Shaping the Future of Bassano School:
You’re Invited to "The Bassano Blueprint"
Dear Bassano School Families, Parents and Guardians,
A school has been part of the Bassano community since about 1910, with the first permanent four-room building completed in 1911. Since then, Bassano School has been more than just a building; it has been the heartbeat of our community. For over a century, we have served families from the Town of Bassano, our surrounding agricultural lands, and the Siksika Nation. As a school, we have a duty and a responsibility to respond to the evolving needs, expectations, and aspirations of our students and families.
We see this year as an ideal opportunity to review and reflect on our Junior and Senior High programming. Currently, over one-third of our local high-school-aged students are choosing to attend schools in other communities. While this presents a challenge for us, it also provides the spark we need to reflect on our culture and the opportunities we provide. It is a chance for us to connect with you and reflect on what our families want and need from their community school.
Our goal isn’t simply to fill classrooms; it is to ensure Bassano School is the clear first choice for every local family. We are focused on enhancing our Junior and Senior High programs to ensure they are as rewarding and rigorous as any in the province. By focusing on enriched learning and hands-on opportunities, we want to make sure our students feel challenged and inspired right here at home. Ultimately, this is about building an educational culture where every student is seen, every leader is developed, and every graduate leaves prepared for the world beyond our doors.
The Invitation
We invite parents of current students, families living in the catchment who attend elsewhere, and future Bassano parents to join us for a collaborative session to help set the stage for our future.
When: Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM (Following Parent-Teacher Interviews)
Where: Bassano School Library
Format: Facilitated community discussion and insights
The Focus of Our Discussion
Focus 1: Our Foundation (The "Keepers") Identifying the unique strengths and positive attributes of Bassano School that we should never change. What makes our school culture special, regardless of our size, that we should protect and build upon?
Focus 2: The High School Choice (The "Push & Pull") Understanding the "non-negotiables" families need to see in a program to feel their child is prepared for the future. What specific academic or extracurricular factors drive the decision to stay in the community versus seeking opportunities elsewhere?
Focus 3: Pathways & Leadership (The "Future Experience") Exploring how we can evolve our daily routine, leadership roles, and multi-pathway learning. This includes looking at how we deliver all programs, university or college tracks, trades education, and off-campus work experiences to make the senior high years more engaging and career-ready.
Scope
Please note that this discussion is a school-led initiative focused specifically on long-term success, program creativity, and school culture. To ensure our time together is productive and focused on what we can build here at Bassano School, please keep the following in mind:
School-Directed: This session is designed by Bassano School leadership to hear directly from our families; it is not a consultation on Grasslands Public Schools Board policy or provincial government mandates.
Operational Focus: Our goal is to discuss the "on-the-ground" student experience, with a focus on the broader school experience and programs. To respect the intent of this forum, individual concerns or specific student matters should be discussed privately with school administration at another time.
Future-Oriented: This is a proactive step toward building the school experience our community deserves—it is not a discussion of school closure or grade-level reductions.
We hope you will join us in this collegial setting to share your insights into your children, our community, and your school. Help us continue to grow a school that reflects the strength and ambition of the community it serves.
Sincerely,
Tim Rodgers & Braedon Cameron
Bassano School