Golden Hills School Division recognized at annual Gala

Shannon LeClair

Times Reporter

 

Golden Hills School Division, GHSD, was honoured at the annual gala of the Calgary and Area Educational Partnerships, CEPF, on Jan. 27. The division received two Mayors’ Excellence Awards for the categories Small Business Program and Literacy Support and Enhancement. 

“It was good, it was quite a crowd,” said Chair Dave Price.

 “Obviously the speakers that were able to talk early on about their own experiences, about reaching out to do extra things with students had some pretty dramatic stories to tell, and that was kind of neat to hear.” 

The award for Small Business Programs celebrated the partnership between several local stylists and salon owners who work with Strathmore High School, SHS, teacher Cheryl Davidson to offer cosmetology to rural schools. 

“Cosmetology is a popular Career and Technology Studies (CTS) course that provides students with an opportunity to explore the trade, improve life skills, and build self esteem,” said Davidson, in a press release.

“The award for the business partnerships was recognizing some of what the Deputy Superintendant Ed Holt had done with communities in setting up the ability for local cosmetologists to work with schools, and provide a different kind of programming option for students than what would otherwise be the case,” said Price.  

The literacy award recognized and honoured the partnership between Sequoia School, Digital Press, Blackfoot Crossing and Siksika Nation elders. This partnership saw, ‘Collected Stories: The Three Buffalo Snuff’ and ‘How The Kiayo Got A Short Tail’, by Catlyn Storm, Bella Saddleback and John Healy with illustrations by Kristen Daniels, published. 

“Partnerships are critical to the health and well being of all public schools,” said Sequoia Principal Denise Peterson in a press release. 

“The CEPF support and recognition for such effort is greatly appreciated. Our students and school community are immensely grateful to our partners for helping us bring this project to fruition.”

The awards dinner took place at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel, with 15 different towns and municipalities in attendance, and included Mayor Naheed Nenshi of Calgary. 

CEPF was founded in 1991 and is a non-profit organization, which provides support for children and teachers in Calgary. The CEPF partnership includes six jurisdictions, nearly 180,000 students and more than 300 businesses and organizations.