The future for Chinook Center School students and their transition to École John Wilson Elementary School next fall appears uncertain.
Following an information meeting Oct. 4 many questions remain.
Parents, teachers and staff of Chinook Center School and the Chinook's Edge School Division (CESD) met at the board office in Innisfail on Oct. 4.
“Right now it's hard to see what it's all going to look like,” said Krista Bergquist, president of the school's parent council. “I think once that starts to come together I think it will be easier (to see that vision).”
About 30 parents joined CESD board officials, school staff and principals from other schools in Innisfail at the information meeting regarding the recent announcement of the closure of Chinook Center School and the relocation of students next September.
“It was a great opportunity for parents to talk and to ask their questions,” said Bergquist, noting that for her, the news came as a surprise. “It was a bit of a shock. I know there was a lot of sadness and a lot of mixed feelings. As a parent when you are told your school is closing it's going to be shocking.”
Since the meeting Bergquist said she hasn't heard many concerns about the relocation from parents.
“I think right now it's just a matter of taking in all the information. It's all so new,” she said.
Over the next several months the focus must remain on the kids, noted Bergquist.
“Our ultimate goal is the kids. We all want them to succeed, we all want to give them the tools to succeed in life,” she said. “I think we just need to take one day at a time. Once things start to fall into place we will be able to see the vision a little bit better.”
Kurt Sacher, superintendent of schools with CESD, said the parent information meeting provided some background, history and information about why the board was looking at closing the school.
"We shared what the history was, what the rationale was and we also talked to them about what the transition could look like," said Sacher.
He noted some of the concerns raised by parents at the Oct. 4 meeting revolved around the playground, supervision and the transition, as well as how to continue the same educational experience for their children.
"Most of the really positive experiences that are occurring at Chinook Center School we believe will continue to occur when they join the John Wilson team," he said.
Sacher noted they collected responses to an anonymous survey completed by parents last week and will also take the data collected at the meeting, including questions and concerns raised. He added they will be discussed at future board meetings.
"We promised to gather that data and have those answers by the third week in October, and make it available back to parents," said Sacher, noting both the CESD board and Alberta Education will receive that information as well.
"We're going to go out of our way to try and honour their (parents') requests,” said Sacher. “We think we can achieve most of (them) relative to making it a smooth transition next fall."
Krista Bergquist, president of parent council
"It was a bit of a shock. I know there was a lot of sadness and a lot of mixed feelings. As a parent when you are told your school is closing it's going to be shocking."
