School boards salute Albertans who contribute to public education
Release date: November 24, 2011
Congratulations to these individuals, organizations and school boards who were honored at the Alberta School Boards Association's annual conference November 20 to 22 in Edmonton.
Terry Gunderson, former superintendent of schools with Elk Island Public Schools (Strathcona County Schools) and a consultant with the Alberta School Boards Association, received the ASBA President's Award in recognition of his work with students, schools and school boards throughout his career.
Peace River School Division No.10 received the ASBA's Public Engagement Award for its online consultation initiative. This award recognizes school boards' efforts to embrace public engagement to inform, involve and gain input from stakeholders on school jurisdiction plans, programs and services. The first question the division asked online: "What would you do if you were Superintendent for a day?" generated 1147 site visits and 255 posts. The second question the division is asking is: "What do you see could be improved, removed or changed so that students have a safer learning environment and be treated with greater respect and dignity?"
Fort McMurray Public Schools received the ASBA's Premier's Award for School Board Innovation and Excellence, which is sponsored by Xerox Canada. Thanks to a partnership with KAOS Radio Station, high school students can try their hand at broadcasting at a KAOS studio located in Fort Murray Composite High School. Teachers partner with media professionals to develop courses and provide mentorship and work experience for students.
The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers received the ASBA's Friends of Education Award for its Energy in Action (EIA) program which teaches children about the petroleum industry and environmental stewardship. Volunteers from oil and gas companies work with the students and the day culminates with students working on a project of the schools choosing. These have included: building outdoor classrooms, bird boxes and feeding stations, restoring stream banks and forests and creating edible gardens and planting trees. Since its 2004 launch, 59 companies and 2,000 company volunteers have participated in EIA events in 56 different communities and 80 schools across Canada.
Six first year teachers received the ASBA Edwin Parr Teacher Award
Daphne Peters, Fort Vermilion School Division No. 52; Benoit Desjardins, Grande Yellowhead Public School Division No. 77; Melissa Viveiros, Greater St. Albert Catholic Regional Division No. 29; Tia Grahn, Wolf Creek School Division No. 72; Heather Johnson,Calgary Roman Catholic Separate School District No. 1 and James Fuller, Livingstone Range School Division No. 68.
For more information:
Suzanne Lundrigan, ASBA Communications at 1.780.819.1361 or 1.780.451.7122.
Follow the FGM on Twitter: @newalberta. Hashtag: #asbafgm
The Alberta School Boards Association serves and represents all Alberta's public, separate and francophone school boards.
