Foundation Statements

1. PSBAA Foundation Statement

As Members of the Public School Boards’ Association of Alberta,

“We believe public schools
are the first choice
of our communities,
where all our children learn
and live the values of democracy
together,
reflecting our hope and
shaping the future of our communities.”

Background:

From October 2002 to May 2004 the Association's Standing Committee on Necessary Conditions, Foundations and Outcomes (CFO) crafted a Foundation Statement to capture the essence of our vision of public school education.

The three pillars of this vision are Inclusion, Democracy and Local Autonomy (Community).

Three original draft Foundation Statements reflecting these pillars were the subject of a vote for "approval in principle" at the 2003 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in November 2003. Based on feedback from that meeting and from the membership, the CFO committee drafted a unified Combined Foundation Statement which was brought forward and adopted at the 2004 AGM.

VIEW Statement and Pillars [14 KB]

The Foundation Statement was the genesis of the creation of the Public School Boards Council. The PSBC was convened for the first time in February 2005.

2. Statement of Values

A Foundation Statement on Values, Character Formation and Respect
for Faith and Religion

Public schools believe in democracy, inclusion* and an interdependent community characterized by (but not limited to) the following character traits: respect, responsibility, honesty, integrity, empathy, fairness, initiative, perseverance, modesty, courage, trust, optimism, and citizenship.

We will deliberately and consistently celebrate, demonstrate, promote, nurture, strengthen and protect these character traits, grounded in a respect for the worth and dignity of each individual, for the worth and dignity of diverse ethnic cultures, and for the worth and dignity of diverse faiths and religions.

Public schools promote a democratic civil society. Such a society is founded on the conviction that every person is unique and valuable and that our communities should be valued, strengthened and sustained.

*the terms civil democracy and inclusion are defined in the PSBAA Foundation Statement.

Background:

From the Report of the Standing Committee on Values, Character Formation and Respect for Faith and Religion (VCR) given to the 2006 AGM, November 19, 2006: “Why a Values Statement?” we’re asked. First, there seems to be a public sense that public schools don’t teach values while other school systems do. Secondly, our teachers tell us they feel a lack of permission and direction with regard to values and respect for diversity, faith and religion.

This sense of ennui drove us to the creation of a foundational statement as a tool for addressing the situation. The process of developing the statement was long and far-ranging. Since our beginnings in 2002, VCR has benefited from an ongoing dialogue with boards and any individuals who wished to give us feedback. We felt this was too important to rush.
- Greg Butt, Trustee, Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools and Chair, VCR

VIEW Full Report to AGM [115 KB]