Originally Published in January 2007

— updated in January 2011

Useful websites for

more information

www.fmpsd.ab.ca
Fort McMurray Public Schools

www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buf-
falo, Fort McMurray Hotline, a single
source for answers to all of your questions
about the community.

www.eventswoodbuffalo.com
Your source for concerts and event listings
in Fort McMurray.

www.informwoodbuffalo.ca
One-stop shopping site for service provid-
ers in Wood Buffalo.
Welcome to Fort McMurray Public School District
www.fortmcmurraytourism.com
Brad contrasts his experience with that of others who
A great source for the sights to be seen,
tour operators and resources found in our
A Place for
choose to remain in a larger centre, hoping for their first
backyard.

www.volunteerwoodbuffalo.ca
YOU permanent position. I know someone who was in
Edmonton for six years, going from temporary job to
Find out how you can get involved in the temporary job, he says.
community. The abundance of opportunities is what drew Sue-
Anne Puhalski back to her hometown. There are lots of
opportunities for anyone who comes here, says the
INSIDE Lots of teaching opportunities in grade one teacher in her first year at Dr. K.A. Clark
Fort McMurray Public Schools School. It is a great place to begin your career. Sue-
Anne noticed something else when she returned to
Those who have come before have a message for
begin her teaching career. As the oil sands industry has
2 Opportunities for promotion those who are considering applying for a teaching
4 Wanted: Commitment to position with Fort McMurray Public Schools.
grown, so too has Fort McMurray .
Doing What s Best for Go for it! urges University of Lethbridge grad Meipsy
Kids Schackleford, who joined the staff at Greely Road $12,480 COLA takes bite out of
5 From fur trade to oil sands School three years ago, where she now teaches grade
accommodation costs
6 Experienced teachers eager 3 and assists other teachers as an Understanding by
Cost of accommodation in Fort McMurray comes as a
to help newcomers Design coach.
shock for many newcomers. While other living expenses
6 Professional Leaning All the positive rumours (about Fort McMurray) are
are similar, apartment rents and home prices are higher
Communities true. There are lots of opportunities. I think it is a positive
than in many other Canadian communities (see informa-
7 Frequently Asked place to be. I tell people who are graduating from the
tion box on page 5).
Questions (FAQs) University of Lethbridge to come. It is better to come
In recognition of this, the Alberta government
8 Did You Know? here to teach than just subbing elsewhere, she says.
now provides a cost of living allowance (COLA) to
Brad St. Denis agrees. The University of Alberta
public sector employees, including teachers and
grad, who grew up in Tumbler Ridge, BC came to
other school district staff.
Fort McMurray as soon as he completed his BEd in
Currently, the COLA is $12,480 annually for full-
December 2005. Soon he was working as a
time staff members, and is adjusted on a pro-rated
Teacher on Call (TOC). As a TOC, I was working
basis for part-time employees. It is included as part of
every day. Getting to know all the schools was
staff members paycheques ($1,040 a month).
great, he recalls.
But his TOC career was to be short. By February 1, he The provincial government has committed to

had a full-time position. This year he is teaching primary providing this support as long as the accommodation

and junior high physical education at Thickwood disparity remains. It will review the COLA annually and

Heights School. make adjustments in value based on that review.

A Place for You January 2011 www.fmpsd.ab.ca 780.799.7900


Quick Facts about Fort
McMurray Public
Schools
Dennis Parsons
CEO / Superintendent of
Schools
Allan Kallal
It has grown a lot. I am amazed
Associate Superintendent
how much it has grown. There is so
(Business and Finance)
much to do. It is a great little city, she
says.
Phil Meagher Trenly Calhoon, who came to
Chief Deputy Superintendent Fort McMurray five years ago after
(Education and teaching for three years in south-
Administration) eastern Alberta, agrees. There s lots
to do here. You just have to look for
it. There are lots of clubs, lots of
Amgad Rushdy
opportunities for volunteering.
Associate Superintendent
There are also social opportunities.
(Human Resources and We are able to find a lot of people
Administration) our own age to do things with,
Trenly explains. Everyone is in the
5,200 same boat. You make your own
f amily. People are good about that ‒
September 30, 2010 enrollment making you feel welcome.
The opportunity to meet new
292 people is something École
Dickinsfield School s Maggie Thibault
Full-time teachers likes about being in Fort McMurray.
You get to meet a lot of new people,
20 the grade 5/6 French Immersion
teacher says. Everyone is excited
Part-time teachers about being in a new place. They
want to meet new people. You get a
275 great social life. There is a lot going
on.
Support staff With so many people from so
many different places, teachers create
their own social units, says high
school science and physical
education teacher Johnny Dulku.
There are so many people from so
A Place for You January 2011 www.fmpsd.ab.ca
Opportunities for
vancement: Most promo-
tions come from within Dis-
many places. That creates a cohesive-
ness that keeps people together. There
are many new people who have joined
the school staff and we have become
close friends.
Now in his fifth year at Westwood
Community High School, Johnny
grew up in Abbotsford, BC and
attended both the University of
British Columbia and Simon Fraser
University before moving to Fort
McMurray.
It is a wonderful school, he says. I
like how we are treated and the
salary is excellent.
After a year and a half spent
teaching at Westwood Community
High School, Megan Carnegie left
Fort McMurray. A year later, the
University of Alberta grad, who
completed her student teaching at
Westwood, is glad to be back.
I was absolutely thrilled to come
back. It is such a warm community,
she says. You can come back and
everyone makes you feel welcome
right away.
780.799.7900
ad-
trict
Principals Scott Barr and Dan
Rizzuto are typical of about half the
principals and vice principals in Fort
McMurray Public Schools. Both began
their teaching careers in Fort McMurray.
What began as a future goal became
a reality because of the opportunities
here, Scott says. This is one of the places
where you can advance if you are willing
to work hard.
Scott came to Fort McMurray fourteen
years ago, following his graduation from
the University of Alberta, and is now in his
sixth year as an administrator. During that
time he has been vice principal at
Thickwood Heights and École Dickinsfield
schools, then in 2006 he became vice
principal of Westwood Community High
School and in 2010 he became principal
of École McTavish Junior High School
He believes that the key to his
success has been the encouragement
and support he received from other
administrators.
If you are paired with a good
mentor, something I was lucky enough
to be, you will get support, he says.
Administrators in other schools have
also been a great source of help. There
is good camaraderie among
administrators here. I am never afraid to
pick up the phone, Scott says.
Dan was a little surprised when he was
invited to the district s staff recognition
evening . They recognized me for 15
years. That was a wake-up call. I had been
here for 15 years! the University of
Alberta grad recalls.
2
 Bursaries are available

Through a partnership with

the Northern Alberta

Development Council, the

Fort McMurray Public School

District offers annual bursaries

of $3,000 for full-time under-

graduate and graduate

education students who plan

to teach in District schools

after graduation. Students

He says that time has gone by
quickly because he has been enjoying
what he s doing, which may have
delayed his decision to become an
administrator. I was hesitant to make
encouragement he has received from
other administrators.
In our district, you can pick up the
phone and ask questions. You always
know you have someone there to sup-
I moved here because I wanted to must agree to teach in Fort
be in a bigger community, with more McMurray Public Schools for
opportunities, she recalls. Here, I had
one year for each bursary
the opportunity to become the vice
principal. I was able to do this more
received.

the move because I enjoyed the class-
room, he says.
And now, after six years as a
principal, how does he feel about
things?
I love administration! I love the
team I work with, the staff I work with,
the students I work with. I love what I
do!
Like Scott, who Dan followed as
vice principal at Thickwood Heights
School (he is now at principal at
port you. You are never left by yourself.
Annalee Nutter, who has just
completed her fourth year as vice princi-
pal at Greely Road School, represents
most of the district s administrators ‒
those who came to Fort McMurray after
beginning their careers elsewhere and
who were later promoted into their
current positions.
Annalee is now in her eighth year in
Fort McMurray, after fifteen years spent
teaching in Saskatchewan.
quickly than would have been the case
For more information and an
elsewhere.
Annalee credits the leadership application form, visit the
development that was available at District s website at
Greely Road School for preparing her
www.fmpsd.ab.ca and click on
to move into her current position.
Careers .
Elsewhere I might not have had the
opportunity. I would not have had the
Where to Shop
confidence to apply.
As the community has grown in
recent years, several large retailers

Westview School), he feels he has have build new stores. Here are
benefited from the advice and some of the places you can shop
in Fort McMurray:

The Brick Canadian Tire

What teachers say about Fort McMurray Public Schools
Extra Foods Sobeys (2 loca-
tions) Safeway (2 locations)
Very
Real Canadian Superstore Wal
Satisfied Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied
Satisfied -Mart United Furniture Ware-
house Save-On-Foods and
Generally speaking, how satisfied are you
Drugs Staples Sears
with Fort McMurray Public Schools as a 24% 70.4% 4.6% 1.0%
place to work? Zellers Sport Chek M&M
Meat Shops Reitmans Mark s
How satisfied are you with the opportuni-
Work Warehouse - Rona Home
ties for staff development that were avail-
Centre Ricki s Bootlegger
able to you during this school year at the 30.1% 56.4% 10.9% 2.6%
Le Chateau Aldo Suzi Sheir
District level?

A Place for You January 2011 www.fmpsd.ab.ca 780.799.7900 3

 Support for New Comers
For professional support and
advice, Josie Lush is the go to
person at Central Office for
teachers new to Fort McMurray
Public Schools.
In her role as New Teacher
Coordinator, the veteran of 29
years in district schools says she is
many things for newcomers…
mentor, organizer and helper .
And, she adds, there is one thing
she is not… I am certainly not
their evaluator!
Her position was created for
the fall of 2007, to implement
plans developed by a new
teacher induction committee
during 2006̶2007. The Teacher
Induction Program evolved to the
point where, in 2008̶2009, it
was expanded to include
teachers in their second year.
Josie says that the new
teachers orientation to the dis-
trict begins with a full-day session
before the school year begins.
Master teachers and
administrators from the district
offer sessions on the evaluation
process, classroom management
at all grade levels, and building
relationships with students .
Presently, several Friday after-
noons are set aside during the
school year for sessions on
individual program plans, writing
report card comments, and
parent/teacher interview tips.
A Place for
Fort McMurray Public looking for commitment to Doing
What s Best for Kids
Over the past few years, the Fort McMurray Public School their education following graduation, or a successful
District has hired between 40 and 70 teachers a year, a trend transition into the world of work̶our students are success-
that Superintendent Dennis Parsons sees as continuing. ful. And they are successful because of the teachers who are
establishing the groundwork for their success, he says.
He says that the hiring reflects Fort McMurray s growth,
with the resulting increase in enrollment and the need to So many parents and students recognize and appreciate
replace teachers who are retiring or leaving to take jobs what the staff is doing for their children who attend Fort
elsewhere. McMurray s public schools.
And what kind of teachers is the district looking for? It is important for the continued success of students in the
District s schools that more teachers with similar attitudes
Superintendent Dennis Parsons says, the teachers who will
towards students be hired to replace those who are retiring,
be joining us for the new school year should understand they
as well as to fill vacancies that will be created as the
will be part of a great group of people who are committed to
community grows and more students enroll in Fort
doing what is best for kids.
McMurray schools.
Our staff does great things for the students they teach.
I expect that those who will be recruiting and hiring
However you measure student success̶academic
teachers will be looking for more of the type of people who
achievement, success in athletics and the fine arts, the value
are dedicated to making students successful, Dennis says.
of scholarships received, the numbers of students continuing
Calculate Your Salary ~ September 2010
Step Cat 4 Cat 5 Cat 6
0 $59,239 $61,979 $65, 204
1 $62,321 $65,113 $68,379
2 $65,407 $68,248 $71,557
3 $68,486 $71,383 $74,732
4 $71,567 $74,524 $77,909
5 $74,650 $77,659 $81,087
6 $77,729 $80,792 $84,263
7 $80,814 $83,930 $87,440
8 $83,893 $87,063 $90,619
9 $83,893 $87,063 $90,619
10 $86,977 $90,200 $93,794
11 $90,057 $93,337 $96,970
Step 1: Locate your position on the salary grid:
Step 2: Add the annual Fort McMurray Cost of
Living Allowance (COLA) (subject to income tax): $12,480
Total Annual Salary:
Notes:
1. Teachers are paid in 12 installments on the last teaching Thursday of each month (July s payment is included on the June cheque) and
on the last Thursday of August.
2. Prior to the annual teacher s convention, which is held in Edmonton, each teacher receives a Duty Expense Allowance of $822for travel
and subsistence.
3. The grid shown here is for the 2010̶2011 school year. The grid will be adjusted annually based on Alberta average weekly earnings, in
accordance with an agreement between the Alberta Teachers Association and the Government of Alberta.

Fort McMurray—from fur trade to oil sand development and Big Spirit
Only four decades ago, Fort
McMurray counted its population in
the hundreds. Today, this
cosmopolitan community has a
population of 76,797 which is
expected to double over the coming
years.
Most of this growth is driven by
Northeast Alberta s rapidly
expanding oil sands industry.
Production from the Fort McMurray
area meets 20 per cent of Canada s
oil needs, a figure that is certain to
grow over the next decades.
Forestry and tourism are also im-
portant aspects of the local econ-
omy.
In earlier years, much of Fort
McMurray s activity related to the
fur trade. Traders first travelled
along the Clearwater and
Athabasca rivers more than two
hundred years ago. The Hudson s
Bay Company established a post in
1870 that it named for its chief
factor, William McMurray.
Prior to road and rail links be-
ing established to northern
Canada, freight destined for the
north arrived in Fort McMurray by
rail and was loaded on barges that
A Place for You
transported it down the Athabasca River,
bound for communities as far north as the
shores of the Arctic Ocean.
Fort McMurray s population is
made up of people who have come
from across Canada and around the
world. Fewer than half of those who
live in Fort McMurray were born in
Alberta. Sixteen per cent of its residents
once called Newfoundland home. The
average age of Fort McMurray resi-
dents is 31, with less than 5 per cent of
the population aged 60 or older.
January 2011 www.fmpsd.ab.ca
Accommodations
Accommodations in Fort
McMurray is expensive. Here are
average apartment rental rates
in Fort McMurray as of April
2010. Damage deposits are
usually one month s rent.
Bachelor Suite $1,406̶$1,500
One Bedroom $1,858̶$2,000
Two Bedroom $1,980̶$2,500
Three Bedroom $2,245̶$3,000
While Fort McMurray is seen as
The apartment vacancy rate tends to be close to
having a transient population, 35 per
cent of its residents have lived in the
zero per cent.
community for eleven or more years.
A recent survey found that half
of Fort McMurray s adult popula-
Room Rates
tion volunteer regularly, a figure
more than double the national
Rents for a single room in a
average. With this commitment to
house range from $800 to
volunteerism, it is hardly surprising
that Fort McMurray has hosted $1,500 per month.
several major sporting and cultural
events. Source: Fort McMurray Landlord and
Tenant Advisory Board
Real Estate Average
Prices
(November 2010)
Single Family Dwelling:$686,471
Multi-Family Dwelling (Condo):
$436,306
Duplex: $539,719
Mobile Home with land:
$423,029
Source: Fort McMurray Real Estate Board
780.799.7900 5

Generous Benefits
The Fort McMurray Public School
District pays the full premium for
a wide range of benefits that
include:
 Extended Health Care that
provides a full
reimbursement for prescrip-
tion drugs
 Life Insurance, based on two
times the teacher s salary
 Long Term Disability
 Dental Care that provides
full reimbursement for
routine treatments, 80% of
major treatments, and 50%
of orthodontic treatments
 Vision Care that pays up to
$300 for new glasses once
every two years
 Health Spending Account
($875 a year̶beginning
Sept. 2011)
 Alberta Health Care is
available .To be eligible you
must be a permanent
resident for 3 months
A Place for You
Experienced teachers support New Comers
There is an ancient proverb that says, When the learner is
ready, a teacher will appear.
That certainly seems to be the case for teachers new to Fort
McMurray Public Schools. Whenever there is something that a
newcomer needs to know, an experienced teacher always is
there with advice and answers . . . sometimes even before the
question is asked.
I don t even have to go to ask for help. They come up to me
to offer support, says Thickwood Heights School s Brad St.
Denis. It made it easy for me in my first year. They helped me
find material for my classroom. And they are there just to talk
to.
Université de Sherbrooke grad Maggie Thibault agrees. The
people here are amazing. Always willing to help you out. You
don t even have to think about it.
At Dr. K.A. Clark School, Sue-Anne Puhalski has had a similar
experience. They are welcoming of newcomers. They are so
helpful. They understand what it is like to be a newcomer,
coming here and not knowing anyone.
Several teachers credit the District s commitment to Profes-
sional Learning Communities (PLCs) as enabling them to further
their professional growth. Time is set aside most Friday after-
noons to allow teachers to work with colleagues in their schools
or those with similar teaching assignments from across the
district.
With PLCs, you get so much help as a beginning teacher,
says Westwood Community High School s Megan Carnegie.
They will sit down and ask what problems you are having in
your class. How can we help you solve them?
Dr. K.A. Clark School s Trenly Calhoon appreciates the weekly
professional development. Our PLCs on Fridays are wonderful.
We meet other grade 4 teachers. We get lots of ideas and you
don t feel as alone.
Being at one of the district s larger kindergarten through
grade 8 schools, Trenly has been partnered with another
teacher with several years of experience who is teaching the
same grade. It is wonderful to have someone to go to if you
January 2011www.fmpsd.ab.ca 780.799.7900
Fort McMurray Public Schools—
Professional Learning
Communities and growth
From an enrollment of 13 students when it
was established in 1912, the Fort McMurray Public
School District has grown to 5,200 students in
twelve schools, all of which are located within Fort
McMurray.
In the 2010‒2011 year, the District employs
312 full-and part-time teachers as well as 275
support staff, including secretaries, educational
assistants, custodians, maintenance workers, and
central office staff.
The District offers a full range of programming
for students, including an Early Childhood Develop-
ment Program, kindergarten, French Immersion
and a variety of special education programming.
Programming is also provided for English as a
Second Language (ESL) and for First Nations, Métis,
and Inuit students. Two alternative schools in the
system are the Fort McMurray Islamic School, which
has 220 students in kindergarten through grade 8
and the Fort McMurray Christian School with 120
students in kindergarten through grade 9.
To meet the needs of a growing student
population, the district has applied for funding to
build several new schools. Construction is under-
way on École McTavish Junior High School with
opening scheduled for September 2011. As well,
the district has requested funding to modernize its
existing schools, most of which were built in the
1970s and 1980s.
Eight years ago, public schools in Fort McMurray
committed themselves to the concept of Profes-
sional Learning Communities (PLCs). Time is sched-
uled for teachers to collaborate with colleagues from
their own schools and from other schools within the
system. During these meetings, teachers focus on
setting goals for improvement of student learning,
refining instructional practices, and developing com-
mon approaches to assessing student learning.
6
 What are you looking for when you hiring?
What are my long-term job prospects with Fort McMurray
We took this question to principals for their responses. Here
Public Schools?
are some of the skills and attitudes they told us are important:
Positive outlook. Initially, all teachers are hired on a probationary
 enthusiasm
(full year, beginning in September) or a temporary (for a specified
 teamwork
 involvement beyond the classroom period of time or after the beginning of the school year) basis.

 innovative Successful completion of the first year with Fort McMurray Public
 positive attitude Schools will likely lead to a continuing contract.
 flexibility As the community grows, so too will school enrollments, result-


F
student Focused ing in a need for more teachers. And even if the student popu-
 able to work in a collaborative environment lation remains static, the District will still need teachers to re-
 able to develop rapport place those who are retiring or leaving the school system for
 effective listener
other reasons.
 empathy
 life-long learner
Does Fort McMurray have a public transit system?
Fort McMurray has a bus system that links the different areas of
I have heard that Fort McMurray is an expensive place to
the community. The length of your journey and the number of
live. Is that true?
transfers will vary depending on where you live and work.
What newcomers comment on most is the cost of accom-

A
modation, whether renting or purchasing (see the information
What types of recreational and cultural options are
box on page 5). Once they get past finding a place to live, new-
available in Fort McMurray?
comers find that most other costs are in line with those that
Fort McMurray and area offer residents a wide range of cultural
people are paying elsewhere in Alberta (see the information
and recreational options, with more being added. Two state-of-
box on page 7 for grocery price comparisons).
the-art recreational facilities have just opened and others are
under construction.
Does the school district have any teacherages? What does
The Syncrude Sports and Wellness Centre at Keyano College
the district do to help teachers find accommodation?
opened in September 2007. This field house-style facility
The district can provide some help to new teachers who require
includes a running track, gymnasium, and indoor playing
housing. Through its partnership with the Wood Buffalo Hous-

Q
fields, as well as fitness and aerobic facilities.
ing and Development Corporation (WBHDC), the district has
This modern recreation centre is the location of one of the com-
access to transition housing. This consists of one-, two-, and
munity s three golf courses, a curling rink, tennis courts, an arena,
three-bedroom apartments and can be available for up to one
and playing fields. As Alberta s largest multi-recreational facility
year. If appropriate, teachers may be asked to share accommo-
this complex features new ice surface s, a 52-metre swimming
dation.
pool, a leisure pool, a hot tub area, a new public library, field
Monthly rents of between $1,100 and $1,800 are 25 per
houses, a running track, and other amenities.
cent below the local market value for similar units. The
Other Fort McMurray facilities include Keyano Theatre (which
apartments are managed by WBHDC, a municipality-owned
hosts many live performances each year), one multi-screen
agency that was created to develop and manage affordable

s
movie theatre, two swimming pools, downhill and cross-
housing. Potential residents apply directly to the WBHDC.
country skiing areas, four arenas, three golf courses, a YMCA,
Applications will be processed, accepted, and housing
fitness clubs, fly-in fishing, boating, hiking, camping, and canoe-
assigned according to criteria set by the school district and
ing.
WBHDC procedures. Provision will be made for both single
people and families, with units allocated in a way that is appro-
Can I student teach in Fort McMurray?
priate for the family composition.
Student teachers are always welcome in Fort McMurray Public
Schools and it is an excellent way to introduce yourself to the
Is my spouse, who is not a teacher, likely to be able to find
school system.
a job in Fort McMurray?
Over the past few years, Fort McMurray schools have hosted
Organizations in every sector of the Fort McMurray economy are
students from the University of Alberta, the University of
hiring ‒ healthcare, government, oil sands companies, retail,
Lethbridge, Brandon University, and Memorial University of
banking, etc. There are lots of jobs available in Fort McMurray. In
Newfoundland. Upon completion of their practicums, many
many cases, the District s human resources department staff
student teachers have either joined the District s list of Teachers
and principals will be able to connect your spouse with recruit-
on Call or have been offered teaching contracts with Fort
ers from other organizations. McMurray Public Schools.

A Place for You January 2011 www.fmpsd.ab.ca 780.799.7900 7


How do I find out about vacant
positions?
The best way to get up-to-date
information on vacant positions
is to visit the District s website
and click on Employment.
How do I apply?
Please APPLY to specific job
postings on the website under
Careers/Job Postings.
There you will set up your profile
and upload your documents.
If you have any questions you
can email Human Resources at
hr@fmpsd.ab.ca
Candidates must currently hold,
or be eligible for, an Alberta
Teaching Certificate. Successful
applicants must provide a copy
of their criminal record checks.
District staff may contact former
and current employers for refer-
ence checks. Only those candi-
dates to be interviewed will be
contacted.
231 Hardin Street
Fort McMurray, Alberta T9H 2G2
Telephone: 780.799.7900
Fax: 780.743.2655
Website: www.fmpsd.ab.ca
A Place for You
Fort McMurray Public Schools
Beacon Hill School Fort McMurray Composite High Timberlea School
210 Beacon Hill Drive School 107 Brett Drive
ECDP̶Grade 8 9803 King Street ECDP̶Grade 8
202 students Grades 9̶12 728 Students
George Decker, Principal 666 Students Richard Thorne, Principal
Tony Zeglen, Principal
Dr. K.A. Clark School
8453 Franklin Avenue Fort McMurray Islamic School Westview School
ECDP̶Grade 8 7211 Bulyea Avenue 407 Wolverine Drive
526 Students K̶Grade 6 ECDP̶Grade 8
Jeff Porter, Principal 210 Students 423 Students
Taj Mohammed, Principal Dan Rizzuto, Principal
École Dickinsfield School
201 Dickins Drive Frank Spragins High School Westwood Community High
ECDP̶Grade 8 190 Tamarack Way School
(English and French Immersion) Grades 9̶12 221 Tundra Drive
620 Students 120 Students Grades 9̶12
Janice Rushdy, Principal Roxanne Fudge, Principal (English and French Immersion)
Gary Kinnell, Principal
École McTavish Greely Road School
(Opens September 2011) 109 Greely Road
352 Parsons Creek Drive ECDP̶Grade 8
Grades 7̶9 200 Students Visit us on Face book
Scott Barr, Principal Graham Abbott, Principal
Fort McMurray Christian School Thickwood Heights School
190 Tamarack Way 96 Silin Forest Road
K̶Grade 8 ECDP̶Grade 8
120 Students 240 Students Follow us on Twitter
Joe Champion, Principal Paul Smith, Principal
Did You Know?
The Fort McMurray Public School District can be found on French Immersion is offered at École Dickinsfield School. As well,
Facebook and Twitter for up-to-date news, photos and resources. Westwood Community High School also offers a full French
Immersion program in the Humanities, Math and Sciences from
The Fort McMurray Public School District is celebrating its 100th grades 9-12.
birthday in 2012.
We have two official theatre groups operating in our district: King
Our art students showcase their work each year at the Keyano Street at Composite High School and Cheepiyak at Westwood
Gallery during the Tri-High show. High School.
Students are keeping old customs and cultures alive through Fort McMurray Public School District offers First Nations, Métis and
the Full Circle Mentoring Program with Big Brothers and Big Inuit Education.
Sisters and the Nistawoyou Friendship Centre.
Fort McMurray Public School District offers a variety of second
Fort McMurray Public School District is home to both a Christian language courses including French, Cree, Japanese, German and
and an Islamic elementary school. As well, to Frank Spragins Spanish.
High School, a unique learning environment with flexibility and
choices for students.
January 2011 www.fmpsd.ab.ca 780.799.7900 8