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Students from Jasper Junior-Senior High School test their leadership skills during "Stewardship of Jasper National Park and Outdoor Skills." Students learn to participate in outdoor recreation with minimal personal risk and minimal impact on the environment.—Photo courtesy of Jasper Junior-senior High School
A school in the Rocky Mountains and a teacher in the Peace River country are this year’s school-community public relations awards winners.
Judges for the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) 2005/06 School–Community Public Relations Awards selected Jasper Junior-Senior High School in Jasper for the School Award of Excellence, and awarded David Stewart of Rosary Separate School in Manning the Teacher Award of Excellence.
Parks Canada and Jasper Community and Family Services nominated Jasper Junior-Senior High School for developing and delivering "Stewardship of Jasper National Park and Outdoor Skills."
In the course, Grade 10 students learn from experts in various fields and enjoy hands-on experiences. The initial part of the course takes place at the Palisades Training Centre in the park the first week of school—a measure designed to reduce froshing activities—and wraps up with a two-day winter workshop. Students learn to participate in outdoor recreation with minimal personal risk and minimal impact on the environment.
Nominators Sue Wolff, an education specialist with Parks Canada, and Kathleen Waxer, Director of Community and Family Services for the municipality of Jasper, applauded the school, particularly Principal Dale Karpluk and Teacher James Bartram, for fostering a supportive environment that engages Jasper’s youth in their community, connects them with the national park’s special places and creates future ambassadors for the park.
The program received approval from Alberta Education in 2005 and is now available to other high schools in Alberta. "There are lots of pieces to this puzzle," says Bartram. "It’s a true partnership among Parks Canada, Jasper Community and Family Services and the school. To administer the program takes more than 60 adult volunteers donating a total of over 1,000 hours of service."
Judges’ commented that the program "is a definite success story measured with overwhelming support from the community" and "a superb program that transfers responsibility to the students."
Teachers, youth workers and church and community members in Manning nominated David Stewart (left) for the Teacher Award of Excellence. Letters of support contained accolades for Stewart, citing his many contributions to his school and community, including acting as master of ceremonies for numerous community events, judging speeches for 4-H clubs, participating in the local drama group, organizing three local book clubs, assisting with the creation of a DVD for the provincial centennial to raise funds for the arts, advocating for literacy, attending town council meetings, encouraging people to vote, inviting community members to school events, acting as a liaison between the school and community, sending photos and stories to local newspapers to showcase students, acting as charity coordinator for the school, and recommending students for Junior Citizen of the Year awards.
One nominee called Stewart an integral part of the community who "makes our community work as a community but not as his followers." Another said Stewart’s regular column in three local newspapers—now approaching its 10th year—"makes people re-evaluate how they are living." Another said, "I don’t think that I have seen an event go on in town without at least a little input from David. He encourages everyone in Manning to go for it!"
Judges’ were equally impressed and commented: "A most thorough submission with ample supporting letters and material. A most worthy recipient!"
In addition to the Awards of Excellence, the judges selected Namao School in Namao and Pat Hardy Elementary School in Whitecourt for Awards of Merit.
The School–Community Public Relations Awards competition is sponsored annually by the ATA. Entry information is posted on the Association website (www.teachers.ab.ca) and sent to schools each fall. For more information, contact Tim Johnston at 447-9432 in Edmonton or 1-800-232-7208 elsewhere in Alberta.
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