Pembina Pipeline June, 2008 “Our purpose is to ensure the delivery of an excellent education to our students so they become contributing members of society.” Getting your hands dirty and scorecards! Setting goals is similar to planting seeds – a lot improving our success rate with all students of preparation, knowledge of what will grow in and especially those at risk. our climate, determining the yield and soil #4.Technology has a new strategic plan in conditions, setting reasonable expectations, place recognizing the time needed for preparation, #5. Our PLC work will continue and the growth and harvest, understanding the time has been committed to ensure our marketplace and the needs of the consumer, and work in this area is addressing the needs finally the concept that you just cannot rush that teachers have identified. mother nature. As the kids in Swan Hills would #6. HR has a new strategic plan in place tell you; “you have to get dirty from time to #7. AISI is sustained and hiring three new time.” teacher coaches will certainly enhance our school improvement project How did we do on the seven priorities (goals) that the Board set for the division this past The Board has reviewed what our public school year? Remember teachers, and schools think is important for this administrators, support staff, students, parents Superintendent Richard Harvey and Grade 4 and coming school year and we have and the community set these priorities. 5 students from Swan Hills show off their work established just one goal for the Division – gloves before they start planting trees around the High School Completion. 1. Improve student achievement in mathematics school, during the Energy in Action program on May 28. 2. Increase access to guidance programs and to We have four supporting strategies to help career, education and personal counseling us work toward this goal. They are increasing home and community 3. Identify and implement strategies for teaching children at risk of involvement in public education, increasing the use of formative failure assessment, increasing achievement in mathematics and increasing 4. Ensure the infusion of technology with learning success for students at risk. High School completion is the Division 5. Focus on improving student learning for our Professional Learning WIG or Wildly Important Goal and it is a K to 12 concern. Communities 6. Build a Human Resource strategic plan This has been another exciting year and your hard work has helped 7. Sustain AISI make it a successful one. As you think about your goal(s) for next year I would request that you focus on the Division Goal and strategies; Well, we should first note that we reduced or goals from 13 the it will take a few years to reach our objective but we certainly believe previous year to seven this year and it should be noted that this year in the success for all children in our public education system. we have reduced our goals to one Wildly Important Goal (WIG) with four strategies to help work toward achieving that goal. Enjoy the summer. You certainly deserve a great holiday, relax with your family and friends and we can look forward to another exciting A quick scorecard: year in the months to come. #1. Improvement of mathematics: this will become a more developed strategy this coming year, especially with the Thank you for all of your time and effort in working for the children introduction of First Steps in Math and other PD. of Pembina Hills. #2. Guidance has a new strategic plan in place. #3. Formative assessment will continue Richard Harvey to be a key strategy for Superintendent of Schools Welcome to the following new staff of the Pembina Hills Regional Division: Kyle Doke STEP W.R. Frose Elysse Miller STEP Transportation Wendy Ehl Bus Driver Transp.-Barrhead Myles Shaw Temp. Labourer Support Services Cody Fischer STEP Support Services Dawna Stuart Bus Driver Transp.-Barrhead Jason Gerun Technician II Tech Dept. Kevin Watt Journeyman Painter Support Services Kurt Kleinfeldt STEP Transportation PHRD says farewell Barrhead teachers to dedicated staff retire together

Barry and Rose Smith have raised a family together, they have golfed together, farmed together, enjoyed rewarding teaching careers together and now they are retiring together. With 537 years of combined service to the school division, the 30 employees honoured at this year’s Farewell Banquet have The Barrhead teachers met more than 30 years ago when they both shaped the lives of countless students. The teachers, bus drivers and started teaching at BCHS and they have been together ever since. support staff attended a special dinner June 11 at the Barrhead They shared a lot of interests, including their passion for teaching, Seniors Drop-In Centre in honour of their retirement. and now they are moving forward with a new stage in their life.

School Board Chair and Master of Ceremonies Clayton Jespersen “Teaching has been a wonderful career, We didn’t do it for the thanked the retiring staff members for their commitment to students money, we did it for the kids,” says Barry. “The kids might not and dedicated service over the years. They shared fond memories, remember what I told them on a certain day, but they will always some laughter and even shed a few tears during the course of the remember the good feeling of being in the classroom together.” evening. Although Barry and Rose are looking forward to retirement, they “I want to say thank you on behalf of all our communities for the will miss the close connection they have with staff – Barry at the work you have done. All of you have played such an important part ADLC and Rose at BCHS – and the opportunity to work with kids in the education of our children,” said Clayton. “You go to work in the classroom. every day, you are dedicated and you make a difference for our students.” “We’ve put a lot of things on hold over the years. It’s time to move on and start a new chapter in our lives, but it’s nice to think we have Superintendent of Schools Richard Harvey echoed those played a small part in the lives of our students and have helped sentiments. He moved here two years ago from Newfoundland them in their future careers,” says Rose. and quickly discovered the passion of Pembina Hills staff. “I really do have the greatest job in North America. Where else can you “What’s really wonderful is that I still see a lot of kids in my class meet so many people who are so passionate about education? I who want to go into teaching. Obviously, Pembina Hills and we as can’t wait to start the day when I wake up every morning and I have teachers are doing something right if we are making it enjoyable the people in Pembina Hills to thank for that,” said Mr. Harvey. enough for students to consider a career in teaching.” Pembina Hills Retirees - 2008 Name Location Years Name Location Years Lena Szybunka ADLC 17 Michelle Webb Busby 18 Sharon Spargo ADLC 19 Pat Terrault Busby 21 Bill Peterson ADLC 24 Doris Meincziner Busby 35 Dennis McCarthy ADLC 25 Jackie Beamish 7 Barry Smith ADLC 35 Jill Olthuis 7 Marlene Shaw BCHS 6 Bert Van Niejenhuis 22 Diana Brade BCHS 10 Heather Buzila R.F. Staples 5 Karla Montgomery BCHS 13 Kathy Hickey Regional Office 14 John Tiemsrta BCHS 24 Dale Russell Support Services 29 Maureen Hein BCHS 29 Evelyn Bodnar Swan Hills 20 Rose Smith BCHS 33 Heather Clarkson Transportation- 13 Lynda Lockhart BES 9 Regina Ehmler Transportation-Westlock 14 Laurie Assenheimer BES 25 Valerie Seatter Transportation-Westlock 21 Marianne Pfaeffli Busby 5 Kathy Hall Westlock Elementary 9 Anne Anderson Busby 16 Jennifer Clayton Westlock Elementary 12 Teacher helps build CTS John Tiemstra has watched Career journeyman carpenter has built and Technology Studies (CTS) many successful projects, but grow from an empty room at nothing is more satisfying than BCHS to a thriving program that seeing his students graduate and has taught thousands of students start successful careers. everything from welding and carpentry, to automotives and “Christmas is the big time when home economics. students come back to visit. Every Busby one big family year, four or five guys will show Doris Meinczinger has always embraced the most advanced John installed the original up, some of them have their own teaching techniques – going from blackboard to whiteboard equipment and built the labs for welding trucks and they are doing to SmartBoard – but it is her passion and enthusiasm that the high school’s first so well for have made her such a gifted teacher. vocational arts themselves.” programs. He was The Grade 3/4 teacher from Busby School, who earned an running his own John was there for the Excellence in Teaching Award in 2006, is reluctantly retiring construction company birth of the CTS after 35 years. The decision to leave was difficult because the at the time and the program and now he’s staff and students at Busby School have become her extended experience helped leaving as the family and it’s always difficult to say goodbye. convince him to program undergoes a switch careers and major revitalization. “This is home for me. It’s been so rewarding to work in become a teacher. For the first time in Busby,” says Doris, who was born and raised in years, the labs are and raised her own family in Busby. “I really enjoy watching He shut down his getting new the students develop because it’s so rapid at this age. business, went back to school and equipment and Education Fortunately, I will still have a close connection to the school graduated from the University of is putting much more emphasis on because my grandchildren will start next year.” Alberta in 1986. “That was a big the program. gamble at the time. I had a wife Although she is retiring, Doris will still work in education. and two kids to support, but I was “The CTS program is just She has already accepted the position of executive assistant really excited about teaching kids phenomenal right now and you for the North Central Teachers’ Convention and she will and I wanted to do my part to help will see a major change in the next take on a half-time role with Pembina Hills providing early them become successful,” says five years. It’s nice to know education support to program assistants throughout the region. John, who has taught for 24 years. students will get even more exposure to the trades and better “Working for the teachers convention will give me contact He spent his early years teaching training in the future. We need with teachers, but I still wanted to spend time with students industrial arts in junior high and trades people because we all can’t so that’s why I decided to work with Student Services,” says moved to the high school 14 years be doctors and lawyers.” Doris. ago to teach welding. The Inclusion drives education career Kathy Hickey is ending her education career on a Arts in Psychology and later attended the University high note. The Director of Student Services has of Toronto to complete her Masters degree in spearheaded the school district’s efforts to develop Educational Psychology. more inclusive education and Pembina Hills is now recognized as a leader in inclusive education in Kathy moved to Alberta 27 years ago and spent 13 Alberta. years in Fort McMurray, where she initially developed a senior high school special education “I’ve taught everything from pre-school to high program. The last 14 years have been at Pembina school, but the biggest thing for me has been the Hills and those have been some of the most development and growth of inclusion within Pembina Hills. It has rewarding of her career. really moved forward over the years to the point where we are considered a model for the province,” says Kathy. Although she is retiring, Kathy will still be involved in education. She will do some consulting work with the inclusive research Kathy started her career in 1967 at the age of 18 after graduating project being conducted within Pembina Hills through the from London Teacher’s College in Ontario. She later attended the Universtiy of Alberta. “I love my work and I wanted to University of Western Ontario where she earned her Bachelor of leave when I was still excited about what I was doing.” Swan Hills students learn stewardship Swan Hills students put down their textbooks Sponsored by the Canadian Association of and picked up gardening tools May 28 as part Petroleum Producers, Energy in Action also of a program to promote energy education and gives energy companies an opportunity to conservation. actively support and demonstrate their commitment to stewardship at the grassroots Grade 4 and 5 students took part in The level. Energy in Action program to learn about the oil industry and environmental stewardship. More than 40 companies and 1,200 volunteers They spent the morning in the classroom have participated in Energy in Action since learning from teachers with Inside Education 2004 and together they have planted nearly and spent the afternoon getting their hands 3,000 trees and shrubs and taught more than dirty by planting dozens of trees around the School Board Chair Clayton Jespersen helps 2,800 students about energy resources and the school. a group of Swan Hills students move a tree benefits of careful resource development. into place at the school. The kids planted “We think it’s important to create awareness of “We are trying to help young people learn trees as part of the Energy in Action program. responsible resource development, including about the importance of energy conservation reducing our environmental footprint, and understand where our energy comes from and what some of the improving worker safety, being a good neighbour in the community impacts are,” says Nicole Collard of Penn West Energy Trust. and setting a good example for the next generation,” says Nicole.

Vimy and Meadowview will be remembered Pembina Hills said goodbye to nearly 150 years of history during a pair of special presentations to mark the closure of Vimy and Meadowview Schools.

Both schools will not open in the fall due to low enrollment and each community marked the event with a special ceremony. Students, former students, community members, school staff and regional office staff gathered together to share memories of each school and to say goodbye. graduate from kindergarten at the school.

At Meadowview School, which opened in Vimy held a similar ceremony June 23 to 1954, everyone in the community was mark the historic occasion and to pay invited to a special School Farewell on tribute to an institution that has played a June 20. The event featured a barbecue vital role in the community since it opened lunch, a presentation of the last group of in 1917. Many former staff members, Meadowview, top, and Vimy, bottom, each students to attend the school and some students and community members held farewell celebrations to mark the closure brief speeches by Superintendent of attended the event,which featured musical of their schools. The events gave people an Schools Richard Harvey, Trustee Kim performances by students, an awards opportunity to share memories, laughter and a few tears. Webster and Principal Dale Bujold. ceremony, lots of memories and some breif remarks from Vimy Principal Barry heartfelt speech, as did many members of “You are the last graduating class of Scisnki and Board Chair Clayton the audience. He thanked staff, students, Meadowview School. I have visited your Jespersen. parents and the community and reminded school quite often and these are some of everyone about the special place the school the nicest, brightest kids you will ever see,” “I’ve worked with some pretty special will always play in the hearts of people in said Superintendent Richard Harvey. “You people here. It’s the end of an era,” said the community. have made Meadowview School special Barry. “I would rather be saying; ‘we will and we will never forget you.” see you next year,’ but that won’t be “It was a privilege and honour to work at happening. You take those special Vimy School. We need to accept the Meadowview also held a special memories of Vimy School and try to create challenge and find the positives. Don’t graduation ceremony for the school’s three that same feeling in a new school.” forget what we are and who we are and kindergarten students. The kids will don’t forget that it does not have to end forever be remembered as the last group to Barry had to choke back tears during his here. It starts here.”