Page 9 - June 24, 2019
P. 9
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR
PAGE 10 MONDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2019
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR MONDAY JUNE 24, 2019 PAGE 9
Letter to the Editor:
Early Childhood Matters expresses confusion and uncertainty with GYPSD plans
Early Childhood Matters is an Edson and Junction, Peers & Fulham) impacted by this services for their children if they don't attend
Yellowhead County coalition that is a tri-ministry since the decision by the board was made to GYPSD pre-k program. Now families have no
initiative between Education, Community and explore pre-k programming “where viable” in choice where their child who qualifies for PUF
Social Services and Health. There are 100 our communities. can go.
coalitions covering the entire province of Alberta. 3. No communication was made to any of our 9. There has been no collaboration from GYPSD
The coalitions were developed to increase the coalition members regarding the decision that a regarding planning of what the replacement of
community knowledge in early childhood pre-k in Mary Bergeron was not viable. Our their large Language Enrichment program will
development through partnerships with community coalition found out reading the newspaper. Our look like in the Edson area. To our limited
groups and the services that support them and also coalition had already told GYPSD more than a knowledge, there is no replacement or
to advocate for services for children in our year ago that we did not need more pre-k alternative options for families.
communities and ensure that families are aware of programming but instead more early
the services available to them to help support their intervention programming/spots. Alberta Health Services and Community and
child's early development. 4. Our coalition organized 2 community ECD Social Services have been struggling to gain
Our coalition covers the following communities: meetings (17 parties attended) to discuss communication and collaboration with GYPSD
Marlboro, Robb, Edson, Niton Junction, Peers, potential rumors that were being heard in the over this same time period. As part of the Tri-
Fulham and MacKay. community. GYPSD did not attend these ministry partnership it is expected that we can
The Early Childhood Matters coalition has meetings even though the meetings were easily work together with Education for the good of
worked exceptionally hard for the past 9 years to scheduled around availability of their staff. our small unique communities.
increase communication between health, education 5. No communication or collaboration was offered This blatant disregard of the years of experience
and social services, improve the understanding and by GYPSD about the closure of the Language and knowledge in our community, the programs
collaboration between all groups that work with Enrichment program at Mary Bergeron School that had been carefully molded over the years and
families with young children so that organizations next school year. It has actually not been the staff that had received extra training and skills
can provide families with the best resources and publicized officially to our knowledge. is appalling and setting the services available in our
programming. This past year's lack of community 6. There has been much confusion for families communities back many years.
collaboration, lack of transparency and lack of regarding the pre-k programming being offered GYPSD was instrumental in the formation of this
communication by GYPSD is not acceptable and is at Ecole Westhaven as it has been left up to coalition years ago and a huge part of its success in
instead causing increased stress and uncertainty for each school to determine cost, program details years past. All of our ECD members are eager to
so many families, programs and staff in our and staffing has not been finalized. This regain a positive working relationship with
communities. information has not been provided to any of our GYPSD. As a coalition, we know that GYPSD is
The confusion and uncertainty from GYPSD this coalition members to help provide families an integral and vital part of our communities and
past year has included the following: with information about this new service in their can offer so much to make our communities better,
1. No exploratory process occurred prior to community. especially for our younger community members.
GYPSD's board meeting about preschool 7. No official communication has been provided Our coalition is hopeful that we will see an
programing or possible pre-k needs in our to the ECD community about how many PUF improved partnership, communication and
community. Actually, complete denial of this spots are available in their new pre-k program collaboration with GYPSD within our communities
happened to numerous coalition members when at Ecole Westhaven School or what the moving forward.
they contacted GYPSD directly inquiring about specialized services will look like for children For anyone interested in more about this
this possibility. next year. This prevents ECD workers being coalition please join us at our monthly coalition
2. No collaborative approach about the pre-k able to inform families of their options. meetings, follow us on social media, or contact us
program has occurred in any of our 8. GYPSD has informed the ECD community that by email.
communities (Marlboro, Edson, Niton families are not able to access preschool PUF
Kindergarten
student
found safe after
wandering off
GYPSD RELEASE:
On June 13, 2019, a kindergarten student
from Mary Bergeron Elementary School in
Edson, left the school grounds without
permission, before being safely returned
shortly thereafter by a community member.
The incident is under a full investigation by
Grande Yellowhead, including a complete
review of the school’s, and the division’s,
safety measures.
“As soon as we became aware of the
situation, our division began a full
investigation,” reassured Superintendent of
Schools, C. Lewis. “I have personally reached
out to the family to express my sincere
apology on behalf of the division. We take the
safety and well-being of all our children and
staff very seriously as our families have put
their trust into us taking care of their loved
ones. Obviously, this should never have
happened. The division will be doing a full
safety audit of our current policies and
procedures, to reinforce and strengthen them,
if necessary, to ensure that it does not happen
again.”
Lewis continued. “Although this is an
isolated incident, the safety of our students is Westhaven School's Grade 3/4 combined and grade 4 class visited Camp YoWoChAs on Tuesday, June 18 as their
always our number one priority.” year-end field trip. "This wonderful opportunity provides the students with outdoor activities that enhances their
physical education curriculum and creates some new outdoor experiences," said Principal Stacy McGowan.
submitted
PAGE 10 MONDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2019
THE WEEKLY ANCHOR MONDAY JUNE 24, 2019 PAGE 9
Letter to the Editor:
Early Childhood Matters expresses confusion and uncertainty with GYPSD plans
Early Childhood Matters is an Edson and Junction, Peers & Fulham) impacted by this services for their children if they don't attend
Yellowhead County coalition that is a tri-ministry since the decision by the board was made to GYPSD pre-k program. Now families have no
initiative between Education, Community and explore pre-k programming “where viable” in choice where their child who qualifies for PUF
Social Services and Health. There are 100 our communities. can go.
coalitions covering the entire province of Alberta. 3. No communication was made to any of our 9. There has been no collaboration from GYPSD
The coalitions were developed to increase the coalition members regarding the decision that a regarding planning of what the replacement of
community knowledge in early childhood pre-k in Mary Bergeron was not viable. Our their large Language Enrichment program will
development through partnerships with community coalition found out reading the newspaper. Our look like in the Edson area. To our limited
groups and the services that support them and also coalition had already told GYPSD more than a knowledge, there is no replacement or
to advocate for services for children in our year ago that we did not need more pre-k alternative options for families.
communities and ensure that families are aware of programming but instead more early
the services available to them to help support their intervention programming/spots. Alberta Health Services and Community and
child's early development. 4. Our coalition organized 2 community ECD Social Services have been struggling to gain
Our coalition covers the following communities: meetings (17 parties attended) to discuss communication and collaboration with GYPSD
Marlboro, Robb, Edson, Niton Junction, Peers, potential rumors that were being heard in the over this same time period. As part of the Tri-
Fulham and MacKay. community. GYPSD did not attend these ministry partnership it is expected that we can
The Early Childhood Matters coalition has meetings even though the meetings were easily work together with Education for the good of
worked exceptionally hard for the past 9 years to scheduled around availability of their staff. our small unique communities.
increase communication between health, education 5. No communication or collaboration was offered This blatant disregard of the years of experience
and social services, improve the understanding and by GYPSD about the closure of the Language and knowledge in our community, the programs
collaboration between all groups that work with Enrichment program at Mary Bergeron School that had been carefully molded over the years and
families with young children so that organizations next school year. It has actually not been the staff that had received extra training and skills
can provide families with the best resources and publicized officially to our knowledge. is appalling and setting the services available in our
programming. This past year's lack of community 6. There has been much confusion for families communities back many years.
collaboration, lack of transparency and lack of regarding the pre-k programming being offered GYPSD was instrumental in the formation of this
communication by GYPSD is not acceptable and is at Ecole Westhaven as it has been left up to coalition years ago and a huge part of its success in
instead causing increased stress and uncertainty for each school to determine cost, program details years past. All of our ECD members are eager to
so many families, programs and staff in our and staffing has not been finalized. This regain a positive working relationship with
communities. information has not been provided to any of our GYPSD. As a coalition, we know that GYPSD is
The confusion and uncertainty from GYPSD this coalition members to help provide families an integral and vital part of our communities and
past year has included the following: with information about this new service in their can offer so much to make our communities better,
1. No exploratory process occurred prior to community. especially for our younger community members.
GYPSD's board meeting about preschool 7. No official communication has been provided Our coalition is hopeful that we will see an
programing or possible pre-k needs in our to the ECD community about how many PUF improved partnership, communication and
community. Actually, complete denial of this spots are available in their new pre-k program collaboration with GYPSD within our communities
happened to numerous coalition members when at Ecole Westhaven School or what the moving forward.
they contacted GYPSD directly inquiring about specialized services will look like for children For anyone interested in more about this
this possibility. next year. This prevents ECD workers being coalition please join us at our monthly coalition
2. No collaborative approach about the pre-k able to inform families of their options. meetings, follow us on social media, or contact us
program has occurred in any of our 8. GYPSD has informed the ECD community that by email.
communities (Marlboro, Edson, Niton families are not able to access preschool PUF
Kindergarten
student
found safe after
wandering off
GYPSD RELEASE:
On June 13, 2019, a kindergarten student
from Mary Bergeron Elementary School in
Edson, left the school grounds without
permission, before being safely returned
shortly thereafter by a community member.
The incident is under a full investigation by
Grande Yellowhead, including a complete
review of the school’s, and the division’s,
safety measures.
“As soon as we became aware of the
situation, our division began a full
investigation,” reassured Superintendent of
Schools, C. Lewis. “I have personally reached
out to the family to express my sincere
apology on behalf of the division. We take the
safety and well-being of all our children and
staff very seriously as our families have put
their trust into us taking care of their loved
ones. Obviously, this should never have
happened. The division will be doing a full
safety audit of our current policies and
procedures, to reinforce and strengthen them,
if necessary, to ensure that it does not happen
again.”
Lewis continued. “Although this is an
isolated incident, the safety of our students is Westhaven School's Grade 3/4 combined and grade 4 class visited Camp YoWoChAs on Tuesday, June 18 as their
always our number one priority.” year-end field trip. "This wonderful opportunity provides the students with outdoor activities that enhances their
physical education curriculum and creates some new outdoor experiences," said Principal Stacy McGowan.
submitted
