Principal Opposes Academic and Co-curricular Awards

I was listening to a Toronto talk show on the way home from one of my daughter's basketball games.  I caught the end of the show which was debating the merits of recognizing students for academic and co-curricular awards.  The talk show host was interviewing a Principal and had a panel discussing the merits of such a system in our schools.

In a nutshell, the Principal opposed awarding students at the end of a school year as it "alienates and adversely affects the self-esteem of the students who did not receive awards."

As I mulled over the opinions tossed around on the show, it did not change my opinion. 

I believe in a system of awards as long as it embraces student success.

Two of our governing values revolves around continuous improvement and a commitment to excellence.  We articulate that this may differ between students.  Our expectation is that everyone  (staff, support staff and students) gives their very best everyday. 

Success is relative and can materialize in different forms depending on the student.

For example, student A could be an honour roll student who culminates his academic career with the Governor's General Award.  Student B could be a great athlete who ends up winning Athlete of the Year.  Student C could be a student who came from difficult personal circumstances.  With the help of a caring teaching staff, interventions from the student success team, hard work from the student and financial help from the school, Student C achieves enough credits to graduate.  A goal that seemed like an impossibility two years ago. 

The key is to create an environment that celebrates its student achievements in different ways.  Students in our Catholic Learning Environment understand that such recognition takes place in many different forms.

Thanks for reading.  Looking forward to your comments.



A Going Concern at CtK: The Inappropriate Use of Technology

Dear Parents:

I am concerned. 

For the last three years, our school has initiated the following to deal with an increasing and disturbing trend that combines bullying, harassment, and intimidation with cell phone technology and Facebook. 

We have:

1. Updated the student's knowledge on how to safeguard themselves from vulnerable and predatory situations on Facebook and Twitter through presentations from Chris Vollum.  Mr. Vollum is provincially renowned for his work in elementary and secondary schools in this field.
2. Spoken to our students at every grade assembly at the start of every semester regarding such issues.  In addition, we outline the possible disciplinary consequences from the school and the police.
3. Constantly reminded students on the morning announcements about their moral and ethical responsibilities regarding the proper  use of technology in our Catholic Learning Community.
4. Blocked access to Facebook and virtually all sites that would be in breach of our Catholic values on school property (e.g. pornographic sites, violent games etc).
5. Implemented an array of anti-bullying strategies that involve guest speakers, chaplaincy initiatives, teacher/student interactive activities, student led activities and of course our curriculum.

Moreover, a large component of our School Improvement Plan (http://www.ctk.ca/) is dedicated to the mental and emotional well being of our students. 

This area of student  need is not going away and students will continue to make very poor choices in how they treat one another using social network sites and cell phone technology. 

I chat with my colleagues regarding the pros/cons of technology and what is imperative to be instilled in our students for the opportunities in the 21st Century.  Cell phone technology and its use in the classroom is a controversial topic.  While I am on the fence, many people that I have spoken to regarding this topic are vehemently opposed.  "Teenagers just can't be trusted with their cell phones in a learning environment"  is the common retort.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is hard to argue with such a response in light of what has been happening at our school and those across the province.  Below is an article regarding cell phones in the classroom.

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3754972

Thank you for reading.  Looking forward to your thoughts and comments.

Christmas.....Boxing Day....New Years.....More Debt!

Have you checked your Visa or MasterCard balances lately?

All the major newspapers had articles alluding to another bulging item other than our waist lines......our debt!

The average household debt-to-income ratio has recently ballooned to 148.1% in Canada.  In other words, Canadians owe $1.48 for every dollar they earn.  This is outrageous!!!  We are statistically worse than our neighbours to the south!  You know....the same people whose financial and housing markets imploded!

Has our society gone away from delayed gratification to immediate gratification?  Is our society spending irresponsibly because of our voracious appetite for the biggest, the best, and/or the newest products on the market?  Are we as parents spoiling our children in the same manner? 

It is obvious that the average Canadian either doesn't care about money management or is in dire need of financial counselling.  What message have we been sending our children?  Are they being taught anything regarding the value of money....other than conspicuous consumption?

As a former business teacher, I was incredulous when the Harris government changed the diploma requirements for students by making a business credit one of several elective options instead of a previously required credit.  This death blow to business departments in secondary schools across the province now created a progressively declining demand situation for several courses that would teach the importance of and strategies for money management. 

Is there a need for a money management or financial planning introductory course in secondary school?  Is there a prudent argument against it in light of our debt load?  How often have you had discussions with your children about the gentle balance between saving and spending?  With three daughters, I have had many discussions!  Sometimes I think it is an uphill battle.

As school boards develop blue prints for 21st Century Learning skills, it would behoove them to ensure that financial literacy sits in the same prominent position as social and communication literacy skills.

Thank you for reading.  Looking forward to your comments.  Please visit our website at www.ctk.ca for information regarding our school improvement plan, school profile and safe schools plan.

Happy Holidays? Happy Solstice?

I know it is Christmas time when Advent is upon us.

I know it is Christmas time when my neighbourhood is illuminated at night with a symphony of lights and decorations.

I know it is Christmas time when every other commercial on TV is marketing some product to purchase for a loved one.

I know it is Christmas time when I hear Bing Crosby singing White Christmas in shopping malls.

I know it is Christmas time when the topic of political correctness rears its ugly head:  Most notably, over the issue of what we should proclaim during this very special time as Christians.

We have always been a nation of considerate people letting everyone celebrate their special holidays as their customs and beliefs dictate without interference. That freedom has always been one of this country's greatest attractions. Why, so many are asking, is it now that those of Christian beliefs are not afforded the same freedom of Christmas expression?

So in a very bold statement....

....on behalf of our family at Christ the King Catholic Secondary School....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

“The food you have stored away belongs to the hungry.

The unworn garment in your wardrobe belongs to the naked.

The gold you have hidden away belongs to the poor.”

(St. Basil)

My next blog will be posted January 2nd, 2011.  

"75 per cent of religious persecution is directed at Christians"

The above tag line caught my eye as I read through the Sunday edition of the Toronto Star this weekend. Here are some of the disturbing allegations in the article:

• "Terrified Christians in Iraq are still mourning the 50-plus deaths in an Oct. 31 attack against worshippers attending mass at Our Lady of Salvation church in Baghdad, in which a militant group called the Islamic State of Iraq sprayed the sanctuary with bullets."
• "In Uzbekistan, a Christian man has been fined the equivalent of seven years' salary for possessing a movie about Jesus."
• "The Vietnamese government has announced the continuation of a massive military operation to "wipe out" Christians in the central highlands who refuse to join the state approved church."
• "In Saudi Arabia, the only faith permitted by law is Islam. Christians are regularly imprisoned and tortured on trumped-up charges of drinking alcohol, blaspheming or owning religious artifacts."

Reading these examples and many more, I agree with the author of this article who states that persecution of Christians just doesn't compute with us in the West.  We are the faith on record in the world's richest and most powerful countries, where Christians have been ensconced for centuries.  The author goes on to cite that given our well-documented history of brutality, we are more conditioned to think that people of our faith have been the persecutors not the victims.

The reality is that two-thirds of the world's Christians live outside the West.  In fact, the average Christian is now defined as a Nigerian woman.  Sources in the article state that upwards of 200 million Christians face daily threats of murder, beating, imprisonment and torture.  Furthermore, "at least" 75 per cent of all religious persecution in the world is directed against Christians.

Why is this happening in these countries?  In short, Christianity is seen as preaching faith and a vehicle for Western imperialism and colonialism. Another reason provided in this article is that "the lack of understanding comes from lack of knowledge."  It is this religious illiteracy that is endangering lives abroad. 

As a matter of fact, I had every intention of doing this week's version of my blog on religious illiteracy but I will save this for my last entry next weekend prior to the Christmas break.

http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/901492--christianity-arguably-the-most-persecuted-religion-in-the-world

Looking forward to your comments.  Just a reminder that the final exam schedule has been posted on our public site at www.ctk.ca.

Praying the Rosary

Adult Faith Formation is represented in our Board Improvement Plan and is one of our SMART Goals this year (our School Improvement Plan is posted on our website http://www.ctk.ca/). 

Our board has made a concerted effort to offer Adult Faith Formation sessions for its employees as part of our faith journey as Catholic educators.  This is a noble endeavour and one that I have promoted to our staff at CtK.

A previous blog alluded to Father James Mulligan's comments regarding the differences between a little "c" and big "C" Catholic.  The institution of the faith sessions will help many of us get closer to the latter.

As part of my faith journey, I have made a commitment to pray the Rosary on a consistent basis. My wife and I went out and each purchased a Rosary this past weekend.

Being reacquainted with how to pray the Rosary has been an educational and spiritual experience.  I had completely forgotten the Fatima and Hail Holy Queen prayers.

I am reminded of some of the promises of Mary to those who pray the Rosary.  Primarily, the recitation of the Rosary is a sublime way to affirm the sacraments of our faith.

Thanks for reading.  Looking forward to your comments.

Facebook.....I have three friends!

Well I did it!  I have entered the vast world of Facebook. 

Why?  In short, to keep tabs on my two oldest daughters.  I had concerns but have reluctantly allowed them access to a world that could cause more harm than benefit if not cautious.  As a prudent parent, I did my best to make sure they were informed as they entered this digital arena.

So....my daughters have been to facebook presentations held at our school over the last few years. Chris Vollum, who has seen his business boom in the area of safeguarding students on facebook and twitter, has presented at our school and many other secondary and elementary schools around the province.

Chris has taught our students and staff how to set their privacy settings to protect themselves from unwanted scrutiny. 

As I have alluded in a previous blog about 21st Century Learning Skills, it is important that our children embrace social networks such as facebook to foster their digital literacy which, whether the Baby Boom and Generation X demographics would like to admit, will be an essential skill in the 21st century economy.

Through education, trust....and parenting....we need to allow them access to such conduits and hope that they make good choices.  Shutting them out will only force them to go online around our backs on school library computers, iPads and other digital technology.

Who is the third friend?  My wife, of course.

Thanks for reading.  We have created a new Parent Engagement link on our public website.  Take a look and let me know what you think.  It is a work in progress.  www.ctk.ca