School expos a one-stop shop for MHPSD opportunity

By Brendan Miller on January 26, 2024.

bmiller@medicinehatnews.com

Students and parents had the opportunity to explore a variety of programming offered by the public school division during a two-day expo held at Crescent Heights and Medicine Hat high schools.

The expo allowed schools to showcase unique educational programs they offer and gave parents and students the opportunity to meet staff and ask questions prior to registration.

“People checking out French immersion programs or their neighbourhood school. It’s a chance to ask questions about before- and after-school programming, or busing, or any of those things.” said Corey Sadlemyer, MHPSD’s associate superintendent of learning.

Typically the public division would host several open houses at schools but changed things to an expo format that provides all the information in one spot.

At the expo, each school prepared a booth to display projects, artwork and achievements, as well as provide hands-on activities to highlight the various subjects and extracurricular activities available to students.

“We were reflecting on the work that our schools have done, with regard to professional learning and how we support students in classrooms and all of those pieces, and we wanted to find a way to celebrate that work,” said Sadlemyer.

The division held one night for schools that feed to the north side of the city at Crescent Heights High School, and another night for schools on the south end at Hat High.

Sadlemyer says the expo-style format also shines light on how connected schools are within the division.

“The good instruction you’re going to get in Grade 3, you’re going to find in Grade 6 and you’re going to find in Grade 9 and you’re going to find in Grade 12.”

Sadlemyer says the division is thrilled with the response from parents and students, telling the News they had a higher than expected turn out to both.

“I think lots of families brought their kids … and that was a chance for them to see the building and ask questions about options, programs and those kinds of things,” said Sadlemyer.

Representatives from student support, academics and early-learning programs were on hand to answer questions, as well as First Nations, Métis & Inuit support and English as an additional language.

“We really wanted to celebrate the work that our schools have done, have a chance for them to show that off. And really have families feel really good about the choice they’re making for the kids,” Sadlemyer said.

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