Division News

Division News

NSD seeks additional feedback on the future of Pelican Mountain School

Posted on March 18

Northland School Division (NSD) is seeking more input from parents, guardians and community members about the future of Pelican Mountain School. On March 11, 2024, the Board of Trustees of NSD hosted a public meeting to understand the reasons why enrollment is down and discuss alternative programming and a preferred future for Pelican Mountain School.

 “I would like to thank parents, guardians, grandparents, Elders, community members and school staff for participating in this important process,” said Robin Guild, Board Chair. “Engaging in challenging discussions is crucial for making decisions that best serve Northland students. Before we reach a final decision, I urge everyone who has not yet completed the survey distributed at the meeting to do so. Your participation and insights are very important”

The survey questions will help NSD understand:

  1. The reasons why families are sending their child or children to St. Theresa School or another school.
  2. What families like about Pelican Mountain School. 
  3. The community’s vision for the future of Pelican Mountain School. 

To participate, click on the website link to fill out the online survey https://forms.gle/XXTT818k8WBTCztJ8. You can also find the link by visiting the Pelican Mountain School Facebook page or www.nsd61.ca. The survey will remain open until April 12, 2024.

Feedback can also be submitted via mail or email to:

  • Mail: Cal Johnson, Acting Superintendent of Schools/CEO, Northland School Division, 9809 77th Avenue, Peace River, AB, T8S 1C9
  • Email: superintendent@nsd61.ca 

Following the feedback period, the NSD Board of Trustees will carefully review the community input and other relevant information before their Regular Board Meeting in May. The decision regarding the future of Pelican Mountain School will be made at this meeting.

For details on the discussions from the March 11 public meeting, click on the website link  to view the minutes. 

Pelican Mountain School Viability Review Public Meeting Minutes: https://www.nsd61.ca/download/444354.

Leave a comment:

Hal Taron said on March 20, 2024

The children being sent to saint tereasa or the band school why is that ? How many students in the pelican school catchment areas ? Is lack of child care before and after school still a problem? With the natural gas serving Sandy Lake I would expect more people to be moving there but removal of the school will eliminate any chance of that happening. Northlands just replaced misstassiny school that was a newer school than pelican mountain school why was it over crowded ? Is the band school drawing the children to it?