Westglen School in Didsbury received a donation of 18 bikes last month.
The 18 high-end, extra light alloy bikes will be used for the bike mechanics class, which is in its second year at the school, according to Chinook's Edge School Division.
“I was at the Salesforce conference last fall and Woom (a bicycle manufacturer), shared that they had partnered with Salesforce on a community project there,” says Chinook's Edge School Division Board Chair Holly Bilton. “Because Woom is located in Austin, Texas, it took some time to figure out how to get the bikes to Westglen School, but we did it. The board sends its thanks to everyone who made this happen. The board is always excited to find new and innovative ways for students to engage in learning.”
A $5,000 innovation grant was accepted by the Chinook's Edge Board, and in 2023, the funds were used to buy 10 mobile tool carts, 10 mobile bike stands, and the necessary items to fill them.
Throughout the year, with 48 participating Grade 8 students, the bike mechanics teacher Dustin Moreau worked hard to find used bikes in the community that the students could work on.
The donation of the new bikes, “really gears up the program” says Carolyn Massel, Principal of Westglen School. “It gives students an even better experience."
It was anticipated around 48 students would participate this year with the class being offered to Grade 7 and 8 students.
“It was truly a combined effort, and everyone was so great about it because they all wanted to help the students,” says Bilton.
The division has a total of 12 schools in neighbouring communities, including Olds, Mountain View County, Didsbury, Crossfield and Carstairs.
Also, last month, Chinook’s Edge Board of Trustees approved a plan to allocate $1.1 million of provincial funding.
The funds represent the division's portion of the $125 million allotted to school divisions across the province to alleviate the burden of high enrollment.
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