<p>The two embroidery machines in the classroom at Eagle Butte High School where The Butte operates out of were bought by teacher Sean Longmore from Customs Print &amp; Stitch, where he worked while he was in high school. Longmore was always interested in business and, with no official business training, has learnt by trial and error.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“I always wanted to be a teacher, my uncle was a teacher, and I loved the way people respected him. People really admired him and what he’d done, and I thought that was awesome,” stated Longmore.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Longmore completed his education degree in Saskatoon, although he and his two brothers had already taken over the Labels store on 3 Street SE and created the Boys on Third brand. He worked at Medicine Hat Public School Division for the first seven years and moved over to Eagle Butte this past January.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“It’s kind of crazy because this is exactly how I stared Boys on Third, doing something exactly like this, printing and pressing t-shirts. I love business, I love the business side of things, I love being able to create,” explained Longmore. “It’s not like teaching, it's better. I get to share all my experiences and I think if I would have had something like this in high school, I can only imagine where I would be. All the mistakes I’ve run into or had to overcome, I can hand them on a plate to the students and say these are the things you need to look for or change.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Of the 15 presenters Longmore brought in this semester, only one of them had a formal business background. All were successful, local business owners and Longmore feels hearing them speak gives students’ awareness that having an official piece of paper isn’t required to start a business. “From what I saw it’s those people who are willing to take the risk and think outside the box, they are the ones who get rewarded for it. Why not teach students to think critically and solve problems in a way that could benefit them,” said Longmore.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Recently graduated Samantha Lentz enrolled in the course this January as a 20-level student, having taken the option in her Grade 10 year as well. “I’ve learned lots this year. We got to create our own websites, which was really helpful because as a 20-level student in this class, I got to do something I wanted to do,” explained Lentz.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The website was her own project and, although working within a few guidelines, she was able to select the topic and had free reign to design the website how she wanted. Lentz has a small sheep flock of Canadian Arcotts, which “started with my 4-H background when I went out and bought my first couple of sheep,” said Lentz. “I really wanted to create my own herd in 2021, so I went out and bought six ewes and a ram and that’s when everything started.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The website is already live, although updates still need to be made, and Lentz plans to continue with her business. Her post-secondary plans are to attend the University of Lethbridge in September for their nursing prep program and apply for the Bachelor of Nursing degree next year.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“My biggest learning in this class was team building and leadership skills. We did lots of morning bell works, which consisted of connections and strands, that all involved team building and working with others within the class to try and solve problems,” stated Lentz.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Educational Assistant Neil Braun, who has been working at Eagle Butte for the past three years, has training as a graphic designer and works exclusively with the School of Business students. “I get to design and make art; I really feel like I come to work and hang out. I help students be creative and with their design work. A student can have all these cool ideas, but if they don’t know how to apply it, then that’s what I’m here for, to help them finalize it.”&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kristine Vizza teaches Grade 3 and is also the teacher for the Southern Alberta School of Softball at Seven Persons School within Prairie Rose Public Schools (PRPS). There are 15 students between Grades 4 to 7 in the academy, some with experience and others just starting out. The founding principles of the academy are teamwork, leadership and the spirit of sportsmanship, which Vizza hopes the students carry forward in all areas of their lives. Within the classroom portion, which will be expanded next year, students learned the basics of softball, setting goals, nutrition and player development.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“Currently, we are only in Seven Persons School and hope to expand the program further into PRPS. Softball is one of the fastest growing sports in Canada for girls, particularly in the age range of students that we see within our building,” explained Vizza.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The academy runs on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and has the option of training in Redcliff or using the Seven Persons Community Hall for practice when the weather doesn’t permit them to be outside. “We are very lucky to have other spaces we can utilize for the kids to practice,” said Vizza. “We’ve been working lots with the rain and making do and are excited about the new South Alberta Collegiate facility we’ll be able to use.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Coach Kassidy Hart attends college in Douglas Lake, North Dakota where she received a half-ride scholarship to play softball. “It’s an opportunity to get my education and play softball and I am studying business and marketing,” stated Hart.&nbsp;</p><p>Hart attended Seven Persons for Grades K-9, so coaching there feels like coming back to her childhood. She was late to softball and has only been playing for about five years, although wishes she’d started sooner.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“These girls have lots of potential and I’m excited to see how they turn out in the future, whether they continue with softball or just do it for fun,” said Hart. “I see a lot in these girls and feel they could go far, even at such a young age.”&nbsp;</p><p>Coach Mia Kelly has been playing softball since she was young and coaches with the Medicine Hat Minor Softball Association. She is currently taking her education degree at Medicine Hat College and has completed two French immersion practicums at Ecole Connaught.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“I chose education because I like helping out kids who are lost and don’t know where they belong, to give them some confidence that I never got when I was younger. I like being the support and person my players can go to whenever they need to talk with someone,” explained Kelly. “At the beginning they knew nothing about softball or what to expect. How to catch, throw, use their bodies, move their feet or swing a bat and it’s been really cool watching them progress and grow as players and individuals.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Grade 5 student Charley wanted to join the academy because she thought it would be fun and a good experience. She’s been using this year to try out lots of different sports to find the ones she likes best.&nbsp; In softball, Charley prefers to pitch and has already hit a home run this year. “It’s really fun and you get to show your personality and get yourself out there and make new friends,” said Charley.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Harper is in Grade 4 and has played softball before but said her skills have improved significantly since she started with the academy. “Softball is really fun, especially with these coaches because they will help you through things you don’t really understand. They are really nice and can help you if you are stuck. They can do things that you can’t do to show you what you can do,” stated Harper. “I’ve never gotten a home run, but I’ve hit one that is pretty far. I made it to first base.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>Burdett School kicked off their new softball program in May with a school-wide softball game where three cross-graded teams played against each other. “Everybody had a partner and when they played a game, the older kids weren’t the one catching or hitting the ball, they had a little person they assisted,” explained Vice Principal Amber Pinchin.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>For six weeks this spring, each Friday afternoon has been dedicated to softball with the school split into three divisions by grade. Two softball sessions occur each Friday, with two divisions getting to participate each week.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>“For every kid in the school, I sent home a survey/sign-up sheet and gave them an option to either play, which was our preference, but for those who were not interested I set up a score keeping session. My husband, Chris, is a certified umpire in the States and he’s volunteering to come out and we have some kids learning to be umpires,” said Pinchin.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>Helping each Friday is Diedrich Knelsen, a parent who has three children attending Burdett School. Involved with the local Mennonite league, which has lots of youth on the teams, he thought it was a good idea to bring softball to the school.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“I started in Grassy Lake, and I posted I was playing with kids. I saw so many kids coming who liked the game, so we decided to start it in school too. Our oldest boy plays in that league along with others in the school,” said Knelsen. “It’s going well at the school. It’s a little harder to organize with so many kids compared to just 12 or 13. It seems like everybody likes it and they are having fun. At first, I wasn’t sure how we were going to do it, but the plan in place makes it easier when you have 30 or 40 kids around and you want to keep everybody busy.”&nbsp;</p><p>The hour the students have for baseball is split into 15-minute rotations with all participating in warmup, stretches and some throwing practice for the initial 15-minutes. “For the next 15 minutes, two teams play against each other, and the third team is working on a skill. Richard Pomreinke (teacher at the school) is often the one who runs the skill station because softball is one of his personal passions.&nbsp; Mr. Knelsen is in charge of running the game and other teachers are outside as assisting supervisors and actively involved,” stated Pinchin.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>After 15 minutes, one of the groups rotate to skills, which means each group gets to play for 30 minutes. At the end of the hour, the division on the field goes back to class and the other division scheduled for that Friday comes outside. “We’ve tried to coordinate it so that our junior high students, as they get into finals and Grade 9 farewell, they will be having their weeks off baseball,” said Pinchin. “We’ve made a point of not scheduling field trips and other events on Fridays as well.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Abram Hamm is in Grade 7 and batting is his favourite part because he gets to hit the ball and run. Baseball has made Fridays a day to look forward to and each week Abram hopes the weather will cooperate. When asked what it’s like playing softball, Abram said the game makes him feel alive.&nbsp;</p><p>Grade 7 student Isaak Neufeld also said batting was the best part of the game because when he gets a far hit, which he’s managed a few times this season, it makes him feel successful.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Carrying on with the theme, Grade 4 student Herman Knelsen also likes batting the most. “I get to hit it hard, and it’s gone almost to the green and I went straight to first base. My friend hit it and I went to third base then someone else hit it and I made it home. It makes me feel happy and I’m a fast runner. I wanted to play all of them – umpire, scorekeeping and playing – because they are all fun.”&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>Lois Bedwell, Board Chair for Prairie Rose Public Schools (PRPS), is in her second and final term as a trustee. She worked as a librarian at South Central High School for 17 years and wanted something to do after retiring. There were two open positions for trustees at that time, so she was able to join the board immediately.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“Meeting the people and working with the staff at division office, they are an awesome group,” are what Bedwell enjoys most about being a trustee. “It’s an outfit that you want to be associated with because they do such a good job. I have grandkids in school here now and I’ve always had an interest in education and lifelong learning. It also keeps me up to date, if you don’t stay current you get left behind with technology.”&nbsp;</p><p>Bedwell grew up in Oyen and attended Oyen Public School, where two of her seven grandchildren now attend school, for her elementary years. Apart from a couple of years in Calgary and just over a decade in Nanaimo, Bedwell has lived in Oyen her whole life.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Over the past eight years, there have been numerous changes within PRPS, many which have been positive. “We were going down in attendance and now we are going back up. Our enrollment is increasing mainly because of the academies and it’s making kids glad to be back in school and wanting to be in school, especially after COVID.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The pandemic altered how board meetings were held, which carried over after it ended. Now, every second meeting is usually virtual along with most of the shorter ones, which Bedwell said is an improvement over a conference call or having to drive the two hours from Oyen to Dunmore each time.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>While being a trustee doesn’t feel like work to Bedwell, it keeps her busy. There are five public schools – Oyen Public School, South Central High School, Warren Peers School, New Brigden School and Jenner School – along with four colony schools in her area. She tries to attend all parent council meetings along with events – graduations, Christmas, Exhibitions of Learning, etc. – at each of the schools.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Heading into her seventh decade, Bedwell feels the time is right for her to step down. "My one regret is I wish I had become a public-school trustee earlier; it has been incredibly rewarding. Trusteeship meant to me being partners with parents in ensuring that children, our greatest natural resource, are provided with the best possible educational opportunities to become the future citizens the community wishes them to be."&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>Solidifying the Prairie Rose Public Schools (PRPS) strategic plan with intentional practice has been one of the primary goals for the executive team this year. Last year was about implementation and refining the plan and next year, the third and final year for the current strategic plan, will be when the finishing touches are added, and everything is taken across the finish line.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“One of the things I’m particularly proud of is the work our primary teaches have done around structured literacy and focusing on developing mastery with our students in the various components of reading. That work is always ongoing for teachers but launched last year with the division-wide approach using UFLI, a structured literacy program to improve reading,” stated Weeks.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Since UFLI was implemented, steady gains and growth in reading have been shown by students across the division. Weeks discussed the importance of the work for young students at the age where automaticity develops. Automaticity allows students, as they get older, to take on more complex dynamic work because the cognitive load shifts from sounding out letters, or even letter formation with printing, to more complex ideas and thoughts.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“Prairie Rose has historically had phenomenal teaching staff who really dig in to do this work and this hasn’t been an exception. Probably one of the most fulfilling days this year was attending the Exhibition of Learning at Schuler School where I was able to move throughout the grades and each one had a focus around literacy,” explained Weeks. “I was with some Kindergarten and Grade 1 students who explained to me details about diphthongs and how they were mastering that work to help them read. I couldn’t believe the level of skill and fluency they were demonstrating at such a young age. As someone who taught primary for a long time, I was very impressed.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>To supplement UFLI, PRPS introduced Writing Revolution and evidence, primarily displayed at Exhibitions of Learning, of growth in writing is evident through that focus. “Many enthusiastic teachers tackled that approach, helping us come out of that time during the pandemic where the gaps were really evident. This group of phenomenal teachers and educational assistants are closing that gap quickly and doing excellent work in this area,” said Weeks.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Another exciting event for PRPS is the addition of international students into schools and programming. This year, 31 individuals from various countries joined the division, bringing an opportunity for students and staff to learn about and interact with other cultures. “We look forward to that program continuing to thrive next year,” said Weeks. “I think we will continue to enrich the program and look for ways to really learn from those visiting cultures.”&nbsp;</p><p>As inflation has escalated, transportation has become a challenge for PRPS. The division was faced with cost increases exceeding 50%, which would have made it financially difficult to maintain current staffing levels and keep the budget balanced. “Immeasurable amounts of creativity and hard work, including collaboration with various government entities, ensued and we were fortunate to receive the support we needed to begin operating a fleet in our most rural routes,” explained Weeks. “We learned throughout the process that many rural divisions in the province internally operate transportation because they found some savings from that approach. The financial projections indicate we will be able to follow suit.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Operating a fleet of buses for the most rural routes in PRPS will allow the division to sustain current staffing levels. “The most important thing for us as a division is ensuring we have the people because that is the difference maker in Prairie Rose, the people who work here and we certainly didn’t want to lose any of them,” stated Weeks.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Some compromises within transportation were required for the division to find additional savings. The acquisition of buses for 39 of the 81 PRPS routes will result in projected savings of just under $700,000. This year there were 87 routes and those additional route adjustments allowed the division to reach the $1.1 million savings required. “We have consulted, or are scheduled to consult with, all the regions we serve and collaborate with them on how to optimally serve that area,” said Weeks. “They often know the roads, the maintenance of them and where the pickup spots are better than us. Through that collaboration we found as many efficiencies as we could. It is our hope we will be able to add some routes back as our costs stabilize.”&nbsp;</p><p>For school-based staff to do their best work, they require a supportive, engaged, and intentional administrative team at the school. In turn, the admin team performs optimally when they have a supportive, engaged and intentional executive team at the division office. Additionally, an engaged, intentional and supportive Board of Trustees will provide the foundation required for the executive team to effectively meet division goals. “We are fortunate in PRPS to have that line well established,” concluded Weeks. “It allows us to do some really creative things and find solutions that are innovative even when they also come with a bit of risk, which is only possible when you have high levels of trust.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>Teacher Jaime Didychuk at Warren Peers School started a new foods option class this year for Grade 9 students. The school had to get creative with options they could deliver as, due to scheduling issues, they were no longer able to take students to Oyen.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“I have a background in smoked meat. My family (husband and children) are a competition smoked meat team and we compete all over,” explained Didychuk. “We are cooking things I know how to do, such as smoking meat, with the help of my husband, and baking breads. We had a food truck challenge where the kids created different kinds of hotdogs and we got all fancy with them. We offered them to the rest of our school so they could come over and custom order their hotdog. The kids got a taste of what it was like to prepare food on the fly and figure out how much it cost.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The class has five students and once a week they have access to use the Acadia Valley Community Hall to cook food that is meaningful to the community, such as traditional foods. Didychuk’s goal for this year is to make things students are able to make at home for their families. “You don’t have to go crazy; you can have lots of fun with a hotdog.”&nbsp;</p><p>The class began in January and wrapped up at the end of May. The students have progressed since the first class and Didychuk is now able to put a recipe down and let them follow it. “They are becoming very comfortable in the kitchen from when they started. Some of them were struggling with how to wash the dishes, just no experience, and now they are feeling comfortable on how to use the knives, how to cut, and be brave in the kitchen,” stated Didychuk.&nbsp;</p><p>Part of the learning for the students is to experiment and think outside the box. Cooking doesn’t have to be fancy and can be more fun if the focus is on good food that is easy to prepare. The class cooked the meal for the Grade 9 farewell, which included smoking meat along with making the salad, a dessert, and a drink.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“The cooking option is a good opportunity for us to feel more comfortable in the kitchen and not be afraid to cook for others,” said student Peyton Benson.&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>Daina Dixson, who has spent all her school years from K to 12 at Foremost School, is the 2024 valedictorian. “I remember the moment I found out I was smart, it was in my Grade 1 science class. It was a Grade 1 and 2 combined class, and my teacher went up to the front of the room and said only one person got 100% on this paper and that was Daina. That was a really cool moment in my life, and I always look back on that and it always pushes me to do better.”&nbsp;</p><p>Even though she expected to be valedictorian, the moment she was told was surreal for Daina, who had been thinking about it since she was in elementary when she found out what a valedictorian is. Once she found out, she texted her entire family, who were all really excited and she loved all the text messages she received in response. “It was a really big goal of mine and I finally got it.”&nbsp;</p><p>Outside of academics, a passion of Daina’s is barrel racing, and she currently competes in the Alberta High School Rodeo circuit. She plans to continue barrel racing throughout the summer with the Chinook Rodeo Association along with entering as a competitor in several barrel racing jackpots.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Even though she’s been riding a horse since she was about four years old, Daina didn’t start barrel racing until a few years ago and was pleased with her performance over the past year. “Each arena is a bit different, my fastest time is probably in Magrath, that’s where I got this buckle, and it was 14.4 seconds. Before, I am nervous but during my run, I usually try to focus on my breathing and what I’m doing. As soon as I cross the finish line, all this adrenaline hits me, it’s a really cool feeling.”&nbsp;</p><p>Daina has several horses but her main horse she’s had for just over a year. “I think, personally, it’s a really special bond because you have to trust one another. I know it looks easy but there is quite a bit that goes into it. You have to find your spot and correct because you want to be perfect and tight around the barrels without knocking them over. There is a good quote everyone always says, ‘smooth is fast’, so the smoother you are, the better you are. I think becoming smooth is having a good bond with your horse.”&nbsp;</p><p>She has an older brother who graduated two years ago along with many other family members who also graduated from Foremost School. Walking through the hallways of the school, one can view class photos of each graduating class. In the graduating class of 1972, Daina’s paternal grandmother can be found with those of her parents in classes from the early 1990’s.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Foremost School graduation is on June 21st this year and Daina explained the grad is very personal where each student creates a slide show, “We do fun things like class history and in the future where we see each other going and it’s mostly a funny conversation two people have. The entire village comes and fills up the gym here and we get to wear our fancy dresses and suits.”&nbsp;</p><p>Each graduating class is also given a ceiling tile to paint, and this year Daina has taken on the project as she enjoys painting. Her scene is of the Sweet Grass Hills with a cowboy riding off into the sunset and the 2024 grad theme ‘onto the next adventure’ written in text.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>This September, she will attend Lethbridge College to pursue an agronomy diploma along with an agriculture business diploma, which will take three years to complete. Her future goal is to take over the family farm one day. Lethbridge is about an hour and a half from her home, which she feels will be manageable as she makes the transition to living away from the Foremost area for the first time. While in Lethbridge, Daina plans to live in residence and to continue to rodeo during her free time.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“It’s bittersweet. I’ve been in this small town my whole life. You know everybody and what they are doing, but I’m really excited to go to college,” concluded Daina.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>The South Alberta Fire Rescue Academy (SAFR) officially launched in September of 2023 and is coming to the end of its first academic year. Prairie Rose Public Schools (PRPS) has ensured there is a psychological educational component to most of the academies within the division and SAFR is no exception. &nbsp;</p><p>Greg Godard, Psychologist with PRPS explained, “all firefighters on the job with be exposed to traumatic material. They won’t necessarily be traumatized but there is a fairly high likelihood they will come across fatalities, they’ll have to talk to parents of someone who has died, or they may be exposed to body parts or dismemberment. It’s work in which they are exposed to highly traumatic material.” &nbsp;</p><p>Superintendent of PRPS Dr. Reagan Weeks approached Godard at the beginning of the academic year about creating a course for students or SAFR to preventatively help them prepare for being exposed to traumatic events. Following conversations with Eagle Butte Vice Principal Lyall Foran and Medicine Hat Assistant Deputy Fire Chief Douglas Gill, Godard created a curriculum on building up resilience. Godard created four modules that he delivers in-person to the students at both Eagle Butte High School and Senator Gershaw School, which are in addition to the online mental health components of the firefighting curriculum that are based on a program used by many other firefighting academies. &nbsp;</p><p>The intention behind Godard’s resiliency curriculum is to prepare the students to be exposed to traumatic material, which can make it easier for them to deal with at the time while also giving them skills they need to cope with it afterwards. &nbsp;</p><p>SAFR is a three-year program and Godard wanted to build a curriculum where the students would be learning something different each year. This year he is focusing on building resilience, making the course more about prevention while still talking to them about trauma. &nbsp;</p><p>While he is still working on the curriculum for next year, which will be four modules or possibly more, Godard wants to borrow from the program that Medicine Hat Fire uses and incorporate material from it into the SAFR curriculum. In the third year, he’d like to encapsulate all that was learned in the first two years along with adding in some new material. &nbsp;</p><p>“I wanted to be somewhat cautious and not throw all the trauma at them. At the same time, I want them to know how serious what we are talking about is, it can ruin their lives and marriages if they don’t have the ability to tolerate and respond well to trauma. I want to be cautious not to overwhelm, but also not to under respond or under prepare them,” stated Godard. “We are working to ensure we are not only teaching them how to prepare for responding to the physical challenges of firefighting but also for the psychological and mental challenges, that to me is the key message I want the parents of these kids to know.” &nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>Over the past few months our communities may have heard conversations about Prairie Rose Public Schools transitioning from a contracted bus transportation system to one that is operated by the school division. We would like to clarify the information about this change and outline what it means for families.&nbsp;</p><p>Below is a list of questions you likely have about the transition. Our team is still working through the details and logistics of moving to a new mixed transportation model. We will provide additional information to families throughout the summer as we finalize our routes and planning.</p><p><strong>Why the move to a PRPS operated fleet?</strong></p><p>This spring Prairie Rose was at the end of the current five-year bus contracts. The routes were all put out to tender through an RFP (request for proposal) process. The process resulted in contract proposals for 87 routes coming back with anywhere from an 8% to 240% increase compared to the 2023-2204 school year transportation costs. The average increase for the lowest bid was 52%. The significant increases were not feasible within the current transportation funding allocation.</p><p><strong>What will the bus system look like for the 2024-2025 school year?</strong></p><p>Several options were explored, including operating a PRPS owned bus fleet. Thanks to assistance from Alberta Education, Prairie Rose was able to secure the funding required to purchase 39 buses which will be here this summer and begin running in the fall for 39 routes. PRPS will still contract out 12 routes to small independent bus contractors and 30 routes to larger contractors. Over time the goal will be to operate a mostly independent PRPS bus system. More details related to the decision to purchase buses can be found in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.myprps.com/news/prps-board-meeting-highlights-for-june-5-2024-1717713839859">June 5, 2024, Board Meeting Highlights</a>.</p><p><strong>What does this mean for families?</strong></p><p>Our goal is to make the transition as smooth as possibly for families. For the most part, families should not notice any significant changes. We are planning to have each school have at least one PRPS operated run. This will ensure one bus is stationed at the school for field trips and other purposes. Additionally, PRPS has been able to secure five older buses from other school divisions which will be used as spare buses. PRPS will continue to work on securing additional spare buses. These buses will also be strategically placed around the school division to try and ensure a spare is available in all locations. We are hopeful this will reduce the number of cancellations due to mechanical issues.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Will PRPS be ready to operate the buses by the fall?</strong></p><p>The buses have already been ordered and they are scheduled to arrive in the summer. All successful contractors have also been notified of which routes they will be operating.</p><p><strong>Will the routes change?</strong></p><p>Yes, there will be some changes to routing next year. Due to the costs, PRPS will need to reduce the number of routes from 87 to 81. More information will be sent to families in mid to late July about which bus route they will be assigned to. Drivers will also be in contact with families near the end of August to introduce themselves and provide bus pick up information.</p><p><strong>How will my notifications about bus cancellations or delays change?</strong></p><p>Notification regarding transportation will&nbsp; be sent via School Messenger and posted on the PRPS website. A transportation handbook for the division is currently in development and will be ready prior to school start up in September with additional details. We will continue to look for ways to enhance service.</p><p><strong>How can I apply to be a bus driver?</strong></p><p>Due to contracting out less routes, Prairie Rose will be connecting with some of the current drivers about driving for the school division. We will also be taking applications for drivers and spare drivers. This process will be managed through the Prairie Rose Human Resources Department.</p>

<p>The June 18, 2024, Board Meeting Agenda Package can be found here: <a href="https://www.myprps.com/news/june-18-2024-prps-public-board-meeting-1718635282433">June 18, 2024, Board Meeting Agenda.</a></p><p>------</p><p><strong>Cell Phones in Schools</strong></p><p>Superintendent Reagan Weeks and Board Chair Lois Bedwell provided a short update on the recent Alberta Government announcement regarding student cell phone bans in schools starting next year. It was shared that while the overarching directive of the government order addresses restrictions around cell phone and social media access for students, school jurisdictions will be able to develop procedures to best implement these changes in our schools. Over the summer, Prairie Rose will draft school procedures to align with the new ministerial order in consultation with school principals. School leaders are best to advise on the challenges of the new directive, including the requirements around storage, approved uses, and non-compliance management, as staff will be the ones implementing the procedures at their schools. A final draft will be ready before the start of the 2024-2025 school year and be shared with families before the first day of school.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Health and Safety Report</strong></p><p>Health and Safety Coordinator Derek Beck provided the annual Occupational Health and Safety Accountability Report for information. The report highlighted several areas of assessment and evaluation, including school safety inspections, fire inspections, training, incident/accident reporting, legislation, and emergency response planning. It was shared that:</p><ul><li>20 staff were trained in first aid, and seven first aid trainers were trained for the fire academy programs.&nbsp;</li><li>Fewer injuries have been reported over the past three years. Ninety student injuries were reported during the year at 17 school locations. These primarily consisted of bruises, bumps, sprains, breaks, and cuts, which primarily occurred in the playground or gym. 17 staff injuries were reported.</li><li>The division continues to see higher non-work-related leave costs, resulting in increasing premiums for extended disability claims.</li></ul><p>The full report can be found in the June 18, 2024, Board Meeting Agenda package.</p><p><strong>Financial Accountability Report - May 31, 2024</strong></p><p>Finance Controller Candice Hintz provided the Financial Accountability Report as of May 2024, which represents 75% of the way through the fiscal year. It was shared that overall revenues for the year are expected to come in $2,399,565 higher than what was budgeted at $60,261,372. This is due to funding increases as a result of increased enrollment (which will result in a Weighted Moving Average Adjustment), an increase in fee revenue from academy and micro school programs, investment income increases due to higher interest rates, and school fundraising initiatives. On the expense side, the division expects a decrease in the projected deficit from ($167,381) to ($165,165). Compared to initial budget projections, there have been increases in costs for both certificated and uncertificated salaries and benefits, as well as for the services, contacts, and supplies budget line. The full report can be found in the June 18, 2024, Board Meeting Agenda package.</p><p><strong>Executive Report</strong></p><p>The following items were mentioned as a part of the executive report summary:</p><ul><li>The grand opening of the new South Alberta Collegiate building will take place on June 19, 2024, from 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm.</li><li>Prairie Rose has secured drivers for 27 of the 39 routes that will be operated by PRPS in the fall. Meeting invitations have been sent out to all municipal partners to discuss the move to the new bus transportation model. So far, all meetings have gone very well, and there has been good feedback about the transition to a board-operated system.</li><li>Timeless Tales launches have taken place at both Foremost and Senator Gershaw schools.</li><li>Congratulations were made to Nichole Neubauer on her recent Medicine Hat College honorary applied baccalaureate degree, which recognizes her commitment to agriculture, education, and community. Nichole has been instrumental in developing and supporting many agriculture programs in Prairie Rose, and the recognition is well-deserved.</li></ul><p><strong>Board Report</strong></p><p>Board Chair Lois Bedwell recognized two PRPS trustees for recent accomplishments:</p><ul><li>Graeme Dennis was awarded the PSBAA Long Service Recognition Award for 20 years of service as a trustee.</li><li>Shauna Vanderspruit was congratulated on completing and receiving the ASBA Trustee Governance Certificate. The program includes three modules (30 hours) that integrate the theory and practice of leadership and effective governance.</li></ul><p><strong>Student Services Report</strong></p><p>Director of Student Services Lisa Lindsay presented the annual Student Experiences Accountability Report. It was noted that student services spend the majority of their time supporting students. Therefore, much of the alignment with the PRPS Education Plan is in the area of Kindle Hearts, focusing on the six C’s (Care, Contribute, Connect, Communicate, Challenge and Create). The primary role of student services is to ensure that every student has an advocate and that students are successful and feel like they belong. This is done by applying various supports, tools and strategies. One of the goals for this year has been to determine the essential conditions in PRPS that would allow all schools to implement support for students at the universal support level successfully. Identified supports include expectations, routines, connection to an adult position and visual schedules. A breakdown of coded students, the staff who make up the Student Experiences Team and trends and challenges were also provided in the presentation. The full report can be found in the June 18, 2024, Board Meeting Agenda package.</p>

<p>Cammie Kannekens, an Instructional Coach with Prairie Rose Public Schools, is having a great spring. Not only did she earn an <i>International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Certification</i>, but she also won a <a href="https://iste.org/news/iste-recognizes-trailblazing-educators-and-districts"><i>2024 ISTE 20 to Watch </i>Award</a> and was accepted into a <i>Google Innovator Academy</i>. These are all milestones Kannekens has hoped to achieve for several years, and this is the year it’s all coming together for her.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>ISTE is the largest education technology organization in the world and the ISTE Certification involves taking courses for five weeks with a cohort followed by six months of putting together an individual portfolio. Before the pandemic, the course was only offered as a three-day intensive at locations in the USA and it never worked out for Kannekens to attend. After the pandemic, much of the certification was moved online, which removed the location barrier. Last year, there was an opportunity to do the course for free through TakingITGlobal, a Canadian tech company who partnered with ISTE.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>To earn the certification, she needed to show competency in seven categories that are broken into 25 different criteria. “ISTE is the gold standard of technology and there are schools across the USA, Canada and globally who refer to ISTE standards and use them as the goals one would aim for,” explained Kannekens.&nbsp;</p><p>In 2018 she attended her first ISTE conference, which one of her colleagues describes as Disneyland for people who are interested in education technology. “Upwards of 15,000 people attend and there is an immense vendor hall with all the latest related to technology. It’s about making connections and learning and through that I became an ISTE Community Leader,” said Kannekens. “It’s all volunteer and about supporting their programs and being involved in things so it made sense because of that connection to work toward ISTE Certification.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>This is not the first time she was nominated for the ISTE 20 to Watch Award, but it is the first year she completed the application process, which is intense. Several international colleagues Kannekens is connected to have won the award. “I thought since I was doing many of the same things as them, maybe it was worth the work of putting the application together. When I go back and look at winners from previous years, it’s lots of people who are colleagues and doing really neat things in the world of education technology.”&nbsp;</p><p>Kannekens doesn’t attend the ISTE Conference every year but will make the effort this year as, in addition to being one of the 2024 ISTE 20 to Watch, she is also presenting some sessions at the conference. “That is one of the hardest conferences to get accepted to present at. Lots of people apply and most don’t get accepted so I’ve been lucky enough to present there a couple of times.”&nbsp;</p><p>For Kannekens her biggest achievement this year is being accepted into a Google Innovator Academy. “The Google certifications in the education technology world are probably some of the most recognized. I’ve been a Google Certified Trainer and Google Certified Coach for several years, which is a portal to this whole learning network of the top people in education.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Google Innovator Academy is different from the certifications as there is a global application process where only small cohorts are accepted. The last time Kannekens applied was prior to the pandemic and Google hasn’t run an English Innovator Academy since then. “It’s been a long time; they’ve done Innovator Academies in other languages, but they haven’t done an English one. This year they announced there were some English academies coming and after years of not having one there were hundreds of applicants.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Her number one choice was the academy being run in Chicago in July, but Kannekens felt it was a long shot and put another application together for the one in Seoul, Korea in August this year. Her acceptance email came through for the Chicago academy just before she was going to submit the second application.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“It was, honestly, the hugest thing. I danced little jigs for days. This one (Chicago) is slightly bigger than some of them, but there were still only 50 people selected,” stated Kannekens. “When you apply to Innovator Academy you need to have an issue or something you are passionate about in education. For this academy they are running five streams and are pairing with non-profits. I applied under the AI strand and I’m excited because the non-profit partner is ISTE. ISTE had nothing to do with the applications or anything, it just happened to be them, but I’m excited because ISTE is a leader in education technology and they’ve been a real leader in AI also.”&nbsp;</p><p>The Academy will be a three-day intensive with a schedule that runs from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. each day. “We’ve all heard about Google and their push the envelope atmosphere and that’s what it will be like. Every single person that I know that has gone to an Innovator Academy says it was the most amazing experience of their education career by far.”&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>The June 18, 2024, PRPS Public Board Meeting will take place at the Prairie Rose Public Schools Division Office starting at 12:45 p.m. The meeting is only available in-person.</p><p>The complete agenda package can be found here: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BT6PhlVf65RpcDtsWWOQfKlFH13ofBxk/view?usp=drive_link">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BT6PhlVf65RpcDtsWWOQfKlFH13ofBxk/view?usp=drive_link</a></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The School Leader Wellbeing Generative Listening Group is a collaboration between Prairie Rose Public Schools (PRPS) and the Horizon School Division that was funded by a mental health in school’s grant. In the first year, six principals met with a facilitator for six full days out of the school year to codesign what they wanted their own professional development (PD) to look like. In the second year, an invitation was sent to all principals from both school divisions and the cohort grew to 20 individuals.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“To commit to six days out of a school year, which is what these sessions require, people had to really want to do it and so it probably attracted those who are already interested in the topic and had a common interest in wellness,” explained Director of Student Experiences with PRPS Lisa Lindsay. “The hypothesis is, if we provide a space for principals to be well and learn about things that help them create healthy cultures, will we see more healthy schools? That means teachers, support staff, parents and students.”&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The last session for the 2023-24 school year took place on March 8th at Senator Gershaw School in Bow Island with special invites going out to the Superintendents of PRPS and Horizon, two film crews and other interested staff. It was hoped to spread the importance of the work being done as the grant is up this year, so either a new grant needs to be found or, alternatively, funding from other sources is required.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“We’ve heard from our principals that we must keep this work going, whether we get a grant or not, we need to find ways for PRPS principals and Horizon principals to keep that connection and even bring a few new people onboard. This PD takes place in school buildings and part of the day is always to tour the buildings and get an opportunity to interact with kids. They host lunch, do a lunch and learn, and we get to talk to kids and teachers, it’s really neat. One of the commitments of the group is they don’t want the meetings to occur separate from their schools,” said Lindsay.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The group has been receiving publicity from various sectors, including being one of the five highlighted projects through College of Alberta School Superintendents, due to the group’s unique nature of addressing student wellness. At the final meeting, two film crews were present, including one from the EdCan Network.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Following the student drumming performance and a tour of Senator Gershaw, the group split into table talks to discuss what they know about workplace wellbeing, what they don’t know and what they want to know. Lisa Lindsay worked with Principal of Senator Gershaw Scott Angle, Superintendent of PRPS Reagan Weeks, Manager of Human Resources Tammy Toews and Principal of Margaret Wooding School Craig Corsie.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“What I know is that when people do not feel a sense of control, their anxiety skyrockets,” began Superintendent Weeks. “When you try to work outside of your circle of control, you become very unwell very quickly. Trying to control things that are not yours to control spins you into a state of struggle.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Lindsay added workplace wellbeing is contagious, either positive or negative. It is not something we do, but something we are, and must be a priority due to the impact on students. Scott Angle knows that all people appreciate positive comments and workplace wellbeing happens when everything is running smoothly.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">What the group didn’t know also tied into what they wanted to know. One question was if focusing on wellbeing is the solution and is there a risk of it becoming an anti-signifier and losing meaning if people get tired of hearing about it.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“If it’s okay not to be okay, and sometimes people aren’t okay,” wondered Weeks, “what I don’t know is how much intervention or responsibility or accountability is in a leader’s role. Some people are not okay, and they are allowed not to be okay. They don’t always need someone intervening and telling them they need to be well. Is it okay if they are a bit of an Eeyore for awhile? Maybe that is allowed, and we don’t need to intervene and then we panic when someone is not okay.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Lindsay talked about the lack of a recipe for wellbeing and there not being a one size fits all. She wondered how to help others act on those aspects of wellness they need to prioritize.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“Stress is not necessarily a bad thing. It's important for development and resilience that we experience positive and tolerable stress, however; toxic stress is never okay. The Alberta Family Wellness Initiative explains that this kind of stress - when a child does not have supportive caregivers who can buffer their response to repeated negative experiences - can change the brain's architecture. Experiencing anxiety before writing an exam is not a bad thing. Working through that anxiety and completing the exam can help prepare a student for bigger challenges they will face. It is important that we help students understand the difference types of stress,” concluded Lindsay.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</span></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Warren Peers School in Acadia Valley has been working with the National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) for about 12 years. Teacher Jaime Didychuk explained, “it’s a wonderful way to get archery into the schools. It’s very regimented and has objectives set out. It’s very safe and the kids are loving it.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The students started competing three years ago, which has taken the sport to a new level at the school. Students in Grades 7, 8 and 9 can sign up for archery as an option, which gives them about two hours of practice each week. This year, there were 15 students in the option class. 10 of them also chose to be competitive allowing them to attend tournaments along with some also going to the provincial and national competitions.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The students participated in five local tournaments, each of them within a two-hour drive of the school. NASP Provincials were in Edmonton this year where 2,500 archers from across the province competed. The school was very excited as one of the Warren Peers students came away with fourth place.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s incredible watching them improve and change,” said Didychuk. “It's really neat to see because it’s a sport where you don’t have to be athletic. It’s interesting to see the focus, determination, and self-motivation in the students because it really is a sport where you are trying to beat yourself and your own score and hone in on skills that can carry over into other parts of your life.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Students are scored based on where their arrow lands on the target, receiving 10 points for a bullseye and one point for the arrow landing on the outside. During a competition, they shoot three rounds of five arrows at 10 m and again at 15 m. Additionally, Warren Peers also takes part in an auxiliary competition called 3D animals where they shoot at foam targets of various types of animals.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“They love it,” stated Didychuk. “They have a target on the animal as well, so it is a similar scoring system. It’s a great connection with our rural country. Lots of our kids are avid hunters so this blends into some of their passions and works out nicely for keeping their interest.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Grade 7 student Ava Khun went to camp this past summer and took up archery and found she was surprisingly good at it. “It’s different than all the other sports because you aren’t really physically competing against someone else, you are only competing against your own score,” explained Khun.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">As her aunt, Jaime Didychuk, teaches archery at the school, Khun decided to sign up for the option class as well as compete at tournaments. This year, Khun’s highest score for 3D animals was 214/300 and for targets it was 209/300. At the NASP provincial competition, she placed 13</span><sup style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>th</span></sup><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> in 3D animals, out of about 250 Grade 7 girls competing. She did respectfully well in the target competition as well and, although she was unable to remember exactly how she placed, Khun said it was somewhere in the 20s.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“My dad likes hunting, and our neighbour has a bow I’ll be able to use and I plan to get my hunting license,” said Khun when asked how she plans to continue on with the sport.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“It's really interesting just watching kids the first time they pick up a bow and be apprehensive until the end of the season where they are loving it. They really want to do it and they realize they just have to hone into those skills and keep trying and keep doing it,” concluded Didychuk.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</span></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">South Alberta Collegiate is housed in a new Prairie Rose Public Schools (PRPS) building on 32 Street SW in the light industrial area of Medicine Hat. Director of Enhanced Programming Darren MacMillan said, “it is really important to Prairie Rose that this facility is as multi-functional as possible, it is a facility for everyone.”&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The South Alberta Flight Academy is the cornerstone of the Collegiate and the building was acquired due to the grant received from Alberta Education when PRPS received collegiate status.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A collegiate, according to </span><a href="https://www.alberta.ca/collegiate-schools" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.alberta.ca/collegiate-schools</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">, is a school that works in partnership with post-secondary institutions and industry partners. The purpose of a collegiate is to provide specialized programming and enhanced learning opportunities, which provide clearer pathways for students as they move into post-secondary education or careers.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">South Alberta Collegiate is home to numerous micro-schools, including South Alberta High School, School of Skilled Trades, School of Community Services and Health (fire rescue and health care aide), School of Athletics (South Alberta School of Softball, Badgers Baseball and South Alberta Hockey Academy), South Alberta Flight Academy, along with the School of Business. “The next big one is getting the agriculture school fired up, which we have in some places, particularly at Irvine School, along with more post-secondary partnerships. All the micro-schools funnel into the junior highs where we have CTF programming,” explained MacMillan.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">South Alberta High School (SAHS) is an online high school that MacMillan designed at the end of the pandemic. At the time, the idea was to create SAHS for junior hockey players or other high-end athletes who are out of school much of the time.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“The school bricks and mortar setting doesn’t always work for them. They live in Calgary and for weeks at a time will go down to the States or to Manitoba and Saskatchewan and miss lots of school. We thought coming off COVID that many of our kids learned to work that way (online) and it made sense,” stated MacMillan.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Now in its second year, over 2,000 students have accessed a course or program through SAHS since its inception. The school offers more than 30 courses with most of them being in core subjects.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sherry Craven has been doing an amazing job and we are starting to offer dual-credit courses as well, such as Introduction to Veterinary Profession, Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology, along with Interpersonal Relationships and Communications have recently been posted,” said MacMillan. “As my role changes, Corey Steeves will be coming in as Principal of South Alberta Collegiate for the next academic year.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The facility is quite extensive and along with having offices for Sherry Craven, Corey Steeves, and SAHA coaches, there is also a new area for the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) stream of the Flight Academy, where the students will be building airplanes. The AME has created partnerships with SAIT, enabling students taking part to receive post-secondary credits for their work on the plane build.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">At the rear of the building is a large indoor area that has been covered with artificial turf. This area will be dedicated for baseball with various nets that can drop from the ceiling when required. Additionally, there will be a safe zone around the edge that will be completely netted so people can walk around the outside. On the far side of the baseball area is a sports court along with a hockey area.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">At the front of the facility there will be a lounge/learning area where tables and couches are. The building recently received temporary occupancy for students and AME students had their first sessions in the new facility. The grand opening of the new South Alberta Collegiate building is on June 19</span><sup style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>th</span></sup><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> with the ribbon cutting at 4pm.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer</span></p>

<p>The June 5, 2024, Special Board Meeting Agenda Package can be found here: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nJmNrgfGEBB51XUSiurEgBWBVaYauK3f/view?usp=drive_link">June 5, 2024, Board Meeting Agenda.</a></p><p>------</p><p>Note: The Christ the Redeemer Bussing request was removed from the agenda.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Transportation – School Bus Purchase</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>Chief Financial Officer Ryan Boser explained that the school division recently underwent an RFP process for PRPS school bus transportation services. The process resulted in contract proposals for 87 routes coming back with an 8% to 200% increase compared to current costs. The average increase was 55%. It was noted that the significant increases cannot be managed within the current transportation funding allocation. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The administration and the Board of Trustees investigated several options to navigate the funding challenge and will be moving towards a division-owned bus fleet, which is common in rural school divisions. The rationale is to make PRPS more economically efficient by running operations internally. This requires PRPS to secure funding to secure buses. Options were explored, including obtaining a bank loan, a line of credit, and/or leasing buses. PRPS was successful, following multiple meetings with government, to secure funding from Alberta Education to purchase buses. In the first year, the board will purchase/operate 39 bus routes and award bus contracts to large contractors for 30 routes and 12 routes to independent contractors. The total number of routes will be reduced from 87 to 81 for the 2024-2025 school year. &nbsp;</p><p>The board approved the purchase of 38 buses for $5,892,006.80 plus GST. The division already owns one new school bus. The interest-free loan is an advance on PRPS transportation funding, which would be paid back over the next 10 years, with payments coming directly off each year’s transportation grant. Estimated cost savings in the first year, compared to full contracted services, are $689,000.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>2024 – 2025 Preliminary Budget Approval</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>Chief Financial Officer Ryan Boser presented the 2024-2025 Preliminary Budget for approval. It was noted that assumptions for the preliminary budget were made based on securing funding for the purchase of buses for the school division.&nbsp;Highlights of the budget&nbsp;include&nbsp;primary instructional grants remaining the same, a slight enrollment increase (35.5 FTE), an&nbsp;increase in Alberta Education operational funding of $1,384,402, an increase in insurance premiums of 5% for liability and property and 3% for vehicles, and ASEPB benefit increases of 10%.&nbsp;</p><p>Budgeted amounts for the 2024-2025 year include the following:&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Instruction Surplus $905,185&nbsp;</li><li>Operations &amp; Maintenance Deficit ($876,887)&nbsp;</li><li>Transportation Deficit ($405,608)&nbsp;</li><li>Administration Surplus $92,970&nbsp;</li><li>External Services (Teacherages) Surplus $3,254&nbsp;</li></ul><p>Overall, the division is projecting a deficit budget of $281,086. As of August 31, 2024, the Division has an expected accumulated Operating Reserves of $2.185 million, or 3.77% of total expenditures.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>2024 – 2027 Education Plan Approval</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>Superintendent Reagan Weeks shared highlights and changes in the 2024-2027 Education Plan for PRPS. The division will continue with the same goals and objectives in the plan's final year. Progress is measured through assurance measures, with the spring measure showing PRPS exceeding the province in eight of twelve measures. The remaining measures, related to diploma and PAT exams, will be added in November.&nbsp;</p><p>A new addition to the plan, requested by the Board of Trustees, is the stakeholder engagement statement. Another adjustment is a modification to the Capital Plan, prioritizing the modernization of Parkside School, with full design funding secured and hopes for construction funding soon, estimated at $20,095,967.&nbsp;</p><p>The strategic priorities are Ignite Minds, Kindle Hearts, Forge Futures, and Truth and Reconciliation. "Ignite Minds" focuses on core classroom coursework, emphasizing writing and primary literacy. "Kindle Hearts" aims to create meaningful connections with students. "Forge Futures" has shown positive results over the past five years. The work on Truth and Reconciliation continues, with acknowledgment of the need for growth despite considerable efforts.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In addition to the workshops, PRPS artwork was on display throughout the showcase. The full list of art winners can be found here: <a href="https://www.myprps.com/news/2024-kaleidoscope-of-the-arts-art-winners-1717605893977">https://www.myprps.com/news/2024-kaleidoscope-of-the-arts-art-winners-1717605893977</a></p><p>-------</p><p>Multiple schools within Prairie Rose Public Schools (PRPS) attended the 2024 Kaleidoscope event at the Esplanade on Thursday, May 30. The morning was dedicated to workshops, with the younger students attending two shorter ones in various areas of the Esplanade and high school students participating in one of two longer workshops at the Medicine Hat Public Library.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“Kaleidoscope of the Arts is an amazing showcase of all the work students and staff do throughout the year to develop various aspects of the arts,” Superintendent of PRPS Reagan Weeks. “I have the opportunity to look at visual arts and the beautiful pieces our students have created, along with seeing some of their talents on stages. Students also have the opportunity to continue their learning in a variety of workshops and I’m grateful to the organizing team for providing this opportunity to our school division. It’s a phenomenal place to be and see the excitement of kids about the fine arts.”&nbsp;</p><p>Jordyn is in Grade 3 at Parkside took part in the Boomwhacker workshop and said following the beat was the best part. Last year, she performed in the choir and feels the best thing about Kaleidoscope is watching other students perform and how much fun she has during the event.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Tiffany Molin is one of the organizers of Kaleidoscope and also facilitated the Boomwhacker workshop. “They are just so fun. This is my third year doing this for our Kaleidoscope celebration since we changed the format into a workshop and a concert. The kids come from lots of different places and we’ve been able to spread the activities we do here to smaller schools that don’t have a dedicated music teacher. It’s making music enjoyable for everyone.”&nbsp;</p><p>In the gallery was a drum workshop facilitated by Vice-Principal of Senator Gershaw John Paul Brocklesby, “it was great, I haven’t drummed with 40 kids in quite a while, and they did awesome. We managed to do a layered rhythm for their first time drumming, which is usually not possible. Most of them looked like they were having fun.” He was working with students from Grades 1 to 3. Ralston student Rexley is in Grade 2 and took part in the drumming and he enjoyed using the traditional drums and playing along to the beat.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Ron Mason, who teaches music at both Margaret Wooding and I.F. Cox schools in Redcliff, held two ukulele workshops. “The intention is to introduce new students to the ukulele and how simple and fun it can be. We start out by learning some simple songs and give them some encouragement to keep going because learning any instrument takes perseverance.”&nbsp;</p><p>Students taking part in the workshops learned two songs on the ukulele, the first was Eleanor Rigby by the Beatles, a two-chord song the students find fun to play. The second song is The Lion Sleeps Tonight, a three-chord song that is more advanced, but Mason believes pushing the students will help them decide if they would like to pursue playing the instrument. “Excellent,” was Mason’s comment on how the first session went. “Kids picked up Eleanor Rigby so fast, the kids are motivated and want to learn and it’s fun.”&nbsp;</p><p>The alcohol ink workshop with Kameko Ballantyne was popular and filled up quickly. “It was a great way for them to express themselves creatively in the workshop and we have mediums we haven’t worked with before, like alcohol ink. They got to practice on a tile and then they created two individual pieces themselves. They can make mistakes on the tile, which is a good thing when we are learning because mistakes mean we are trying. We did two abstract pieces, which is best for alcohol ink because it is fun to play around with and if you don’t have any expectations on what it will look like, sometimes that is a better way to learn.”&nbsp;</p><p>Greg Herman co-facilitated the Singer/Songwriter workshop that took place in the theatre of the Medicine Hat Public Library. “The kids are in groups now to try and come up with one verse to the rhyme scheme we pulled out of a hat and then they will share it with the group for better or worse. It’s just whatever they come up with under the gun. I’ve written a few things and thought this would be fun to do, I’ve never done anything like this so it’s a learning experience for me to. We might have to try and do this more down the road, if anyone wants to come back.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Justine Wilks was in the main theatre at the Esplanade leading students through a music and games workshop. “It was lots of fun, the kids were really great, and we enjoyed making music together. It was to show them choral warmups and learn some new classroom songs and make some music together.”&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>Congratulations to all the students whose artwork was selected for the 2024 Kaleidoscope of the Arts awards. Below is a list of all the winners.</p><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Kindergarten - Grade 3</strong></td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>First: Ryatt, Irvine, Gr 3</td><td>Second: Colton, BIE, Gr 1</td><td>Third: Stella, Seven Persons, Gr 2</td><td>Honourable Mentions</td></tr><tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td colspan="2">&nbsp;</td><td><p>Valerie, Irvine Gr 3</p><p>Brooklyn, BIE, Gr 1</p><p>Maddy, Irvine, Gr 2</p></td></tr></tbody></table></figure><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Grades 4 - 6</strong></td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>First: Lilly, Margaret Wooding, Gr 6</td><td>Second: MWS Collab, Margaret Wooding, Gr 4, 5, 6</td><td>Third: Connor, Margaret Wooding, Gr 6</td><td>Honourable Mentions</td></tr><tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td colspan="2">&nbsp;</td><td><p>Sawyer, Foremost, Gr 4</p><p>Sofie, Foremost, Gr 4</p><p>Tucker, Margaret Wooding, Gr 6</p></td></tr></tbody></table></figure><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Grades 7 -9</strong></td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>First: Michah, Parkside, Gr 8</td><td>Second: Lily, Parkside, Gr 7</td><td>Third: Lisa, Burdett, Gr 9</td><td>Honourable Mentions</td></tr><tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td colspan="2">&nbsp;</td><td><p>Raelyn, Parkside, Gr 9</p><p>Avalynn, Parkside, Gr 9</p><p>Isolde, Parkside, Gr 9</p></td></tr></tbody></table></figure><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Grades 10 - 12</strong></td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>First: Rachel, EBHS, Gr 11</td><td>Second: Charlie, EBHS, Gr 10</td><td>Third: Maria, EBHS, Gr 11</td><td>Honourable Mentions</td></tr><tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td colspan="2">&nbsp;</td><td><p>Naomi, EBHS, Gr 11</p><p>Avah, EBHS, Gr 11</p><p>Kaden, EBHS, Gr 12</p></td></tr></tbody></table></figure><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Sculpture</strong></td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>First: Avah, EBHS, Gr 11</td><td>Second: Jonny, Irvine, Gr 9</td><td>Third: Amalia, Seven Persons, Gr 4</td><td>Honourable Mentions</td></tr><tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td colspan="2">&nbsp;</td><td><p>Megan, EBHS, Gr 12</p><p>Presley, Schuler, Gr 5</p><p>Jade, Seven Persons, Gr 4</p></td></tr></tbody></table></figure><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Sketchbooks</strong></td></tr><tr><td>First: Oryx, Seven Persons, Gr 7</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>Photography</strong></td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>First: Avery, Seven Persons, Gr 6</td><td>Second: Bailey and Taylor, Parkside, Gr 7 and Gr 8</td><td>Third: Noah and Leighton, Parkside, Gr 7</td><td>Honourable Mentions</td></tr><tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td colspan="2">&nbsp;</td><td><p>Tatianna, EBHS, Gr 12</p><p>Noah and Leighton, Parkside, Gr 7</p><p>Rayne, Parkside, Gr 8</p></td></tr></tbody></table></figure><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td colspan="3"><strong>FNMI</strong></td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>First: Teagan, EBHS, Gr 12</td><td>Second: Devin, Irvine, Gr 9</td><td>Third: Stella, Seven Persons, Gr 2</td><td>Honourable Mentions</td></tr><tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td colspan="2">&nbsp;</td><td>Bonny, Prairie Mennonite, Gr 7</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>People's Choice</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Tatianna, EBHS, Gr 12</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Judge's Choice</strong></td></tr><tr><td>First: Kaden, EBHS, Gr 12</td></tr><tr><td>Second: Ryeanna, EBHS, Gr 12</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Digital Art</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Oryx, Seven Persons, Gr 7</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>

<p>The third annual Drone Games took place at Eagle Butte High School on Monday, May 27. Each year, the number of participants keeps growing with a record number turning out for the 2024 event.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Dana Marshall, Flight Academy Lead and Drone Games organizer said, “82 competitors from across Prairie Rose Public Schools (PRPS), as well as 3 adult competitors enjoyed demonstrating their skills in friendly competition. This event demonstrates our community connection, while also giving students skills that would take them into the unmanned systems world. Medicine Hat is home to several RPAS companies, like Qinetiq and Landing Zones. Along with our friends at the Foremost UAS, Apex, and others, Prairie Rose students are ready to “launch” into the world of remote piloting.”&nbsp;</p><p>Trustee Patty Rooks, who has a son interning at the Foremost UAS Test Range this summer, dropped by the Games as she feels they are an important learning opportunity for all students across PRPS.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“They have so many applications beyond the military, and we need our students to have that cutting edge technology,” stated Rooks. “It’s wonderful to see the support and connections we are building with the community. Medicine Hat is one of the largest innovators in Canada by bringing these organizations to our communities and getting them to work here. Why not utilize the resources we have and bring them to our students? Let them see those opportunities we have in our community so we can continue to train our students but bring them back after postsecondary to keep our communities vibrant, that’s really important.”&nbsp;</p><p>Captain John Tarnowski was stationed at the Circle Fly competition along with other soldiers from Canadian Forces Base Suffield. He saw an advertisement at the base about volunteers being needed for Drone Games and, as he works in signals, it applied.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“I asked my soldiers if anyone wanted to do this and stand outside in the sun for the day. We had three or four come out and a few from different trades as well, so a nice turnout,” explained Tarnowski. He also added they came to, “engage with young people who are learning about new technology and to show them the military uses this technology just like the rest of Canadian society does.”&nbsp;</p><p>Sterling Cripps from Landing Zones, a company that is developing a drone for collecting weather data that can be reused, was involved with the drone industry for the past 20 years and has a vested interest in training.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“I did the training with the kids here last year for their drone course and was asked to come back and help out as a volunteer, which I’m happy to do,” said Cripps. “I like seeing young people get involved in this technology. It’s complex, it’s not easy and it takes commitment and dedication to get good at it and understand it’s full potential. In Drone Games we are working with young children and adults and it’s going well. They’ve put on a good show here and the volunteer corps is very strong and it’s nice to see and do.”&nbsp;</p><p>Scott Plouffe from Throttle Hobbies came out and was captain of the obstacle course. “Ian, Jeff and I are all part of the Medicine Hat RCers as well, radio control flying club, and came down to help out and support the kids where we can. The school supports us by allowing us to fly indoors over the winter (in the gym at Eagle Butte on Sundays) and we raise money for scholarships for them.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The three were judging and taking times at the Obstacle Course, which was slow going during the first round of the games. “It’s the time it takes to run through and trying to get everyone set up. Ian hooked up to one drone and I hooked up mine so we can keep cycling the kids through. Before everybody wanted to use their own phones and it took too long for the connections to work.”&nbsp;</p><p>Eric Stock graduated from Eagle Butte High School last year and earned his private pilot’s license about two weeks into the summer. He immediately began working on his commercial license, which he hopes to have by November of this year and will then begin his instructor rating. Dana Marshall from the Flight Academy has remained in contact with Stokes and is continuing to support him as he pursues training toward a career in the aviation industry, which his how he ended up volunteering at Drone Games this year.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“Aviation has so many doors to it, there are so many opportunities within it beside just flying if one is interested. One door opens and there are seven others in front of you, there are so many opportunities. I think it’s going well. I’m doing my circle as much as I can. We have a bunch of wonderful volunteers out today, if they have a problem with their drone or the batteries aren’t working, I’m there to see what I can do to help them out.”&nbsp;</p><p>From Medicine Hat College were Chelsea Ehresman of the Centre of Innovation and Shannan Hurlbut of Extended Learning were at the Scavenger Hunt.&nbsp;</p><p>“We have a couple different department that engage with drone use so we always like to see that supported at a young age. For me, at the Centre of Innovation, we are doing applied research with drones and I’m always looking to hire pilots so it’s good to see the kids out learning the skills early on. They are spelling lots of different words so they can’t cheat off one another. It’s a challenge, if they are not super familiar with their drone flying skills, they probably won’t get it done on time. With the camera, they hover over a sheet of paper with various numbers on it, based on whatever number they are looking for, they need to pick out those ten letters and unscramble them into a word to give us. We’ve only had one successful completion in two rounds. It’s a good problem because there are far more students this year than drones so we’ve had to modify the rules slightly so each kids gets a chance to operate a drone.”&nbsp;</p><p>Hurlbut, “we have courses we are delivering in partnership with Prairie Rose right now, we’ve got about 17 students taking ARPA 101, the first course to prepare for the basic license, and then we’ve got about 7 students who will do an additional course about using drones in industry and we had two that did the full micro-credential, which included flying.”&nbsp;</p><p>David Sabados from Qinetiq were also at the Scavenger Hunt. “It’s a company that primarily works with uncrewed vehicles, not so much small drones like this but larger stuff for military. We are based out of Medicine Hat and feel it’s important to let students know where science and technology can take you. It doesn’t mean you have to leave Medicine Hat, there are cool opportunities to work here. Electrical and mechanical engineering apply to uncrewed vehicles and that’s about representing where they could go if they want to see this as a career path and giving back to the community. There are lots of excited kids, everyone wants to try. The kids showing up with their own drones who have put some time into them are very good already, I’m impressed with them and it's nice to see.”&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>The June 5, 2024, PRPS Special Public Board Meeting will take place online (virtual only) starting at 1:30 p.m.</p><p>To join the meeting, please click on the Google Meeting link. When you join the meeting, it is asked that attendees mute their microphones and turn off their cameras. You will be placed into a meeting room and brought in when the meeting is set to begin.</p><p>Google Meeting link: <a href="https://meet.google.com/fuu-hoct-gqv">https://meet.google.com/fuu-hoct-gqv</a></p><p>The complete agenda package can be found here: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nJmNrgfGEBB51XUSiurEgBWBVaYauK3f/view?usp=drive_link">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nJmNrgfGEBB51XUSiurEgBWBVaYauK3f/view?usp=drive_link</a></p>