residents outside of school hours. STRONG INITIATIVES, VITAL PARTNERSHIPS, AND STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT In recent years, LPSD has taken a focused approach to address student well-being through several key partnerships aimed at promoting mental health. The division has launched programs like “SHINE” (Strong Healthy Individuals Navigating Emotions), an MHCB initiative which supports middle and elementary school students in collaboration with Alberta Health, and “LITE” (Leading Individuals Towards Engaged Mental Health) an MHISB (Mental Health in Schools Pilot) initiative which is supported by Alberta Education and partnering with the Lloydminster Area Drug Strategy. Moreover, a recent grant from Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Health for the Mental Health Capacity Building initiative targets high school students. This initiative provides a community coordinator and mental health promoter, working to connect students and families with vital support services in the region, while also helping teachers enhance their capacity to address mental health challenges within classrooms. These initiatives align with LPSD’s larger mission to provide students with a sense of safety, belonging, and achievement. Additionally, the division has proudly raised the Treaty 6 and Métis Nation flags in all nine of its schools, symbolizing its focus on inclusivity and respect for Indigenous cultures. It has created academies and specialized programs to meet students’ diverse interests. “We’ve created programs at the Elementary and middle school levels… just so that students with special interests in certain areas can focus a bit more,” Neville explains. 356 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx