The construction of the new Fireside K-8 school has just begun but it's not too early to start fund raising for things that the students need.

 Playground structures, field trips, and extra technology to enhance student learning, isn't covered by the Government of Alberta so the onus is on the parents to collect money for these types of things.

 Fiona Gilbert, RVS Trustee, says the opening of the school isn't that far away and the parents need time to form a society and raise that kind of money.

 “That's a big chunk for cash for parents to raise. It's probably a minimum of $250,000 and could be upwards of four or five hundred thousand dollars depending on what they want to put in it.”

 A society has to be in exisitence for about a year before they can apply for grants.

 The meeting at Glenbow School on November 23 was the first step for getting the parents of students together and seeing who in the group will step up and be in charge.

 “There are families that will be attending Fireside school from a couple of different schools in the area and they don't necessarily know each other and so this is the start of building that relationship. This is the first step to see what skill sets there are and leaders in the group to take this initiative forward.”

 Parents who want to get involved in the Friends of Fireside School society are welcome to contact Fiona Gilbert at fgilbert@rockyview.ab.ca.