Our Parent and Student Advisory Committees are continuing to meet.  The two main focuses for our March and April meetings are: 

1.  Preparing for our Virtual Open House on Monday, April 19 from 6:30 - 8:00 at Mary Butterworth School.

2.  Working on the visual identity for Elizabeth Finch School.

Our next student meeting will be on Tuesday, April 6 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at McArthur School.  The next parent meeting will be on Tuesday, April 27 at 6:45 p.m.

On Tuesday, February 2nd, our first Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) met with 20 parents in attendance. The great turnout speaks to the amazing support and commitment of parents who are willing to be an instrumental part of the warm, welcoming educational environment at Elizabeth Finch School.

To begin our meeting, I shared with parents three main things.

·         The importance of having the involvement of many people in order for us to have a successful school and school opening in September.

·         The name of this committee is “advisory” because it is important to seek the knowledge and expertise of those who live in the community.

·         The value of feedback from the Community meeting held on January 19^th that has been aggregated and will be used throughout the process.

Our meeting focused on responding to four questions.

1.        Should we have an Open House?

·         We will be having a “Virtual” Open House on Monday, April 19 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. as we are not able to hold it in the school itself.  Suggestions were provided as to where it should take place and we are still in the process of confirming the location.

2.        What are the PAC’s expectations of Elizabeth Finch School’s parents?

·         Participation in each child’s learning through support of activities, classroom help, homework, fundraising and in the community at large.

·         Communication with teachers, administration and other parents.

·         Respect and sense of responsibility.

3.        How can we solve the challenge of Before/After School Care?

·         Information has been provided below for parents who are looking for Before and After School Care.  Please click on the link to access the information. 

 before_and_after_school_care.pdf

4.         What are your thoughts about the visual identity of Elizabeth Finch School?

·         Samples of typefaces and colours were presented for comments and feedback. The next step will be the development of logo concepts based on the typefaces and colours that received positive responses.

These are exciting days for all of us, and the best part is sharing the pre-school journey with so many members of the community.  If you were not able to attend the recent meeting, our next one will be on Tuesday, March 2 at 6:45 at McArthur School. You are invited!

As well, the Student Advisory Committee will meet for the first time on Tuesday, February 23 from 5:30 – 7:00 at McArthur School.  If you have a son or daughter interested in being a participant, please email me.

Thank you for being part of this exciting journey!

Elizabeth Finch School had a great start, on January 19^th, with close to 300 people in attendance at our Information and Consultation Session.  For those of you who were unable to attend, there is a link on this page to a copy of the agenda so you can see what was covered. Over the next several days we will be reviewing the feedback received at the meeting to help ensure that Elizabeth Finch School is a warm and welcoming place.  Thank you to all those who came and participated in the discussion and especially to those who volunteered to be part of the Parent and Student Advisory Committees.  Your commitment is greatly appreciated and key to the success of our school. Thank you to the Al Shamal Shrine Centre for donating the use of their facility. Please continue to check the website for updates and notification of our Open House.

  Meeting agenda.pdf

Welcome to Elizabeth Finch School! 

What an honor to be chosen as the first principal of Edmonton Public School Board's new Elizabeth Finch School, named after Elizabeth (Betty) Jean Finch, an exemplary educator and advocate. 

Betty Finch made a profound difference to the staff and students of Edmonton Public Schools and throughout the educational community, particularly in the area of learning disabilities. As a teacher and leader, Betty worked to improve services to students and families impacted by learning disabilities.  She was one of the driving forces in the establishment of the Learning Disabilities Association of Alberta, and spent countless hours traveling throughout the province, developing awareness of learning disabilities and assisting in the establishment of Learning Disabilities Association chapters.  In 1978 her work was recognized by the premier, Peter Lougheed, who presented her with an Alberta Achievement Award for her outstanding contribution to Albertans. Betty retired from the district in 1985 and remained active throughout her retirement until her death in 2002.  

Betty's legacy of service to students and families will continue in our school.  The value Betty placed on respectful, positive relationships will continue. Her belief that every student can learn and succeed will continue. And Betty's profound understanding and appreciation of individual differences will continue. 

Our school will open in September, 2010, and staff will welcome students from kindergarten to grade nine into an exciting, challenging learning community. Together, we will create our own traditions of respect, caring and success. We will build a school that serves our community and public with pride.

Laurie Barnstable