News+Updates

**For Immediate Release, November 26, 2010: ** Nearly 40 individuals representing various roles and locations across Chinook’s Edge have formed a Guiding Coalition to create a vision for the future of learning in the division.
 * Chinook’s Edge launches extensive ****process to guide future vision **

The extensive process is expected to take 12-18 months, and was approved by the Board of Education because they recognized the need to approach visioning as a process that involves all levels of stakeholders. The Board developed visioning principles which include expectations that a new vision will be based on sound educational research, that the process will create authentic engagement at all levels and that it is designed to build commitment rather than compliance.

“We are challenging ourselves to get our core purpose right as a division, and to plan very carefully for 2015 and onto 2030,” said Kurt Sacher, Superintendent of Schools, following the initial Guiding Coalition meeting on November 26. “We worked to honour the many diverse voices in the room during our first session and it was exciting to feel the synergy of the group beginning to build. As we communicate in this way, we believe a natural by-product will be a higher level of trust and stronger relationships throughout our organization.

“The grand purpose of the visioning process is to clarify where we want to go as a school division and why we want to go there. Our people want to see that their efforts matter and their work is connected to something bigger. This is even more important when you have a very complex, geographically dispersed rural jurisdiction. We are trying to gain clarity and focus, and the natural next step will be to align our resources behind that compelling purpose. At the end of the day, we are trying to critically enhance the experience of the child in the classroom so we can unleash their potential and set them up for success in their future.”

The core vision and mission originated in 1995, when Chinook’s Edge first became a school division, and much of what was aspired to then has been reached. The arrival of a new superintendent and three new trustees presented the perfect timing to launch the visioning project. While the division is largely looking five to 20 years into the future, they are taking action right away whenever possible.

“What I value most about Chinook’s Edge is the futuristic, innovative projects the school division has undertaken recently and I wanted to see what I could lend to support this endeavour,” said Bob Manning, a resident of Delburne who is part of the Guiding Coalition. “Through my work with our local Community Engagement Site, I know Chinook’s Edge is always challenging itself. This first session has been an excellent exercise and I’m excited about where this process will lead.”

Members on the Guiding Coalition include students, teachers, principals, parents, educational assistants, custodians, community members, technology and department coordinators, and two trustees.

“I was a bit uncertain when I first arrived, but now I’m really glad to be part of this,” said Halee Marcotte, a grade 10 student from Olds High School. “Being a student, this is a great opportunity to contribute to making learning more meaningful for all students. It’s different being behind the scenes with teachers and administrators, and to see the goals they are developing for Chinook’s Edge. It is eye-opening to be part of it and they make me feel my voice is heard. The room was very student-centered and I’ll be excited to see the outcome of this.”

The next meeting of the Guiding Coalition is December 17. A wiki has been established to provide information to the public as the process evolves, through a link on the division website at [|www.chinooksedge.ab.ca]

-For more information, please contact: **Sandy Bexon, Communications** (403) 227-7085 cell (403) 391-3220