On March 12, Aspen View Public Schools will lower their Canadian flags to half-mast to honour the nation’s troops being pulled from Afghanistan.
“On the day that our troops are being withdrawn from Afghanistan, early that morning in Afghanistan, flags will be lowered to half-mast and taken down at noon,” superintendent Brian LeMessurier said at last Thursday’s school board meeting. “Minister Johnson has a vision of making the best of the opportunity to educate our children around that.”
LeMessurier said school flags would be returned to full mast at noon.
“Canadians have made a significant positive difference in that campaign in Afghanistan, and the minister does not want us to miss the opportunity for our youth to learn about the significant impact we have had there,” he said. “The plan at each of our schools that day across the province is that early in the morning, our flags will be lowered to half-mast. There will be a ceremony of some sort.”
LeMessurier explained, “The schools in our system embraced that whole-heartedly.”
Community arts academy activist Gina Martel presented to Aspen View school board last Thursday on her idea surrounding an arts academy in the brick school and the possibility of arts immersion in the division.
“We represent a very large area, and the trustees have a responsibility to the whole region,” LeMessurier explained. “As we look forward into what might be a model that could work here and benefit Athabasca kids, we are obviously looking at the bigger picture of advancing Vilna, Smith and Smoky Lake kids for a model that is extra special.”
Martel stated she would love to see students from other schools incorporated into the idea.
“Either they can be bussed in for the day, or some of the teachers at (the arts academy) visit schools,” she said. “There is no reason why that can’t happen. If you don’t have those particular strengths in your community, then we come to you.”
Trustee Pat Pedersen stated she was really excited about the idea of an arts academy.
“As Margaret Mead said, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has,’” said Pedersen.
Board chair Paul Ponich stated as a school division, there are several challenges around this type of school.
“On pupil-based funding, we have a real challenge for both staffing and operations,” Ponich said.
Martel stated she understood there would be challenges.
“If you start it small, people will come,” she said.
