Northern Lights School Division's attempt to engage Bonnyville parents in their child's education was a flop last week when only five parents showed up to the local community engagement session.
The event was one of 10 community engagement sessions NLSD officials have conducted throughout the division, and matched Lac La Biche for the lowest attendance. Sessions held in Pine Meadow, Fishing Lake, Caslan, Wandering River, Ardmore, and Iron River all saw higher attendance levels even though their discussions surrounded a single school. At the Bonnyville event school division representatives were seeking input for all three local public schools – BCHS, H.E. Bourgoin and Duclos.
“We are always appreciative of whoever shows up,” said Heather Stromquist, director of community partnerships and engagement at NLSD. “Everybody that came was engaged and definitely had a lot of great ideas. We truly value anybody who comes and shares their ideas.”
While Stromquist didn't let the low numbers affect her spirit, others in attendance were disappointed with the lack of involvement from the community.
“It is disappointing,” said Mandy Watters, who has kids attending Duclos and H.E. Bourgoin schools. “I was disappointed to not see more parents interested in the future of their children's education.”
“I'm glad people came,” added Lorne Kaban, a father with kids at two of the three local public schools. “But I think it would be a lot more productive if we could have got more perspectives and more opinions. It is a little disappointing for sure.”
Even though the numbers were small, those in attendance didn't let that stop them from brainstorming a variety of ideas for each of the local schools. They discussed strengths, opportunities and even compiled a wish list of things they would like to see happen at the local schools.
“I thought it was great. It drove out some themes for the division to focus on; where we have success and some opportunities to grow and develop and be more successful,” said Kaban.
The group was not short on pointing out the positives throughout the division recognizing the great staff and administration, the excellent focus on reading, the open communication with parents, and amazing alternative credit program.
As for the wish list, those in attendance felt the school division should focus on staff retention, strive for more parent involvement and expanding the use technology, especially in regards to communication with students and their parents.
“I thought that the process of brainstorming was excellent,” said Watters. “We came up with some really great ideas and points about where our schools our strong, opportunities we have to get better and where we want to see things end up in the future. These kids are really going to be the next level of professionals, whether it is in the trades or doctors and nurse. They are going to be contributing members, in a positive way, to our society. It would have been nice to have more feedback from parents, but for the group that was here I think we did an amazing job.”
One of the more pie in the sky ideas put forth was the thought of having one large school division that incorporates ideals from the three current divisions. This idea with in the final chapter of the brainstorming session, which asked parents what they hoped NLSD would look like in 2025.
Along with one giant school division, parents hoped to see more parent and community involvement, 100 per cent graduation rates, and local school producing confident, contributing members of society.
“The parents were really involved and had a lot of great ideas to share,” said Stromquist. “I think everybody likes to focus on the positives and where we can go moving forward here.”
Stromquist will be conducting three more sessions as the engagement tour stops off in Cold Lake, Plamondon and Glendon. Once all of the sessions are complete she will compile all of the common themes and ideas and present them to the local steering committee. The committee will discuss the ideas and generate a series of recommendations that will be presented to the NLSD board of trustees. The board will look to incorporate the recommendations into their three-year plan.
“I think it is great that it is open for people to get involved if they are interested and participate and provide input,” said Kaban. “I have enough experience to know that the board is committed to using this information to guide us on a journey to building a healthy education system. That is exciting.”
