Aspen View School Division has opened its doors to all displaced Fort McMurray evacuee students across the division.
The school division was given permission by the Alberta Education on May 7 to begin enrolling the displaced students. Aspen View had 185 students who were from Fort McMurray enrolled across the entire division as of May 13.
“That’s an approximate number, and that’s changing almost minute by minute,” Aspen View communications director Ross Hunter said. “That number is maybe a bit on the low side, because what’s happening is we’re getting kids into the schools and in front of teachers and it takes a little bit of time to process the paperwork.”
Though there are not any concrete numbers, Hunter said the highest enrollment numbers in Aspen View are in Boyle School, Edwin Parr Composite School, Whispering Hills Public School and Landing Trail Intermediate School.
All other schools across the division have at least one Fort McMurray student enrolled except for Smith School.
Hunter said the sheer volume of students made this different than just a simple student relocation.
He added that the students are being integrated into the classrooms across the division.
“It’s kind of early to go off some firsthand accounts,” he said. “I imagine they’re fitting right in enjoying their new schools and new classmates.”
Boyle School is seeking additional help with the increase of students, asking that any displaced dducational assistants (EA) or teachers from Fort McMurray in the Boyle area help out in a volunteer position.
“There are a significant number of evacuees in that area, and if there are teachers and EAs – or people in the community who are qualified to assist in a school setting – Boyle School is certainly interested in accommodating that,” Hunter said.
“We can’t throw the doors wide open, but if there’s a match there and individuals that can assist in the increase in Boyle, and they have the appropriate credentials to do so, I think we’ll certainly embrace that.”
With evacuated families’ futures uncertain, Hunter said that Aspen View is fully prepared to consider them their students for as long as required.
“We’re all watching the news and we’re aware that there is a possibility that there may be relocation for some residences in the next few weeks,” he said “If so that’s great, but if it carries into the longer term we’re prepared for that as well.”
