Alexis boasts "Little School That Could"

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"We're the Little School That Could" is the motto of the Alexis Elementary School. "We strive to do better - together," says Gary Westhora, principal and teacher.

Situated approximately 100 km northwest of Edmonton on the Alexis Reserve, the school accommodates 52 students in Grades 1 to 6. Until recently, the school also housed the kindergarten program until the Band decided to take control. The kindergarten program will now be run out of the Nikoodi Daycare, although it will still be supervised by the Alexis Elementary School staff.

Upon arriving at the school, which sits near a beautiful lake and green fields, it was evident that this was a closely-knit atmosphere in terms of teacher-student relationships. In the playground, the students and a teacher were throwing around a ball, and in the swings the children played with a supervisor close at hand. Once inside the school, the walls showed posters and photos of powwows and other cultural activities, indicating their strong interest in their tradition and customs.

Alexis Elementary has five teachers including the principal, who takes on both the administrative duties as well as teaching. "Grandma" Nancy Potts and Sylvia Agnis are band-employed and serve as support staff.

In the Cultural Enrichment Program, Grandma assists the kids in making crafts of Native tradition. While at work with Grandma, you can see the kids happy to be with the Elder. Grandma also encourages the kids to speak their Native tongue (Stoney) while in her presence. Another Elder from the reserve, Anthony Potts, comes into the school on occasion and performs drum dances with the students.

"Parents are becoming more and more involved with the school," says Westhora. About 80 to 85% of parents show up for special functions that include the parents' involvement. At this time there is no parent/teacher organization with the school, but they will be looking into organizing one this year. "The parents are always welcome to drop by, the door is always open," said Westhora. "They have been very supportive in the past and we hope this will improve."

The staff is no doubt very concerned about their children's welfare, and moreso their education. In the past there have been many field trips to various locations surround-ing the reserve and the Edmonton area

In the past school year, 12 kids, one teacher and one parent were involved in a school field trip to the World Exposition in Vancouver. The kids and staff raised $4,000 and the band donated $800 towards their transportation and lunches. The kids and supervisors travelled by train to the west coast where they were guests at the Highlands Community School in North Vancouver. Parents of the student sin the Highlands school billeted the students and showed them a great time and the kids all had good things to say about their billeting families.

Expo was of course a priority in the sightseeing in this spectacular city. Other areas of interest were Stanley Park and Grouse Mountain.

"The trip was fantastic, the kids had many wonderful new learning experiences," said Westhora, who accompanied the children. The school would like to extend many thanks to the Highlands Community School in North Vancouver for hosting them. The Alexis Elementary School now considers them a sister school.

Throughout the year there are many other planned activities at the Hallowe'en and Christmas parties; a 6-week swim program in the spring; a Funday which is their annual winter carnival; a year-end picnic; and an award celebration recognizing the students' achievements and the parents who contribute throughput the year.

In the near future, the kids will be in Edmonton to attend a Children's Concert at the Jubilee Auditorium where they will listen to the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Also scheduled is an art contest with the Alberta Indian Arts and Crafts Society (AIACS) where they will be submitting some work from the art class.

"A good attitude prevails and the students how some great artistic skills," said Westhora. The students are working hard for this upcoming contest and are certainly looking forward to it.

"We like to expose our kids to something unusual, and we will hopefully be doing something different every couple of months," said Westhora. This sounds like a great idea and a great learning experience for everyone.