Dr. Tymensen quickly points out that the board’s investments match these efforts. “The board has invested heavily in ensuring our schools are equipped for modern learning,” he explains.As southern Alberta experiences increasingly warmer temperatures, Horizon has improved classroom conditions.“We’ve upgraded the atmospheric controls in many of our schools because when classrooms are pushing 28 or 29 degrees Celsius, kids simply can’t learn.” The division’s attention to infrastructure extends to other areas, too. Aging parking lots have been resurfaced, and more flexible seating options have been introduced in classrooms, including standing desks and rocking chairs.“We know some kids need to fidget, so we’ve provided alternatives to the traditional desk and chair setup,” Dr. Tymensen says. Horizon has also equipped nearly all its schools with sensory rooms designed to help students selfregulate and manage their behavior. Horizon’s approach to education is deeply rooted in community collaboration. “It takes a village to raise a child,” Dr.Tymensen emphasizes.“Our schools use a collaborative response model,” he explains. “When a student is struggling, teachers come together to create a pyramid of intervention, looking for additional support that can help.” This process 347 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11 HORIZON SCHOOL DIVISION
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