Download - Spring - 2016 The Chinook’s Edge Advantage 2016...The Chinook’s Edge Spring - 2016 Chinook’s Edge School Division No. 73 • Phone 403-227-7070 • Helping Hands

AdvantageA Publication of Chinook’s Edge School Division No. 73

The Chinook’s EdgeSpring - 2016

Chinook’s Edge School Division No. 73 • Phone 403-227-7070 • www.cesd73.ca

Helping Hands – Dozens of student models from Olds High, Olds Koinonia, Sundre High, Didsbury High and Bowden Grandview volunteered at a Gowns for Grads Gala, ensuring every graduate has access to formal wear this season. They were assisted by a team of volunteers who supported make-up, hairstyles, and buttoning all those fancy dresses.

Climbing the wall – Paige Fox, a Grade 1 student at École Olds Elementary School, joins activities in the school gym.

Team Central Alberta – Every student heading to the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Montreal this May is from Chinook’s Edge!

Special visit – Students from Spruce View School traveled to a retirement home in Innisfail to share songs and stories.


The Chinook’s Edge Advantage -

Ensuring the future of quality learning for studentsChinook’s Edge was very proud to receive honourable mention from the Premier’s Award for School Board Innovation and Excellence, for our Aspiring Leaders program. This unique initiative, being led by Chinook’s Edge, is designed to increase instructional leadership skills in schools and to support teachers who are interested in becoming a school-based administrator. It has created a new level of collaboration and commitment in Central Alberta, as more school divisions become involved. By sharing resources, each of these school divisions are developing the skills and aptitude of a number of professionals to ensure there will be a large number of people ready to lead schools when the current teams of administrators begin moving into retirement in the coming years.We are digging down as deeply as possible to provide authentic learning for our divisions’ leaders. Nothing is more important to our students and staff than ensuring there are strong, skilled leaders guiding the quality learning environments in our schools and classrooms – now and into the future. We are pleased to honour our staff by providing this unique, high-level professional development opportunity, which has quickly increased the skill level in our division and enhanced student achievement in the process. It is providing an impressive portfolio of professionals, who are ready to step into leading roles and continue providing the quality learning our students and families have come to expect of us in Chinook’s Edge!

Colleen Butler Kurt SacherBoard Chair Superintendent

The Board of Education joined students, families, neighbours and partners at the official opening of Gasoline Alley Career High School in February. This school has been serving Chinook’s Edge students with its flexible approach to learning for over 20 years, mostly from its popular location in central Red Deer. “There is steadfast leadership from everyone at this school, and the staff have worked tirelessly to ensure the beautiful new site also feels warm and familiar to students,” said Superintendent Kurt Sacher. “This staff has been together for many years and they brought their years of educational expertise to this project every step of the way. We couldn’t be more grateful for their efforts – they have set this school up to be a cultural and academic force for students for years to come.”

Gasoline Alley Career High marks new beginning in its long history

Leadership ConferenceÉcole Innisfail Middle School and Spruce View School joined forces to host a provincial leadership conference for students in Grades 7-9. Over 50 students from the two schools were part of an organizing committee that worked for nearly two years, in preparation for hosting over 300 guests from throughout Alberta. The Alberta Association of Student’s Councils and Advisors (AASCA) Junior High Leadership Conference schedule was packed with inspirational speakers and small-group work sessions, where participants learned about activities and projects they can take back to their own schools.

Trustee Holly Bilton, Board Chair Colleen Butler, Principal Daryl Brown, Trustee Sherry Cooper, and Superintendent Kurt Sacher celebrated the official opening.



Recipe foR SucceSS!Blending the right ingredients lands a Sundre High student in United Nations discussions

When Lions Clubs International went searching for a strong young leader to join their influential roundtable discussions at United Nations Headquarters in New York in March, they discovered Kate Jackson.

The unassuming Grade 12 student at Sundre High School would be the last person to broadcast her own accomplishments, so teacher and Sundre High Leo Club advisor Ryan Beck did it for her: she is an actress and singer, a highly academic student, an athlete who competes at the provincial level. She’s a founding member of the Sundre High Leo Club – which formed when she began at the school for Grade 9. She is the school’s Students Union President and representative on the division-wide Students Matter Committee, which works directly with the Superintendent and Central Office staff. But what caught the

eye of Lions Clubs International was how Kate and the Sundre High Leo Club supports women and girls.

“Leo Katie will represent the voice of Leos around the world and express the opinions and ideas of her young generation,” reads the notification from Emily Burnett, Leo Club Program Manager (Leo Club is the youth division of Lions Clubs International). “We admire Leo Katie’s leadership qualities that have not only supported a thriving Leo Club, but also fostered an environment where young women and men feel empowered and inspired to serve.”

Kate lent her voice to the United Nations discussions which took place on March 12, during ‘Lions Day with the U.N.’. The esteemed event involved 700 Lions Clubs International members, U.N. diplomats and other key international representatives to discuss various challenges facing the global community and help strengthen commitment to serving those in need. The Lions collaboration with the U.N. began in 1945 and the organization has held a key consultative role ever since. The lofty United Nations effort is itemized in a long document called ‘Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.’ Kate and the other delegates worked toward Goal 5 on the broad agenda: to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

“I think young voices are important at these discussions, because these are things that are really going to affect us in a big way in the coming years,” said Kate. “Young people will soon be making big decisions and having an impact in implementing all these societal changes, like gender equality. In some societies, girls drop out of school because they have family roles or even because the school facility doesn’t have a bathroom for the girls. All I see is the huge loss of potential. It’s a big task, but I think slowly and gradually we can make a change. Mr. Beck and the Leo Club have been indispensable and the school has always empowered me through these opportunities.”

“I understand you have already made many valuable contributions to your school and community, including providing care packages to women’s shelters, organizing counter-bullying programs at school and becoming involved in gender identity and gender equality issues. I truly believe women have the power to change the world, and achieving so many goals through hard work and perseverance is something of which you should be incredibly proud, especially at your age. I wish you great success as you speak at the United Nations. It is an honour to be the only young Canadian invited to make a presentation and represent youth on this critical issue.” Rachel Notley, Premier of Alberta.

“The entire school couldn’t be more proud of Kate. She is an amazing young lady who inspires all of us and drives us to be better people because of who she is. Sometimes I wonder who is teaching whom, because I’ve truly learned a lot from her. She spoke with confidence and conviction at the event, and her passion brought tears to many people’s eyes. She had a line-up of people wanting to talk to her afterwards, and offers for speaking engagements from across North America and as far afield as India. There is no end to her impact.” Ryan Beck, Teacher and Sundre High Leo Club Advisor.

To read the full media release, visit www.cesd73.caFor details on the United Nations 2030 Agenda, visit:

https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/transformingourworld

Katie Jo Jackson was photographed with Sundre High Principal Scott Saunders, teacher and Leo Club Advisor Ryan Beck and Superintendent Kurt Sacher, before she headed to New York to present to the United Nations.



Achievements

International development – Olds High School received a coveted Canadian Fairtrade Award, created to ensure fair prices are paid to producers in developing countries, for their priority to use Fairtrade products while hosting the Alberta Provincial Student Leadership Conference last spring.

Digital footprint – Jaime Scott, a Grade 3 student at École Steffie Woima Elementary School in Sylvan Lake, won second place in a national Telus Wise Footprint Challenge. Students between the ages of 6-18 were invited to create a comic strip designed to teach youth how to keep their digital footprint clean. One thousand entries were received from across Canada, and Jaime was one of three students shortlisted as a finalist. Her comic, “My Music Drama”, demonstrated the importance of copyright. She won a plaque and $500, as well as $2,000 to support digital literacy at her school. She was photographed with Principal Angela Eadie-Gyori, as a representative from Telus made the presentation.

Family institution – Chinook’s Edge acknowledged the strong family tradition of custodians, who have served schools in Didsbury for many years. Darrel Howden has been the custodian at Ross Ford Elementary School for 26 years, after having worked in the school division’s Facilities Department for 12 years before that. His brother Wayne has been with Chinook’s Edge for 20 years, first as a custodian at Cremona before moving to Westglen Middle School several years ago. And long before either swept into Chinook’s Edge, their father Roy had been the custodian at Ross Ford for 27 years.

First School Banner – Students and staff at Penhold Crossing Secondary School celebrated the first-ever athletic banner the school has achieved in its short history, thanks to the Junior High cross-country running team.

Excellence in Leadership Award – Carolyn Massel, Principal of Westglen School in Didsbury, was honoured by the HEROES organization for inspiring others and for building strong relationships with students, teachers and parents. Students from École Fox Run School in Sylvan Lake were also honoured at the event for demonstrating qualities of confidence, character and integrity – and inspiring others to do the same!



Global citizensAs part of a CTF Citizenship project, Grade 5-8 students from Elnora

School have been busy hosting fundraising events to support the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary. While in the city to drop off their donation, they also visited the Drop-In Centre to learn about

the efforts underway to care for homeless people.

Connected CommunityThe ‘Olds Connected Community Committee’ teamed Olds High School student mentors with seniors in the community, so that seniors could learn more about computer use and capabilities. Student volunteer Rachelle Fullerton-Lee is enjoying her connection with Jack and Dorothy Beswetherick!

Bunnies bring life’s lessons into the classroomTwo fluffy bunnies are packing important lessons when they visit Grade 4

classes at École John Wilson Elementary School in Innisfail every week. They are at the centre of a 10 week program called Naturally Nurtured that teaches skills to support children’s physical and mental health and

well-being. Because the bunnies are so sensitive, students quickly learn to be caring, calming and respectful with every interaction. Then they

come to apply those same techniques when dealing with others and when taking care of themselves.

Sharing love of literacyGrade 9 students from École Innisfail High School are ‘reading buddies’ with Grade 2 students at École John Wilson Elementary School.

Students Matter!Dr. Lissa Steele, Associate Superintendent of Learning Services, leads a fun activity at a Students Matter Committee meeting at Division Office. The group meets three times each year, to share ideas directly with the Board of Education and Central Office staff.

Meaningful learningthrough collaboration



Indigenous Education in Chinook’s EdgeCollaborators - A new FNMI Steering Committee has been working to cultivate a renewed focus on First Nations, Métis and Inuit teachings throughout the division. The result is a vibrant, newly expanded FNMI section on the division website which contains resources, curriculum links, messages and activities taking place in schools.

Great Achievement – Dr. Barb Mulholland presented her doctoral research at a College of Alberta School Superintendents/Alberta Education annual learning conference in Edmonton. Her thesis, ‘Building Collaborative Capacity: A Case Study’, will be published by the University of Calgary.

Sacred Teachings - One of the many resources available through the website is a series of kits that share Seven Sacred Teachings through stories, artifacts and suggestions for activities. Schools have already been signing out the kits, to bring FNMI teachings to life for all students. Jane Atkins (Chinook’s Edge FNMI Coordinator) joined Elder Pauline Beagan to bless the new kits.

Celebration – Métis dancing was a hit at the school assembly, when École Deer Meadow School held a ceremonial blessing for the school’s new FNMI artwork.

Provincial Dual Credit SymposiumOver 70 of Alberta’s education leaders came together at the Community Learning Campus in Olds to carve out the best dual credit opportunities for this province’s students. Two provincial Dual Credit Steering Committee co-chairs were at the day-long event, along with industry leaders, post-secondary and Kindergarten-Grade 12 representatives. The feedback that was generated was reported directly to the Ministers through the Provincial Dual Credit Steering Committee, in an effort to make every possible dual credit opportunity available to students. Dual Credit programming provides the opportunity for students to earn credits at both the high school and college level. The event was organized by a team which was led by Dr. Barb Mulholland, Director of Learning for the Community Learning Campus.

Ceremonial blessing - Artist Janice Gallant (far right) was part of a special ceremony when Elder Louis Soop blessed the FNMI artwork she created, which now hangs in the school entrance to welcome everyone who enters École Deer Meadow School in Olds.



The sky’s the limit for visually impaired studentsIndependence and confidence took flight for two Chinook’s Edge high school students, after attending a weeklong camp for the visually impaired at the U.S. Space & Rocket Centre in Huntsville, Alabama, earlier this year.Terrin Stine, who is in Grade 10 at H.J. Cody School in Sylvan Lake, and Shakayla Francis, Grade 11 at Hugh Sutherland School in Carstairs, attended the camp with 199 students from seven countries. They were accompanied by Ruth Ferguson, who works with them in her contract role as a Vision Consultant for Chinook’s Edge. Because they were attending the camp independent of their schools, Ruth attended on her own time and through her own resources.“I just really wanted to give them the opportunity to know their potential at this impressionable age, and it’s a life-changing experience for everyone who attends this camp,” said Ruth. “Independence and safety is our mantra when we work with these students, and we really want them to be able to live full lives. When you see all these kids with their canes running around, having fun and challenging themselves, you watch their self-esteem and confidence skyrocket.”Ruth had been teaching students with unique needs for several years before discovering the space camp in 2001. When she witnessed the culture and the impact that she could make, she knew she wanted to spend her career working with blind and visually impaired students. She returned to university to complete two Masters Degrees and then spent a year traveling throughout the United States to experience the many different approaches to teaching this community of students. “It was beyond embracing a culture – this line of work has touched my soul,” said Ruth. “It is incredibly rewarding, because you never forget for a moment how much you are affecting individual lives.”



Beacon Hill Elementary School 887-3570Benalto School 746-2626Bowden Grandview School 224-3250C. P. Blakely School 887-3570Carstairs Elementary School 337-8670Chinook Center School 227-0170Cremona School 637-3856École Deer Meadow School 556-1003Delburne Centralized School 749-3838Didsbury High School 335-3356Didsbury Career High School 335-3407Elnora School 773-3624École Fox Run School 887-0491Gasoline Alley Career High 346-9998École H. J. Cody School 887-2412Horizon School 556-6310Hugh Sutherland School 337-3326Innisfail Career High School 227-0141École Innisfail High School 227-3244École Innisfail Middle School 227-0060Jessie Duncan Elementary School 886-2233

École John Wilson Elem. School 227-3292 Neudorf Colony School 946-4011Off Campus Program 556-8606École Olds Elementary School 556-8477Olds High School 556-3391Olds Koinonia Christian School 556-4038Olds Career High School 556-8606Penhold Elementary School 886-4390Penhold Crossing Secondary School 886-8604Pine Hill Colony School 886-2120Poplar Ridge School 343-8821Rainbow Colony School 227-4611Reed Ranch School 556-2429River Valley School 638-3939Ross Ford Elementary School 335-3234Spruce View School 728-3459École Steffie Woima School 887-3088Sundre Learning Centre 638-3135Sundre High School 638-4545Sylvan Lake Career High School 887-3239Westglen School 335-8700

Chinook’s Edge Schools

Chinook’s Edge School Division Board of Education

Division Office (Toll Free) - 800-561-9229Each school also has its own website, accessible through

www.cesd73.ca (click on ‘Schools’ tab)

Canadian Leadership ConferenceStudents from Cremona School showed their joy at being in Halifax for the national conference! Chinook’s Edge students from Didsbury High, Olds High, Spruce View and Hugh Sutherland schools also joined 750 delegates from across the country.

The Chinook’s Edge Advantage

is published twice each year, in spring and fall.

We welcome your comments or suggestions for stories -

please email [email protected]

Writer / EditorSandy Bexon

Communications Officer

Design / LayoutMandy Pusey

Administrative Assistant

Remember to check our website for more details on

many of these stories!

SUMMER SCHOOLis offered at:

Innisfail Career High SchoolSylvan Lake Career High School

Olds Career High SchoolAll core high school courses offered.

No charge for Chinook’s Edge Students.Runs 8:30 am – 12:30 pm

Monday to FridayDaily Attendance Required

July 4-29, 2016

All students currently enrolled in high school or who will be entering grade 10 in

September 2016 are eligible.

Call Chinook’s Edge at 403-227-7070 or visit www.cesd73.ca

Colleen ButlerChair

Ward 3Delburne /Elnora

Ron FisherVice Chair

Ward 6Sundre

Jackie SwainsonTrustee

Ward 1Sylvan Lake / Benalto

Sherry CooperTrustee

Ward 2Penhold / Poplar Ridge / River Glen

Holly BiltonTrustee

Ward 4Innisfail

Connie HuelsmanTrustee

Ward 5Bowden /Spruce View

Trudy JamesTrustee

Ward 7Olds / Reed Ranch

Gordon KerrTrustee

Ward 8Didsbury

Sheldon BallTrustee

Ward 9Carstairs / Cremona

Download - Spring - 2016 The Chinook’s Edge Advantage 2016...The Chinook’s Edge Spring - 2016 Chinook’s Edge School Division No. 73 • Phone 403-227-7070 • Helping Hands

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