Chinook's Edge chairperson looks ahead at 2106

Half way into the school year, the Chinook's Edge School Board is looking ahead to a busy 2016.

“We have some capital projects that are coming to fruition,” said Colleen Butler, chair of the Chinook's Edge School Board. “We're going to be moving our career high school that was located in Penhold Crossing School temporarily, into Gasoline Alley in the middle of January. It's central and it will be a permanent location.”

Other capital projects include the opening of Beacon Hill Elementary School in Sylvan Lake in the fall of 2016 and the ongoing modernization project at the Innisfail school campus.

Butler noted the rapid growth the town of Sylvan Lake has experienced in recent years. “It was very important to build a school there and important that we have extra space because the town is growing so fast,” she said.

The school year is going well and projects are progressing as planned and on schedule, she noted.

In addition to capital projects, the Chinook's Edge School Division will also be implementing its new LGQBT policy in the New Year.

“We will be passing our new sexual orientation and gender identity policy. It is currently being worked on and will be passed shortly,” said Butler, adding that it should be in place before the end of March.

“We've always had policies for safe and caring schools. It's not going to be a lot different I don't think, than what we have for all children. It's very important that all of our children be protected. We're all on board with that.”

As 2016 begins, Butler said there are still a couple of items and challenges on the table that need to be addressed. One of them pertains to international trips overseas and concerns with student safety.

“We have to decide whether to allow students to travel internationally or not. We are going to be reviewing it and making a decision on that in January,” she said, noting that the board must consider everything before finalizing plans.

“It is a very difficult decision because we have to put safety first, and yet we realize that parents have paid money for these trips. It's a tough issue and we're probably going to have a lot of discussion before we come to a decision on it.”

Another challenge ahead in 2016 is how and when to prepare for possible Syrian refugees who may be attending schools in the Chinook Edge School Division.

“We don't know yet whether we will have any refugee (students) or not, but it will be a challenge to put things in place to help them,” she said. “If any of them do come to our communities we'll certainly be ready to welcome them.”