Northern Lights Public Schools is pleased to announce that, following feedback from the community, the new elementary school in Lac La Biche will be named Northern Skies Elementary School.
"We would like to thank the students, parents and guardians, staff, and community members who participated in all three rounds of feedback during the naming process, as well as the committee that provided guidance and helped evaluate the extensive list of names that was suggested by the community," said Board Chair Karen Packard. "It was important to us that students and the community could take pride and ownership in the name and we appreciate the high level of engagement and participation that occurred during the process."
Selecting a name for the school began in January with a survey asking the community to suggest names. That resulted in a list of 83 unique names. A naming committee consisting of two staff members, two parents from the school's school council, two Elders, and two community members was formed to help evaluate the names. The committee created a shortlist of eight names that was shared in a second survey in March.
Over 500 people took part in that survey, with Lac La Biche Elementary School and Northern Skies Elementary School receiving the most support. The committee then submitted both names to the Board as potential names for the new school. Since there was no clear preference between the two names, the Board decided to send both names out for further feedback before making a final decision.
In the final survey, 763 people shared their preference. Northern Skies Elementary School received 78.8% of the vote. Survey participants noted that the name highlights the surrounding beauty of the community and is inspirational for students, encouraging them to soar.
Now that the name has been selected, work will begin on developing a logo and branding for the school, which is currently under construction near the Bold Centre.
