Father Leonard Van Tighem School
Accountability Pillar Survey – Information for Parents
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Alberta Education is conducting the annual Accountability Pillar Surveys from January to the end of February 2021. These surveys are necessary and help guide our school. 
Parents of students of grades 4 and 7 will receive a survey mailed to their homes directly from Alberta Education. Also, all students in grades 4 and 7 and all teachers will be completing their surveys online through their schools. All surveys are anonymous. Respondents are expected to answer the questions based on the experiences they have had at their school.
We strongly encourage your participation as the results help us identify our school and jurisdiction’s strengths and areas of growth. Survey results will be available to jurisdictions by the start of May 2021 and will be reported publicly by jurisdictions as part of the Annual Education Results Reports in the fall of 2021.
Parents have told us that there are questions asked on the Accountability Pillar Survey for which they have little information. As a result, they often select “don’t know” as their response. Regrettably, any survey response of “don’t know” reflects negatively on our school. Please see the below example:
The Accountability Survey will report that only 30% of our parents believe “High School students demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for learning throughout their lifetime.” Parents may skip any question they feel does not apply.
To help parents, we have created the below document as an overview of the actions we use to support each child at our school regarding the questions many parents answer “don’t know” as their response. Although this is not a complete list, it provides a general idea of the effort we make to meet the needs of each student in the specified areas.
We hope this document provides you with information that helps you to complete the Accountability Pillar Survey. If you need more clarification or would like to speak about our practices, please contact Father Leonard Van Tighem School at 403-381-0953.
Respectfully yours,
Greg Kostiuk
Principal
| To what extent do you agree or disagree that your child can get help at school with problems that are not related to schoolwork. |
| Actions by Father Leonard Van Tighem School to support this question.● Referrals to mental health, counselling services and speech/occupational therapy services.
● Risk assessment trained staff. ● On-site Counsellor in school to use as a resource person to access professional services. ● Staff ready and willing to help students with personal issues. ● Many staff trained in First Aid. ● Three on-site Administrators trained to assist students with problems. |
| How satisfied or dissatisfied are you that High School students demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for learning throughout their lifetime. |
| Actions by Father Leonard Van Tighem School and Holy Spirit Catholic Schools to support this question.● We prepare the students through the teaching of the prescribed curriculum from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
● We prepare the students by teaching them the skills they need for organization, homework and accountability for their education. ● January Career Day. ● Students that graduate from Holy Spirit Catholic Schools are prepared to go directly into the workforce, post-secondary studies, or whatever they desire to do when complete. ● Students are supported by school administration and Holy Spirit Catholic Schools in ensuring they have the requirements needed to transition into life after high school. ● Classroom lessons for all grades to discuss knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for lifelong learning. ● Presentations for High School CALM classes from community agencies. ● Visuals – posters, Rutherford Scholarships. ● Work Experience and classroom discussions. ● Dual-credit opportunities for students to get college credits in High School. ● College/University handbook (calendars). ● Students involved in Career and Technology Studies classes learn real-life skills. ● Many skills such as carpentry, cooking, computer technology, and welding are relevant to situations and challenges encountered throughout a student’s life. ● Through social class, students are able to demonstrate an ability to understand and analyze global issues. |
| How satisfied or dissatisfied are you that your child is taught the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for learning throughout his or her lifetime. |
| Actions by Father Leonard Van Tighem School to support this question.● Students are taught responsibility for their actions and showing respect.
● Students are given age-appropriate classroom duties to foster responsibility and accountability ● Students are taught how to model positive character traits which will enable them to be respected citizens in the community they will live. ● Students are taught cooperation and how to work with other people. ● Students are taught the meaning of social justice and to help those who are less fortunate than they are. |
| How satisfied or dissatisfied are you that your child is taught attitudes and behaviours to be successful at work when he or she leaves school. |
| Actions by Father Leonard Van Tighem School to support this question.● Jr. High Tutorial period Monday to Thursday for mentorship, organizing and class preparation.
● Study habits are taught to the students and are encouraged throughout all subject areas. ● Policies encourage students to be on time and to attend all classes. ● Organizational strategies are taught and reinforced. ● Students are taught accountability, ownership and responsibility for their actions. ● Elementary students receive agendas to support communication and organizational skills. ● Study skills and test-taking strategies are taught to support students. ● Jr. High Academic Awards. ● Students are taught the value of completing tasks on time and to the best of their ability. ● Students are taught to respect themselves and those around them. |
| To what extent are you involved in decisions about your child’s education? |
| ● Communication between home and school through school newsletters available on the web page monthly.● Emails to parent groups and regular social media posts.
● Parent surveys on a variety of issues. ● Many parent meetings occur on an “ongoing” basis with parents. ● Special notices are sent home between newsletters. ● Communication with parents through the school and class websites. ● Many parent meetings (virtual this year) are arranged between teacher and parent, or teacher and student. ● For students with special needs, an Individual Support Plan is developed between the parent and the teacher. ● School Council meetings are held monthly to get input from parents of our school community. ● Phone calls home from teachers to parents to discuss their child’s educational needs. ● Report Cards are sent home and parent/teacher/student interviews are held. ● Parents can make contact with their child’s teachers when needed. |
| How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the opportunity to be involved in decisions about your child’s education? |
| Opportunities for decision making at Father Leonard Van Tighem School related to this area.● Individual Support Plans
● Diverse Learning Needs – Parent meetings ● Report cards and parent/teacher/student interviews ● Parent surveys ● School Council meetings held once a month. ● Parent meetings with teachers – ongoing. |
| To what extent are you involved in decisions at your child’s school? |
| Actions by Father Leonard Van Tighem School to support this question.● School Council meetings are held monthly to get input from parents about upcoming changes within the school.
● Parent surveys. ● Open Door Policy – allows parents to come into the school to become more familiar with the school and provide input. ● Parental meetings with teachers – ongoing. ● Parent/Teacher/Student interviews. ● Parents have input on educational plans through our School Council. ● Administration can be contacted through our school website, email, meetings, or phone to give input on school. |
Greg Kostiuk 