A strong partnership that benefits students and staff of Wolf Creek Public Schools (WCPS) will continue and improve for years to come.
WCPS superintendent and trustees were in attendance at Red Deer College (RDC) on May 17 to sign the renewal of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the college and seven central Alberta school divisions, which includes WCPS.
The MOU, which was originally signed four years ago, created a central Alberta program where high school students could put themselves on a career path through starting post-secondary education before they graduated high school.
Jayson Lovell, WCPS superintendent said the signing event was great for the division as a whole.
“WCPS has developed a strong partnership with RDC to support high school students in a variety of initiatives. RDC continually seeks new and innovative approaches to support our high school students to ensure successful high school completion or to explore post-secondary pathways,” he said.
One of those approaches has been School Within a College (SWAC), a flexible and responsive program that supports students in obtaining their high school diploma in an environment that addresses their learning style. It accomplishes that through personalized programming that meets their high school education while also exposing them to post-secondary opportunities.
WCPS, along with the public and Catholic boards in Red Deer plus Chinook’s Edge (Olds, Sylvan Lake), participate in SWAC. The students attend class in their high school then got to RDC for their technical training in such areas as automotive service technician and welding.
The partnership also provides WCPS with a chance to possibly recruit staff through RDC’s education programs as the students gain experience.
“The WCPS board also appreciates the ongoing partnership as we support practicum students in both the Bachelor of Education (Middle Years program) and Educational Assistant program. Wolf Creek has been a strong supporter of providing these students with placements that develop their skills and experience to ensure they are fully prepared to serve in a role in our district,” added Lovell.
For RDC, the continuation of the agreement is building upon the successes already witnessed since 2013.
“This partnership focuses on supporting and providing opportunities for learners in central Alberta, and this is something we are all very passionate about,” stated Joel Ward, RDC president and CEO.
“By working together, we’re providing pathways to help students complete their high school education and transition to post-secondary.”
School districts honoured
In addition to the re-signing of the partnership agreement, WCPS and the other six central Alberta school divisions were also presented as the co-recipients of the 2017 RDC Community Award at a ceremony that evening.
In presenting the award, RDC recognized the importance of the collaborative framework the college and the school divisions have been working on the past four years. The award also demonstrates the spirit cooperation in facing the unique challenges that is presented in trying to access post-secondary education while developing pathways to success through creative options.
“The renewal of this MOU demonstrates how important it is for us to continue to collaborate for the benefit of our learners,” said Morris Flewwelling, chair of RDC’s board of governors.
“Supporting students by providing multiple pathways for them to achieve success benefits all of central Alberta.”