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Vol. 15, No. 47, Wednesday, October 21, 2020 www.LamontLeader.com
Police ’copter locates lost hiker at EINP in 10 minutes BY JOHN MATHER The Edmonton Police Air-1 helicopter helped rescue a lost hiker and his dogs in Elk Island National Park during Thanksgiving weekend. Fort Saskatchewan RCMP originally responded to a call about a lost hiker deep in the park on Oct. 11. They asked the police helicopter to assist shortly after 10 p.m The hiker was located within 10 minutes of the chopper’s deployment, police said in a release. The hiker caught the attention of the aircraft by
shining a flashlight at them. Using a PA system and spotlight, the hiker was guided back to a nearby trail. Park staff then took the man and his dogs by quad to a parking lot where paramedics were waiting. Police said both the hiker and the dogs were in good health despite the colder temperatures. Police are reminding hikers to dress warmly, let someone know where they are going and provide an estimated time when they will be back home. Astotin Lake picnic and camping area of Elk Island National Park.
Andrew School Committee seeks support from County, MLA; gets clarity from superintendent BY JANA SEMENIUK The Andrew School Committee, a group that formed in response to their high school and junior high school programming being removed over the past year, has been hard at work seeking ways to prevent a permanent closure of their elementary school in spite of declining enrolment. Over the past month, the group has sought to partner with different local governing organizations and leaders including Lamont County Council, Superintendent Mark Liguiori of Elk Island Public Schools, as well as Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, for support in their goals. The K-12 Andrew School became a focus when in 2019 they lost their high school program, and then their junior high program followed in May 2020 due to steadily declining enrolment. The school, which has a capacity of 385, housed only 112 students in 2018. Today enrolment in the now K-6 school has declined to 66. Since the closures, Andrew parents became organized in forming their Andrew School Committee with the goal of ensuring Andrew School remain open. Over the summer, a 10-question survey of the community conducted by
The group also made a presentation the group, uncovered some interesting to Lamont County Council on Oct. 13 findings. “Our findings indicated seven seeking their support. “We are looking for agreement for themes in priority ranking; preserve the elementary school program, unite you to partner with the village and the community behind this effort, have representation on our committee,” said Zabrick. reverse the school cloWe were run by pasZabrick indicated, at sure, improve thWe sion but now we are the most recent ASC were run by passion run by passion and meeting Oct. 14, that but now we are run by with a clear head. the county has offered passion and with a - Calfat to place a councillor clear head,e level of education within the facility, provide a on the committee beginning at their selection of after-school programs, next meeting. ASC board chair, Jodie Calfat, engage the community through social media, and make the school viable acknowledged the fear that was put again,” said Stan Zabrick one of the into the community upon learning of the closures. school committee members. “I think in the beginning when the Zabrick added that one question gave an overwhelmingly clear middle school was removed from Andrew, people were very upset. I was response. “Over 80 percent of respondents also wondering how could they take indicated that Andrew School can, and our school?” she said. Calfat added that the group has had should, be saved,” he said. The group also met online with a shift of their thinking and a meeting MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk on with Superintendent of Elk Island Oct. 7. In spite of technical difficulties, Public Schools, Mark Liguiori on Oct. Calfat said Armstrong-Homeniuk 14 helped them to focus on their goals. “Our meeting with Mark Liguiori expressed support for the cause. “She wasn’t aware of what hap- was really good. We got a lot of clarifipened in general to the school and is cation. I think people realize now we willing to help in any way she can. She don’t have the number of kids in our would like to be kept in the loop,” said school to give them the proper education or all the extras or benefits you get Calfat.
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at a larger school. Now that I have been able to sit back and see the reasons why, I understand. They want to provide the best education for the kids in front of them and that unfortunately doesn’t always mean kids will finish in the school they started in. We needed to get our heads on straight to see what this was about. We were run by passion but now we are run by passion and with a clear head,” she said. Calfat added that the group is now focused on showcasing the appealing attributes of Andrew School instead of merely saving it. A town hall style gathering is in the planning stages that may take place as early as Dec. Discussions at the most recent ASC meeting on Oct. 14 centred around potential details such as Andrew teachers guest speaking at the event, as well as sharing results from reports that reflect some recent academic successes for Andrew. “We are wanting people to see the amazing wonderful things this school has to offer. My own kids feel completely safe coming to school every day and it’s such an amazing feeling knowing how secure our kids feel here,” she said. The next Andrew School Committee meeting is scheduled for Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. in the village town office.