Grades Taught
Junior Kindergarten - Grade 5
About
Whitecourt Central Elementary School provides a safe, caring, and inclusive environment to meet the needs of all learners! We offer Junior Kindergarten through Grade 5 options. We instill empathy and leadership in our upper elementary students by providing opportunities for them to mentor our younger, primary students. Teachers at Whitecourt Central are active, lifelong learners and stay current with new research and best practices to further support their students. At Whitecourt Central Elementary School, we recognize that it truly does take a village to raise a child, we partner with families and community members as an educational team to provide individualized support and differentiated programming to all learners within our walls. We welcome visitors and invite you to come for a guided tour of Whitecourt Central Elementary School!
Population
We serve 350 students and their families, and we invite these families to visit as often as possible, we appreciate volunteers in the school.
Area
Whitecourt Central Elementary School sits in the core of downtown Whitecourt, Alberta. Located in a well-established neighbourhood, within close walking distance to Festival Park, the community library, and countless other areas of interest in the community. Whitecourt Central Elementary School is part of Northern Gateway Public Schools.
Principal
Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! It is an honour and privilege to have been appointed the newest Principal of Whitecourt Central School, home of the Eagles! I am thrilled about the opportunity to begin a new journey working alongside students, parents, caregivers, and staff.
As we embark on another exciting school year, I want to extend a heartfelt welcome to each and every one of you. The beginning of a new academic year is a time of anticipation, hope, and renewed commitment, and I am thrilled to see our school community come together once again.
To our students: Your curiosity, enthusiasm, and dedication are the heart of our school. This year, I encourage you to embrace every challenge, explore new interests, and support one another as you grow both academically and personally. Remember that every day is an opportunity to learn, discover, and make a difference.
To our parents and caregivers: Your partnership and support are invaluable. Thank you for entrusting us with the education and development of your children. We look forward to working closely with you to ensure that this year is full of success and achievement.
To our dedicated staff: Your passion, creativity, and commitment to excellence inspire us all. As we begin this new year, let’s continue to collaborate, innovate, and strive for the highest standards in education. Your efforts make a profound impact on the lives of our students.
Let’s approach this year with optimism, perseverance, and a shared vision for excellence.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s experience at Whitecourt Central School, please feel free to reach out at any time. You can contact your child’s teacher, our inclusive education team, or me directly for support and assistance.
Together, we can create a vibrant and supportive environment where everyone can thrive.
Go Eagles!
David Turcotte
Trustee
Linda Wigton
Barb Maddigan
Administration
Principal: David Turcotte
Assistant Principal: Megan Coté
Motto
“Moving Forward, Reaching Upward – Students are Central”
Central School Students are Eagles:
Excellence - Show excellence everyday, in every way
Accountable - accountability for your actions and consistent attendance
Give Respect - Treat everyone well
Learn well - School is your job
Enjoy school - Central is your second home
Safety - Everyone deserves to feel safe and be safe
Mission
Whitecourt Central School is driven by a strong belief in each and every student. The school has an academic focus, promotes physical activities and creativity, and is sensitive to the social and emotional well-being of students.
Vision
All students deserve a quality education in a safe and caring environment.
Whitecourt Central School Commitments:
- Provide a safe and caring environment for all students through…
- Building a sense of belonging - physically and emotionally
- Providing supports (mental health)
- Actively listening
- Demonstrating respect
- Building a resilient community of learners
- Establish connections and relationships with all students and family units through
- Being present
- Effective, clear communication
- Demonstrating love for the students and lighting up for them
- Acceptance
- Creating an engaging learning environment
- Exploration
- Questioning
- Multiple learning paths
- Adaptability
- Differentiation and supports
- Openmindedness
Philosophy
Whitecourt Central Elementary School plays an integral role in the development of our students. The education of a child is a partnership between the school, family, and community team with each partner assuming a greater responsibility in some areas of the child's development while mutually sharing responsibility in other areas.
The prime objectives of Whitecourt Central Elementary School are for students to develop the ability to analyze critically, reason and think independently, acquire basic learning skills, develop a lifelong appreciation of learning, develop a curiosity about the world around them, and develop a capacity for creative thought, expression, and appreciation, all while in an environment that nurtures their social and emotional well being.
Families: Families are the primary educators of their children, and as such are key partners with the school. Two-way communication between teachers and parents is essential for student success.
Shared Responsibilities:
- Students will be responsible and accountable for their own behavior and achievement.
- Parents will work with the school community in partnership with the education of their children.
- Educators will provide a safe, caring, inclusive learning environment that is conducive to meeting the individual needs of children.
Beliefs
Belief Statements:
- Every child can learn
- Every child must have hope
- Every child is a unique individual
- Children learn at different rates and in different ways
- Learning and development is a continuous process
- Learning is an active process
- Learning is an individual process
- Students should be given the opportunity to experience challenge and success
- Students learn best in a learning environment with their peers
Programs and Services
- Facility Dog - Sage
- Full-time On-site Psychologist - Canniff
- Team for Sucess
- Physical Education Specialist
- Music Teacher
- Choir Option
- The "Lookout"