It was a dream that the people of Englefeld upheld for over 20 years.
Now it is a dream that will be relegated to the history books as the Englefeld Protestant Separate School Division (EPSSD) wraps up their time as a separate school division.
Before the division amalgamates with the Horizon School Division, members of Englefeld School and the community gathered to acknowledge their accomplishments with a community wide celebration on June 13.
It was a time for reflection as the community took a look back on the last 20 plus years, from the “dark times” when their school was closed in June of 1997 to the hard work that went into its reopening in September of 1998.
Charles Biemans, the first principal of the newly reopened Englefeld School, recalls June 27, 1998 when Dan Breker came and told him that they had gotten their school back. Biemans also recalls the joy and realization that they had support from the town and parents, a building, and little much else.
“We had no textbooks, desks, computers, sports equipment, library, or teachers. There was much to do. As I recall, I don’t remember taking holidays that summer.”
Current principal, Patsy Knafelc, says the teachers, with Biemans as their fearless leader, were like modern day adventurers setting out to face new challenges during that time before the new school opened.
“The only things we had going for us were enthusiasm and faith: enthusiasm for teaching and faith that we could do this.”
For the next couple of years, Englefeld School, also known as the little school that could, says Biemans, was a topic for discussion around board tables and university education law classes. That pressure lessened as they proved their survival and that they were there for the long haul, he says.
“Over the past 20 years, I have worked with some amazing people. Each of them brought special talents to the table,” says Biemans, and gave up time to learn new ones when needed.
Much of the success came from the community and their drive to keep a school in Englefeld, says Biemans.
“Thanks to the drive and determination of this community, our school got a second chance. We got an additional 20 plus years of our community having a school.”
EPSSD board chair, Deanna Miskolczi, says that while the division is becoming one with Horizon School Division, the school lives on because of the legacy of EPSSD. That legacy will continue as Englefeld moves forward to become part of Horizon School Division, says director of education, Kevin Garinger.
“We will continue to work hard to ensure that the great work that is happening in this school that’s made Englefeld what it is will continue.”
Looking back, Garinger says that it is a marvel to think of the passion, love, and care that went into creating a school division that gave back to the children of the community the way that they have; providing them education in their home community.
