Topics: School Philosophy, School Profile including Programs, Special Needs, Transportation, The Building, Technology, Community Characteristics

Big Valley School operates under the regulations and policies set out by Clearview School Division #71. Students at Big Valley School receive instruction in accordance with curriculum guidelines prescribed by Alberta Education.

The staff at Big Valley School endeavours to allow students to assume increased responsibility for their learning as we prepare them for self-directed, life-long learning. Opportunities are provided for all students to succeed and be recognized for their success.

Students learn best  in a secure, caring, and challenging environment with adults who respect them as individuals, and who are sensitive to their needs.

All individuals can learn. All students are perceived as capable and competent individuals who experience success through well planned learning opportunities provided by the school community.

Learning involves the development of the whole child. Curriculum and learning experiences provided by our school recognizes and enhances the growth and development of students intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically.

Learning is an active process. Students require input into decisions that influence their learning.

Learners must experience challenge and success. We must provide experiences that allow students to  be challenged and experiene success.

Students must be responsible for their own actions. Students must develop self-discipline, self-understanding, and a positive self-concept through a realistic evaluation of their capabilities and limitations.

The ultimate goal of our school is to help develop the individual abilities of each student, that each student might fulfil personal aspirations while developing the understanding of how to make positive contributions to society. Involvement and participation of students, staff,  parents, and community in the educational process contributes to the success of each student, and our school.

Big Valley School serves approximately 115 students from the Village of Big Valley, and the surrounding area. We offer instruction to students from ECS to grade nine. Students range in age from 5 - 15 years of age.

The various programs offered at Big Valley School reflect our commitment to provide a solid academic program consisting of Humanities, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. In the Junior High, all students receive  instruction in  physical education, health, computers and  travel to Stettler once a week for CTS classes. Option classes are also offered by the Junior High staff.

When students in our school require special assistance with part or their entire program, we work to accommodate these students. This assistance is funded through the Clearview central office, or through school  based budgeting.

Roughly 75% of our students are bussed to school. Busses arrive at the school by 8:25 am, and classes for all students begin at 8:35. Classes are dismissed at 3:25 pm, and busses leave as soon as the students are boarded. Dismissal time on Fridays is 2:15 pm, and on PD Mondays is 2:25 pm.

The original east wing of the school was constructed in 1957. The west wing housing 4 classrooms, music room, administration area and staff room was constructed in 1984. In 1993 a major upgrading of the gymnasium was undertaken. A new cushioned floor was installed and this was covered with hardwood tongue and groove. The old stage was taken out and this area became our physical education storage area and on top of this storage area a mezzanine was built. The mezzanine is used for spectator viewing of volleyball, basketball, etc.. During the summer of 1996, two classrooms in  the 1957 wing were gutted to construct a computer lab and library.  In the summer and fall of 1997 major renovations were undertaken on the four existing classrooms in the east wing. New ceiling, flooring, lights, doors and shelving units were installed. All walls were also painted. During the summer of 1998 all flooring was replaced in the 1984 wing, as well as extensive painting inside and out, and replacement of old windows was done.   During the summer of 1999 our playground was upgraded. The existing equipment (swings, slide, etc.) was moved to new locations and painted. A $22,00.00 multi-station unit was purchased and installed. Twelve inch ties now enclose all playground equipment and the entire play area is covered with pea-gravel. The upgrading of the playground was initiatiated by our Student Advisory Council. They applied for the grants, ordered all of the material and organized the work parties for the various aspects of the installation. They are to be thanked and congratulated for doing an excellent job with this project.  During the summer of 2000 concrete work was completed at the front of the school, and the boys' and girls' locker rooms were painted. In the summer of 2005 the computer room was moved, the office was renovated and moved to the front of the building, the gym walls were touched up, the mezzaine was painted, and the outside of the building was painted. The old offices are now resource rooms, and the sick room was converted into janitor storgage. We now have a wheel chair accessable bathroom in the elementary, as well as a new resource room in the elementary wing.

The school is moving in the direction of laptop computers connected with a wireless system. These computers become part of the daily classroom learning. We currently have three laptop computer carts containing thirty computers. The school is currently involved with a video-confernecing project that allows students to travel the world in search of learning opportunities that support and enhance the curriculum being taught in the classroom. We are currently working to develop a professional video-conference room that will be available for the school, and community.

The Village of Big Valley has a population of approximately three hundred, and our catchment area population is another three hundred.  The village has all the amenities necessary for to be self-sufficient. Besides the school, we have a grocery store, two banks, a garage, a gas station, a post office, a  hockey arena, a golf course, three restaurants, an art gallery, hotel, and fire department. During the early to mid 1900's, Big Valley was a major railroad town for the C.N.R. Today, Big Valley is the primary destination for Prairie Steam Tours. During a tourist season, we average over 50 trains carrying approximately two hundred fifty to three hundred people per trip. Train tourists can visit the museum at the station, tour the roundhouse, art gallery, blue church and have a meal at the Jubilee Hall. The vast majority of people living in or around Big Valley are involved in agricultural businesses, or natural resources.  Our biggest employers are Trottier Oilfield Services, Conoco Phillips, and Bearspaw Petroleum.

Big Valley School participates in a number of special events for the benefit of the students, or worthy causes to raise funds for special projects. Following is a list of these events:

The Terry Fox Run

Magazine Sale Fund raiser

Grade 5-9 Recognition Night

Grades 1-4 Achievement Awards

Cultural Presentations throughout the year

Halloween Party

Remembrance Day Service - students also enter poster and essay contests

Operation Christmas Child

Christmas Concert

Food Bank Donations

Fund raising for field trips and skiing trips

Ski Trips

Field Trips like the Legislative Buildings, Museums and Zoos

Grade 9 "Graduation"

End of Year Activities

The parents also contribute in many areas including hot lunches, fund raising, and the School Advidory Council.