Wednesday, November 30, 2022 Vol. 45, No. 48
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BRSD awarded for URGENT Sewer Line ‘Equity in Action’ Repairs in Viking Leslie Cholowsky Staff Reporter
At the annual fall general meeting of the Alberta School Boards Association, held Nov. 20 to 22, the Battle River School Division (BRSD) received a prestigious award. On Sunday, Nov. 20, BRSD was presented with the Innovation and Excellence Award, in recognition of the division’s ‘Equity in Action’ program. BRSD Equity Coordinator Eric Jensen accepted the award, lead in the project. The Division says that in its first year, the project has helped to build the knowledge and skill of staff in how to accurately address Canadian history and Indigenous issues. It’s also offered opportunities to share Indigenous culture and history directly with students and parents; and even supported the work of other school divisions to develop similar projects of their own. The Board of Trustees says it’s very proud of the work being done by its
schools and division, guided by Jensen. BRSD has also welcomed displaced Ukrainian children into the division, and recently received funding from the province for each student enrolled as of Sept. 30. Emily Peckham, Spokesperson for the Minister of Education, say that BRSD received funding for three students on Nov. 18, in the amount of $16,500, or $5,500 per displaced Ukrainian student registered. She says additional funding will be provided in March 2023 to ensure any Ukrainian children and students who arrive midway through the school year are supported. In all, the Province says it has provided school authorities with more than $12 million to help provide language, social, and educational supports to newly enrolled students from Ukraine. “There are no restrictions on the funding, for example, it can be used to hire additional teachers and support staff.”
Battle River School Division trustees accept the Innovation and Excellence Award from the Alberta School Boards Association, for its Equity in Action program. Above: Accepting the award, from left: BRSD trustees Patrick McFeely, Lyle Albrecht, Superintendent Rita Marler, Trustee Doug Algar, Board Chair Karen Belich, ASBA President Marilyn Dennis, and Trustee Dwight Dibben.
Town of Viking is digging up the street at the Alliance Church to make urgent repairs to the sewer line.
The Town of Viking is asking residents for patience as urgent repairs to the town’s sewer system are being completed. The town has stated that this week Cam-Trac Inspections was inspecting sewer lines in the Town of Viking. “It has been identified there are lines in need of urgent repair,” says a town press release. “This is an urgent situation and repairs are critical to ensure we protect property and continue services.” The camera work done to identify these areas was part of grant funding from the province through the Alberta Community Partnership to support the Regional Infrastructure Master Plan. The camera work is part of the project and provides data to municipalities for evaluating and prioritizing sanitary sewer line repair. This Master Plan includes identifying and prioritizing
other infrastructure repairs including water, road and sidewalks. This type of camera work through this grant identifies the urgent work needing to be done. The repairs are taking place immediately to ensure there are no interruptions in services to town residents, and potential damage to residences and businesses. Crews are confident to have the repairs done in the next week, but further work may be needed to expose the lines to be repaired. The Town asks for residents to be careful when navigating the streets and watch for signs. Crews hope to keep all streets open; but, if necessary, detour signs may be erected.