Rocky View Schools – Empowering the Potential

On October 14th, Superintendent of Schools, Don Hoium along with Chestermere Middle School Principal, Tammy Rahn and Chestermere High School Principal, Jordan Fenton gave a presentation to the Chestermere Chamber of Commerce regarding the new Four Year Plan for Rocky View Schools.
The Rocky View School District encompasses 46 schools, 21,000 students and approximately 2000 staff and support members. These areas see a wide variety of students coming from all cultures, family types and economic lifestyles. As the world is rapidly changing and advancing, students are having to make those life decisions earlier on as to what they wish to do when they graduate from high school. With the battle of keeping students engaged and remaining in school, it has become even more important to captivate their attention and get them interested in something that they can see benefiting them in the future.
Rocky View Schools views public education as the foundation to empowering innovation, social development and future growth of Alberta’s communities. In an increasing competitive labour market, RVS believes that providing students with the right tools, can send them out into the workforce prepared for whatever they may face.
Both Chestermere Lake Middle School and Chestermere High School have implemented programs to prepare their students for the real world. CHS has a work experience program whereby students are given school credits for hours worked at a previously approved workplace. The students’ workplace is assessed to ensure it is a safe environment and an agreement is made between the employer, the student and the school to ensure that everyone is benefiting from the program. As the student works, they earn one school credit for every twenty five hours worked. There are business in Chestermere and Calgary that have partnered with this program and are helping teach the youth of today those much needed workplace skills. They also have a culinary arts program where students in this program are earning credits for their high school level but also are earning credits that will be used towards their first year at SAIT in their culinary arts program.
Students attending CLMS are typically too young to be working and therefore, they don’t provide a work experience program like CHS, but they are provided work place situations within the school. CLMS has a school store on campus where students can purchase food and drinks. Student involvement is necessary to keep the store operating and is a great way for the students to learn inventory, handling money and customer service skills. Students at CLMS are also heavily involved in the community and in fundraising, where they are learning valuable life skills.
From October to January, Rocky View Schools will be looking to the community to help build its 2015-2019 Four Year Plan, Empowering The Potential. Through the twelve week process, RVS wants to engage with local businesses to help strengthen and develop partnerships for work experience programs and apprenticeships. On November 13, 2014 a Business and Community Leader Focus Group will be held at the RVS Education Centre, to explore and research the question “What conditions would need to exist to engage businesses/community organizations in providing authentic learning opportunities for students?” To volunteer or participate in the focus group, please email aspanier@rockyview.ab.ca with I’m A Business Leader! in the subject line.