Alberta’s Minister of Education continues his tour of each of the province’s school districts.
On Thursday, David Eggen’s travels took him to the Peace Country.
First, he spent the morning in Grimshaw, where the Trending 55 Newsroom was able to catch up to him. Eggen says that he’s been listening intently to each of the school divisions right across the province.
Education Minister David Eggen receives some items from Brooke Foster, one of the Grimshaw Share School’s co-prime ministers, as a thank-you for visiting their facility. (Photo/Peace River Broadcasting)
“School Boards are looking to see lots of optimism, as well as lots of growth, within the province,” said Eggen. “We are the youngest population in Canada, after all, here in Alberta. So there are lots of kids, and we’re building lots of schools and facilities to meet the demand.”
He toured the new shared school facility within the community that’s being operated by the Peace River School Division (PRSD), as well as the Holy Family Catholic Regional Division (HFCRD). He toured lots of classrooms. As well, he heard a presentation about the school from members of the student parliament.
All in all, Eggen says he’s impressed with the new facility, calling it unique for today’s standards.
“Grimshaw really thought ahead, in order to incorporate the library, the multiplex, as well as the catholic and public schools as well,” said Eggen. “You save on economy and scale, but more importantly, you create a sense of community, a sense of pride within your community, and lots of reasons for families to stay and raise their families in the area.
“So, hats off to the Town of Grimshaw, both school boards, as well as the province for helping to facilitate a unique structure that I hope other communities across the province will consider to replicate,” he added.
This afternoon, Eggen will make his way to Peace River, where he will attend a dedication ceremony for the newly-elected board of Trustees for the Northland School Division at the Chateau Nova.
“Northland School Division is very special, and very dear to my heart,” said Eggen. “Now that they have a democratically elected board, that will bring a lot of excitement, and lots of anticipation, as before, they were run by an administrator directly from Edmonton. When it comes to our children, we expect nothing but the best. And that comes from the community, as well as the province too.”
The newly-elected board held their Organizational Meeting this morning. Mady Daniels, who’s Ward One includes Keg River and Paddle Prairie, is now the Chairperson of the NSD Board, while Randy Anderson will serve as Board Vice-Chairperson. Anderson’s Ward 3 includes both the Gift Lake and Peavine Metis Settlements.
– Posted by BET
