Media Releases

Thursday, May 21, 2009

SCHOOL BOARD ANNOUNCES NAMES OF THREE NEW SCHOOLS

Esther Starkman School - Terwillegar, 2717 Terwillegar Way NW Click here to visit the school website.

Esther Starkman is an esteemed community member and the driving force behind the creation of READ IN Week. This city-wide annual event, held the first week of October, is celebrating its twentieth anniversary this year with Esther acting as its Honourary Chair. READ IN Week's purpose is to cultivate a greater awareness of the importance of reading and promote school as an important place for the development of lifelong literacy.

Esther is also a former Edmonton Public Schools Trustee, serving on the Board from 1989 to 1995. She also made great contributions to the community as a member of the Citadel Theatre's Board of Directors. In the 1990s, the Minister of National Defence appointed Esther to serve as the sponsor for HMCS Edmonton, one of Canada's Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels. This honourary position in naval tradition is always bestowed upon a prominent female in the namesake city and is a lifetime designation. In addition, she is a recipient of the Alberta Centennial Medal - an honour bestowed upon those who have made a notable contribution to fellow citizens, the community and the province. Esther's lifelong association with education and community service is clearly evident, as is the significant impact she has made on our city.