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<p>Prairie Rose Public Schools (PRPS) started the School of Trades this year with Grade 10 students from four schools enrolled. In total, four students from Foremost School, four from Senator Gershaw, 30 from Eagle Butte and 11 from South Central have taken part in the new program. Part of year one is attending full-day introductory sessions in seven different trades at Medicine Hat College (MHC). For South Central students, this means catching the bus at 6:45 a.m. and not returning to Oyen until 5 p.m. or later.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>South Central High School has 11 students – 2 female and 9 male – taking part in the program with another 16 enrolled for next year. Although they have the longest commute, students feel it has been a valuable addition to their high school classes and are grateful for the chance to jumpstart their careers. &nbsp;</p><p>Aside from classes at MHC, this year is about students experiencing different job sites. A field trip Eagle Butte students participated in was at Davis GMC Buick where they experienced different aspects of the dealership, including the automotive service technician area. Additionally, the students spent time with someone from human resources who offered interview advice along with explaining different pathways a student could take in automotives.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Sherry Craven, Student Experience Designer for the School of Trades explained, “next year they choose a cluster, picking one cluster of two trades and they will get equal time, four labs, in each of the two trades. I am also including job shadowing in combination with the classes and each student should also be trying to find an apprenticeship position. They can build most of their hours between Grade 11 and 12 during their summer off. Between Grade 10 and 11, we already have a couple of students who have placements and can start earning their hours.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Alyssa Kulyk from South Central has always preferred working with her hands and finds sitting in a classroom a struggle. With many family members and friends having careers in various trades, along with growing up on a farm, Kulyk is aware of how much those working in the trades contribute.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“They are proud of me for getting into a group of people who are mostly men and not being afraid to get my opinion out there. Many of them say females pay more attention to detail,” stated Kulyk. “It’s been great to explore all the different trades, and we’ve experienced things that are helpful. In heavy duty, we pulled apart a jack for a trailer. Two weeks earlier, the jack on our trailer broke and it would have been great to have the skill then, but it’s also good to know now so I can fix it in the future.”&nbsp;</p><p>Dawn Peers, Principal of South Central, accompanies the students to the college and is excited for this first cohort of students. “I have a bunch of boys of my own who have gone through trades programs and are loving their lives and careers. These kids are on the path to do that as well,” said Peers. “We don’t have the staff to provide a large range of options; we needed something like this because we don’t have that availability. They work with the same instructors my kids had when they went through trades and it’s great to see the female students taking part. There are some female instructors (at MHC) and it’s been amazing for them to see that as well.”&nbsp;</p><p>Dexter Miller wants to focus on both types of automotive training next year. “I am going to take over my dad’s farm. If I am a heavy-duty mechanic, I can fix my own equipment. It’s been good, when we go to the college, we learn what to do in each specific trade. So far, we’ve experienced welding, electrical, heavy-duty mechanic, and pipe fitting is this Friday.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Torynn Ophein, who aims to become a welder, wanted “opportunities out of high school, it gives me a whole bunch of different trades I could do. It’s a lot more (training) than I thought we would get with everything we’ve been doing. I thought it would be more casual, but we are hands-on in the labs.”&nbsp;</p><p>There are different ways a student can approach the program to suit their goals and schedules. If they fast-track, a student can obtain their high school diploma and their year one certification in their chosen trade. “Trades are a four-year program,” explained Craven. “Students can come out with year one, making them highly employable and already gives them a bump in their wages.”&nbsp;</p><p>There is also flexibility to when a student can enter the School of Trades, it doesn’t have to be in Grade 10. “Just taking the introductory classes alone, they are learning many skills and it’s making them more employable. It is amazing what they can do in one day,” stated Craven. “To watch them at the beginning of a welding lab, students who’ve never held a welding torch before are making pieces of art by the end of one day, such as cool flowers out of bolts and bicycles with wheels that turn.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer</p>

<p>Additional information can be found in the April 8, 2025, Board Meeting Agenda package: <a href="https://www.myprps.com/news/april-8-2025-public-board-meeting-20250407174859">https://www.myprps.com/news/april-8-2025-public-board-meeting-20250407174859</a></p><p>------</p><p><strong>Ralston School Presentation</strong></p><p>Serving 60 students from JK–Grade 9, Ralston School continues to thrive through strong community ties with BATUS, Canadian Armed Forces Suffield and local families. With support from a financial BATUS contribution, the school offers diverse programming grounded in the six core PRPS educational core principles of Connect, Care, Create, Communicate, Contribute, and Challenge.</p><p>Highlights from the presentation included a celebration of school-wide events such as the Christmas Banquet, Remembrance Day Service, and the BFBS Big Salute where students collectively ran 282 miles. Creative engagement was evident through initiatives like the “Take One Picture” art project, BFBS student radio broadcasts, and a Remembrance Day shadow play. Academic enrichment is supported by targeted programs such as UFLI, Morpheme Magic, and the Peterson Handwriting method, along with math-focused collaboration with PRPS Learning Coach Cathy Hynes. These efforts have led to noticeable growth in early learning and math achievement. Additionally, students benefit from hands-on learning experiences through 3D boat races, gardening projects, and drone exploration.</p><p>Looking ahead, Ralston School aims to expand its early childhood program, launch VEX robotics, and explore a no-cost sports academy, while continuing to celebrate its strong military and local partnerships.</p><p><strong>Financial Accountability Report</strong></p><p>Prairie Rose Public Schools' financial position shows a positive adjustment midway through the fiscal year. Revenues are forecasted to come in $1.95 million higher than budgeted, largely due to increased Alberta Education funding, enrollment growth, and various grants including Dual Credit, Mental Health, and Digital Assessment. Additional revenue was also seen from increased academy participation and one-time donations. Investment income rose due to higher interest rates, while rental and service income remained steady.</p><p>On the expense side, total costs are forecasted to exceed budgeted projections by approximately $1.69 million. This is primarily due to increased staffing costs, both certificated and non-certified, as well as additional expenses linked to additional classroom support and transportation infrastructure. However, these increases are partially offset by savings in international programming and internal transportation efficiencies.</p><p>The overall projected deficit has significantly improved, decreasing from ($281,086) to ($25,785). School Generated Funds show a surplus of $177,851, contributing to a total available SGF balance of $1.49 million. Operating reserves are projected to remain stable at $2.46 million, below the maximum allowable threshold of $3.6 million.</p><p><strong>Executive Report</strong></p><ul><li>PRPS 2025 school exhibitions of learning are underway</li><li>Kaleidoscope of the Arts for 2025 is scheduled for May 28</li><li>The kickoff meeting for the new Parkside Jr High School has taken place. The planning stage is underway and the hope is to move to the design stage quickly due to the previous work that had been done around the modernization project.</li><li>Funding has been received for PRPS to have a value scoping assessment done at the two schools in Oyen to determine if modernizations or a single K-12 school would be the best option moving forward in the Town of Oyen.</li></ul><p><strong>Irvine School Field Trip to Quebec</strong></p><p>The board approved the May 2026 field trip request for Irvine School grade 8 and 9 students to tour the historical cities of Montreal, Quebec and Ottawa. During the seven day visit, students will be exposed to Canadian culture by touring the Battle of Plains of Abraham and the Parliament buildings.</p><p><strong>Locally Developed Courses</strong></p><p>The board approved the following locally developed courses for use by PRPS schools:</p><ul><li>Yoga 15</li><li>Yoga 25</li><li>Yoga 35</li><li>Fire Rescue Services 15</li></ul><p><strong>2024-2025 Communications Report</strong></p><p>Director of Communications Angela Baron delivered the 2024–2025 PRPS Communications Report, outlining key strategies for connecting with staff, students, families, and the broader community. Highlights included significant growth in school-based social media engagement—reaching nearly 3 million Facebook views since September—and the expanded use of digital tools like Canva for Education, now supporting more than 3,200 users across the division.</p><p>The addition of a dedicated Content Writer over the 2024-2025 year led to award-winning work and expanded duties such as grant writing and local media contributions. Prior to the start of the 2025-2026 school year, the division will transition online registration to PowerSchool Enrollment for improved parent accessibility and functionality, with new features like Safe Arrival absence reporting, all in one access to forms and grades, and in-portal classroom messaging.</p><p>Other communication-driven projects during the 2024-2025 year included the South Alberta Baseball Academy launch, billboard trailer promotions, new field trip and transportation request forms, and community promotional efforts such as the Redcliff and Oyen area booklets/videos.</p><p>An update was also provided on Alberta’s transition from the FOIP Act to the new Protection of Privacy Act (PPA) and Access to Information Act (AIA). These changes will require increased privacy planning, breach notifications, and extended response timelines. Consideration was given to the continued need for staffing and funding to meet communication and compliance demands.</p>

<p><br>The next Prairie Rose Public Schools board meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the PRPS Division Office in Dunmore starting at 12:45 p.m.&nbsp;</p><p>Board Meeting Agenda Package: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WeAj5ROSch6LAu-JF74NpLz0zD7mRRTi/view?usp=drive_link">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WeAj5ROSch6LAu-JF74NpLz0zD7mRRTi/view?usp=drive_link</a></p>

<p>Pam Cursons is in her second term as Trustee of Ward 3 for Prairie Rose Public Schools (PRPS). She is one of two representatives for the three schools in Redcliff, Prairie Mennonite Alternative School and Eagle Butte High School.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Having grown up in a small, rural community with a graduating class of 13, school was limited primarily to core subjects. Children of other family members who attended schools in larger centres were able to take options it was impossible to offer at Cursons’s small school. This formed the basis of wanting to become a trustee, to advocate for rural communities and students to have equal opportunity and access to some of the better options and newer programming.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>She currently intends to run for a third term so that she can see the new Parkside School built. From advocating to get Parkside School to the top of the PRPS Capital Plan, to the creation of the Redcliff Solution and then the modernization, which quickly changed to a new build, Cursons feels one of the benefits of the new school is that students get to remain in the original Parkside while construction is happening.&nbsp;</p><p>“It has been a goal for many years now and I really want to see that through for Redcliff,” stated Cursons. “I think it will be a fantastic opportunity for community members as well as the students because we hope to have the community use the facilities. It will give Redcliff another gymnasium, and this one will be full-sized.”&nbsp;</p><p>There have been many changes this past term and she feels her eyes are much wider open to how global situations, such as the pandemic, can alter life so drastically. “It was a huge learning curve and altered my perspective on what can be done. I could not grasp how moving all students to online learning was going to be managed. The executive team took that and did an amazing job with it.”&nbsp;</p><p>Going into different schools and seeing the various courses offered and how excited the students are is one of the highlights of being a trustee. There are many more options available to students at all schools since Cursons first joined the board, such as Try New Things (TNT) at I.F. Cox, that both students and parents are excited about. “Parkside has an unbelievable number of options available that weren’t there when I first became a trustee. The whole turnaround of providing kids with experiences and options so they can see what is out there and watching new program development is probably the most exciting part,” said Cursons.&nbsp;</p><p>Cursons has worked at the SPCA in Medicine Hat for the past 11 years, starting off working the front desk and moving through various positions. Currently, her primary role involves gathering statistics, scheduling and fundraising/receipting. The SPCA recently received a grant for education and has developed a course, which has been piloted in a few schools.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“Animals excite kids,” explained Cursons, “and we are basing the program on the book <i>May I Pet Your Dog?</i> We talk to kids about how to approach unknown animals and when not to approach. We are currently focusing on students in K-3 around education and public safety. We usually bring in some kittens as they are the biggest hit with the kids.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Throughout her career, Cursons has always worked with seniors, children and animals. As a huge animal lover, she feels it’s important to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves along with educating the public about animal care, particularly regarding getting pets spayed and neutered.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“When my son was in school, I was always a parent volunteer in the classroom and was on parent council. I also drove a school bus for many years. After he graduated, I felt I had experience I could bring in as a trustee that would be helpful and relatable. I think we make a difference, working on a provincial level and advocating government to promote rural education and protect public education” concluded Cursons.</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer</p>

<p>Working at Oyen Public School (OPS) is a dream come true for Kayl Davies, this year’s Edwin Parr nominee for Prairie Rose Public Schools. Davies currently lives on an acreage near Cereal with her fiancé and credits her future mother-in-law as the one to inspire her to pursue teaching as a career.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“I knew I wanted to go back to school. My mother-in-law is a retired teacher of 30 years and she always speaks so highly of education.  My fiancé was born and raised in Cereal and attended OPS. His mom also taught there, so it is full circle for her to be the inspiration and for me to now teach at the school she taught at.”&nbsp;</p><p>Davies trained as a speech language pathologist assistant and communicative disorder assistant and then worked for several years with AHS. Having always dreamed of becoming a teacher, she chose to return to post-secondary and obtained her degree in education.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Both her practicums were with Grade 5 students and, even though she was hesitant about teaching Grade 6, when the job opened, she knew it was too good an opportunity to pass on. There are 16 students in her Grade 6 class and Davies also teaches both Grades 5 and 6 social studies and phys-ed. Additionally, she teaches Grades 3 and 4 PE twice per week and also coaches mini basketball and mini volleyball.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“Everyone laughs that I am coaching sports because I’ve never made a team in my life. I am the least athletic person, so coaching and teaching PE is comical. I’m a part of student council, I have helped with bonspiels, led a few assemblies and run multiple field trips. I feel like there is always something to be doing.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Davies describes herself as a passionate person and someone who pours everything she has into whatever she does. She is grateful for her students, who tell her she is their favourite teacher. It is the highest honour that students find her classroom safe and feel they are able to make mistakes on their learning journey.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Four of her students – Kieran, Scarlett, Dior and Hadley – all talked about how kind Davies is and the time and attention she gives to each of her students. Kieren particularly likes the style of teaching Davies uses and the fun activities she plans to make the lessons more interesting.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“She has a really good personality and knows how to teach a great lesson. If you are confused, she has a really awesome way of helping you understand the lesson,” stated Scarlett, who added Davies is quirky and often uses dance moves in class to make them all laugh and lighten the mood.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Dior said Davies was kind, funny, smart and makes the lessons engaging. “She always listens and offers extra help. She'll even stay after school if you need help. She does classroom economy and spends her own money on prizes for our class, which I think is pretty awesome.”&nbsp;</p><p>“Miss. Davies includes everyone and finds different ways to make us have fun while we are learning,” added Hadley. “You feel like you can talk to her about anything. Nothing we have learned is boring. She is such an amazing teacher who knows how to do her job well. She is funny and makes you laugh whenever you are down and aren't having a good day.” &nbsp;</p><p>As a Christmas enthusiast, Davies and her fiancé are planning their wedding for December 13 this year. It’s been a busy year for her, but also a fulfilling and exciting one and she’s glad she took a risk on herself and pursued her dream of becoming a teacher.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Using cardboard, the students in the STEM option at Burdett School are building games to create a one-day nickel arcade for the entire school.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“The students like the design and building aspects of this project,” said teacher Angie Angle. “We did a project similar to this with a student teacher several years ago and the students requested to do something like it again.”&nbsp;</p><p>Students must also create a promotional poster to market their game with the goal of having the highest number of students play their game. Along with considering the safety aspects of the game they are creating; students need to build a game that will work and be played numerous times. Before the bell rang to single the beginning of class, all students were already gathered in their groups and had retrieved the game they were making to continue working on their project. While the class progressed, all were engaged in their project, approaching Angle when they had questions or needed some guidance.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Angle will be presenting at the upcoming <i>Forge Futures</i> conference at Senator Gershaw School on the topic of STEM in Space. She wants to promote the mindset that a teacher can do many things with few supplies, such as cardboard. Hanging in Angle’s classroom are two student-made models of the International Space Station (ISS) from previous projects about space.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“Space exploration is part of the Grade 9 curriculum. At the end, the class does a project about current space exploration, such as the ISS.” Other projects include researching new types of space suits for sustained location on the moon, moon dust (because there is no moisture, it shreds the astronaut’s suits and tires), the Artemis program, Starlink, and eclipses, to name a few.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“The topics are endless because space is changing so dramatically,” stated Angle. “The reason I chose space for the conference is because it is a new concept that shows up in Grade 4 while Earth is a focus in lower grades. My goal was to make it more accessible. Not STEM as a separate entity, but STEM within the daily curriculum at an elementary level and as an option in junior high. STEM can be taught by everyone, not just science teachers.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>Math teacher at Eagle Butte High School Tanelle Brost saw a lack of understanding of financial management among the student population and she, along with another teacher, wanted to create a course around that topic.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“There wasn’t anything about responsibility for money management or learning about credit cards and loans. Students needed to learn about saving, investing, borrowing money, compound interest, along with tax free savings accounts and RRSPs and the difference between the two,” explained Brost. “The driving force for creating this course was saving and investing. We had students in math who realized the content wasn’t applicable to their future and requested this type of information. Every student will need financial management understanding throughout their life.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Reaching out to experts in the field, Brost brought in a wealth advisor on savings and investing for four sessions. Other topics covered during the semester were how to borrow money responsibly, interest rates on credit cards compared to other types of loans and credit scores. The first six weeks were dedicated to personal finance before the class moved onto learning about starting up a business, including an overview of balance sheets, income statements, and statements of owner’s equity.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>From student feedback, they appreciated the personal finance side of the course the most, although many expressed gratitude for learning how to set up a spreadsheet and learning how to use formulas. Brost hopes that those attending her session at the conference will be able to take her slides as a starting point and then make them their own.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Heather Laturnas is a counsellor at Eagle Butte who also teaches a computer class each year. Her session at the conference is about connecting students with authentic audiences.&nbsp;</p><p>“I believe making real life experiences for students who create something where they know there will be a real audience reviewing their work. It ups the engagement and encourages students to create a better finished product,” said Laturnas.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Audiences can be classmates, parents, community members or other schools. “There are lots of ways teachers can connect students with an authentic audience, it’s about finding one that will help increase engagement,” continued Laturnas. Completed projects include working with seniors in a care home to publish a book with them that included a story from each student/senior pairing. In other classes, they have connected with an elementary school class and written letters to them, such as during the recent postal strike where the high school students were answering letters to the North Pole.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Laturnas hopes to encourage those who attend her session to think about how teachers can create an authentic audience for their students, taking projects they are already working on to the next level. “Rather than it only being the teacher seeing the finished product with the students doing the work to get a grade, check off a box or get a credit, how do we make the learning bigger so students can see how their work brings value to others?”&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Complete award details and links to the online nomination form can be found via the link below.&nbsp;</p><p>2025 Trustee Awards of Recognition Criteria: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TmHl007KfoQOoghtP7nP34u27uT2cCWF/view?usp=drive_link">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TmHl007KfoQOoghtP7nP34u27uT2cCWF/view?usp=drive_link</a></p></td></tr></tbody></table></figure><p>For the third year in a row, PRPS trustees will recognize junior high and high school students who contribute to a culture of excellence in their schools. The 2025 Trustee Awards are about community spirit and are for students who go the extra mile.&nbsp;</p><p>Trustees are also looking for nominations for the Community Champion for Education. Any member of the public can submit a nomination for this award which recognizes an individual or organization that goes above to provide exceptional learning experiences and opportunities for students. &nbsp;</p><p>Award nominations will be accepted until May 31, 2025.</p>

<p>Additional information can be found in the March 11, 2025, Board Meeting Agenda package: <a href="https://www.myprps.com/news/march-11-2025-public-board-meeting-20250310153443">https://www.myprps.com/news/march-11-2025-public-board-meeting-20250310153443</a></p><p><strong>Jenner School Report</strong></p><p>In a presentation to the PRPS Board, Principal Kirby Stensrud shared how Jenner School remains dedicated to providing a high-quality, student-centered learning environment fostering academic success and personal growth.&nbsp;</p><p>With a strong focus on literacy and numeracy, the school has implemented new K-9 Science of Reading resources and a K-6 Math curriculum designed to meet the unique challenges of multi-graded classrooms. Experiential learning remains a priority, with students engaging in hands-on opportunities such as a trip to the Edmonton Legislature and through a wide range of junior high options, including culinary arts, welding, and physiotherapy. Additionally, the school continues to prioritize student well-being through initiatives like the Buddy Program, Kindness Week, and expanded physical activity opportunities. An outdoor wellness court will be added to the school, made possible through a Community Facility Enhancement Program Grant and the Jenner Parent Council.&nbsp;</p><p>Academically, the school also continues to see high levels of achievement. Recent assurance data highlights a 92.6% approval rating for a welcoming and safe learning environment, with 100% parental satisfaction in decision-making and strong indicators of student success beyond graduation. Looking ahead, the school is planning to expand its programming options and seek further opportunities to innovate and enhance student learning. The full presentation can be found in the March 11, 2025, Board Meeting Agenda package.</p><p><strong>Technology Accountability Report</strong></p><p>The 2025 Technology Accountability Report, presented by Wayne Rossler, Manager of Technology, outlines the current state of technology within Prairie Rose Public Schools (PRPS) and future initiatives.&nbsp;</p><p>Key highlights include the completion of teacher workstation upgrades to Windows 11 and the ongoing transition of all remaining devices by October 2025 due to Windows 10 end-of-life support. Student computer availability remains limited, with a one-to-one Chromebook ratio for grades 4-12, supported by an annual replacement plan. The division has also migrated iPads to Microsoft Intune, resulting in a cost-saving of approximately $10,000 per year. Network infrastructure remains a priority, with plans to upgrade wireless access points, network switches, and firewalls over the next three years to maintain security and efficiency. Additionally, security measures are being reviewed, with potential enhancements to student login systems for the 2025-2026 school year.</p><p>The 2024-2025 budget of just over $1 million will primarily support student Chromebooks and computers. Looking ahead, key projects include expanding ViewSonic Interactive Displays, improving security camera coverage, and enhancing the secure testing environment. The transition to a cloud-based network system using Fortinet solutions will streamline operations and reduce reliance on on-site servers. Governance considerations highlight the need for continued investment in both hardware and instructional support, emphasizing the critical role of reliable internet connectivity for the increasing reliance on cloud-based applications and Chromebooks in the classroom. The full report can be found in the March 11, 2025, Board Meeting Agenda package.</p><p><strong>2026-2029 PRPS Capital Plan</strong></p><p>The PRPS Board of Trustees approved the 2026-2029 Capital Plan as presented. The plan outlines the school division’s priorities for facility development, modernization and maintenance, and ensures schools have the necessary infrastructure to support student learning.</p><p>Based on PRPS priorities, the updated capital plan includes the following four school priority projects:</p><ol><li>Parkside Jr High School - replacement school project (currently in the design phase)</li><li>Oyen schools - a value scoping request to evaluate the possibility of combining both Oyen Public School and South Central High School into a K-12 facility.</li><li>Burdett School - replacement school project</li><li>Eagle Butte High School - school expansion project to accommodate increased enrollment and programming.</li></ol><p>All trustees voted in favour of the plan, with the exception of Bow Island/Burdett area trustee Patty Rooks who advocated for the Burdett replacement project to be moved up to the second priority of the plan. It was noted that Alberta Infrastructure has the ability to approve projects based on available funding and need, outside of a school board’s priority list.</p><p><strong>Executive Report</strong></p><ul><li>PRPS school leaders recently hosted Horizon School Division as a wrap up of the joint mental health in school program.</li><li>PRPS will be launching a pilot project using vertical mapping with a focus on high school math. The project will look for concepts that connect across the grade levels. Outcomes will then be examined to see if there is evidence that a student achieved the outcome and where learning mastery exists.</li></ul><p><strong>Parkside Replacement School Update</strong></p><p>PRPS has received official confirmation to begin the design phase for the new school project. Extensive engagement work has already been completed to understand community needs, ensuring the design reflects local priorities. There are strong examples of recently built schools in Alberta that can serve as a starting point, allowing the design phase to progress efficiently.</p><p>The Town of Redcliff and PRPS have completed a site readiness checklist, identifying a 19-acre location behind the old IXL site off 9th Avenue. Approximately 12-14 acres will be designated for the school, providing ample space for future expansion. The project is now moving into the site assessment and geotechnical work phase, with the Town working to extend utilities to the location. A formal kickoff with Alberta Infrastructure is expected in the coming weeks. As part of the planning process, a wish list has been developed, including a larger gymnasium, enhanced Career and Technology Foundations (CTF) spaces with a commercial kitchen, improved field spaces with gopher-proofing, and dedicated areas for baseball and fine arts.</p><p><strong>Calendar Approval</strong></p><p>The board approved the 2025-2026 school year calendar as presented. The calendar is similar to the current school year and includes a start date after the Labour Day long weekend, 14 staff days and 183 instructional days. Both the detailed calendar and digital version can be found online:&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0BwxYarNhDkXYQW1fRzBvWGtkS2s?resourcekey=0-itmrtR2_cDj83_ozd6y19w&amp;usp=drive_link">PRPS 2025-2026 School Year Calendar</a></p><p><strong>Returning Officer</strong></p><p>The board approved naming Chief Financial Officer Ryan Boser as the Returning Officer and Finance Controller Candice Hintz as Substitute Returning Officer for the upcoming fall municipal election. Forms and information for those wishing to run for school board trustee are available on the PRPS website:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.myprps.com/school-board-elections">2025 PRPS Trustee Election Information</a></p><p><strong>Other Items:</strong></p><ul><li>Trustee Patty Rooks commended Schuler School staff and students for their welcoming environment. During a recent visit, she was impressed by how the school goes above and beyond to make visitors feel welcome and appreciated.</li><li>ASBA - The next meeting will be held on March 19, 2025</li><li>PSBA - The next session will be April 10-12. Director of Communications Angela Baron has been invited to present on the topic of “Sharenting”.</li><li>Rural Caucus - Board Chair Lois Bedwell recently attended the annual Rural Education Symposium. Topics of discussion included classroom complexity, transportation, and relationships with community and families. The Minister of Education was also in attendance.</li></ul>

<p>At the March 11, 2025, public board meeting the PRPS Board of Trustees approved the 2025-2026 school year calendar.</p><p>Simplified phone friendly version (screenshot to your phone photos for quick access): <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nBy40HHvl9uUwi1f3LRkGS_RGMMXQRLb/view?usp=drive_link">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nBy40HHvl9uUwi1f3LRkGS_RGMMXQRLb/view?usp=drive_link</a></p><p>PDF simplified version: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/11-DIpYcJpGGGRo4aMO7a1byalvUAjLs7/view?usp=drive_link">https://drive.google.com/file/d/11-DIpYcJpGGGRo4aMO7a1byalvUAjLs7/view?usp=drive_link</a></p><p>Full detailed version: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sCI1HUvZPKgygAXD4tCbbw38VOm3jja6/view?usp=drive_link">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sCI1HUvZPKgygAXD4tCbbw38VOm3jja6/view?usp=drive_link</a></p>

<p>Kelli-Ann Nixdorf, Instructional Lead with Prairie Rose Public Schools (PRPS), is a CTS (career and technology studies) teacher by trade and knows how much CTS and CTF (careers and technology foundation) teachers want professional development (PD). CTS courses are for Grades 10 – 12 students while CTF is for Grades 7 – 9.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Currently, official supplemental programming curriculum for K-6 doesn’t exist. “Yet, we know our community, our parents and our students yearn for extra programming that is outside of curriculum,” stated Nixdorf, “such as digital skills, even career exploration in that age group. Even courses that aren’t in the art curriculum but could be considered art, such as diamond painting, which is part of the TNT (try new things) program at I.F. Cox School.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The conference is being held on March 21, 2025, at Senator Gershaw School in Bow Island and will be a full day of PD dedicated to empowering educators with hands-on learning, career insights and innovative teaching strategies in the world of CTF, CTS and elementary supplementary programming.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The day will comprise of three 75-minute session blocks and some of the key areas of interest include agriculture, STEM, and coding. “The conference aims to create learning for authentic audiences, skills exploration, digital literacy, AI, trades, construction, foods, fashion and financial management. In each block there are about nine different sessions happening,” said Nixdorf.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Presenters are from within PRPS along with industry experts – such as Sheldon Hill, who is a master beekeeper and Paul Bohnert, CTEC Council President with the ATA – as well as representatives from post-secondary institutions – Medicine Hat College Skills, Lethbridge Polytechnique, University of Lethbridge – and two representatives from CAREERS Next Generation, an organization dedicated to guiding youth into successful career paths.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>All educators within Alberta are invited to attend the conference and the registration form can be found online at <a href="http://bit.ly/forgefutures25">bit.ly/forgefutures25</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>Registration is $75 for a full day of learning. The day begins at 8:45 a.m. with the first session at 9:30 a.m. and the final session ends at 2:30 p.m. Registration includes a continental breakfast as well as lunch.</p>

<p>Connie Volk and her husband chose to retire to Medicine Hat because their daughter and son-in-law live here along with two grandchildren. Volk enjoys being actively involved in the lives of her grandchildren and participating in school activities. “I get to do these things now that I’m here and I love it. It’s fun to go on field trips when you aren’t in charge,” she said.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>In 2017, Volk retired from 30 years of teaching and has subbed since then. She enjoys being in different classrooms and meeting kids of all ages. Having taught primarily in rural schools, Volk is used to multi-grade classrooms and says it’s a treat to be with a single grade. Eagle Butte holds a particular fondness for Volk as it is the first school she subbed at in the Medicine Hat region. “I enjoy all the schools and all the kids, it’s what I like most about subbing. I love being around kids,” stated Volk. “When you are around kids, your whole focus is on them. They don’t give you time to drift off and think of anything else. They are all so unique.”&nbsp;</p><p>Even when not with the same students each day, Volk still gets to experience those moments when one understands a concept they’ve been struggling with. “It’s hard for teachers when they have lots of students in their class, they can’t get around to help everyone,” said Volk. “I love being at Margaret Wooding, because sometimes they have me go to different classrooms and I get to experience the entire school.”&nbsp;</p><p>Daniel Tieman received his education degree later in life. His first love is music and upon graduating from high school he attended post-secondary to pursue a music degree. Several years later, he returned to post-secondary to become a teacher. After working in schools around Alberta and spending a year in Prince Edward Island, Tieman chose to become a full-time substitute teacher in the Medicine Hat region. He has subbed in many Prairie Rose Public Schools over the years and now has the luxury of choosing when to sub.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“At this point in my career and life, I do some consulting, some writing, along with music, working with bands, choirs and orchestras. I’m still composing, although haven’t published anything. I also do some instrument repair,” stated Tieman. “I’m not called for many music classes, which is unfortunate because I love that. One day I can get called for ECS and the next I can get called for Grade 12 physics, which is crazy because I was not a math guy going through school but once I got out and into the classroom, it suddenly clicked.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Tieman appreciates the different strategies available for approaching different learning concepts. Additionally, there are many online resources to support a teacher in the classroom. “As an educator myself, I don’t worry so much about the answer at the end. What I want to look at is how they got there, their thought process. Once we look at the thought process, this is how they are thinking, let's work through that and find the answer.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>He's learnt through his career as a musician that making mistakes sometimes brings the brightest learning opportunities. From his own experiences as a student, he excelled under those teachers, instructors and coaches who were willing to experiment, to take his mistakes and work with them.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“It’s absolutely freeing. I’m not so tense or frozen. Many times, I wanted to quit because of being too anxious or afraid to go to the lessons. I’d rather be excited to show my instructor what I’ve worked on this week. This is what I’m doing, this is where I’m going. It allows for more expressive creativity and enjoyment of learning. Learning more from having the freedom to make an error and to be able to show it then go back and look at different outputs and avenues.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>The next Prairie Rose Public Schools board meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at the PRPS Division Office in Dunmore starting at 12:45 p.m.&nbsp;</p><p>Board Meeting Agenda Package: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tYdJuH1Zu24vxKhE9EBLW6bBdsNHLEkF/view?usp=drive_link">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tYdJuH1Zu24vxKhE9EBLW6bBdsNHLEkF/view?usp=drive_link</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last week, eligible PRPS families received an email along with a unique code through School Messenger with information on how to complete the annual Alberta Education Assurance Survey. The survey is designed to gather feedback from parents to assess the quality of education in their school and will take less than 5 mins to complete. Please check your email if you have not yet completed the form. All submissions must be completed by March 21, 2025.</p>

<p>Home education and online learning offer unique challenges and Corey Steeves, Principal of the Home Plus Learning Network, part of Prairie Rose Public Schools (PRPS), is always looking for ways to enhance the learning experience of students. Starting this term, Steeves has introduced a new virtual program called <i>Passions to Pathways</i> where individuals in the community are invited to speak for 30 minutes about their career and the path that led them there.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“Regular schools have lots of really cool programs and theme days and we are trying to figure out how can we make these experiences for students who are engaged in home ed learning or online schooling,” stated Steeves. “I was reading about a school in New Hampshire that is an online school who are doing something similar. We are trying to expose students to different career paths. That’s why I came up with the name Passions to Pathways, which links into what PRPS is doing division wide with Forging Futures.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Steeves has a list of every possible job he could think of and is attempting to find interested parties from each to give a presentation. So far, MP Glen Motz, psychologist Vanessa Steeves and Sgt. Adam Gregory of the Medicine Hat Police Service have given talks about their careers.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>All speakers have been virtual, but there are plans to have hybrid-sessions, where the speaker comes into the South Alberta Collegiate building and students have the option of watching the presentation virtually or coming to the building for an in-person experience. Additionally, there are also plans to record the presentations for those unable to watch it live. As the Home Plus Learning Network ranges from Oyen right down to Foremost, it’s essential to provide multiple options for all students so that no one misses out on available learning opportunities.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Another idea Steeves has is to reach out to principals within PRPS to let them know of upcoming speakers, so the option is available for classrooms to login during the presentation. This is a project Steeves is passionate about, and his plan is to continue growing the audience numbers.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“At the end of the day we want students to get exposure to different careers,” said Steeves. “We want to highlight the path itself. We want to show students that when you look at the job or career a person has, what is unknown is the work and all the trial and error it took to get there. I know before I got into teaching, I worked at a bank for two years and then I realized I didn’t want to do that.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>The payroll department within Prairie Rose Public Schools (PRPS) has seen some changes this year, with two new employees taking over this important department. In September, Carla McNally and Amber Kitching both joined division office to fill vacant positions and are responsible for paying all staff.&nbsp;</p><p>Having worked under various government contracts and trained to be a paramedic, Carla McNally was looking for a job with regular hours after the birth of her first child. When she was ready to return to work, she used an employment service, who placed her in an accounting department. “Payroll chose me, but I found I really enjoyed it because I like making numbers work,” explained McNally.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>McNally took over Marlene Joyal’s position and started work at the end of September last year. “It was gracious Marlene stayed on until November 1 because it is a big learning curve.” McNally moved from her previous job because she was looking for more of a challenge and a place that would support her educational goals, such as achieving her Payroll Compliance Professional (PCP) designation along with taking other courses related to payroll.&nbsp;</p><p>The transition into PRPS has been smooth for McNally. “Everyone is so helpful. I feel like I’m on a team and we work well together. Everyone is encouraging and I love working here.” Responsible for ensuring all teachers and substitute teachers get paid, McNally says her goal is to make the job look easy and to remember it’s important to celebrate small wins.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Originally, Amber Kitching thought she’d have a career as a chef, but after a life-changing gap year, where she travelled the world as part of the international performing group <i>Up with People</i>, she completed a degree in human resources. She learned bookkeeping while she was General Manager of the Garage Pub and was able to take on bookkeeping contracts so she could work from home after having children. Early last year, after she and her husband bought a chartered bus company, now called Coulee Coachlines, Kitching decided it was time to find a fulltime job that expanded her skillset.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Kitching also started with PRPS in September, taking over Sheri Smith’s previous position, and says the transition has been better than expected. “I was anxious about returning to a Monday to Friday fulltime job because I had so much freedom with the bookkeeping contracts. However, I love this. It has been an amazing transition for me. The daily routine is just what I needed.”&nbsp;</p><p>Her job feels like an extension of bookkeeping. “Everyone here is so chill and nobody micromanages me. If I have questions, they are available.” In many respects, her role feels much like when she was self-employed, but now she has her own office along with other staff to interact with. Kitching is responsible for ensuring all support staff are paid, educational assistants, administrative assistants, custodians, librarians, bus drivers and all employees who work out of division office.&nbsp;</p><p>“The job is very detail oriented. Everything is fixable, but I don’t want to get to the point where I have to fix it. I want to ensure it is right the first time,” explained Kitching. One aspect that isn’t widely understood is the multiple steps involved before she can pay someone. “If something wasn’t approved by the right person, I can’t pay them, nor can I fix it. I often get calls, but because I’m the end of the line, I don’t always know how to correct the problem before I receive the necessary paperwork.”&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>For Family Literacy Day on January 27, Michelle Willms, librarian at Burdett School, organized a book tasting for Grade 8 and 9 students. This is Willms second year as librarian and she got the idea from a Facebook group.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“I’ve never worked in a school or classroom and needed some help. There are lots of great librarian groups and they had so many good ideas,” explained Willms. “I also use Teachers Pay Teachers and they have lots of great ideas of what to do in classrooms and libraries and so I went on there and found some fun decorations and ideas.”&nbsp;</p><p>This year the library was outfitted with a couch and several beanbag chairs, making the space comfortable so students can read there. Principal Scott Raible likes the excitement created around reading at the school.&nbsp;</p><p>“Students try different novels they might not normally read from various genres and Michelle puts the jazz music on. Even the students who might not normally pay attention fall under the spell of the atmosphere,” stated Raible. “It’s great to see that and have students access hard copies again because unfortunately that medium is being replaced with screentime and digital content. It’s nice, as a book lover myself, to see students in the books.”&nbsp;</p><p>Grade 9 student Trudy Neufeld likes, “to experience new books and genres because I normally only like mystery books. This time, I got to read comedy, heartbreak and fantasy.” Neufeld enjoys mysteries because she likes to guess what is going to happen at the end. A diligent student, she spends most of her spare moments while at school getting her work done and is often given extra work, which she prefers to complete before engaging in more leisurely activities.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Poancho Friesen, also in Grade 9, said, “the thing I like most about the book tasting is reading different books. I normally read sports and survival story books because I never know what will happen next.” He also plays sports and is on the Burdett School basketball teams, saying he’s scored enough baskets to get by this year. Friesen has discovered books about other people are interesting because he gets to see how their lives are different than his.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Willms held book tastings last year for most of the grades in the school and this session was her second one with the Grade 8/9 students. “Last year I ran book tastings separately for Grade 8 and 9, so it was a smaller group. This year, I have them both at the same time for library and they knew what was going to happen. Lots of them really like to read, which is amazing for that age group.”&nbsp;</p><p>Adding to the fun and relaxed atmosphere, the students were treated to a cup of hot chocolate and a few cookies once the book tasting was done. Afterward, many students followed Willms back to the library so they could check out books they had tasted and wanted to continue reading.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Something new Willms started this year is a monthly book challenge where she selects three books for each division, Grades 1-3, 4-6 and 7-9, and those participating read one of them to be entered into a prize draw. About 30 students participate in the challenge and Willms expects about 20 or more of them will receive a gift card from Principal Raible for taking part every month this school year.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“I have a slip, like a tiny report, they fill out when the book is returned,’ explained Willms. “I keep a record on my computer and at the end of each month, I do a draw for each division for a prize, which is usually a book. It’s lots to keep track of, but they know the drill now and we are in the rhythm so it’s going well.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Each grade has a library class each week where Willms will read a book or two for classes with younger students and a couple chapters, currently from Wild Robot, for the older ones. Afterward, the students have a chance to browse the library, check out books or have some quiet reading time. Occasionally, Willms will organize an activity, such as a book scavenger hunt or book bingo.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“Scott (Raible) is enthusiastic about the library and I appreciate that because sometimes librarians get a bit overlooked,” concluded Willms. “The kids in this school love to read and coming to library.”&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>