Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church is hoping to be a Program of Choice and find school space in Airdrie, beginning in fall 2011.
A 20-minute presentation by three church representatives to Rocky View Schools’ trustees detailed the organization’s history and mission, Feb. 3, at the school board’s meeting.
“The purpose of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran program is to provide a learning environment that promotes the view that all life is sustained by the grace of God,” said Shawna Neis, program commission chair. “Education of the whole child is best achieved by integrating the Christian faith into every aspect of life and learning.”
The 30-family church meets bi-weekly in Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic School and is looking forward to feedback regarding a future in Airdrie.
“It certainly provides another avenue of additional choice for families in Airdrie and area,” said Neis. “This model would provide affordable Christian education within the public system.”
Williamstown school was offered as a possible location for the Lutheran program. If approved, the church would implement a Kindergarten learning class and possibly expand to Grade 4.
“If the numbers were there and Rocky View (Schools) felt that could be supported, that would be a blessing,” said Neis. “We’re as open as we can possibly be without going into ‘ifs’ and ‘unknowns.’”
Airdrie Trustee Don Thomas thanked the church for its plan and looked forward to future reports and public consultation.
“I’m really pleased to hear you’ve had discussions with other churches,” said Thomas. “We’ve got the right kinds of things in place. We have a well thought-out, cogent plan.”
Fellow Airdrie Trustee Sylvia Eggerer made sure the group understood the severity of Airdrie’s accommodation issues and said a Program of Choice would be dependent on feedback and the Provincial government’s capital approvals
“I’m sure you understand our dilemma as far as infrastructure,” said Eggerer, “We would leave it to our planning department and see what the government does.”
The church believes other Christian families in Airdrie would be receptive to its plan.
“Some of the larger churches in Airdrie… would have a response,” said Larry Walter, church president. “All are entitled to and deserve an education that acknowledges their whole being.”
The tentative start date of fall 2011 is open to debate and Walter said fall 2012 could work just as well.
“We’re more than willing to work with Rocky View with respect to the time frame,” he said. “This offering… would be attractive to other Christian families within the city of Airdrie.”
Neis said the church’s goal is simply to provide another education alternative.
“We tried to stress that this is an opportunity open to all families within Airdrie,” she said. “This is an opportunity to really reach out to anyone who is desiring this program of choice.”
The school board will spend the next three months reviewing the feasibility of the program’s installation and will present its findings at the May 1 board meeting.
