Directions Newsletter
October, 2011 

Board Approves Math Momentum Goal
MATH MOMENTUM - “Possibilities are Endless”
Goal: It is our intention that all students in Chinook will be meeting or exceeding Chinook expectations in math on Chinook division wide math assessments over time. In the immediate future we will measure the cohorts in Gr. 3, 6, and 9 with Chinook Assessments; our target is for 25% more students meeting or exceeding Chinook expectations in math by June 2014.

See news item on http://chinooksd.ca/ “Chinook Announces Goal for Math Momentum”.

SCCHS Track
The Chinook School Division Board received a request from Dean Robson, Director of Recreation and Parks with the City of Swift Current, regarding a partnership to upgrade the track at SCCHS to an all weather surface. Chinook has committed to working with the City in partnership on this project if it progresses forward.

Approval of Auditors’ Request for Proposal
An RFP was advertised and proposals for auditing services for Chinook School Division were received from Meyers Norris Penny and Stark & Marsh. A recommendation was made to approve Stark & Marsh proposal. The Board approved and accepted the proposal.

Transportation Status Report
Marlene Amon, Manager of Transportation, presented a transportation status report to the Board on October 11. She gave an overview of highlights in the areas of personnel; route development, maintenance, trends and times; fleet maintenance, new buses and bus operations and repairs; policies and communications; and future plans.

Ms. Amon reported that Chinook is currently meeting the benchmark of maintaining their bus fleet at 10 years or newer. Ten new Vision buses came into the fleet, this included nine 35 passenger and one 47 passenger. Six new 28 passenger mini-tours will arrive within the 2011-2012 school year. The bus laneway at Central School will be completed by mid-October.

Some of the Rural Municipalities have changed their policy, and bus routes will no longer be their number one priority for snow removal. RMs will continue to prioritize bus routes but some cannot continue to keep it as a policy
directive. Severe winter weather made a significant impact in 2010-2011. Days buses didn’t operate went from 203.5 days in the previous year, to 429 days in 2010-2011 (1.7%). The increased demands on transportation have resulted in an increase of non-operational days by 1.09%.

For 2011-2012 Chinook School Division buses have a total of 172 routes, including rural and urban, Pre-kindergarten to grade 12. Rural routes travel approximately 27,311 total kilometers per day.

The Transportation Status Report will be posted on the Chinook website http://chinooksd.ca/agendas-minutes

School Community Council - New Members and Chairs Orientation
On Thursday, October 6, a New Members and Chairs Orientation was held at the Chinook Education Centre, hosted by JP Claire, Superintendent of Schools. The session went very well and included a presentation from Danielle Ehnisz from the Burstall on the role of being an SCC chair. SCC members in attendance expressed that they appreciated the chance to be learn about the role of the SCC and connect with staff, Board members and SCC members from other communities and schools.

Education Infrastructure Funding
The Chinook School Division has submitted their five year plan (B-5) for Facility Project Funding to the Ministry of Education. With an estimated cost of $6.376m, priorities have been set out within the five year plan for upgrading, replacements and construction in schools across Chinook.

See news item on http://chinooksd.ca/ “Chinook Submits Plan for Education Infrastructure Funding”.