Additionally, it recently established two new elementary schools — Christina Gordon Public School and Dave McNeillyPublic School — and converted its only stand alone junior high school into a grade 7 – 12 school. Lastly, the division’s downtown high school, Composite High School, underwent a complete modernization in recent years. When combined, these initiatives signify a large awareness of the division’s need to not only maintain, but progress, and adapt itself to the needs of its community. A COMMUNITY ENGAGED IN EDUCATION Fort McMurray also plays an active role in supporting local organizations that support its students and the larger community. “We have several staff members who are deeply involved in the community and volunteer for local nonprofits,” Nutter says. The division often collaborates with Board leaders of major organizations like Wood Buffalo Housing, The Hub Family Resource, and Girls Inc. Fortunately, thanks to their involvement, teachers demonstrate to students within the schools how they can become active citizens and even get involved in fundraising for many of these organizations. Thanks to this dynamic, the division has cultivated many collaborative partnerships to the benefit of the students. One way these partnerships help is by working to help students define their career paths. “Organizations such as Careers The Next Generation come into our schools and help students get registered apprenticeship and co-op programs.They also help our indigenous students find mentorship positions in the summer,” Nutter explains. Fort McMurray Public School Division doesn’t just engage community organizations, it also engages the community’s members as well through a process 336 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11
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