Q & A
Please ask us any questions you may have! We will post Frequently Asked Questions here for your convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. How did the Community Learning Campus begin?
The CLC began as a response to community concerns regarding a proposed $6.8 million dollar grant from the Alberta Government to modernize Olds Junior/Senior High School. Concern focused on the ability of the school to meet 21st Century programming needs, as well as the dangerous situation created by the separation of the playing fields from the school by busy Highway 27. The community felt that the proposed grant to upgrade the existing facility would not would not be sufficient in meeting modern day programming needs. However, the announcement of these modernization dollars was a catalyst for the Superintendent of Chinook’s Edge School Division and the President of Olds College, supported by their respective governance boards and officials, municipal governments, members of the community, and Alberta Ministries, to work together to strengthen rural education and development by conceiving an educational reform initiative which would address the needs of the rural learners in a unique manner.
Chinook’s Edge School Division was in the position of needing newer facilities, and Olds College were contemplating the development of a Health & Wellness Centre to replace existing structures that were dated and limited. In addition, Olds College students were also vying for a new leadership centre. Conditions were right to pool resources and strategies in order to create an integrated initiative that included facilities and programming.
Q. How much did the CLC project cost?
The total cost of the CLC project was approximately $68 million dollars.
Olds College's 'Office of Advancement' raised $5.9 million dollars of the total funds required.
Q. Who pays/paid for the CLC?
The provincial government provided over $55 million dollars to the CLC project. Additional funds came from several sources, including fundraising initiatives and grants. Proceeds from the eventual sale of the old school property will also be included.
The CLC has also sought significant donations from corporations, organizations, and individuals who share in the CLC vision. In addition, the Health and Wellness Centre earns ongoing operational revenue from it's tenants, who in turn provide services to community members and users of the facility.
Q. How does the CLC align with Alberta Government policy and vision?
The CLC was framed in a submission to the Alberta Government in March 2005 as an implementation solution to three key government policies: Alberta’s 20 Year Strategy, Rural Development Initiative, and Campus Alberta. These policy directions provided a fertile ground for the emerging idea of the CLC. The Alberta government wisely recognized that an investment in unique approaches would be required if they were to achieve their goals. In addition, the Alberta Government acknowledged that rural communities are challenged in their efforts to improve high school completion rates, their transition rates to post-secondary, the variety of programming and services available, and in access to broadband technologies. The CLC submission addressed the competitive and equity-driven nature of Alberta policies in a number of ways, including increased access to trades training and post-secondary education, and an emphasis on the importance of the SuperNet in providing access to technology for distance delivery in rural communities. The CLC submission also proposed the development of remote engagement sites to provide CLC programming to outlying rural communities by linking them electronically to the CLC hub, thus increasing productivity and equity. Addressing the needs of rural learners in their own communities was considered a unique approach which extended the reach of the CLC and justified the expenditure to meet the needs of a broad-base of constituents.
Q. How many buildings are included in the CLC?
The CLC consists of five buildings which are located on the Olds College Campus: Olds High School, the Bell e-Learning Centre, a Fine Arts & Multi Media Centre, Health and Wellness, and a school bus maintenance facility, in addition to a series of engagement sites in several adjacent communities.
These facilities provide many opportunities to share resources.
Q. How does the CLC try to incorporate environmental sustainability?
Environmental sustainability has always been a key focus of the CLC, both in facility design and maintenance. The CLC strove to meet environmental building standards that were both cost effective and sustainable. These facilities were also designed to engage students in learning about environmental sustainability, and several of the buildings have green roof areas.
Q. How has the community been involved in the development of the CLC?
Community participation began in the spring of 2005 with a series of meetings between community members and officials and staff from Olds College and Chinook's Edge School Division. These input sessions resulted in a detailed action plan which included facility designs. This action plan has proven to be an important guide for the CLC Governance Team board. Community constituents can voice their opinions to this board via representatives from the Town of Olds and Mountain View County.
In addition, community members are always invited to contact the CLC office or visit our website if they have comments or questions.
Q. How does the community benefit from CLC facilities and programming?
The CLC Learning Plan reaches well beyond student populations to impact all learners. It opens the door for continuous learning, retraining opportunities, and professional development -- regardless of age or educational background. The CLC provides both distance and on-site opportunities, and allows learners to have greater flexibility in personalizing their academic and/or career paths.
CLC facilities provide members of the community and surrounding area access to a wide range of technology, health and wellness, and cultural opportunities. The Fine Arts & Multi Media Centre maximizes the contributions of various users, making use of synergies to provide a vibrant performing arts centre. Health & Wellness houses many shared facilities for sports and leisure activities; it also provides opportunities for developing leadership and athletic skills, as well as healthy living strategies regarding physical activity and lifestyle choices. The Bell e-Learning Centre provides access to innovative technologies which supports the community, business, and industry.
Q. What are the Community Engagement Sites and how do they benefit the community?
The Community Engagement Sites are designed to advance rural community development. Such services may include:
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On site facilities for computers and internet access
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Facilities for business support services
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Access to online courseware and services
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Staff trained to provide ongoing coaching and support
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Access to broadband technologies such as video conferencing
These sites provide community members with access to internet services, coaching and support. They also help individuals learn how to use technology for their own benefit.
Q. What kind of access does the public have to the CLC facilities?
Policies and procedures help facilitate the operation of the CLC. Policies and procedures are developed by the CLC Facilities Use Committee, which includes representatives from Olds College, Chinook’s Edge School Division, the Town of Olds, and Mountain View County. The mandate of the committee is to outline facility use, including public access. Fee structures are in place and are required to cover operational and maintenance costs.
Q. Do College and High School students share space?
Yes. The CLC recognizes that there are significant differences between requirements for the well-being of grade nine students versus college students, however, the physical design of the CLC does ensure a suitable learning environment for all.
The Community Learning Campus vision considers students in grades nine and ten to be in an exploratory stage, so their activities are primarily held within the high school. However, students in grades eleven and twelve may be afforded greater opportunity to learn across college facilities.
Also, Chinook's Edge School Division works with students in developing character, values, and positive social skills, so they learn to make appropriate and safe choices. This personalized process is designed to take age and individual social development into consideration.
Other points of note:
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Olds College has 24 hour-a-day security in place
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Olds College employs more than 400 faculty and staff
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More than half of college's student population is female
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The age of the average college student is 22
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Approximately 55 High School staff have already been relocated to the CLC
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Chinook's Edge School Division have 6 very successful K-12 schools where students from 4 to 18 years of age share the same facility every day
Q. What Olds College facilities are used by high school students?
High school students have the opportunity to access Olds College facilities in a number of ways. Firstly, high school students are able to access the Olds College Library (also known as the Learning Resource Centre). The existing collection of high school resource material was relocated to the college campus in the spring of 2010. This centre is a place where students have the ability to hone their research methods and skills via the internet or through a large collection of paper-bound reference materials.
An industrial arts lab in the Agricultural Technology Building is another place where high school students may be found. Opportunities for learners are stronger in this location as students have access to space and resources that are usually unavailable at the high school level.
Finally, grade eleven and twelve students will have access to all college facilities in accordance with the college, apprenticeship, or university courses in which they are enrolled. High school students may also occasionally be involved in applied research projects via the Olds College School of Innovation.
Q. What CLC facilities are used by Olds College students?
Enhanced recreation, wellness, and fine arts facilities provide new opportunities for college students. In addition, the Bell e-Learning Centre provides a portal for internet-based learning resources that can be accessed for a number of applications. A $1 million dollar investment in this facility by the Olds College Students’ Association is a testament to the value that the CLC brings to Olds College students.
Q. How does the CLC affect other Chinook's Edge Schools in the surrounding area?
Students who are within the current attendance boundaries for Olds High School will attend the CLC for grades nine through twelve. Students who are not living within the Olds High School attendance boundaries will attend their own community school.
Students outside of the Olds High School attendance boundaries ARE welcomed for special learning opportunities that they would not otherwise be able to access in their home communities, such as the pre-employment welding program. In 2006, fifteen students from the Chinook's Edge School Division attended their community high school in the morning, and in the afternoon participated in the pre-employment welding program at the Olds College Campus. Their home schools had the benefit of receiving the CTS funding credits, and the students themselves were provided with an enriched opportunity that could lead to further apprenticeship and/or trade training. Other learning opportunities, such as special events or courses may be offered throughout the year via video conferencing.
The CLC does not aim to draw students from other Chinook's Edge Schools, as the Community Engagement Sites will provide opportunities for them to stay in their home communities and still access some exciting learning opportunities via the CLC.
Q. What is the effect of moving grade eight students out of Olds High School and placing them in the Deer Meadow School?
The Deer Meadow School was built with a core capacity to expand classroom space if required. Based on current enrollment predictions, there has been no need for additional classroom space to date, however, this item will be re-evaluated annually as student populations are monitored.
Traditionally, middle schools incorporate students from grade five through eight.
