Sign unveiling and sod turning … finally

Times Contributor  

 

All of the students and staff from Gleichen’s Central Bow Valley school, Hussar, Rockyford and Standard schools came together for an afternoon of fun and celebrating at the corner of Highways 840 and 561.

At exactly 1 p.m. Superintendent of Golden Hills School Division Bevan Daverne announced that they would unveil the sign and turn the sod for the new centralized East Wheatland school.

After some addresses from officials from the county and the school board, one student from each of the four schools involved in this historical event were given a shovel to help with the first turning of the sod. EricaLynn Skibsted represented Standard school, Thea Koester represented Rockyford school, Tristin Black represented Cental Bow Valley and Rhett Gregory represented Hussar school.

Dr. Neil Brown [MLA for Calgary-Mackay-NoseHill] who came to represent the sitting government said, “This is going to be quite the ultra modern school. It is exciting to see that they will be partnering with Olds College and Lakeland College to offer college credit courses for high school students to be able to transfer back to college.”

Current teacher at Standard School Steve Wiewel reminisced about his teaching career. 

“When I moved to Alberta 32 years ago, I started in Cluny and they were talking about this day then,” he said. “I am glad to see that things are finally happening to bring the four communities of Gleichen, Hussar, Rockyford and Standard together for education as they have already done for years in sports and recreational activities.”

All the students enjoyed a wonderful BBQ lunch provided by Agrium. They watched a great trick rider perform (Kristie Rougeau – who currently teaches Grade 3 at Standard school), and the rest of the afternoon was spent playing various games and mingling with the students from the other schools.

The students marked out the perimeter of the school standing side-by-side for a historical picture of the day that was taken by an aerial drone after they unveiled the sign.

Responses from students that were present were that of excitement.

“I like seeing that we will have new options, new teachers and I am so excited that I’m counting down the hours to 2016,” said Garrett Fandry (age 11 from Hussar).

“I’ve been going to Standard school for five years and I’m looking forward to closer knit communities and excited about the expanded programming that will be offered,” said Faith Neumann (age 14 from Standard school). 

“I’m excited to have a bigger school, happy that they are finally making us a new school with new equipment and lots of teachers,” said Mackenzie Jensen (age 11 from Rockyford]). 

“This is a fun day … history in the making and I’m kind of a little excited,” said Thea Koester (age 11 from Rockyford).

“This is really cool and I’m surprised by the number of kids I already know from Standard. I’m looking forward to new friends,” said Morgan Peake (age 11 from Hussar).

“I’m excited to have more kids in my class and meet new friends,” said Lucia Dahm (age 10 from Rockyford school).

At the end of the day the students returned to their respective schools in East Wheatland, dreaming of all that is to come with their new school with a tentative opening in 2016.