Calgary Floods June 24th 2013 YES …Calgarians Care

Calgarians Care

Calgarians are great helpers as can be seen all over the city. I am grateful to live in a city with so many people who care so much.

  1. We will rebuild. CalgaryStrong! pic.twitter.com/17h9AOlCRC
  2. I created “Calgary Floods 2013” with @HaikuDeck: haikudeck.com/p/U1DekWUNVC #etmooc #openspokes #cdnedchat thx to all who r helping
  3. Macleod Trail underpass is no longer filled with water. Here’s a look at changes in water level there. #yyc pic.twitter.com/kHINADNNdw
  4. Calgary … Coping with A Crisis: youtu.be/Mo4MSomTNBI via @youtube #scchat
  5. Downtown Calgary is a ghost town in the events of the flood. No power. pic.twitter.com/pTjf24g3YX
  6. Thank you so much to everyone who has been retweeting our crisis line # during this difficult time, 403.266.HELP(4357) #yycfloods
  7. Thank you for the generosity #yyc! 2 Timmy’s gift cards left tucked into a cruiser window 🙂 #WeAreCalgary pic.twitter.com/AqbiyTUYZW
  8. Wanted to share my livebinder – Calgary Resources for families Responding to A Natural Disaster livebinders.com/play/play_or_e… #yycfloods #Calgary
  9. @metrocalgary: Flood victims will receive $1,250 per adult and $500 per child. Eligibility and distribution plans are being finalized #abflood #yycflood
  10. Flooding goes to row 8 in the Scotiabank Saddledome #yycflood #yyc pic.twitter.com/ARd2yseLJO
  11. Volunteers (18yrs old min) Please meet at McMahon Stadium at 10 a.m.on June 24. ow.ly/mjE5t #yyc #yycfloods
  12. This ones for all the volunteers helping out with the #YYCFlood
    #CALGARYSTRONG Song youtube.com/watch?feature=…
  13. Nenshi-mania at McMahon. A line of volunteers forms to hug the mayor, who responds ‘this is re-energizing me’ #abfloods #yycfloods
  14. Premier Alison Redford announces initial $1B in flood relief | Calgary | News | Calgary Sun calgarysun.com/2013/06/24/bui… #YYCFLOODS
  15. Receding water reveals staggering toll of flood damage in Calgary and southern Alberta bit.ly/144qG4f #yyc pic.twitter.com/JjcNifZ03U
  16. The #ctrain line north of #erlton looking all roller coastery. #yycflood #yycfloods #letsrebuild instagram.com/p/a87yduozIH/
  17. “@JayCyyc: Calgary shows up. Thanks! #yycfloods pic.twitter.com/rqMUGU7xrE” #awesome #abfloods
  18. We have lots of news today, most of it good. The rivers are slowly returning to more normal flows, it is still very dangerous. Please stay away from the riverbank and river pathways. Perhaps the biggest news is that everyone in a single family home affected is allowed to return to do a self-assessment, with the exception of the 2200 block of 8th Ave SE in Inglewood. Please note that assessment of multi-family units (e.g. apartment complexes and condos) must be completed by the building owner or building superintendent. Individual occupants of multi-family units should confirm assessment has been completed and approved with their building contact.For important updates related to re-entry, transit, waste and recycling, and the situation downtown, please visit calgarycitynews.com/The federal and provincial governments have also made several announcements today regarding their plans to assist citizens and communities affected by flood relief. I want to thank Premier Redford and Prime Minister Harper and their ministers for their continuing support for rebuilding our city.
  19. Wow. Just, wow. #yyc #abflood Photo courtesy J Dowd. pic.twitter.com/ydwpseoIEt
  20. More flood damage in the community of Mission. #yyc #yycfloods #yycflood #YYCFlood013 #globalyyc pic.twitter.com/27ltj9yPo4
  21. Our city is filled with kind, wonderful people. It will recover fast #yycfloods
  22. Here’s what the flood did to 2 vehicles in Mission. (David Wakely photos) See more: bit.ly/10O2mFJ #yyc pic.twitter.com/fizvLy3SiF
  23. The Alberta Floods 2013 – Pictures & how you can help! buff.ly/12dNiPZ #abflood #yycfloods
  24. We are thinking of those affected by the floods. If you need a listening/accessible ear please do not hesitate to stop by. #yycfloods
  25. You can do your part to help…
  26. Text 30333 to automatically donate $5 to help w flood relief or visit redcross.ca #yyc #yycfloods #abflood pic.twitter.com/17or6VsDIC
    ·

    Mon, Jun 24 2013 00:31:12IMPORTANT: Calgary Catholic School District and Calgary Board of Education schools to remain closed until Thursday #ABflood#yycflood

  27. @buzzbishop @dadcamp Love thy neighbour Agree Calgarians are amazing. We don’t have to look for the helpers they are everywhere #yycflood
  28. Calgary Catholic employees will receive direct information via email regarding staffing. #CCSD
  29. Military moves in to protect key Enmax substation in southeast bit.ly/1349cby #yyc #yycflood pic.twitter.com/KTF0f2DfTx
  30. Calgary Herald front page flood coverage. June, 1929. twitpic.com/cyv6co
  31. Red Cross to receive proceeds of artist’s Scuba Nenshi shirt sales #yycflood #yyc calgary.ctvnews.ca/red-cross-to-r… @CTVNews pic.twitter.com/DzfHYIFYEo
  32. Refreshingly optimistic, as Calgary always is. #yycflood pic.twitter.com/YmeNddUqvZ
  33. In the end we will be better Calgary I can see it and I think they can too!
  34. Photo of Calgary #YYC courtesy Keri. #ABflood pic.twitter.com/hV5SqjTM04

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Calgary … Floods and A Hopeful Community 2013

Calgary … An amazing community of people willing to

make a difference.

Calgary is experiencing as @CBC says one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Social media has a positive part to play in helping inform and help in the days, weeks and months to come. I am so grateful. Calgarians are fantastic!

  1. The @CBCCalgary is calling this one of the worst natural disasters in Canadian history. Hang in there, neighbours. @yycfloodSat, Jun 22 2013 12:07:16 
  2. RT @FarahDhalla This is what has become of downtown #Calgary #yyc #yycfloods #twn pic.twitter.com/j3lzi7fXw6
  3. Hats off! U R The Best! First Responders – The #RedCross & Canadian Troops #Alberta #Calgary #YYCFloods
    RedCrossAB
  4. Restoring Family Links call centre is ready. If you are looking for family that has been evacuated you can contact 1-866-696-6484 #yycfloods
  5. Please support our local #yyc businesses, they need our support now more than ever. #yycflood
  6. Drop-In Centre wishlist – bring items to temp. centre (former hotel) 4804 Edmonton Trail NE #yyc #yycflood pic.twitter.com/EATDADUMNS
  7. Could I just say again how PROUD I am to live in a city with a Mayor like @nenshi. YOU are an OUTSTANDING leader #yycflood
  8. A video I created for #openspokes a vlogging place for educators from across North America. A supportive online community, a place where educators reflect on a variety of topics.
  9. Beautiful and thoughtful post about social media as a support during difficult times Thx @EHordyskiLuong #abflood erinluong.wordpress.com/2013/06/23/rea…
  10. @verenanz @EHordyskiLuong thx for sharing feeling that we can help more in the days, weeks and months to come
    \
  11. Great PLN Checking in…
  12. Stay dry my friends MT @SSpellmanCann: Calgary Flooding – 2013 Flood- Calgary Video Production – BizBOXTV bizboxtv.com/calgary-floodi…
  13. @SSpellmanCann Oh good! Agree. My BIL & SIL had to evacuate Mission (they are okay). A yr ago today I was skipping stones on the Elbow. OMG.
  14. Photos from inside the Scotiabank Saddledome ~ cflam.es/12VsG0C #yycflood #yyc
  15. Most Inspiring Photos from the 2013 Calgary Flood #calgaryflood
  16. RT @nicolelisafeld: Memorial Drive #yycflood pic.twitter.com/T3C5ETu2b7 Never seen anything like it! My heart goes sout to all those affected
  17. Only high schools in non-evacuated areas will remain open for students writing diploma exams for the week of June 24. bit.ly/14lGEpE
    I know our students will show amazing strength and support…
  18. @SSpellmanCann Aiden has graciously volunteered to come back this evening for a jam session. Looking forward to it! #ABFloods #yycflood
  19. Support @RedCrossAB to help where it’s needed most right now. Together, we’ll make it through this! redcross.ca #yycflood #yyc
  20. Telus has made it even easier to donate. Text REDCROSS to 30333 to donate $5 in support of #ABfloods #yycflood
  21. I am very very proud of@nenshi @CalgaryPolice and all frontline workers and all albertans. Thanks@pmharper for deploying troops Stay strong
  22. “Hug your public servants” – @nenshi on @CBCTheNational. Nice shout out to hardworking folks putting in long hours in #Alberta. #yycflood
    Briefing with @Premier_Redford and @nenshi. ow.ly/mh29g #abflood#yycflood
  23. Mayor @nenshi announces full exemption for grade 12 students from diploma exams. The teacher, or classroom grade will be their final grade.
  24. I am so flipping proud of #yyc media, community, and city use of social media tonight. Absolutely GENIUS everyone. #yycflood
  25. Until you visit – you can’t appreciate the spirit of caring that permeates the evacuation shelters. High River will be back.
  26. Flooding outside the Scotiabank Saddledome – please stay away from the building until further notice #yycflood #yyc pic.twitter.com/l7YaHuyxfK
  27. Aerial photo of flooding around the Saddledome. #yycflood pic.twitter.com/kZlDekMfZK
  28. This pic of an awesome firefighter in Mission needs to go viral. Please share! #yycflood @redcrosscanada pic.twitter.com/3m3AiodrA5”
  29. “@ampcalgary: Who else needs to see a pic like this today? 🙂 #calgarystrong #yycflood pic.twitter.com/ZuFw2X6oZc” IT’S SO VIVID

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The Tough Topics in Education … Suicide

This week in #openspokes we were asked to tackle the tough topics and I decided to tackle the topic of suicide which is NOT easy.

School Counsellors often have to assist students with the grief process. Over the years I have seen students who have lost parents, siblings, friends, classmates and family members some due to a completed suicide which is the most tragic of all.

Below listen to a young man’s story that begins to tell the story of the impact on family and friends. I am not sure that there are any words to descibe the impact that this tragedy truly has,but his words I am hopeful will help other students.

As school counsellors our role is to be helpful in anyway that we can by infusing HOPE in as many ways as possible.

When a school experiences the loss of a student everyone feels the loss as expressed here by a note left to a student who died.

Dear_____,

Even though we haven’t formally met, I look at your spot in English class and I am deeply saddened that you are not here with us…

It is never easy seeing a student in deep pain especially if the loss was tragic or sudden. Often times school counsellors need to ensure that they have dealt with their own issues surrounding grief so that they can best help others. School Counsellors need to be aware of vicarious trauma or counsellor burnout when assisting students who have experienced traumatic events.

Here are my livebinders on Suicide Prevention and HOPE:

Suicide Prevention and HOPE

Mental Health resources

I know school counsellors save lives everyday and I want to thank you for the important work you do that no one else sees. I know because I have been a school counsellor for a long time. So keep doing what you are doing even though it can be extremely difficult at times.

There are students who you will make a difference for… of that I am sure! Take care of yourself so that you can continue to help others.

We Are The Cardinals and What a Flock We Have Become

ImageAs the year comes to a close I reflect on the privilege I have to work with so many great people who care about youth. Please listen to the inspiring words of our school chaplain as she shares her year end message to students at Bishop Carroll High School.

Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns,

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Are you not of more value than they?

Matthew 6:26

Each of us is a sacred word spoken by God, called by name, chosen before birth, imprinted with a one-of-a-kind genetic code and finger prints, and given a mission belonging only to us.

Each of us has a unique history, collection of relationships, encounters, events, challenges, successes, gifts and talents that bring us to this moment and make us who we are now. Each of us is a person unlike anyone else who has come before or is to come. Metaphorically, we are indeed birds of a different feather.

As I reflect on our year just past, the image of a flock of geese during their migration flight comes to mind. A leader emerges to take the front position of the V, while others fall in behind to take advantage of the wind lift in those positions. When the leader tires, that individual drops back and another takes over. Leaders always emerge and are appreciated. If one member of the flock cannot fly due to illness or advanced age, another stays behind to be with this member until health returns and both are able to continue the journey with another flock. No individual is left alone, none are left behind. In the case of death, the companion grieves and then joins another migrating group. New members are always welcome, just as they are. As the verse from Matthew’s gospel states, the birds of the flock and all the members of the community are valuable and valued.

This sounds a lot like Bishop Carroll High School. We are the Cardinals, and what a flock we have become! We may soar, flap, swoop, swim, waddle, squawk, screech, sing, whistle, honk, but together we manage to create beautiful sounds and sights and movements.

We are artists, actors, athletes, intellectuals, designers, builders, humorists, writers, academics, mentors, friends. We are people of justice. We are concerned about our environment. We are lovers of the arts and supporters of the poor. We are people of prayer and faith. We love to celebrate, play, cheer and dance together. We mourn together, cry for one another, and lift each other up. Among us, leaders emerge and are appreciated. No individual is left alone, none are left behind. New members are always welcome just as they are. All are valuable and valued. We really are a community that lives and grows on the foundation of the gospel, loving others as we have been loved, always in the presence of God.

As you continue in your Bishop Carroll days and beyond, it is my hope that you will take to heart your role in the “flock”, participate in building the reign of God and encourage those around you to do the same. May the word of God inspire you.

“For as the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace.” (Isaiah 55: 10-12a)
Barb Fabijan-Waddell, Chaplain

Do You Really Want To Be A Teacher?

I say an emphatic YES. I have no regrets about choosing a profession I love and have loved since 1980.

When I hear people tell young people to not go into teaching it saddens me, because I think we need great teachers who love what they do. Of course there are things that are not so great that teachers have to do and yes parts of what teachers do are extremely difficult. There is no doubt about that, but it is still a wonderful profession that has many, many rewards.

The students are why we do what we do.  We want to be part of their learning. We want to make a difference in their lives. We want to impact how they live their lives and contribute to society. So if anyone asks me if they should become a teacher I will say YES, YES, YES. I will tell them they have an amazing opportunity to be around and impact youth. No doubt there will be frustrations and work you don’t like to do, but the positives will so outweigh the negatives.

There are so many great things about being an educator:

  • Working with students is number one
  • Working with people who love what they do is number two
  • Having choices to do a variety of jobs within a district…teaching at different levels, consulting, administration, counselling etc.
  • Having the freedom to be creative every day
  • Learning, learning, learning. If you are a teacher you are always learning
  • So many, many more reasons

This is an exciting time in education. There will be many changes over the next few years and teachers will have the opportunity to work with youth differently while still impacting their lives in a positive way. I encourage you to find your passion and if it happens to be teaching both YOU and the students will benefit! So I say go ahead CHOOSE TEACHING.

Since 1991 I have been a School Counsellor and I believe teaching and School Counselling have been the best careers in the world. Everyday,I am grateful!

All you educators out there tell me why you would tell young people to go into teaching. Please share your ideas.