Foothills School Division trustees will decide at their next meeting whether there will be a kindergarten to Grade 6 nature-based learning program in Okotoks.
Teachers and administration from École Percy Pegler School made their final pitch on Jan. 27 to the school board for for expanding the nature-based learning program to include kindergarten to Grade 6.
“We have a number of implications and the board has to look at all of that,” said division chairman Larry Albrecht. “We will take this information, present and make our decision at our next board meeting (Feb. 10).”
Teacher Ryan Lemphers has one Grade 6 class at Pegler and Graham Campbell has a Grade 4 class at Westmount. The students spend Tuesdays and Thursdays outside for the entire day, rather than in a classroom.
Campbell and Lemphers initially presented to trustees the potential of expanding the program in the fall of 2020.
Since that time, information has been given to stakeholders – parents, other schools, students – to see if there was enough interest in starting a K-Grade 6 program, beginning in the 2021-22 school year.
Currently, there are 99 students interested in enrolling in September. The majority come from Pegler with 39 and at Westmount with 17, where there are existing programs.
As well, there are seven students interested from Turner Valley School.
There are 28 students not presently attending Foothills School Division facilities interested in enrolling in 2021.
“This could boost the school’s numbers and the division’s numbers,” Lemphers told trustees. “There is certainly a sustainable amount of students for the program.”
He added the grade configuration was spread out quite evenly across the seven grades, with the largest being 19 at the kindergarten level.
“That is exciting to have that strong number (at kindergarten), or bubble, that will be moving through the program,” he said.
Lemphers said a long-term goal is to extend the program through junior high and high school.
Pegler principal Dinah VanDonzel said while there is some interest from students in leaving the school's French Immersion program for the nature-based learning stream there will still be a sufficient number of students not to compromise the immersion program.
She added Pegler is working closely not to impact other schools in the division.
"We encourage current French Immersion students to continue to select FI where they will be provided with nature based learning opportunities as a part of the EPPS culture and community," she said.
“We are in the business of growing the program, but we are not in the businesses of depleting our own English or FI programs nor other schools in their numbers to a place where it would impact their staffing.”
She said for a smaller school like Turner Valley School to lose seven students could be significant and "we wish to engage in a conscientious intake approach."
Pegler vice-principal Faye Holt said she is confident with the initial number of students interested in the program that it will be sustainable in the future.
“This program is not just positively looked upon for next year, but there is definitely potential for growth and sustainability going forward,” Holt said. “We believe with increased community support and awareness and as the program gets off the ground and once we have board approval we will see an increase in registrations.”
The cost per student for families is estimated at $150 a year.
Any families with children living outside the Pegler School busing catchment area who are wanting to take the program would be responsible for the students’ transportation to the school.
As well, all students will need the proper outer wear such as winter gloves, suitable boots and jacket and others.
If board approval is granted, information sessions will be held concerning the program and registration.
