School division hosting information session focused on reading and spelling

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on October 19, 2024.

news@medicinehatnews.com

The Medicine Hat Public School Division is hosting an hour-long virtual information session aimed for parents with young children who are learning how to read and spell, as well as older students who are having difficulties learning literacy skills.

The session, titled ‘Supporting Literacy at Home,’ can be attended online or by phone, and will be led by Marnie Heintz, an instructional coach with the division, and will focus on sharing research-based best practices in literacy instruction.

“(E)mpower parents to support their children to read and spell proficiently,” states an advertisement for the learning session.

Parents will be provided tools and strategies to work with kids at home to improve both reading and spelling.

The session begins at 6 p.m. Nov. 12 and can be accessed via video meeting through a link accessible on the school division’s website. Parents are also invited to join the meeting by phone by calling 1-778-748-9311 and using the following password to enter, 673 580 880#.

Superintendent search

The Medicine Hat Public School Division is seeking a new superintendent following the departure of Mark Davidson, who served in the role for eight years and announced in April he would be accepting a new education position in B.C.

Last week the board of trustees announced it will be launching a “comprehensive search process” to select a new superintendent with the goal of filling the position by April next year.

“We are committed to student success and fostering a thriving learning environment,” says board chair Catherine Wilson.

The search process involves months of collecting input from a diverse range of stakeholders invited to engage in a consultation process.

Stakeholders include executive leadership team, principals and vice principals, the Alberta Teachers Association and local teachers. The Canadian Union of Public Employees, non-unionized staff as well as the student senate and Division Council of School Councils will also be stakeholders in the process.

“This search process will be guided by extensive stakeholder consultation to ensure we find a leader who reflects the needs and aspirations of our dedicated staff, students and families,” says Wilson.

Feedback gathered from stakeholder engagement will help guide trustees to select the “most suitable” leader by shaping a candidate profile.

To ensure a smooth transition the division will continue to be led by Tracy Hensel, who was named acting superintendent following Davidson’s departure.

16
-15