BOYLE – If you’ve attended Boyle School as a student, worked there as a teacher, janitor, or in any other capacity over the last 60 years, you’ve almost certainly met Mrs. Alice Wlos.
Those were the words used by current Boyle School assistant principal Caitlynn Hrynyk in a statement honouring Wlos, who was awarded the Friends of Education award for her 60-plus years of service to the school and the surrounding community.
“Wlos has committed her entire life to the improvement of the education of the students within Aspen View Public Schools (AVPS),” said school council treasure Stephanie Splane. “Her long history of contributions to education within the schools of AVPS and within in the entire community of Boyle show she is very deserving of the Friends of Education Award.”
Wlos retired in 2001 after teaching for 36 years — while she spent most of her career at Boyle, stops at Richmond Park, Ellscott and Newbrook meant she left an impression on many surrounding communities as well.
After her retirement, Wlos has continued to serve as a substitute within the division, working in Athabasca, Grassland, and of course, Boyle, where she has also been an active volunteer.
“Any event that happens in Boyle, you will find Alice contributing in some way,” said Splane. “She’s truly a pillar of our community.”
Outside of her role as a substitute teacher, Wlos also shares her musical knowledge, as well as her Ukrainian heritage with students each year. Through a collection of traditional attire, artifacts and cultural displays, Grade 2 and 3 students learn about how Ukrainian immigrants were important to the foundation of Boyle, and it isn’t uncommon for students to feel more connected to their own Ukrainian heritage afterwards.
Wlos isn’t a slouch in the musical department either — she volunteers her time with the school’s music teachers, most notably teaching students how to play the recorder. In commemoration of those lessons, Wlos’s award presentation featured Boyle’s Grade 4 class on the recorder while the rest of the school sang Canada in My Pocket.
Wlos’s love for history hasn’t stopped at her Ukrainian heritage; she’s been a driving force behind the Homestead School Sign project, which marks the locations of former school sites within Athabasca County. As of press time, more than 80 sites have been marked out, with the signs including a picture of each school and its years of operations.
“(Wlos) has a passion for recording and preserving the heritage and history of our community and sharing that with the staff and students of our school,” said Grade 1 teacher Deidre Keller. “She brings many pictures and props, along with songs and music, to present to classes the history of Boyle.
“It’s always interactive and children are allowed to see and use items, like old butter churns or a washboard.”
Wlos was presented with her award by Candy Nikipelo, AVPS’s board chair, Boyle’s school trustee, and perhaps most importantly, a former student.
“This is a full-circle moment for me,” said Nikipelo during the presentation. “Many years ago, Mrs. Wlos was my own Grade 5 teacher and now here I am about 46 years later, and I’m speaking to you as your local school trustee.”
Wlos shared her love of education and the school environment with the staff and students as she accepted the plaque and accompany flowers, noting her ever-lasting desire to teach.
“I’m truly honoured about you considering me for this award,” she said. “I thought it was sort of silly because I still want to come back and teach."
“'Why are you still going to school?’ It’s because I love all the kids and all the staff.”
