Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Holy Family Catholic Regional Division (HFCRD) is starting its school year with a number of exciting changes.
“March of last year parents (of St. Thomas More) formally requested our school division take over their school from Grande Prairie & District Catholic Schools,” says Supt. Betty Turpin.
“Both boards supported STM’s request.”
Holy Family received the signed ministerial order to transfer St. Thomas More School in Fairview to them.
The transfer of the ward, including the school and other assets, went into effect Sept. 1.
“We’re a rural school division, so putting Fairview in our mix is a natural transition,” says Turpin.
“We’re supporting them the same way we do any of our schools.”
Turpin explains that the school building was closed last fall due to asbestos being disturbed in the facility. She notes the Division is working to determine what the best next steps for the building will be.
For the time being, St. Thomas More students will be in various buildings in Fairview to start the school year. A portable school is in place on St. Thomas More school grounds and will open officially to the Kindergarten to Grade 9 students Oct. 1. Until that time, K-6 students will be temporarily educated at the Fairview Provincial Building and junior and senior high students will be in the library building at Northwestern Polytechnic Fairview Campus.
“We are fortunate to have a bus on site to bring students to various recreational facilities in the community to have their physical education classes,” notes Turpin.
In response to the provincial government’s new restrictions of the use of personal devices and access to social media for students during school hours, Holy Family is implementing a progressive discipline system.
Turpin explains while the legislation was effective Sept. 1, the schools have until Dec. 1 to have a procedure in place with how to deal with violations.
“We currently have blocked social media sites,” says Turpin.
“We also are not allowing phones during school time, we’ve put up signs, and are urging parents to have their children leave their devices at home.”
Turpin says the initial reaction from administrators and teachers is that students were very cooperative and they seemed to be happy to not have their devices. She adds her administrators said they noted more social interaction and face-to-face conversations.
“We are wishing all students to have a heightened learning experience,” says Turpin.
“We hope all teachers, administration, and students have a safe and healthy year.”