Bow Valley schools were gifted with over $40,000 in grants as part of Banff Canmore Community Foundation’s (BCCF) efforts.
On Tuesday (Dec. 1), BCCF distributed $115,000 in annual grants to the community. The grants reach Exshaw to Lake Louise with the help of its Community Investment Partners.
École Notre Dame des Monts (NDM) received a grant for new instruments and Canadian Rockies Public Schools received eight grants in support of various programs in Banff and Canmore.
NDM is hoping to conduct musical performances in front of the community in the long run.
“It’s the first time we are offering music as an option at the junior high and high school level,” said Gilles Robert, NDM directeur.
Steve Greene, Banff Community High School principal, said the grant allows BCHS to give greater opportunities for its students, including the science and music programs.
“We are now going to infuse some musicians in our music program; they will come in and create and allow the students to perform through creation through the music program,” Greene said.
Grant funds were also given towards the Food for Learning program at Banff schools.
“If we weren’t able to get those funds for the Banff Food for Learning, it would be very difficult to sustain that program and give food to the number of kids we do,” said Dean Irvine, Banff Elementary School principal. “It’s enough that we can sustain the program.”
CRPS approve LGBTQ amendments
Canadian Rockies Public Schools (CRPS) approved amendments to the Safe and Caring School Culture policy in support of a safe school environment for the LGBTQ community.
The board of trustees unanimously passed amendments on Nov. 25 and will submit the new policy to the provincial government as part of its support for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer students and employees in Alberta schools.
The policy amended into the belief statements was “the learning environment is physically and emotionally safe and secure for all students, including LGBTQ students.”
Board Chair Carol Picard said it was “easy for CRPS to move quickly” because it is at the forefront in the province as the second school division in Alberta to pass a procedure on LGBTQ acceptance and in-school clubs in 2013.
All provincial school divisions will have to submit policies by March, 31, 2016 that support LGBQT in schools as directed by Education Minister David Eggen in November.
The Christ The Redeemer (CTR) school division, which represents Our Lady of the Snows, said it plans to send policies to Eggen as requested.
“The board has not discussed the minister’s request at length,” wrote Cindy Ballance, CTR coordinator of communications, in an email. “In our existing Administrative Procedures, CTR affirms the right for students to create groups that promote inclusion and focus on issues including, but not limited to, human sexuality.”
