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This Retreat provided us with an opportunity to reflect and plan for the CR road ahead. It is so worthwhile to step away from our work to have dedicated time for this reflection. Schools and school divisions are busy. This Retreat is what we needed heading into the upcoming school year. We are coming away with many ideas to support our principals to refine and refocus their CR practices to support and serve our students. Thank you to Kurtis and his team for this excellent experience!
- Raymonde Roulston, Director - Early Childhood and Learning Support Services - Greater St. Albert Roman Catholic Separate School Division
When and Where is the Retreat?
The 2025 Collaborative Response Retreat is scheduled for May 2-3, 2025 at the Lacombe Memorial Center in Lacombe, Alberta, with a Pre-Retreat session offered on May 1, 2025 which will provide an in-depth overview of Collaborative Response.
The Collaborative Response Retreat was an incredible professional development that enabled our leadership team various opportunities to work with other schools and listen to what works well when effectively applying Collaborative Response. As a school and division, we are not new to CR, but this gave us so many new ideas to try and implement. It was the perfect balance of learning, sharing, and working with other educators to reinvigorate our vision and focus on collaboratively meeting the needs of all our students. In addition to this, Lacombe is a beautiful town and was a wonderful place to explore while we were away at this PD. The food and fellowship at the conference was also incredible and many laughs were shared. Can't wait for next year!
- Shannon Fraser, Teacher, Fairview High School - Peace River School Division
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Why Attend the Retreat?
In planning this event, we envision that the retreat will again be an opportunity to:
- Celebrate the diversity of individual contexts for schools and districts, different stages of implementation, and the flexibility of the Collaborative Response framework through an innovative grassroots approach to learning and sharing
- Network, share and celebrate the diverse and differentiated Collaborative Response practices happening across the province of Alberta and beyond
- Engage openly regarding the challenges and successes being experienced across the greater educational community, honouring honest and transparent conversation
- Share and access additional resources and supports from district leadership to classroom practices to support and extend Collaborative Response and related work
- Each team attending will have time dedicated to planning their next steps for implementing Collaborative Response
The Collaborative Response Retreat allowed our team to gain a deeper understanding of the collaborative response processes and how to improve our current implementation plan. On top of the learning we left feeling inspired and excited for the future at our school.
- Katie DeAngelo, I-Coach, Fairview High School - Peace River School Division
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Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the Collaborative Response Retreat?
The Collaborative Response Retreat is a dedicated professional learning experience designed to provide educators with the time and space to reflect, collaborate, and plan for the future of Collaborative Response in their schools and districts. Unlike a traditional conference, this Retreat allows teams to step away from their daily responsibilities to focus on refining and strengthening their implementation of Collaborative Response. Through networking, sharing best practices, and engaging in meaningful discussions, participants leave with new insights, actionable strategies, and a renewed commitment to supporting student success. Whether new to Collaborative Response or looking to enhance existing practices, the Retreat offers an invaluable opportunity to learn, connect, and grow together.
Why is it called a Retreat and not a Conference?
This event is called a Retreat rather than a Conference because it provides a unique opportunity to step away from the day-to-day demands of school life and focus on reflection, collaboration, and planning for the road ahead in Collaborative Response. Unlike a traditional conference that primarily delivers information, the Retreat is intentionally designed to allow teams to engage deeply in meaningful discussions, share successes and challenges, and develop actionable next steps. With dedicated team planning time, networking opportunities, and a supportive atmosphere, the Retreat ensures that participants leave not only with new insights but also with a clear vision and renewed energy to enhance Collaborative Response in their schools.
What can I expect from a working Retreat? What does that mean?
A working retreat is a structured event where individuals or teams step away from their usual environment to focus on specific tasks, projects, or strategic planning while also benefiting from a retreat setting. Unlike traditional retreats focused solely on relaxation or team bonding, a working retreat balances work sessions with reflective or collaborative activities to boost productivity.
Who should attend the Retreat?
The Collaborative Response Retreat is an excellent opportunity for anyone who is looking to introduce, establish or deepen the way they respond to the needs of students in their school or division. This includes:
- Superintendents, Directors, Coordinators and others at the district level
- Principals, Assistant Principals and other members of the school leadership team
- Instructional Coaches, Learning Support Teachers, Department Heads and other school based leads
- Teachers
- Support Staff
- External Partners
Can I attend on my own or should I attend with my school/district team?
Attending the Retreat with your team is highly encouraged, as there is dedicated team planning time to strategize your next steps for implementing Collaborative Response. Bring your team to make the most of this opportunity for collaboration and action!
Do I need to know anything about Collaborative Response to attend?
No! The Retreat is a great opportunity to learn more about Collaborative Response and hear what the framework looks like in a variety of settings, through 15 different schools and divisions sharing their work in breakout sessions, as well as multiple opportunities for networking and facilitated discussions.
It would be highly advantageous, if new to Collaborative Response, to attend the May 1 Pre-Retreat, which will focus on providing an introductory overview for Collaborative Response.
Can I get a certificate of participation for the Retreat?
Yes! Following your attendance at the Retreat, you will receive an email asking if you’d like a certificate of attendance and how many participation hours it involved.
Why is the Retreat hosted in Lacombe?
The Retreat is hosted in Lacombe as it is a beautiful, picturesque community located in between Alberta’s largest cities of Edmonton and Calgary. Lacombe is a small community with many lakes, walking paths and unique businesses and many amenities.
Explore Lacombe here!
Why haven’t I received any follow-up emails with accommodation information, announcements, etc.?
When does registration close?
Registration closes on Friday, April 25, 2025.