Okotoks school makes the grade

Big Rock listed among top 40 schools in Today’s Parent magazine

By Lucy Rowed
Contributor

Big Rock school was given an A by “Today’s Parent”, ranking among the top 40 in the magazine’s annual quest to identify great schools across Canada.
The 410-student kindergarten to grade 6 school in southwest Okotoks was given an honorable mention in the all-round cool school category.
When principal Mike Evans walked through the playground at lunch on Sept. 27, it was obvious why the school ranked among the country’s best.
Children screamed with genuine delight at the sight of their principal and were greeted with a warm hug.
“He’s a good principal because of how he treats us,” said Grade 4 student Meghan Thomas who was cashing in on a hug.
While in the playground Evans mediated a dispute, handled a torn-clothes emergency, walked a sick child to the school, dealt with a ball on the roof and was greeted with more hugs.
“We’re proud of our school,” Evans said. “We’ve got parents, teachers and students working together and focused on what’s best for the kids — I think that’s the key to our success.”
Evans was also quick to add that Big Rock is not the only good school in the division.
“I’m glad to be recognized, but I think this highlights the fact there are a lot of great schools.
I think that’s the point of the article — that there’s more to education than achievement test scores.”
The article in the Sept. 2004 edition tried to uncover the illusive and sometimes immeasurable qualities which make a school great.
After interviewing a number of education professionals it selected 10 key components. These included: principals who lead with passion, teachers who come alive in the classroom and thrive in a team setting, a healthy component of parent and community involvement and innovative programming. Also critical were a caring, respectful and secure learning environment, high student expectations, extracurricular activities and academic excellence.
“Today’s Parent” magazine first took notice of Big Rock as a potential model school in Jan. 2004 and parents were asked to fax in their comments.
Gord Hoover, outgoing parent council chairman, said Big Rock’s appeal is its atmosphere.
“It’s difficult to put your finger on it. To me it’s always been the dedication of staff and their sincere interest in seeing kids develop — the school is very open to parents and responsive to their concerns,” commented Hoover. “Simply put, it’s a nice community.”
Evans said they strive to welcome parents; and, if the number of people who attend student open houses is any indication, they are succeeding.
“At our open house last year we had almost 1,000 people. The place was just buzzing,” Evans said.
Besides openness and a willingness to learn and improve, the school has a number of unique programs. These include a parent-run hot lunch program which operates three days per week, an outdoor education program where children in Grades 5 and 6 receive three days of education in the Kananaskis, extracurricular options for one month during the school year, student volunteers who run the office at lunch and a mentoring program for special needs students.
Another feather in their cap is an innovative writing project, which was presented at the Alberta Initiative for School Improvement (AISI) Conference in Edmonton in Jan. 2004.
The project, which is in the second of three years, asks teachers to assess students’ writing at the beginning of the year. Weaknesses are identified and specific areas are targeted for improvement. Students are reassessed four times during the year and, last year, the improvement was dramatic, Evans said.

Black Diamond - New candidates assure an election

By Darlene Casten
staff reporter

Black Diamond residents will go to the polls to choose a new group of councillors.
On the second day of nominations four more nominees stepped forward ending an extended nomination period. Black Diamond only had four residents nominated in the councillor positions by the time the polls closed at noon Sept. 18.
Incumbent councillors Sharlene Brown, Joe Patterson and Mike Ross posted their nominations as well as newcomer Michel Jackson.
Six nominations are required to fill the councillor positions, forcing the town to continue the nomination process for at least six days or until six nominations are received.
Black Diamond resident Dean Anderson put in his nomination while paying his utility bill at the town office.
“I have lived in the community for quite a number of years and I have always wanted to make a change and improve what can be improved,” Anderson said of his decision.
After considering running for councillor for several years the need of the town finally prompted Anderson into action.
“I was at the right place at the right time and it all fell into place,” he said.
Residents Bill Price, Terry Elkow and Doug Macleay also posted their intent to run for council on the second day of nominations.
Elkow, Macleay and Price were not available for comment by press time.
All candidates will have a chance to discuss their platforms at a forum Oct. 12 at Oilfields High School. The forum will begin at 7 pm.
Incumbent mayor Rolly Magee is being challenged for his position by councillor Tim Burton and former councillor Barb Froud.