The Pembina Hills Board of Trustees had the opportunity to visit and tour the Swan Hills School and Fort Assiniboine School on Wednesday, February 8, starting the day in Swan Hills.
Swan Hills School
Principal Sheila Gardiner provided an overview of the school’s history, highlighting the school’s literacy, numeracy and student well-being goals as well as some of the challenges the school is facing. Gardiner notes her pride in her staff and their flexibility, often going above and beyond to help in a variety of ways.
Principal Gardiner and Associate Principal Kara King provided a tour of the school where Board members and Superintendent Michael Borgfjord visited classrooms, chatted with students, saw some of the work being done in the school and some of the different programming options the Junior and Senior High students have.
The Board also met with a group of students to answer questions, hear any concerns and ask their own questions. And last, but not least, the Board enjoyed the musical stylings of the school’s handbell group.
Fort Assiniboine School
Principal Lorna Hiemstra provided an overview of FAS, noting the literacy work and growth taking place in the school. She also highlighted the tremendous support and involvement the school receives from the surrounding community — from the School Council, volunteers, businesses and beyond — the school is proud of its strong connection with the community.
Hiemstra also remarked on her pride in staff, some of the challenges of a rural school and the success of the CTF (Career and Technology Foundations; the foundation for senior high Career and Technology Studies ‘CTS’) programming available at the school. She also outlined some of the unique projects the school has — from fish hatching and adopting a cow to the student-led hydroponics project where they have grown vegetables.
Hiemstra and Administrative Assistant Maureen Fleming provided the Board and Superintendent Borgfjord with a tour of the school where they met with students and had a chance to see some of those unique projects and what students are currently working on in their classes.
