Astronomy on Pyramid Island

Looking for an alternative to the New Year’s Eve party scene?

Parks Canada is inviting Jasper residents and visitors to bundle up their kids, grab some flashlights (red filters will be provided) and a favourite mug, then head up to Pyramid Island at any time between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Dec. 31 for a campfire astronomy program.

Parks Canada interpreters will be on hand to share stories around the campfire or show you some dark sky delights through their telescopes.

Interpreters will also hit the slopes at Marmot Basin on Dec. 29 and Dec. 30.

For more information about Parks Canada’s holiday interpretive programs, visit www.pc.gc.ca/jasper.

Board allocates funds plus an extra $50K

After deliberating for weeks over what to do with a $249,000 portion of recently restored provincial funding, trustees with the Grande Yellowhead Public School Division finally agreed on a plan to spend that cash, along with an extra $50,000.

Trustees agreed at their Dec. 14 meeting to direct roughly $299,000 towards 10 specific projects, which include:

• $36,000 broken up into $2,000 chunks for each school council to build capacity and understanding of their roles, responsibilities and knowledge;

• $19,640 for literature boxes focused on enhancing knowledge of First Nation, Métis and Inuit cultures and improve literacy skills;

• $38,390 to purchase literacy materials for guided reading with a focus on First Nation, Métis and Inuit content;

• $22,400 to support training for high school teachers to implement the “Stepping Out” literacy program;

• $45,000 to provide school support staff with professional development and training;

• $15,000 to provide Family School Liaison workers with training in the Life Space Crisis Intervention/Counselling program;

• $11,000 to train secretarial staff in student record and information programming;

• $53,035 for the development and operation of a handheld device pilot project at one school as a demonstration of how the tools can be used to enhance learning;

• $22,980 for the rejuvenation of school websites and training of staff for ongoing website maintenance;

• $40,000 to support high school proposals related to mobile device technology innovation in the classroom.

Earlier in the year, the board agreed to direct roughly $750,000 of a $1-million provincial grant to reserves.