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educational partnerships
partnership highlights
Book Bags for Kids
Each student, in keeping with his or her individual abilities and gifts, will complete high school with a foundation of learning to function effectively in life, work and continued learning. Literacy for every child is essential to achieving this end. Over one thousand bags of books, delivered just before the winter holiday break to elementary students, will be enthusiastically received and will help promote and develop positive literacy experiences. Program Summary Book Bags for Kids was developed to help address childhood and family literacy issues, with the hope that each holiday season, children across Calgary could receive their very own first set of quality books. The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) has partnered with corporate sponsors to give the gift reading and learning to children in schools who will benefit the most. This will be the eighth year for this program Goal for 2009 One thousand bags will be delivered to approximately 25 Calgary Board of Education schools. What goes in the Book Bags?
Key Messages
Book Bag for Kids Partners for 2009
For further information on how you can support the Book Bags for Kids program, please contact: Corporate Partnerships at 403-294-8114 or e-mail us at partnerships@cbe.ab.ca
Calgary Hitmen Collector's Edition Books These fictional books have been written by noted children’s author Sigmund Brouwer. Each of these books has a hockey related story. “To have author Sigmund Brouwer write stories involving the Calgary Hitmen is an honour and a privilege,” says Kip Reghenas, Calgary Hitmen Director of Business Operations. "It’s even more gratifying to know that thousands of students receive these books every year, promoting literacy in our schools.” Hitmen Triumph is the latest title in the “Lightning on Ice Mystery” series from Sigmund Brouwer. This short novel is a great story for those who like to read about hockey and also like a good mystery. Students and Staff at Douglas Harkness School were the enthusiastic hosts and first recipients of the eighth book: Hitmen Triumph which was officially unveiled at a press conference held on Monday, February 10, 2008. Students scored literacy tips from the Calgary Hitmen Hockey players and other guests during the special assembly. Calgary Hitmen players, Ryan White and Karl Alzner, who are featured on the cover of Hitmen Triumph, were on hand to sign books and speak with students. Players and guests delivered inspirational messages to students about the importance of developing reading and writing skills, and to always reach for excellence. Calgary Board of Education Trustee Pamela King spoke on the importance of literacy and acknowledged the importance of our dedicated educators and our corporate partners who support literacy and learning for our students. Other special guests at the Calgary Hitmen book launch included author Sigmund Brouwer, Hockey Hall of Famer: Bryan Trottier, former NHL players: Paul Kruse and Al Conroy, Schlumberger President, Derek Normore, Director of Business Operations Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club: Kip Reghenas, and Read On! Literacy Project Chairman John McMullen. In March 2008, about 8000 CBE students received their personal copy of Hitmen Threat, compliments of this terrific partnership. This partnership recently received the 2008 Mayors’ Excellence Award for Literacy Support and Enhancement.
Previous Collector’s Edition titles include: Calgary Hitmen and Schlumberger Honour CBE Educators For seven years the Calgary Hitmen and exclusive program sponsor, Schlumberger, have extended high interest collectable hockey books to students across Alberta schools as part of their “Literacy for Life” program. At the awards event, Kip Reghenas, Calgary Hitmen Director of Business Operations, stated, “As an organization, we not only desire to place a great competitive product on the ice surface, but in addition to make a significant contribution to young people within our community. These outstanding educators assist us in supporting the cause of literacy development in young people, which we consider to be very important for our organization. Our partnership with the Calgary Board of Education has allowed us to be more effective as an organization in reaching out to young people and making a difference. As an organization we applaud the efforts of all teachers but especially feel privileged to honour these four exemplary educators at the 2007 awards dinner.” CBE continues its long-standing relationship with Calgary Reads The Calgary Board of Education (CBE), as part of our ongoing partnership with the Calgary Herald encourages CBE students to become involved in the local competition. Schools are provided with a CanSpell National Spelling Bee Primer. This resource guide outlines the rules and regulations of the competition, and contains helpful tips on planning a school spelling bee. The first stage of the spelling bee competition took place at the school level in January 2007. Successful participants had the opportunity to advance to the school district finals and the regional finals in Calgary. The Calgary Herald Regional Winner included a student from John Ware Junior High School who competed in the National Spelling Bee in Ottawa in April with 41 other regional finalists. It’s a Crime not to Read was recognized as one of the Mayor’s partnership Excellence awards winners for 2005. Most recently, The Calgary Public Library and the “It’s Not a Crime to Read” project was just selected as the 2007 winner of the Marshall Cavendish Excellence in Library Programming Award which recognizes a school or public library that demonstrates excellence by providing programs which have community impact and respond to community needs. This is the first time a Canadian library system is being honored with this award, which will be presented at the ALA conference in Washington, DC in June 2007.
The First Calgary Savings Book Rapport Programme is strategically aligned with the K-12 curriculum and promotes and supports creativity in the literary arts. The Book Rapport Programme is comprised of student-focused workshops, readings, and question and answer sessions. Workshops are hosted in-school or at venues throughout Calgary and are tailored to specific grades. As a result of the partnership between WordFest and the CBE, hundreds of CBE students that might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend WordFest, received free tickets and transportation to attend various presentations. Content Moderator: L. Milner
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Our Board of Trustees has determined that: 
Thanks to the partnership between the Calgary Board of Education, The Calgary Hitmen Hockey Club, exclusive sponsor, Schlumberger Canada, and Read On! Literacy for Life, thousands of CBE students have received books over the past eight years. This partnership has also provided opportunities for students to have author visits, writing workshops along with special Calgary Hitmen hockey events. 
The
four newest members of the Hitmen team, were not, however, being recognized
for their hockey accomplishments on the ice, but rather for their contribution
to students in the classroom through their outstanding commitment, energy,
and dedication in promoting literacy. 
Since
1998, Calgary Reads (a registered charitable organization), has championed
the cause of early literacy in schools throughout Calgary. With a strong
focus on early intervention, Calgary Reads pairs struggling readers
in Grades 1 and 2 with trained adult volunteers for twice-weekly, one-on-one
tutoring in a structured, nurturing and supportive learning environment
within the child's school. Time is spent coaching budding readers while
providing a strong adult role model in each child's life. With the help
of volunteers, educators, families, government and corporate sponsorship,
Calgary Reads continues to grow in popularity and scope across the city.
In 2005 there were over 300 volunteers involved in the program in over
50 schools. 
CanWest
Global Communications Corp. has created the CanSpell National Spelling
Bee. The spelling bee program offers an opportunity for students in grades
five through eight to take part in a fun and educational competition.
This program is designed to reinforce the value of literacy and learning
and it cultivates year-round interest with teachers, parents, students
and the communities that support them.
The
mandate of the Indigo Love of Reading Fund is to positively contribute
to instilling in identified children, a life-long love of reading and
learning. This mission is accomplished through Indigo’s support
of literacy learning opportunities for both children and teachers in
various K-12 schools. Through the generosity of customers and employees
any money raised through the sale of the gift card boxes is allocated
from the Fund to support organizations and programs that support literacy.
Details on the School Program and the application form are available
online at 
It's
a Crime Not to Read is an innovative partnership between the CBE, Calgary
Public Library(CPL), Calgary Police Service and the Rotary Club of Calgary.
Once a month, a police officer visits the grade three classes at 5 CBE
Elementary schools to read to the children. The CPL ensures all students
have cards and takes along a wealth of materials that can be checked out
by the students. Classes visit the library at the beginning of the program
and enjoy a special family evening at the end. The Rotary Club funds an
author reading, snacks that add to the special feel of each visit, and
provide the gift of a paperback book at the end. Parents are involved
in special events to ensure that family literacy is encouraged. The program
connects students with books and reading, enhances their literacy and
life-long learning skills, and establishes positive community relationships,
With the support of schools, teachers, and partners, the It’s a
Crime Not to Read program has grown to provide approximately 500 CBE students
with the opportunity to participate each school year. 
Raise
a Reader Day is an initiative of the CanWest Global Foundation that
was launched in nine cities in 2002. For 2006, the fifth annual Raise
a Reader Day will take place on Thursday, September 28, 2006. The Calgary
Herald, Global Television, various celebrities and CBE volunteers will
be involved in selling a special literacy edition of the Calgary Herald
for donations in downtown Calgary. For 2005, Raise a Reader raised thousands
of dollars locally that were shared amongst 4 recipients. For the 2006
campaign, the Calgary Board of Education program, Book Bags for Kids
was a recipient of funds.
Each
fall, WordFest: Banff-Calgary International Writer’s Festival
brings together writers from Canada and around the world to participate
in the innovative First Calgary Savings Book Rapport Educational Programme.
This component of the Festival is highly praised by educators as an
effective and entertaining way to introduce students to some of literature’s
leading new talents and renowned authors. 