To the outsider, it might be just another elementary school, just an acre or two of land in the Sturgeon neighbourhood of St. Albert's Public School system.
But Vital Grandin Catholic School is an oasis of enriched learning, a haven of understanding and a beacon of spiritual enlightenment. It has seen a lot in its days and it's often ahead of the curve for progressive learning models.
Not bad for a place that's already half a century old.
One of the oldest Catholic schools in the city is marking a major milestone this year. Although there are 50 candles on the cake, it doesn't show its age. The re-growth shows in every corner and facet of the building, inside and out.
Vital Grandin culminated its yearlong preparations this week with celebration ceremonies in its new learning garden. The treed area is more than just landscaping — it's a symbol of how the simple and small elements are important. This is practically the school's philosophy: it's the little things that give character to the big picture.
Principal Sandy Kordyback talked about this message on Wednesday, just before the school's wine and cheese event for staff alumni.
"I think for me the most meaningful thing is that sense that we are a part of something greater than ourselves," she said earnestly. "We have history ... we are an integral part of the fabric, part of a whole, part of something bigger and greater. It's a beautiful feeling."
She added that the school's motto is actually "Caring, Sharing and Growing." The message, she explained, is that the school isn't just a building where kids go to learn. The school tries hard to learn from the kids too.
"We're always striving to be the best version of ourselves that we can be on any level."
The early years
The building made a pretty grand impression on one of its first educators.
"I was one of the original teachers to walk in there when it was brand new," said Adrienne Kramps who had been teaching for 10 years already before working in St. Albert. She remembered the experience was fantastic. "I don't know quite how to describe it. It makes you feel good."
That emotional gratification may be a side benefit of the Vital Grandin experience. The school and its administrators work hard to provide a surrounding that is comfortable to all learners.
This year also marks the 25th anniversary of its special needs program, an honour Kordyback doesn't take lightly. It was the first school in the public school district to house what is called an opportunity classroom. The space integrates students of different abilities to engage in a win-win mentoring relationship.
Kordyback can speak to that from personal experience.
"It was of mutual benefit. It was so good for my children to be mentors and become tolerant, open and helpful, and have a sense of responsibility."
Always ahead of the pace
In addition to the new program, for the last several years the school has also been home to a Snoezelen room. The area, named after the Dutch words for sniffing and dozing, is a multi-sensory chamber also designed for students with special needs. It features pleasant lighting, calming music and aromatherapy.
This is the right place for the child who needs the extra chance to relax while learning. According to Kordyback, the room is very well used.
Apart from the atmosphere, the curriculum has adapted to the times as well. It has been a fine arts school since the 1990s when it became the first school in the province to adopt the Learning Through the Arts program. The results are apparent. All of the students recently participated in an extended effort to create icons of Archangels Michael and Gabriel under the direction of artist Marianna Savaryn.
These 300 images emblazoned with gold leaf are a prime example of how the spirituality of Catholicism enhances learning and creativity. They were blessed on Thursday during a special ceremony presided over by David Motiuk, Bishop of the Ukrainian Eparchy. The entire school body attended.
That took place right after the blessing of the medicine wheel in the learning garden. The compass and cross rock in the ground is a new area of the school. It has its roots firmly planted in the community's history. It honours Catholic and Métis heritage with equal and exalted respect.
"It's just starting to establish itself," Kordyback said of the garden, talking about how it was as inclusive to St. Albert's cultural history as it is to relevant education programming. "I think that we make those ties in our science programs — integration of the faith and the science."
There are still benches and statues to be added to the garden, but then again, everything at the school is a work in progress anyway.
From the ashes
Almost 30 years ago, there was a fire at Vital Grandin. The gym, once the centrepiece of the building, was destroyed.
Rather than dissolve into dust, the former students and staff mustered up bricks, mortar and the spirit to renew. The residual effects of intense community interest and involvement are still felt today. Kordyback speaks frequently about how everyone is so active and interested in growing.
"There's a level of engagement here that is very, very special. It's from students all the way through to staff. We're really fortunate."
Even the significance of a 50th anniversary isn't lost on those who don't have a realistic perspective on that passage of time.
"I was just chatting with a group of Grade 6s," she said. "The young man's response to me was, 'You know, this really is special. If it had been one more year, we would have missed this. We wouldn't have been part of it.' They all said, 'This is really cool'."
Generations
Kramps has since retired. Her daughters, all Vital Grandin alumnae, have moved on. Her granddaughter attended the school as well.
She was at the alumni mixer on Wednesday and noticed some things that weren't the same from her experience. Apart from those, she said nothing really changes. She said it was great to see the people from her past and their familiar faces.
"A lot of the teachers that I taught with all came over and gave me big hugs. They said they were so glad to see me."
This is one of those schools that may have to shift its shape to adapt to the modern world, but its aged heart still beats strong enough to bring old friends back. Kordyback spoke of how she often hears other stories of multiple generations of the same family coming back, just like the Kramps.
"It says something about this community that people move away maybe but they come back with their families. It's not unusual any more for me to hear, 'Oh yeah, my grandmother went to this school and my mother went to this school.'"
Kordyback even admitted how old she was, but didn't think that should have any bearing on her or her beloved school.
"I'm just on the other side of 50. How can you feel old in a place as vibrant as this?"
