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Annual school district town hall sets focus on innovative learning

Feb 8, 2017 | 11:45 AM

LETHBRIDGE – Around 200 students, parents and other community members gathered Tuesday night (Feb. 7) for the Lethbridge School District 51 annual town hall meeting.

This year’s theme was focused on innovation, and what actionable strategies the district Board of Trustees can develop to better prepare students for the future. Those in attendance broke into groups to discuss a list of questions and share ideas.

“Obviously, we know that students learn in different ways, and they learn in different speeds and they learn different methodologies. So, we have to pay attention to it because if we want our kids to be able to compete today and beyond… they have to be flexible, they have to be creative, they have to be innovative,” noted Mich Forster, board chair.
 
Forster says all of the information from the meeting will be grouped into common themes over the next month or so. He then explained that the Board will sift through everything, looking for district priorities, budget items and things that relate to Alberta curriculum to share at the annual budget retreat in early March.
 
Plenty of those who attended, and even Forster himself, agreed that this process is an effective way for all sorts of ideas and opinions to come together.
 
Aaron Lorenz, a Chinook High School student and student council president, was motivated to check out the town hall in order to offer a student perspective and possibly influence decisions.
 
“Personally, I was talking about some work experience I had, and how we can bring some of that collaboration in with industry and government agencies, and try and bring technology and opportunities for students into schools.
 
“In order to ensure we, as students, are able to find jobs out in the real world, innovation is going to be super important,” Aaron continued.
 
Laura Scarpelli is a parent to two students within School District 51. She echoed the importance of planning for the future, adding that there should be more opportunities for students to explore their passions in order to effectively pursue careers, and have access to local mentorship.
 
“It helps really inform what we’re doing as we move into budget, and the board develops their strategies,” noted Christine Lee, director of finance for the district. She says she’s attended the town hall for the past ten years, and always comes away with incredible ideas.
 
“It helps inform us to actually put our money where we need to put it, and improve student learning.”
 
While this is the most attended engagement event, Forster added that trustees take as many opportunities they can to spend time in schools, and encourage all community members to continuously share their ideas.