Spring 2025 Trustee Newsletter
Message from the Board Chair
As we welcome spring, we enjoy that, finally, the days are getting longer and the sunshine begins to warm the earth and our souls. It’s a season filled with growth and promises.
This newsletter focuses on opportunity. An opportunity to have our united voices heard as we work to impact our students not only now, but in the future as well. Advocacy is one of the very important roles trustees, your publicly elected representatives, engage in. Advocacy is at the heart of education, and now more than ever, it’s important to work together to stand up for kids. Every child in our division needs the resources, support, and opportunities to thrive and be successful.
Black Gold’s Board advocates to local leaders, local municipalities, our three MLAs, and the provincial government (in particular the education minister) and even the Premier of Alberta. A great deal of advocacy is channeled through the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) to the various government ministries as their portfolios affect education outcomes.
Our Community Engagement and Advocacy Committee (CEAC) presents advocacy initiatives to the board for consideration and assists in developing plans and materials to support the advocacy priorities in the division.
Recently, a Board Advocacy section was added to BGSD’s website. It’s found in the Board tab. Here, you can learn what our priorities are for the current school year, read about some of the advocacy meetings held to date, and what ongoing plans are in the works.
Advocacy takes many forms. It’s seen in our teachers who champion their students every day, in families who engage in their child’s learning, and in community members who stand up for strong, public schools. As a board, we remain committed to advocating at the local and provincial levels for policies that prioritize student success, including equitable funding, career development, inclusive and mental health support, and addressing the needs of growing communities. Equitable access to education for all learners is the end goal.
But advocacy is most powerful when it includes all of us. We encourage you to get involved—whether by attending school council meetings, reaching out to government, or simply having conversations about the needs of your children. It’s real, lived stories that get attention. Together, we can be the voice that shapes the future for our children.
—Esther Eckert, Board Chair
Welcome Back to Our Staff
On March 20th, we were delighted to welcome our valued support staff back into Black Gold schools following the resolution of the recent job action.
Our Educational Assistants, Librarians, School Secretaries, and other support personnel are a vital part of the Black Gold Family. Their work enhances learning, fosters inclusivity, and ensures our schools remain safe and welcoming spaces for all.
New School in Beaumont
The Board of Trustees is thrilled to announce that a new high school is coming to Beaumont. After eight years of unwavering effort and collaboration with the provincial government, this long-held community priority is being addressed.
This achievement reflects the Board's unwavering commitment to addressing the needs of a rapidly growing student population, and expanding access to quality education. The Board prioritized it in capital funding requests and built a strong case using data on enrolment growth and the urgent need for additional space.
The new high school, located in the Azur neighbourhood, will accommodate up to 1,100 students. STAR Catholic will also construct a separate 400-student facility on the same site. Each school will have its own dedicated facilities. This project marks a significant investment in public education and a major win for families in Beaumont—one that will shape student success for generations to come. Read more.
Girls in STEM
As part of continuing efforts to promote inclusive and equitable learning opportunities, the Board was proud to support the fifth annual Girls in STEM event on March 10 at Ohpaho Secondary School. 140 Grade 8–12 girls and gender-diverse students participated in hands-on workshops led by professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
A highlight of the event was the keynote presentation by Jillian Kowalchuk, an AI researcher at the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii). Kowalchuk, a strong proponent of diversity in STEM fields, shared valuable insights on the evolving role of artificial intelligence and its impact on the future.
Empowering girls and gender-diverse students to enter STEM fields creates opportunities for innovation, inspiration, and progress. The event was well-attended and organized, and allowed many students to explore new career pathways. Read more.
Calmar Secondary Gears Up for Collegiate Learning
Calmar Secondary School continues to prepare for the launch of its collegiate programming, creating new opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in the skilled trades. A 5,000-ft² expansion to the school is currently under construction, and is expected to be completed in late summer. The new facility will offer specialized classrooms for electrical, carpentry, and pipefitting trades, providng students with the tools they need to succeed in these high-demand fields.
Starting in the 2025–26 school year, students will be able to earn both high school and first-year post-secondary credits while receiving practical, real-world training. This goes beyond technical skills—it gives students early exposure through a “try-a-trade” approach, helping them discover where their interests lie. That insight allows them to focus their efforts before making significant investments of time and money.
By investing in collegiate programming at Calmar Secondary, we are opening doors for students to thrive today and into their futures—whether that’s in post-secondary institutions, apprenticeships, or directly in the workforce. We look forward to seeing the impact this will have on students and our community!
Welcoming Students from Abroad
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As part of the Board of Trustees’ ongoing advocacy for global citizenship and inclusive learning, Black Gold School Division is glad to support the growth of its International Student Program. On January 23, École Horizon Heights School in Leduc welcomed Kouki and Hibiki, two students from Japan, offering students and staff a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful cross-cultural learning.
The Board believes that fostering global connections is essential to preparing students for a diverse and interconnected world. By bringing international students into our classrooms, we create environments where cultural exchange is celebrated and students gain a broader understanding of global perspectives.
These experiences go beyond academics—students often form lasting friendships and develop a deeper appreciation for cultures different from their own. Through initiatives like the International Student Program, the Board continues to advocate for enriching opportunities that broaden horizons and strengthen the fabric of our school communities.
High School Convocations
As the school year draws to a close, the Board of Trustees is proud to celebrate the achievements of Black Gold students at high school convocations across the Division. Receiving a diploma is a powerful milestone in a student's journey, and Trustees are honoured to attend ceremonies throughout May and June.
These events also highlight the importance of the Board’s ongoing advocacy for inclusive, well-resourced schools where every student is supported to thrive. Graduation represents not only the culmination of a student's journey but also the beginning of new pathways—whether in post-secondary, or along other avenues. We wish nothing but the best for our graduates, and we are eager to see how they will shape the future of their communities in the coming years.
Notices
Click here to see our Board Meeting Highlights. The highlights are a summary of the Board of Trustees Regular, Organizational, and Special Meetings.
Members of the public can continue to participate in public meetings by watching the live-stream on our YouTube channel.
Follow the links to find out about specific meeting dates and times and meeting agendas