After receiving 31 submissions from members of the public with name suggestions for a new westside school in the Garry Station area, West Coulee Station Elementary School was officially introduced during an unveiling ceremony this week. The school will educate students from Kindergarten to Grade 5.
A committee consisting of staff, students, parents and community members reviewed the names and provided recommendations to the Lethbridge School Division’s Board of Trustees.
Board Chair Allison Purcell says there were great submissions to choose from. “The name, carefully crafted and steeped in significance, pays respect to the natural beauty of our surroundings – the iconic coulees and the railway legacy woven into the fabric of the community’s identity.”
“In West Coulee Station Elementary School, we find not just a name, but a reflection of our collective spirit and our commitment to education and our deep-rooted connection to southern Alberta,” adds Purcell.
Purcell notes the new school, currently under construction, signifies a gateway to learning and a hub of community engagement. “For our youngest learners.”
“Guided by the foundations of inclusion and learning that inspires creativity, critical thinking and innovation – West Coulee Station Elementary School will stand as a testament to our dedication to providing a welcoming, safe and caring environment where learners are innovative thinkers, who are successful, confident, respectful and caring,” says Purcell.
Dean Hawkins has also been appointed as the new principal at the school. Hawkins has been with the Lethbridge School Division and Palliser School Division for several years.
