Pembina Pipeline June, 2007

“Our purpose is to ensure the delivery of an excellent education to our students so they become contributing members of society.” Sharpen the saw!! Take time for yourself In Stephen Covey’s book The 7 Habits of Highly deals with how we communicate and relate with Effective People, he speaks to being proactive, one another, our empathy toward folks. putting first things first, beginning with the end in mind and other habits all leading to the 7th So with that being said, how are we getting Habit: Sharpening the Saw. ready for the summer? Did we take care of ourselves these past 10 months? I know we To those who have taken the program or read were taking the time to attend to the the book, the habit “to sharpen the saw” refers to Initiative for School Improvement, Professional allocating time to take care of our physical, Learning Communities, Assessment for spiritual, mental and social/emotional well Learning, Student Engagement, Professional being. Growth, Evaluation, Education Plans, Budgets, Annual Reports, Grade Level of Achievement, You come upon someone in the woods sawing School Superintendent Richard Harvey sharpens his saw by cutting this log with Student Services, Professional Development, down a tree. They look exhausted from working Deputy Superintendent Colleen Symyrozum- Provincial Achievement Tests, Diploma Exams for hours. You suggest they take a break to Watt at Fort School. and the list can go on; all related to teaching sharpen the saw. They might reply, “I don’t have and learning. time to sharpen the saw, I’m too busy sawing!” Habit 7 is taking the time to sharpen the saw. By renewing the four dimensions of your To say the least we have had a busy, productive year and all too often nature – physical, spiritual, mental and social/emotional – you can during the year we let our own health and well being take the back seat work more effectively and effortlessly. while we forge ahead to get the job done. Our certificated staff, support staff, Trustees and parents work endless hours for our students and The physical dimension involves caring for your health, eating the children but then again that would be an expectation; but we need to right foods, getting enough rest and relaxation, and exercising on a find the balance. As the saying goes all work and no play makes…… regular basis. If we don’t have a regular exercise program, eventually we will develop health problems. The spiritual is your center, your Relax this summer and enjoy the warm days and think of how you can value system. People find their spiritual renewal in many different take care of yourselves in the months to come. Thank you for your ways. For some it may be a relaxing walk in the woods. For hard work and dedication to our students this past year and have a great others it may be time in church, thinking reflectively on summer! what and how we do things. Sharpening the mind by reading, writing, and challenging your Richard Harvey thoughts; the social/emotional Superintendent of Schools

elcome to the following new staff of the Students shine W Pembina Hills Regional Division: Ashley Bendrien: Administrative Assistant @ Vista Virtual at national science fair Juanita Brouwer: Teacher @ Fort Assiniboine Christine Boychuk: Admin. Assistant @ ADLC A pair of Pembina Hills students earned national recognition by Tammy Cote: Special Needs Assistant @ NPCS winning awards at the Wide Science Fair in Nova Scotia from Elizabeth Doke: Summer Library Support-STEP @ WR Frose May 12 to 20. Trevor Durstling: Temp. Interactive Media Designer @ ADLC Jean Gault: Temp. Program Assistant @ Eleanor Hall Malcolm Stagg, an 18-year-old student who attends the ADLC, Debbie Gelderman: Program Assistant @ NPCS earned two silver medals and $1,400 in prize money for his science Jason Gerun: Summer Computer Technician @ Tech. Services project Distributed Robotics: An Intelligent System. Malcolm earned Stephanie Holton: Office Assistant-STEP @ ADLC a silver medal in the Automotive category and a silver in Senior Melissa Howitt: Teacher @ WES Engineering. Trudy Kluin: Program Assistant @ Cindy Knapp: Administrative Assistant @ ADLC Joining him at the Canada Wide Science Fair was 14-year-old Kyle Sharon Lyons: Teacher @ WES Schole, a Grade 8 student at R.F. Staples. Kyle earned a $100 cash Mary Ann Melicher: Teacher @ ADLC award and honourable mention in the Junior Life Sciences category for Sarah Sterling: Summer Reading Program-STEP @ WES his project, More to Light than Meets the Eye. Fond farewell to Cec drives forward She’s travelled thousands of miles over the last two decades, dedicated staff transporting the school division’s most precious cargo. Cecilia Sanderson has been driving bus for 23 years, now she will drive forward with a new chapter in her life when she retires at the end of the year.

“I’ve driven two generations of some families. Most of the kids are good and I’ll have fond With more than 750 years of combined service to the school memories for years to come. division, the 40 employees honoured at this year’s Farewell Some of them get to be like Banquet have shaped the lives of countless students. The teachers, your own,” says Cecilia. “I think I’ll get a few pangs when it’s bus drivers and support staff attended a special dinner and awards time to leave in the morning and the afternoon, but I’m looking presentation on June 13 at the Barrhead Seniors Drop-In Centre forward to retirement because my husband and I will be able to in honour of their retirement. get away more.”

School Board Chair and Master of Ceremonies Clayton Jespersen Cecilia started driving as a sub for her husband and decided to thanked the retiring staff members for their commitment to drive full time when her kids were older. She has always drove students and dedicated service over the years. They shared fond in the Meadowview area and developed a strong relationship memories, some laughter and even shed a few tears during the with some of the local families. While there have been some course of the evening. close calls over the years, Cecilia has never been in an accident, an impressive achievement considering some of the horrendous “We so appreciate the work of our people. As trustees, we make conditions bus drivers contend with if they drive for any length decisions about policy and take care of staff, but our employees of time. are on the front line doing the work, looking after kids and making sure they get a fair shake. We value them and appreciate them,” “It doesn’t really matter what the day is like or what the roads says School Board Chair Clayton Jespersen. “They go to work are like, you have to be at each driveway at the same time. That every day, are dedicated to their job, you work with kids, which can be a bit challenging, especially when the conditions are bad,” can be really fun, but can also be really challenging.” says Cecilia. Pembina Hills Retirees - 2007 Name Location Years Name Location Years Corinna Burdek ADLC 5 Trudi Marsh Fort Assiniboine 15 Janice Gogal-Foster ADLC 25 Reed Svenson Fort Assiniboine 36 Brian Key ADLC 31 Jane Medcke Jarvie 20 Eugene MacIntyre ADLC 34 Shane Pask RFS 9 Nina Johnson ADLC 9 Josef Vlach RFS 29 Greg Gramlich BCHS 33 Carmen Strydhorst Regional Office 5 Karla Knudsen BCHS 5 Neil Hinton Support Services 8 Brian Luciuk BCHS 33 Melanie Orr Swan Hills 6 Dennis Sheridan BCHS 29 Judy Yaro Swan Hills 20 Yvonne Blowers BES 7 George Andrews Transportation 14 Linda Bouyea BES 33 Evelyn Bourgeois Transportation 13 Hope Manuel BES 20 Cecilia Sanderson Transportation 23 Cheryl Meyer BES 32 Joe Buniak Transportation 7 Louise Miller BES 22 William Hiebert Transportation 11 Kathleen Norton BES 25 Janet Perryman Transportation 26 Marilyn Shaw BES 32 Wendy Breitkreuz W.R. Frose 25 Ivy Beattie Busby 9 Mike Edwards W.R. Frose 6 Linda Snow Busby 32 Jim Laughy W.R. Frose 35 Margaret Kurtz Dunstable 29 Linda Rakoz WES 20 Bev Hahn Fort Assiniboine 20 Louise Slobogean WES 6 Trustees Fort teacher hangs up lab coat for last time retiring in One wall in Reed Svenson’s classroom at Fort Assiniboine School is adorned with half a dozen picture frames, listing some of the brightest students he has taught throughout his October career. The list stretches back decades, but Reed can vividly Sharon Volorney might feel a bit recall each and every one of those students. lonely after the School Board election in October. After 36 years, the high school Math, Science, Physics and Chemistry teacher is hanging up his lab coat for the final time She is the only trustee currently and retiring at the end of the year. He’s been fortunate to spend serving on the School Board who has his entire career teaching at Fort Assiniboine School and committed to seeking re-election this developing strong bonds with the community.“I’ve enjoyed fall. Five other trustees have declined working in a small school because you get to know the students to run in the upcoming election and so well. I get them in Grade 9 and work with them for four years. chair Clayton Jespersen is still Some of them are so keen to achieve. They want to work hard and undecided. it’s just a joy to teach them.”

“Our board has been together for a For now, Reed intends to kick back and relax. He has no elaborate retirement plans or desire long time. We’ve become like a family. to jet off to exotic locales. What he’s looking forward to is spending more time at home.“I know There might be the occasion when we I won’t miss getting up early and marking papers, but my wife probably has a to-do list ready bicker and argue like a family, but and waiting for me,” he jokes. “I’ll miss the kids and helping them prepare for the future. If when we walk out of the boardroom, they can handle the 30-level science courses, that prepares them for post-secondary school.” we are pals again,” says Sharon.

“When you look around the province, New challenges await there are very few boards like ours. She may be retiring, but Linda She earned a Masters Degree in We have always looked towards the Snow won’t stop seeking out new Educational Administration and future and we have always worked as challenges. The Grade 5/6 teacher Psychology in 1988, which opened a team. It takes awhile to build those at Busby School has enjoyed a the door to curriculum relationships and hopefully the new rewarding career, distinguishing development with Alberta board will quickly become a team.” herself in the classroom and in Education. Twice she took a break administration. from teaching to work for the Sharon is encouraging committed province creating new curriculum, community members to consider “I’m looking forward to possibly selecting or writing resources and running in the upcoming election. As a starting a new career. I’ve talked developing policy, including five former teaching assistant, her love of about doing some consulting, but years as a program manager prior children and education sparked her I might even do something to arriving at Busby School this initial decision to run for School outside the education field. There year. Board. What convinced her to serve are so many possibilities. I’m not three terms and seek a fourth is the going to sit at home and do “It’s always nice to get stimulated challenge and excitement of the nothing – I know that much.” in the classroom, but it’s nice to do position. things beyond the classroom too Linda started her career in Gift Lake, after and contribute to children’s learning that “There’s been a tremendous learning graduating from the way. When I was writing curriculum, I knew curve, but it has been very rewarding in 1974. She spent the following year in I would miss the kids, but I knew I was and it’s been a lot of fun. When you Spirit River and then moved to the contributing to their education.” walk into a classroom and you see area, where she has taught ever since. these kids and they are happy and Although she looks forward to new smiling and learning, it feels She had an excellent mentor with Werner challenges in retirement, Linda will always wonderful. That’s the big reward for Frose in Fawcett and took that knowledge cherish her time in the classroom. “To see trustees,” says Sharon. “Some people and experience with her when she moved to those kids change into young adults from think you need experience in other schools in the area. For much of her Grade 7 to 9 is amazing. I’ve had such a education, but we are looking for career, Linda has taught science programs wonderful career. I’ll miss the kids and diversity. Right now we have farmers, to junior high students, but she has also watching them grow and learn. teachers, teaching assistants and taught many other subjects and even served They’re so much fun. They mechanics. It works really well.” as a guidance counselor at R.F. Staples. keep you laughing.” School trips create lifelong memories School trips are some of the most To prepare for the trip – and lugging 40- you have to work through that.” memorable experiences in a student’s pound backpacks through gruelling terrain – education. The thrill of visiting new places the students start practising months in EPIC EXCURSION and overcoming challenges is something advance. “They’re carrying a pack for four that will stay with students long after they or five days. We start training right after have moved on. In Pembina Hills, many spring break. We do quite a few classroom schools are creating these memories by sessions – learning how to use equipment hosting year-end trips. and tents and stoves. It takes a fair amount of preparation,” explains Frank. BACKPACKING AND BONDING BIKING THROUGH BLIZZARDS The annual bike trip at R.F. Staples is equally gruelling. For 10 years, teachers Jarvie students have explored much of western Keith Szautner and Perry Kulmatyski have Canada over the last 18 years. been leading a group of students through The biggest year-end trip of them all is the the mountains from Jasper to Banff. 10-day trek every student in Jarvie School is invited to attend once every three years. For This year’s edition included eight nearly two decades, the school has visited chaperones and 24 students. The group some of the most scenic sites in western students explore the majestic beauty peddled up and down the mountains of the Canada and the north, including a stop at of the area. Icefields Parkway from May 24 to 29, the Arctic Circle. At Neerlandia School, Grade 10 students cycling a total of 320 km. “The weather was have been taking an annual four-day hiking excellent. It was a little chilly the two nights This is the year for the big trip and the trip for the last 26 years. This year, the group we camped, but during the day it was warm itinerary includes stops in Jasper, Kamloops, leaves June 29 for the Nordegg area, where and very comfortable for biking,” says Kelowna, Golden and the Columbia teachers Frank Rayment, Jim Bosma and Keith. Icefields. Virtually every student in the Howard Gelderman will guide them up school will attend, as will many parents. steep slopes and through rugged terrain. More than 250 students have taken the trip over the last 10 years and it has been a “We’re in the mountains, we’re hiking and “We didn’t intend to create a tradition like remarkable experience for them all. “We’ve biking, we’re riding the sky tram, travelling this. It just grew over the years and now never had a kid who couldn’t do it. All of through the Columbia Icefields, going to the we’re doing second and third generations,” these kids are strong and they have all day beach in Kelowna. It’s a really good explains Frank. “We’ll camp for a few days to bike 80 km to the campsite each night,” experience for the kids. Some of them don’t and take side trips into some remote valleys, explains Keith. “The mental challenge is the get to travel too far and it’s a good bonding up some ridges. It’s a beautiful area so there toughest. We can face some extremely tough experience for the students,” says Principal are all kinds of things to explore.” weather conditions. You’re cold and wet and Martin Cairns. Barrhead dominates badminton zones The Pembina Hills Under-16 Volleyball Club is proof that size Assistant Coach Pat Turnen found a spot for them. “You definitely doesn’t matter when it comes to high-calibre sports. The boys feel like a small fish in a big pond. At the same time, the core of team, made up of 11 players from Neerlandia, Westlock and our guys have played a lot of volleyball, they are athletic and they Barrhead, finished 12th in the Canada West Nationals in Calgary, didn’t need to feel intimated,” explains Howard, noting that seven despite playing teams from some of the biggest communities in the of his players were invited to try out for Team Alberta and four of country. them were selected to the team.

The tournament May 20 featured 48 of the top teams from across The Under 16 team is just one of the many club volleyball teams Canada, including six from Ontario. Pembina Hills earned a spot in the Pembina Hills region. Frank Rayment coached the boys in the event by finishing third in an Alberta qualifying tournament, Under-18 team this year and the club finished 19th at nationals. a remarkable achievement in itself. “In our pool, there were teams Coaches like Rick Sereda, Kyle Beattie, Keith Szautner and others from Vancouver, Winnipeg, Waterloo. It’s almost comical when you have all formed club teams, which give kids more time to enjoy talk to coaches from other teams. Some of them will get 200 volleyball and strengthens the high school program. “It’s been players trying out for their team. You can imagine the competitive such a rewarding experience for myself, breaking down those level we were up against,” says Coach Howard Gelderman. barriers between communities. There’s always been a bit of a rivalry between Barrhead and Westlock so it’s nice to move beyond The Pembina Hills coaching staff didn’t even bother with that. We just had a phenomenal season. We had 11 boys who were try outs. If someone wanted to play, Howard and keen and they achieved remarkable results.”