The Bentley school Parent Advisory Council’s (PAC) second meeting of the current term was held Tuesday, Nov. 18 in the Elementary school building with some new faces in attendance. School principal Mr. Lane Moore offered lots of information to attendees.
For this year, both the Elementary School Christmas Concert and the Jr./Sr. High School Snowball Christmas Concert will continue along the same format they have had in past years, but both will see format changes next year. This year will probably be the last year that a Snowball Queen and/or King will be crowned. That tradition had started about 1950.
Parent surveys passed out earlier in report cards are slow in being returned and it is hoped families will offer their feedback and still turn them in.
Moore explained he likes to maintain a balanced budget but it is hard in a school with smaller class sizes and limited government funding.
This year both the Rimbey School and the Bentley School will receive $80,000 in provincial CTS funding in the form of a one-time grant. Next year two other schools in the Wolf Creek jurisdiction will get the funding, and two more schools the following year. He explained what that money is being earmarked for in the Bentley system. It will help with upgrading of computers and multimedia equipment, and Career and Technology Studies (CTS) equipment in both the food sciences lab and the shop area in the elementary school.
Moore is passionate about the needs of Special Needs students and vowed even though the school cannot keep overspending for Special Education, the school will do everything within its power to continue to help those students and not let them down. He noted the need to help all students that are struggling, not necessarily just Special Needs students, and notices that help is being offered now in the Bentley school.
Moore likes to examine actual Alberta Education provincial diploma results to see what areas need to be worked on. He noted provincial testing of Bentley Grades 3, 6, 9 and 12 students appeared to show they were strong in the language arts area but lower than the provincial average in the maths and sciences, so that is an area to focus on. Because of small class sizes the results could be somewhat skewed at times he explained.
“There are good things happening (here) and we need to build on them,” said Principal Moore.
Input was asked for from those at the meeting about what they would like to see so a strategic plan of action can be instituted.
Meetings will continue to be the third Tuesday most months and will alternate between the jr./sr. high school library and the elementary building to remain all-inclusive to all students and families concerns.
There will be no PAC meting in December, as the month is so busy. The next meeting will be Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. in the high school library. All those with an interest in the Bentley school and its K-12 students are invited to attend, offer input to the administration, and hear what is being planned.
Community invited to enjoy carol sing
This is the eighteenth year that the Bentley Community Church is hosting a community carol night with the entire community invited. There is no charge. Just bring your smiles, and maybe a friend or the family, and enjoy the music.
There has been a date change. The Bentley Community Carol Sing has been changed to Monday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
A special group will be in attendance to add an extra special touch this year. The Sylvan Lake Sacred Mass Choir with 80 voices will be sharing their musical talents and joy of the season.
It is a chance to come meet and sing with others and enjoy celebrating the spirit of the season with song.
Bentley library to undergo renovations
The Bentley Municipal Library Board held their Annual General Meeting on Nov. 12 in the library program room.
It was explained that board members terms are staggered but the executive is elected each year from the board. Michelle Ostrikoff agreed to remain the chairperson. Mark Vander Laan agreed to remain the deputy chair. Arlene Tanasiuk has resigned from the treasurer role and Sandra Smyth has accepted it.
Library manager Tina Whitfield agreed to remain the recording secretary in a non-voting position.
Signing authority remains two of three of chair, deputy chair and/or treasurer.
Arlene Tanasiuk agreed to audit the books.
Also on the board is Edna Woltjer.
Two new directors, Leanne Vig and Bernice Cumming, have been nominated and their names will be presented to the town for approval and appointment.
The staffing, by-law and social committees were set.
The newly established Homework Club is growing and now has about 12 students coming to get help at the library under the direction of program facilitator Connie Newsham.
Library membership has grown by about 25.
Patron Appreciation week will take place in the new year after completion of some renovations that will be taking place over the Christmas break from December 27 to January 2 while the library is closed.
The library board and the library society are going to meet with the town council to discuss the state of the library building and what has to be done.
The November 5 Wine and Chocolate Library Open House was well attended.
Funding is being looked for to help put on various functions and programs and do renovations. The Elks have already committed $1,000 to go towards renovations.