Arlene Dobson is looking forward to “building a new school family with the students, staff, School Community Council (SCC) and families that will be coming together in our new school” as she takes on her role as principal at the new Legacy Park Elementary School.
During a board meeting for the Southeast Cornerstone Public School Division, it was announced that in order to assist with planning and transition of schools into the new Legacy Park Elementary School in the fall of 2021, Dobson was hired as the principal beginning on March 1.
In an email interview, Dobson was inspired to put her name forward as the new principal due to the “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity this new school presents and the endless possibilities that lie ahead for Legacy Park. I feel very privileged to be a part of it.”
Dobson is the current principal of Haig School and has been an administrator in Southeast Cornerstone for 17 years. She received her Masters in Educational Administration in 2017 and was the recipient of Canada’s Outstanding Principal award in 2014.
“The support from Haig School means more than words can say, not only during this time, but throughout my 20 years at Haig. I have been incredibly lucky to be part of such an amazing staff and school community,” she said.
In addition to the support from Haig School, Dobson has received “overwhelming support from both Souris and Queen Elizabeth already and can’t thank everyone enough, as it has been much appreciated.”
Legacy Park Elementary School will be the new home for staff and students at Haig, Souris and Queen Elizabeth this fall. “Our three schools, including the admin, staff and SCCs of each school began to collaborate and build those connections between our staff and students from the beginning of our schools coming together, and I look forward to continue to do that going forward,” said Dobson.
“Bringing these three schools together into one building will be a challenge on multiple levels, as there are many pieces to be developed, planned for and accomplished in the coming months,” added Dobson. “With the support of Southeast Cornerstone and three fantastic school communities, we will work together as a team and will accomplish the goal of creating our new LPES family.”
“First and foremost, I would celebrate the legacy of the three schools coming together and the service each of them has given to the community of Weyburn for well over a century.”
“The name Legacy Park pays tribute to the importance of that, while also opening the door to its own future and legacy, and both need to be celebrated,” said Dobson. “It also goes without saying the school facility itself should be celebrated as well. LPES is a state of the art 21st century design that lends itself to countless possibilities for best practice in education, and will continue to serve the community of Weyburn in so many ways. We have so much to be thankful for already and I can’t wait to be a part of many LPES celebrations to come.”
