In the winter of 2018, many of our partner schools expressed struggles with attendance – more than usual for that time of year. At the same time, we heard of schools trying innovative ideas to improve attendance and an interest in creating a network of school leaders from First Nations and Métis schools around Alberta to share ideas and offer support around attendance and other school-related topics.

In response, we began hosting a monthly call for anyone from First Nations and Métis schools to call in and share ideas, both around attendance issues and more generally. The calls have taken place on the first Wednesday of each month. To ensure that Resilient School communities are able to participate, the calls are held on the first Wednesday and Thursday of each month, starting in November 2022.  The call is the same on the two days, repeated to allow maximum participation despite busy school schedules, so school leaders can attend on one of the two days as their schedule allows. 

Topics are nominated by attendees and have included:

• Ever Active Schools Projects and the latest resources
• Update on the latest Ever Active Schools events
• Opportunities to support Professional Learning
• Celebrating successes within our Resilient Schools

The Resilient Schools Network allows school staff and community members to access support from similar districts in distant parts of the province (some are as far as 2,000km from one another) - that may face similar challenges and benefit from shared solutions.

The Network is open to any school leaders in Indigenous school communities – superintendents, principals, teachers, Elders, EAs and anyone else from the communities that can share insight or would benefit from being part of a wider network.