October+2011

> [] ﻿ to ﻿ look after their registration to avoid disappointment. There are lots of wonderful sessions to chose from!
 * Registration for our upcoming Professional Learning Day closes at the end of the day on Tuesday, October 4. Session descriptions are available at [[image:holyspiritpdcouncil/PD_graphic.jpg width="140" height="117" align="right"]] http://lenaour.wikispaces.com/October+2011+PD+Day and then registration occurs through SAPDC's registration engine at


 * There are many great ATA Specialist Council Conferences in 2011-2012. This is exceptional professional learning from a grass roots approach - teachers leading teachers. If you signed up for a Specialist Council membership last year, it has been __carried over__ this year. **Every member is entitled to 1 free membership annually**. For very reasonable costs (all claimable in our PD policy), you can join a second or third council to get greater access to online, print, and conference resources. The complete list of Specialist Council Conference events is available on the ATA's website here.


 * SAPDC and its partner regional consortia are continually updating their sessions. Visit [|www.sapdc.ca] to learn more about what may be of particular interest to your staff. For example, if your staff is focusing on PRTI and there are sessions related to that, you could be the connection for your teachers. Remember, too, that there are links to all of the consortia from SAPDC's site, and many sessions are available via webcast or in archived mode that allow for more learner flexibility.


 * There are many resources available on our district's Moodle site, and a number of staff may __not__be familiar with them. If you are able to in the time you have during your staff meeting, consider actually SHOWING your colleagues where they can find good resources.
 * You can access the school district Moodle by visiting the district's home page ([|www.holyspirit.ab.ca]), clicking on 'Moodle' in the top right hand corner, and then clicking on 'Old Moodle' on the left hand side. From there, select St. Basil's Education Centre, and you can see 'Technology & Technology Integration', 'Staff Resources', etc. There are lots of good things there.
 * The 'S' for 'share' drive on our district network is another place worth checking out as many colleagues have begun posting their resources.


 * The new PD forms have been provided to all Site Reps and PD Reps. Please ensure your teachers have access to forms that reflect the new price of substitute teachers ($196.46). There were no other changes this year. All admin. assistants have also been given these forms, as has central office staff. The forms are on the district website also,and will soon be updated on our local website (www.local5.teachers.ab.ca).


 * The Local's PD Policy has also bee provided to all Site Reps and PD Reps. It is the guide we use to determine whether or not a claim is considered "Professional Development". Should a colleague have a question about their claim plans, please direct him/her to the policy. More explanation can also be provided by Kathy Jones-Husch at St. Francis (PD Chair). Remember that any questionable claims will be reviewed by a sub-committee of PD Council on an ad hoc basis. The same details go for the websites on the Policy document.


 * I have posted 3 discussion questions on this Wiki and would love your feedback. Your comments will help to guide our new directions as a Council this year.


 * Our next meeting is scheduled for the afternoon of Wednesday, November 16 from 12:30 (lunch) to 3:30 pm. We will review the PD day, and talk about emerging agenda items. Please note the date in your calendars and RSVP to Kathy by Nov. 14.