Message from the Board Chair
During the 2023-2024 school year, your Board of Trustees worked to improve student achievement by providing educational supports in each school. We are maximizing our limited resources in the midst of declining funding and rising enrolments to put students first.
The increased growth pressures the Division is facing means we have to review and update our capital plan more frequently, and advocate for Alberta Education to approve the construction of new schools and renovate our older existing facilities.
We were pleased to learn that the Province approved construction funding for the modernization of École Corinthia Park School in Leduc.
We are working with the City of Beaumont and STAR Catholic School Division to prepare a site in the Élan neighbourhood for a new joint high school to help ease the pressure on École Secondaire Beaumont Composite High School. We have been actively advocating to our MLAs, and recently invited them to see first-hand how rapid population growth is posing significant challenges for the school.
We also engaged with other provincial and local political leaders, including Education Minister Nicolaides and Premier Smith, to discuss the challenges we are facing.
All in all, we are looking forward to next year with hope, as we open Ohpaho Secondary School, start construction on a collegiate school in Calmar, and discover the positives of student transitions in Leduc.
We also took a closer look at what it means to provide safe, caring, welcoming, and inclusive environments for all our students and staff. We are ensuring that all members of our school community have opportunities to be seen, feel valued, and thrive in environments free from all forms of discrimination and prejudice.
The Board was also proud to continue its support of Tom’s Walk, an annual memorial walk organized by former Black Gold teacher Kelly Maxwell in honour of her son Tom, who was also part of the Black Gold family.
This is part of our strong focus on the mental health and wellness of students and staff. We are proud of the incredible work being done by the Black Gold Mental Health Capacity Building (MHCB) team to look after needs of students. Our Wellness Lead Teacher has been busy organizing employee resource groups, as well as events and challenges throughout the year to promote staff morale and wellness.
We are also developing initiatives to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Division. Our schools are hosting multicultural days, where the range of diversity with their student populations are celebrated.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to congratulate all students and staff on their successes this past year. Congratulations to the graduating Class of 2024 – we are so proud of you all and look forward to your next chapter. The Board also thanks our staff for the incredible work done to provide the best education possible for students and we thank parents for their cooperation, which allows us to ensure each student achieves the best education possible.
We wish everyone a restful and safe summer break, and look forward to seeing you again in September.
Board Chair, Vice Chair sworn in for 2024-2025 term
At their Organizational Meeting on June 19, 2024, the Board of Trustees re-acclaimed Board Chair Esther Eckert and Vice Chair Angie Charpentier to their respective roles for the 2024-2025 term.
“It is a pleasure to continue leading the Black Gold School Division as board chair,” said Eckert, following the Oath of Office administered by Chelsey Volkman, Associate Superintendent – Finance. “As we work together, our priorities. as always, will focus on student success and wellness for all. Together, we will navigate the challenges and highlights ahead with integrity and a resolve to upholding the values of Black Gold.”
“I am excited to work collaboratively with my fellow trustees in promoting a school system that fosters excellence, innovation and success for all students,” said Charpentier. “As vice chair, I will continue to uphold the values of accountability and equity in all our decision-making processes.”
NOTICE | Black Gold to manage access to BYOD WIFI network
Following the Government of Alberta’s recent announcement to establish new standards by September 1, 2024, to ensure personal mobile devices and social media do not disrupt learning, the Black Gold School Division will begin managing access to its Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) network by requiring students to register their devices Media Access Control (MAC) address. Read more
Rural Schools Engagement update
The Black Gold School Division ran a rural school survey targeted to the individual schools in the communities of New Sarepta, Calmar, Thorsby, and Warburg. The survey provided an opportunity for parents and community members to submit feedback linked to the Division’s key values.
“The Division is pleased to share it has completed the Rural School Survey,” said Associate Superintendent Ray Cable. “Our principals were happy with the incredible response rates from hundreds of parents and community members from the four school communities.”
Kim Hyshka, principal at Dialogue Partners, the consultant on the project, gave a presentation to the Board to discuss the engagement results. The insights provided by school communities in Calmar, New Sarepta, Thorsby and Warburg are incredibly valuable as we strive to improve the educational experience for students. School principals and the Division will use the information from the many responses to help plan for the future.
Your trustees at work
On May 8, Board Chair Esther Eckert, and trustees Barb Martinson, Devonna Klaassen and Gary Hansen, along with Superintendent of Schools/CEO Michael Borgfjord and Associate Superintendent Chelsey Volkman, attended the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) MLA reception in Edmonton to meet provincial officials and discuss the challenges facing the Black Gold School Division. Find out more
On May 10, MLA Brandon Lunty (Leduc-Beaumont) and MLA Andrew Boitchenko (Drayton Valley-Devon) joined Black Gold trustees, senior administrators and school staff for a tour of École Secondaire Beaumont Composite High School (ÉSBCHS) to see first-hand how the rapid population growth in Beaumont is posing significant challenges for the school. Find out more
MLAs see first-hand overcrowding issues at Beaumont high school
On May 10, MLA Brandon Lunty MLA Leduc-Beaumont (Leduc-Beaumont) and MLA Andrew Boitchenko (Drayton Valley-Devon) joined BGSD trustees and staff for a tour of École Secondaire Beaumont Composite High School (ÉSBCHS) to see first-hand how the rapid population growth in Beaumont is posing significant challenges for the school. Check out what they had to say after the tour.
Black Gold is a proud supporter of the fine arts
The Black Gold School Division is proud to partner once again with the Leduc Art Club to host the 13th annual Aspiring Young Artists’ Competition is for students in Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12. Students had their work adjudicated by professional artists on June 8 to have an opportunity to win monetary prizes.
Participating schools included Leduc Composite High School, Calmar Secondary School, Ecole Secondaire Beaumont
Composite High School and New Sarepta Community High School, with 113 pieces of art submitted by 55 students.
Presentations were made at the Awards GALA Ceremony later that night, hosted by the Leduc Art Club, City of Leduc, and the Black Gold School Division. The Board was also pleased to select artworks by Leduc Composite High School students Sofia Bariak, Julie Dakin, and Mariah Villa to purchase for its permanent student art collection.
“Participating in a juried art show as a high school student is a big deal – it truly is,” said Board Chair Esther Eckert. “Thank you to all the organizations that have made an investment in our students; this investment could be the beginning of a student’s journey to a successful career in the visual arts.”
This event is made possible through sponsorship from Leduc Performing Arts and Cultural Foundation and Nisku-Leduc Rotary Club, City of Leduc, Black Gold School Division, Black Gold Rodeo Association, and the Leduc Recreation Centre.
Click the image to view the 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.
Ohpaho Secondary School Update
On May 28, Ohpaho Secondary School principal Dan Lake and assistant principals Shelley Hamilton and Wendy Maltais were excited to receive the school keys from representatives of Concert-Bird Partners, who designed and built this state-of-the-art school under a public-private partnership with the Government of Alberta.
“I’m grateful that Ohpaho Secondary was built on time and on budget,” said Lake. “Our team is looking forward to outfitting the school spaces with furniture, appliances, computers and other needed equipment in the next few months to get it ready for the 2024-2025 school year.”
“We’re so looking forward to welcoming our staff and students to this absolutely stunning building, and to holding our first set of classes and extracurricular activities,” added Assistant Principal Hamilton.
Visit the school’s Facebook Page for more updates about the school in the weeks and months ahead.
École Coloniale Estates School renaming update
The Board of Trustees has been in discussions to potentially rename École Coloniale Estates School after receiving a request from their School Council delegation in November 2022 to change the school name, as it does not reflect the spirit of diversity and inclusion that the school community represents.
At their May 29, 2024, Regular Meeting, the Board of Trustees provided a Notice of Motion to discuss/debate and decide on approving the renaming and the proposed public engagement process at their June 19 Regular Meeting.
The Board believes that their decision on June 19 to proceed with the school renaming is consistent with the Division’s mission, vision, and values, and that this process could be completed without incurring great financial costs and take into account the rich history and culture of Beaumont. Find out more
Good things are happening in our schools!
At Black Gold, we pride ourselves in promoting safe, caring, and inclusive schools that respect diversity and foster a sense of belonging. An excellent example of this is the daily student breakfast program run by staff and volunteers in partnership with Breakfast Clubs of Canada at Willow Park School in Leduc.
Calmar Secondary School’s machining program has developed a well-earned reputation for excellence through their frequent participation in provincial and national skills competitions.
This year, grade 10 student Adam Peterson had a chance to compete in the 2024 Skills Canada National Competition, held from May 30-31 in Québec City.
At École Bellevue School in Beaumont, staff are working hard to promote a sense of belonging and inclusion for all, including recent immigrants and refugee families settling in the rapidly-growing community.
Staff are getting students involved in many kinds of celebrations all year long – anything that is important to their families, or something that they know about – teachers and administrators ask the students and community members to make school announcements to share interesting facts about holidays like Diwali, Ramadan, Hanukkah, and more. Find out more
To find out about more good things happening at the Black Gold School Division, visit Our Black Gold Family page.
French Education Leader of the Year Award 2024
On Monday, June 17, Mme Emilie Robichaud-McKay from École Corinthia Park School was awarded the French Education Leader of the Year Award by the Canadian Parents For French Alberta & NWT Branch.
“I was very happy to learn that Mme Robichaud was the recipient of this year’s French Education Leader of the Year Award 2024,” said Principal Mme Rachel Djordjevic. “When a member of your team or family succeeds, it is a reflection on the whole school community.”
Notices & Reminders
If you have a preschooler who faces challenges like following directions, communication issues, anxiety, or developmental delays, early intervention is crucial. Our Early Intervention Pre-Kindergarten (EI-PreK) program provides specialized support to help your child thrive – academically, socially, and emotionally.
Don’t wait for things to get harder—take action now to give your child the best start to their education career. Invest their future success by applying for a screening to find out if your child can qualify for our *free Early Intervention Pre-Kindergarten (EI-PreK) program!
Registration is open for school bus transportation for eligible students. Please apply before June 30, 2024 to allow the Transportation Dept. enough time to prepare bus routes and ensure students receive their bus pass prior to the start of school.
Applications received after June 30, 2024 may result in a wait time for students to access a school bus in the fall. Apply now