will close with a perspective on meeting the challenges ever present in each new year of teaching. 
 
The Lola Stein Institute has sponsorship opportunities available that would either enable them to offer spots to some of CAIS members or perhaps, receive a copy of Howard Gardner's book.  If this is of interest, please contact Michelle Shulman for more details at shulmanit@yahoo.ca