Bak too Skool

One of my late Father's best sayings was "I got old too soon and smart too late." Today I can relate. I attended a special lunch put on by the Edmonton Public School Board Foundation in the Sir John A McDonald School downtown.

Unlike most media events at places like the Westin we had home made sandwiches - and they even baked me a cake as extra bribery. PS: It was great!

This is a 100 year old school that, after renovations a few years ago, looks brand spanking new - and carries the ambience that only a school that old can carry.

I was a guest of the amazing Sandra Woitis - one of those women that can only operate on two speeds. Full. And Off.

She is a charmer; smart as a whip; and probably 'thee' most motivated woman on the face of the earth - because she works in an atmosphere of almost insurmountable challenge - yet you'll never see or feel any frustration about it.

She simply works harder - and smarter.

The EPSB Foundation operates to help raise funds to do 'special' work within the school system that is either partially funded or NOT funded at all through normal channels.

Today we saw the results of their Early Intervention program.

To over simplify - research has proven that most of the cognitive growth in children happens in years 3 to 6 - or the 'pre school' era. During this time it is extremely important to get them off to a fighting start in both 'life' and 'education.'

Now this is a special school - because it's in a very poor part of town - and is virtually the United Nations of education. Children from all over the world were in the classes we toured through and 'many' of them relatively recent arrivals from another country.

I'm sure you can see the challenge. They hardly even know 'English' and here they are starting their education cycle in a land where they are very unfamiliar with the surroundings.

Many of these kids have rough home environments or no home environment at all so it's important to fill them with optimism and opportunity.

The Assistant Principal is a Paul Bunyan kind of guy - tall and imposing - and certainly garners the respect of the children instantly. Of note in wandering around the school I was knocked out about how clean and well organized it was - certainly not the same vision we see in 'bad movies' from around the world.

Sandra's purpose today in inviting many of us was simply to 'open our eyes.' Often we live in a bubble and don't realize how some of these kids live.

In my years in the United Way it was clear to me that a 'healthy' community starts when kids are educated and 'happy.' When they see hope they are motivated to continue to learn. When they don't - well we've seen the results.

Drugs - robbery - drop outs - no jobs - jail - it's an endless cycle.

After lunch we went on a tour of the school and I was thrilled to walk into the Music Room and see the kids on musical instruments that we paid for a few years back with The Bear's Children's Fund. It's this type of funding that doesn't come through the 'normal' channels and these kids simply wouldn't have this opportunity (most can't afford private lessons) - so they can now follow their musical goals within the school system.

So my job is to 'spread the word' and 'write a cheque.' I'm going to do both.

Paula Simmons from the Edmonton Journal was there and has written columns about the EPSB Foundation in the past and I believe is highly supportive of the program so I'm sure we'll be reading more in the newspaper too.

But to my friends, and associates, please take the time to ask me about the program and if you can help out "great."

I can safely say the highly motivated teachers and good people like Sandra would highly appreciate it - and I know that the money donated would go to a very good cause.

Good kids who need a break!