The formal registration process began Tuesday evening for students wishing to attend non-faith-based schooling next fall in Morinville.
“The registration process is ongoing. Right now we have 135 registrations and we are continuing to accept them,” said Dr. Michele Dick, Superintendent for Sturgeon School Division.
Approximately 80 parents attended the registration and information evening to find out more about where the school might be located and programming for their children.
The information session followed the June 2 announcement of a new partnership between the Sturgeon School Division and Greater St. Albert Catholic Regional Division (GSACRD). At that time results of a survey were released showing that approximately one-third of Morinville residents would be in favour of secular education for their children. The survey conducted by Pivotal Research estimated 272 students would attend a non-faith-based school system.
Dick could not say how the age-group breakdown of registrations to date will affect proposed classrooms or class sizes.
“Student registration is critical to determining programming and of course grade levels, to identifying the administration and staffing needs and to planning busing routes,” Dick said, adding she hopes to have a stronger confirmation of registration numbers by June 30.
When a parent asked about split classes, Dick confirmed that it was a possibility.
“Again, if we do not have sufficient numbers, we will split classes,” she said.
In response to parents’ questions about how Sturgeon School Division would reach out to the community to advertise and increase class sizes in the non-faith-based system, Dick explained that signs had been put up, flyers were being distributed and full-page newspaper ads had been placed.
“We have only had two weeks, but we are being as diligent as possible, and speaking to as many parents as possible,” she said.
Parents also wanted to know what would happen to the fees that might already have been paid to register kindergarten students in the Catholic system.
“I cannot speak for GSACRD but we are in a partnership with them and I do not anticipate there being problems on returned fees,” Dick said.
Dick explained she has toured modular classrooms at St. Albert’s Muriel Martin School and was pleased with what she saw. Her photos showed airy, bright classrooms with large windows, white boards, Smart Boards and small nooks and niches for students and teachers to use. The modular units can be joined together to form a suite of classrooms with complementary spaces for school administration and a library. Each unit has four classrooms.
The new modular units would likely be adjacent to Georges P. Vanier School.
“That is our preferred location now. The gym would perhaps be at the Parish Hall or perhaps at Vanier School,” Dick said.
Several teachers from within the Sturgeon School District system and also Edmonton Public Schools spoke about their kindergarten and French immersion programs. The parents also learned about programs for both gifted students and those students with special needs as well as Head Start, a program for pre-schoolers.
Some parents, such as Trevor Love, had previously registered their children in the new secular school but wanted to know what the modulars would look like.
“My children have been in split classes already and there are portables at all schools, I’m supportive of a non-faith-based education system for my children and have already registered them,” he said.
Others were simply there for information, but had not taken any steps to register their children.
“I have a youngster in Grade 4 in Notre Dame School. I’m just gathering information for now,” said Jackie McIntyre-Depatie.
