The board of directors for Prairie Land Regional Division #25 (PLRD) are sticking by their previous decision. Come next fall, Hanna Primary School will be shut down.
    At their August 29 board meeting, the PLRD board discussed rescinding their previous motion to close the school.  The board had voted on May 30 to close the school at the end of 2012/2013 school year.
    The decision caused an uproar with parents and Hanna residents. A petition was created to convince the PLRD board to keep the school open and invest in renovating the school. Roughly 800 signatures were collected and presented to PLRD in mid-July.
    However, the board voted 6-2 to continue with the closure of Hanna Primary as planned.
    “Hanna Primary is slated to close next year, pending getting J.C. Charyk ready,” said PLRD superintendant Wes Neumeier.
    Students from Hanna Primary would be sent instead to J.C. Charyk School in Hanna, thereby creating a K-12 school.

This will likely be the final year for Hanna Primary School. On August 29, the Prairie Land Regional Division (PLRD) board voted 6-2 to continue with the school closure, despite a petition containing roughly 800 signatures asking to keep the school open. The decision is contingent upon government approval of the PLRD capital plan, which would see a $12 million investment in renovating J.C. Charyk School.

    Parents had raised concerns about young students mingling with older kids.
    In most schools that have kindergarten to Grade 12 students, the different age groups tend to be separated.
    “There are many schools that operate well with that set up. As long as you have the facility arranged appropriately and the resources, you can create the school culture that needs to be there,” said Neumeier.
    “Most places separate the students somewhat, others quite a lot. It also depends how you schedule the breaks. There is interaction [between the different ages] and you expect it to be appropriate. We find that older kids treat young kids quite well.”
    J.C. Charyk is planned to undergo renovations to accommodate the new students.  PLRD is awaiting government approval on their capital plan. If approved, renovations would begin next summer. The Hanna Primary closure is contingent upon approval of the capital plan.
    “We’re hoping the funding will go through. The government should be announcing projects they are approving in early November,” said Neumeier.
    The capital plan calls for a huge investment in J.C. Charyk. The key areas of the building would be renovated next summer, with other areas proceeding in stages.
    “The recommendation of the Value Management Assessment is a $12 million investment in renovations and modifications. It’s a significant investment,” said Neumeier. “It will be a beautiful school for Hanna and it’ll serve the community for a long time.”

    Organizers are getting ready to host one of the most quintessentially Canadian fundraisers.
    On September 16, the 27th Terry Fox Run will take place in Drumheller and will help raise money to eventually stamp out cancer. Volunteers are needed both to run in and help run the event.
    “Anyone who wants to participate is welcome to come out,” said run organizer Sharel Shoff, who has been organizing the Terry Fox Run in Drumheller for the past several years.
    Volunteers are needed to help with registration and set up signs to mark the run.
    Registration starts at 9 a.m. and the run begins at 10 a.m. on  Sunday, September 16, from Midland Hall. The Drumheller Elks will be helping out with lunch and drinks after the run.
    The run was inspired by the actions of Terry Fox, a true Canadian hero.
    When Fox was 18 he was diagnosed with malignant osteogenic sarcoma in his right leg. Doctors amputated his leg 15 centimetres above his right knee. During his follow-up treatments, Fox saw the devastating effects of cancer on those who were afflicted with it.
    Shocked to learn how little funding or attention cancer research received in 1977, Fox decided to run the Marathon of Hope. On April 12, 1980, he dipped his artificial leg into the harbour in St. John’s and set out.
    After 143 days, Fox was forced to stop when cancer tumors had reappeared in his lungs. Fox, intended to run again after he recovered, but he passed away on June 28, 1981.
    His actions inspired the nation and Terry Fox runs are held all over Canada.
    “He was a great inspiration to a lot of people by keeping going no matter what. That can be applied to a lot of different things in life,” said Shoff.
    This will be the 27th run in Drumheller. Over the years, Drumheller has raised $140,444.32. The large majority of that money has gone directly to cancer research.
    “There are a whole bunch of runs where administration takes a large part of what’s raised, but the Terry Fox does not. About 84 cents of every dollar donated goes to cancer research. That’s why I’m involved,” said Shoff.
    To get involved in the run visit www.terryfox.org to sign up to run or donate. To help out with the Drumheller run, contact Shoff at 403-820-1644.
    “It’s a very easy way to help,” said Shoff. “It’s just a couple hours out of your day and it makes a difference to a lot of people.”

Cindy Gerodo’s Grade 2 class prepares to participate in the 2011 Terry Fox Run. This year, the event will take place on September 16, with registration at 9 a.m. and the run at 10 a.m. at the Midland Community Hall. The money raised by the run will go towards cancer research and keeping the dream of a Canadian hero alive.