Serving the Heart of Central Alberta for 106 years
VOLUME ONE-HUNDRED SEVEN
PM40011853 R08546
NUMBER FORTY
STETTLER, ALBERTA
October 2, 2013
PRICE — $1.09 Plus GST
RICHARD FROESE/Independent reporter
Grace Chapman of Stettler receives congratulations from trustees Patty Dittrick and Peter Simons during the Clearview School Division meeting last week.
Stettler student pens Alberta history CHASE ROSLAND Independent reporter A Stettler high school student wrote history of another sort last week. Grace Chapman entered a contest through the Alberta government to place letters in a provincial time capsule. Out of almost 500 entries, Chapman’s letter was chosen to be included in the Alberta history chest.
A panel of judges selected eight letters to be approved by house speaker Hon. Gene Zwozdesky and placed in the Alberta government time capsule last Wednesday. “It felt kind of cool,” said Chapman, a Grade 11 student. “To have something I wrote right now read 100 years from now by people and the government, that’s kind of sweet.” Chapman decided to
enter when her cousin told her she should participate the contest. “I thought it would be interesting and something different,” she said. In the letter, Chapman discussed her busy lifestyle, including her involvement with multiple sports, and her dedication to school and spending time with her friends. Chapman also explained what she sees herself doing
in the next 100 years, from schooling to travelling, and what she wants to do for a career. One question about the future that Chapman really wants answered is what technological advances will occur in the next 100 years. “I can only imagine what life will be like 100 years from now, especially since the world has changed so much since I was younger and when my parents were
kids,” she said. Chapman, 16, stressed how fortunate Albertans are to have the government, resources and schooling to allow them to have a good quality of life. Chapman has a message to pass on to the future generation: “It’s not letting anyone get in the way of you and your dreams,” she said. “Anything is possible and anything can happen, and
that only you can decide your dreams and goals.” Among the 50 other items placed in the capsule, the top five items included an uncirculated coin set, newspapers with coverage from the legislature building centennial celebrations, photos of the 1909 time capsule unearthing, and photos of classes that participated in the School at the Legislature program in the 2012-13 school year.
Clearview pilot project takes flight RICHARD FROESE Independent reporter With a pilot project into its second month, the Clearview School Division has mapped out its plans for education in Stettler. The “Stettler Schools Study,” which involves reconfiguring grades and administration, is seeking feedback from staff and parents. A survey was sent home last week, the school board reported. “We ask that people respond by Oct. 10,” superintendent John Bailey said during the board meeting. People also have the option to complete the survey online, while all information will help administration set direction at an information meeting later this month. “We value their input and it is very important to explain why we are doing this,” Bailey said.
Under the pilot project this school year, the division has initiated a plan to study and analyze potential benefits and implications to amalgamate, in whole or in part, the schools at the Stettler campus. On the survey, respondents can offer reaction about opportunities and barriers the changes create and other questions and suggestions. As a way to cover reduced funding, Clearview launched a pilot project to study reconfigured grades. The board appointed Sharon Fischer as principal of Stettler Elementary School and Stettler Middle School, while Norbert Baharally remains the principal of William E. Hay Composite High School (grades 9 to 12). Stettler Outreach School principal Roe Desrosiers and Bailey comprise the team leading the project. While the board last spring planned to have an update community forum in late September, longtime Stettler trustee
Patty Dittrick expressed concern that the division didn’t follow through. In response, Bailey said the project didn’t have enough adequate information to present to a public meeting. “Principals are very supportive of this plan and value all response,” Bailey said. “We are going into this study with an open mind and no pre-conceived notions.” Bailey further described that information will be presented to the board, parents and teachers in January, with a community forum in February. A final report to the board, with recommendations, is planned for April, so the division would have adequate time to authorize changes with the provincial government for the next school year. “Once research information is available, it is recommended a report be made available to staff, parents and the community,” outlining the research findings and recommendations and
asking for feedback on specific ideas,” Bailey said. Joanne Steinman of the University of Calgary has indicated she would be interested in assisting Clearview with the project to help determine steps for the next school year. The report from Bailey also stated that administrators are committed to key principles: — “Our primary focus is students, programming for student learning and funding is secondary. — “All Clearview students are our shared responsibility. — “We support all Clearview programs. — “We are committed to working together with the board to conduct a study to best address the programming needs of students in Stettler. — “Our collaboration will promote equity for all students, regardless of school location, size and/or configuration.”
Lightning homeopener Saturday Page B1
RICHARD FROESE/Independent reporter
GATHERING IN FAITH — St. Peter Lutheran Church former pastors (from left) Bill Flath (1972 to 1979), John Tweeten (1979 to 1983) and Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson (1984 to 1986) and current pastor Karl Faltin (19 years) gather during anniversary celebrations last Sunday.
Readers can also find the Stettler Independent at stettlerindependent.com