<p>Prairie Rose Public Schools is proud to announce that Cara Motz has accepted the position of Principal at I.F. Cox School in Redcliff, Alberta.</p><p>Cara brings a wealth of experience and a deep connection to the IF Cox community, having previously served as a classroom teacher, Inclusive Learning Teacher, and acting administrator at the school. She is known for a student centered leadership style and collaborative approach, with a strong background in inclusive education, early learning, and staff development.</p><p>In her current role as Student Experience Liaison for Prairie Rose Public Schools, Cara coordinates services and supports for students with complex needs, leads professional development, and supervises Educational Assistants across the division. Her experience also includes curriculum planning, instructional coaching, and overseeing early learning programming. Leadership roles at both urban and rural schools, including time as acting principal at Jenner School, have focused on building inclusive school cultures that support learning and belonging for all.</p><p>She holds a Master of Education in School Leadership and Administration from Gonzaga University, where she completed a thesis on self regulation strategies for engaging students in writing. Cara’s commitment to continuous professional growth is reflected in certifications in SIVA, VTRA, and trauma informed education, along with training in UFLI and structured literacy practices.</p><p>Please join us in congratulating Cara on this new role. The IF Cox School community will benefit from the experience, care, and dedication she brings to school leadership.</p>

<p>Prairie Rose Public Schools is pleased to announce that Lana Cross has accepted the position of Principal at Jenner School, a K to 9 school serving the community of Jenner and surrounding area.</p><p>With a wide range of experience in both elementary and junior high education, Lana brings a deep commitment to student engagement, inclusive learning, and school leadership. Currently teaching Language Arts and CTF Options at Parkside Junior High in Redcliff, she has also taught at Senator Gershaw School, Irvine School, and several others across the region. Her background includes leadership roles such as Home Economics Department Lead and organizer of various student activities and programs.</p><p>In addition to a Bachelor of Education from Lakehead University, Lana holds a Bachelor of Human Ecology from the University of Manitoba, and is currently pursuing a Master of Educational Leadership from the University of Alberta. Additional qualifications include certification under the Alberta Leadership Quality Standard and ongoing work toward the Superintendent Leadership Quality Standard. Her professional learning reflects a strong focus on curriculum design, literacy, student wellness, and instructional leadership.</p><p>Known for creativity, organization, and a relationship centered leadership style, Lana is dedicated to building a positive and engaging school culture where all students feel connected, supported, and empowered to succeed. Her energy and passion for education will be a strong asset to the Jenner School community.&nbsp;</p><p>Please join us in congratulating Lana on this new role. We look forward to the experience, vision, and care she will bring as Principal of Jenner School.</p>

<p>In the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering shop within South Alberta Collegiate (SAC) magic happens in the form of airplane builds. All South Alberta Flight Academy students have scheduled time within their weekly schedules for plane builds but when the aircraft is nearing completion, instructor Harry Jaeger puts in extra time during the evenings and weekends to get the plane fly ready.&nbsp;</p><p>During plane build sessions, the atmosphere in the shop is calm with nothing rushed and all tasks completed at a measured pace. On the evening of May 26, Grade 11 students Claire Courty and Daxton Rieder joined Jaeger to continue with the finishing touches on the second student-built Vans RV12. The students worked on their own as much as possible, consulting with Jaeger when needed. The first task of the evening was to add the exhaust system to the engine and then Courty and Rieder spent the remaining time preparing the radiator and oil cooler by installing mounting brackets.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>When not needed by the students, Jaeger was trimming to fit the tail fairing and the stabilator – a stabilizer and elevator combined into one moving part – so they wouldn’t rub up against each other. All pieces for the RV12 come rough cut and require slight modifications at times to fit together.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>By the evening of June 12, when 2025-26 incoming Flight Academy students and their parents attended a welcome barbeque at SAC and had a chance to tour the shop, the RV12 was nearing completion. Jaeger stated the plan is to continue with the fine details of engine installation and electrical hookups in addition to properly fitting the fibreglass pieces for the engine cowling, which covers the engine and provides the aerodynamic shape behind the propeller. Once the fibreglass pieces are fitted, Jaeger intends to paint them in the new teal Eagle Butte colours so there is an easy differentiation between the original RV12 aircraft and the second one.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The final step while the plane is at the shop will be to install the propeller before loading the aircraft on a trailer and transporting it in multiple trips to the hangar at the Medicine Hat Airport. Vans RV12 planes are designed to have the wings as removable components for ease of transportation. Once at the hangar, the wings will be reinstalled and ground testing will commence, which involves engine performance runs, calibration of all systems, taxi testing of all the systems, along with brake and steering tests at high speed.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“The use of a runway will be required for high-speed taxi testing, which will put the plane just below the threshold of flight,” explained Jaeger. “At that point, to confirm the aircraft handles properly, heavy braking is applied to ensure the aircraft can be controlled on the ground at high speeds.”&nbsp;</p><p>If no issues are encountered, the ground testing will take about a week. Even though the school year will be officially over, Flight Academy students will be invited to join Jaeger for ground testing if they are interested. Once the testing is complete, all access panels will be removed to prepare the RV12 for final inspection by the MDRA (Minister’s Delegate for Recreational Aircraft) where the plane should receive a temporary certificate for airworthiness.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“I would like to be able to say the ground testing, final inspection and first flight will be completed towards the middle to end of July, weather permitting. It’s not something that can be rushed because if I think we are there, I realize there is something that isn’t quite the way it is supposed to be. We take no chances, we would rather take a delay than rush something through knowing it’s not going to be right,” concluded Jaeger.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>This year has brought new and exciting things to Prairie Rose School Division (PRSD), from building a new school in Redcliff, to putting Prairie Rose buses on the road and kicking off the first year of the new School of Trades. As the division continues to grow and evolve, of highest importance is always providing the best education for students while ensuring they arrive to school in a safe and timely manner. Superintendent Dr. Reagan Weeks feels fortunate to work with staff members who consistently go above and beyond for the students and families the division serves and continues to feel very fortunate to work with Prairie Rose.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The new Parkside School in Redcliff will be a replacement school for Grades 7 to 9. “We are thrilled about that,” stated Superintendent Dr. Reagan Weeks. “We’ve been moving along through the process and have awarded a contractor for the site assessment, which should be done soon. It’s really exciting as we think about the kind of school we are going to create to provide kids with an upgraded experience.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>In discussion with the Redcliff community and staff members, areas of emphasis for the new school include ensuring there is space to meet the needs of students pursuing their CTF options courses, whether that be culinary, a shop, or a large open space for drones and robotics. Another important feature for both students and the community is gym space.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“We are excited to partner with the Town of Redcliff to ensure we have the kind of facility that serves the needs of all community members. Our goal is to have the school built as soon as possible. With the accelerated program the Alberta Government has launched, we are hopeful we will be able to move much quicker because of that initiative,” said Weeks.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Building an internal transportation company was not something Weeks anticipated PRSD having to do. “Rural transportation is very complicated,” explained Weeks, “we are travelling over one million, perhaps as close to two million, kilometers a year over roads that are rarely utilized and over vast differences. 29,000 square kilometers is a huge area to cover. When you take all those challenges into account, along with the priority that we have students arrive safely and in as timely manner as possible, we are pretty excited about how the year has gone.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>This year, PRSD was fortunate to secure enough drivers to bring all students to school and more buses have been ordered for next year to add additional routes. It’s been a massive undertaking for the division with a steep learning curve. Being responsive to parents and community members continues to be a high priority with feedback being used to design the best transportation system possible.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The new School of Trades was launched this year in partnership with Medicine Hat College. The program has received enthusiastic response from all communities PRSD serves, with students from Foremost School, Senator Gershaw School in Bow Island, South Central High School in Oyen and Eagle Butte High School in Dunmore taking part.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“The program has been transformational for many students and is already full for next year with a waiting list forming. The enthusiasm and support we’ve had has been fantastic and we are very grateful to our partner, Medicine Hat College, for creating the kind of experience students are really excited about,” stated Weeks.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Additionally, there has been tremendous response from the business community to support the students in the program, which is critical for it to work. “It’s not a small commitment, because the students are still learning and the businesses have lots of work to accomplish themselves. We don’t take that for granted and are super grateful and thankful for the mentorship they’ve provided as we look forward to next steps,” said Weeks.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

We are very proud to shine our Student Spotlight on to Lex Eva! Congratulations Lex!

<p>Prairie Rose Public Schools is pleased to announce that Sterling Hamilton has accepted the position of Vice-Principal at Parkside Junior High School in Redcliff starting the 2025/2026 school year.</p><p>Sterling brings with him a strong background in both instructional leadership and student-focused programming. He currently serves as the Physical Education Lead Teacher at Crescent Heights High School in Medicine Hat, where he has played a key role in outcome-based assessment, professional development planning, and supporting student wellness. His leadership has extended beyond the classroom through roles such as Wellness Champion, Teacher Welfare Committee Co-Chair, and regional representative for the Health and Physical Education Council.</p><p>Sterling holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education, graduating with honours in 2023. He also holds a Bachelor of Education with a major in Kinesiology and a minor in Social Studies from the University of Lethbridge. Notably, his teaching career began in part at Parkside Junior High during a practicum, where he taught multiple subjects including Math, Health, and Physical Education.</p><p>Sterling is known for working well with others and creating learning environments where all students feel included and supported. He has strong experience in coaching, adapting curriculum to meet student needs, using different assessment strategies, as well as building a positive school culture.</p><p>Please join us in congratulating Sterling on his appointment. We are excited to welcome him to the Parkside School community and look forward to the leadership, passion, and energy he will bring.</p>

<p>Ryker Hollingsworth knew the race for valedictorian of Foremost School was close. He and another classmate, who Hollingsworth is good friends with, were unsure which of them would receive the top honour. “We’ve always been neck and neck. I think we were both trying pretty hard because we were competing with each other,” said Hollingsworth, who added his friend might be the lucky one because he doesn’t have to give a speech at graduation.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>When asked what motivates him to get high grades, Hollingsworth said, “I push myself because I feel like I owe it to all the people around me who have helped me so much to do my best. I feel like if I didn’t try my best that it would be a waste of a good opportunity.”&nbsp;</p><p>Raised on the family farm near Etzikom, Hollingsworth is cognizant the transition to post-secondary education will be a significant one. He’s already been accepted into the engineering program at Lethbridge University.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“I think one year closer to home will be better for the transition. It will be a big difference between here and the big city of Edmonton.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Having always been interested in mechanics, Hollingsworth is leaning toward mechanical engineering but knows this might change during his first year of studies and wants to keep his options open before making a final decision prior to his second year. He chose engineering because he would prefer to build new things rather than fixing what already exists.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>While he enjoys playing many sports, including volleyball and baseball, hockey is his first love and he’s been playing the game for as long as he can remember. “It’s the fast pace, in other sports you don’t really get that. The best memories you can make are in the dressing room and at away tournaments. It’s just so fun to be part of a team. I’ll miss it a lot,” concluded Hollingsworth.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prairie Rose School Division (PRSD) was fortunate to receive a Community Initiatives Program Project-Based Grant just prior to Christmas. The grant was used to purchase an LED media wall that was installed in the gymnasium at Eagle Butte High School (EBHS) during the Easter break in April. During May, staff were trained on how to use the media wall and by the time a division-wide professional development (PD) day was held on June 6, it was fully operational.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“We’ve had the opportunity to have a district-wide PD-day so far and utilized the new screen to present all the information, particularly about our three-year strategic plan that is coming into effect next year,” said Vice-Principal and Athletic Director at EBHS Lyall Foran. “What I’ve noticed is that it is so much more engaging and easier to see. When we are trying to do any kind of visual presentation at the gym, it’s definitely better for us as it’s easily visible and catches everybody’s attention. One’s eyes are drawn to it as soon as they enter the gym and it’s a great feature to have.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>While all sports played in the gym are done for this academic year, Foran says there will be a series of spring and summer basketball camps along with open sessions for volleyball where the media wall will be utilized. “I am looking forward to seeing its potential put to use once we get into our volleyball season come fall,” stated Foran.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Dr. Reagan Weeks, Superintendent of PRPS, presented the three-year strategic plan at the division-wide PD-Day on June 6.&nbsp;</p><p>“One of the most exciting things about the screen, aside from the visual impact, is it can be seen clearly from every angle,” explained Weeks. “When there is a very large audience, one of the things that can always be challenging is the visuals are unable to be seen by everyone.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The media wall was used during the first session of the PD-day to present the process used by the executive team to create the new strategic plan. Following that, the strategic plan was unveiled, and those present were walked through all the next steps, goals, and dreams that are in place for the PRPS vision going forward.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“It’s also something that is going to be used daily for students, everything from sports to showing highlight reels of students excelling. Additionally, the screen will be used during academic awards ceremonies and student assemblies. It offers the chance to celebrate in a visual, high impact way, and we feel very fortunate to have been a successful recipient of the Community Initiatives Program Project-Based Grant. It’s exciting for students to have the kind of facility that makes them feel like they are important and where they are able to showcase what they are doing,” concluded Weeks.</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prairie Rose Public Schools is expanding into honey production and education this year. Eleven bee hives are being established at Neubauer Farms with plans to establish hives at several schools next year. Ten bee packages recently arrived from New Zealand and were loaded into brood boxes on Saturday night, May 10th. The last hive was established using a swarm of bees master beekeeper Sheldon Hill rescued a week ago and donated to Prairie Rose Honey.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>It took four days for the bee packages to reach Neubauer Farms, first on a plane from New Zealand to Vancouver and then driven into Alberta by Scandia Honey. As May 10 was an exceptionally hot day for early May, the bees could not be loaded into the brood boxes until the sun was setting, and the temperature was starting to cool.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“The bees needed to come from New Zealand due to the heavy colony collapse sustained throughout Canada and the United States over the past winter, with some beekeeper losing up to 90% of their bee colonies. &nbsp;The reason for the collapse is not yet fully understood,” stated Nichole Neubauer. “For that reason, there is high interest in importing bees from other countries as North American beekeepers will not have any extra bees to sell.”&nbsp;</p><p>This is a critical time for establishing the hives for Prairie Rose Honey, the bees need to be situated in the deep brood box and settle before the queen is released into the hive, which occurred three days after the bees were loaded. Hill and Neubauer will pull frames next week to determine if the queen is laying eggs.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“This is pivotal as the entire future of the bee colony revolves around the queen’s ability to lay lots of eggs, thousands and thousands of them,” explained Neubauer. “Once the hive is established, the queen starts filling frames with brood and capped brood.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Capped brood are those eggs that have hatched into the larva stage – the bee life cycle is egg, larva, pupa and adult – and bees cap the hexagon of honeycomb until the larva matures and hatches out of the comb to join the hive.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“We need to see these bees increase their numbers so they can go out and forage to bring back pollen and nectar to the hive so they can ultimately make honey, said Neubauer.” The packages don’t contain a large number of bees, so it is important to give them every chance to be successful. Sheldon (Hill) will be feeding them simple syrup – a sugar and water mixture – in a free flow, nonstop supply until spring takes off and there is an abundance of flowering plants available.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Currently, there are some early spring flowers available, primarily fruit trees and various shrubs, but bees require an incredible volume of flowers to make even a small amount of honey. Once the hives are well established and the bee colony has increased in numbers, a flow hive will be added on top of the brood boxes. Flow hives enable the extracting of honey without disturbing the bees as the hive doesn’t need to be dismantled to access the frames. Flow hives are designed to be placed directly on top of the brood box and will be the way Prairie Rose Honey is harvested this year.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>Additional information can be found in the June 10, 2025, Board Meeting Agenda package: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HfRXmYRN31Yy48zdOOPpe6chhOgPLu--/view?usp=drive_link">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HfRXmYRN31Yy48zdOOPpe6chhOgPLu--/view?usp=drive_link</a></p><p>------</p><p><strong>Parkside School Presentation</strong><br>Parkside School administration provided an overview of the school’s programs, emphasizing elective options available to students, school-wide activities such as “undercover spirit days,” and the&nbsp;<i>Community Character</i> initiative that connects students with local seniors. The school also noted the addition of the new SAHA U15 hockey team next year, and shared that the school had seen improvement on recent Provincial Achievement Test (PAT) results. A scene from the school’s&nbsp;<i>Mamma Mia</i> musical theatre performance was presented by several students. For the upcoming school year, the school will be focussing on strengthening parent involvement.</p><p><strong>First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) Education Update</strong><br>Student Experiences Coordinator Carol Carlson presented the annual report on First Nations Metis Inuit education in Prairie Rose Public Schools. In the 2024-2025 year, 133 students self-identified as Indigenous within the division, with a total of 241 when including students from Coulee Collegiate and South Alberta High School. PRPS Indigenous students continue to exceed the provincial average in high school completion rates (78% compared to 58.6%). Other highlights of the report developments included:</p><ul><li>Tipi donations (10 in total) from Saamis Employment and Training Association</li><li>New resources such as 4Canoes Digital Library</li><li>Monthly Truth &amp; Reconciliation content for teachers</li><li>Hands-on learning kits (dreamcatcher, soap carving, drum kits)</li><li>14 Indigenous students are graduating this year</li><li>Indigenous Peoples Day will be observed on June 21.</li></ul><p><strong>Occupational Health &amp; Safety Report</strong><br>The annual Occupational Health and Safety report indicated 106 student and 15 staff injuries during the 2024–2025 school year. The majority of student accidents occurred in gymnasiums and on playgrounds. Staff injuries were primarily due to slips/falls. Increased WCB claims have resulted in a 10.17% surcharge. An external consultant will be hired to conduct an audit of WCB claims. Emergency preparedness remains a focus, with Hour Zero training and site compliance audits showing most schools at or near full compliance. Forty-four staff received Standard First Aid training, and bus drivers will receive training in August.</p><p><strong>Financial Update 2024-2025</strong><br>The fiscal financial update for the 2024-2025 school year as of May 31, 2025 included:</p><ul><li>Revenues totaled $62.2 million, $2.1 million above budget</li><li>Expenses totaled $62 million, $1.6 million over budget</li><li>The year-to-date result is a surplus of $213,830, an improvement from the previously projected deficit of $281,086</li></ul><p><strong>2025-2026 Budget Approval</strong><br>Prairie Rose Public Schools has approved a balanced budget for 2025–2026 which is the first in more than a decade. The total budget is $83.29 million, a 38.5% increase over the previous year, largely due to the addition of two Calgary schools (AJ and OBK) and over 1,600 new students.</p><p><i>Revenue and Grants</i><br>PRPS receives 94.4% of its funding from Alberta Education. Key changes include:</p><ul><li>A $20.4 million increase in instructional funding</li><li>A $1.18 million Supplemental Rural Allocation</li><li>A new $100,000 School Technology Grant</li><li>Increases to Supports &amp; Services (2.32%) and Classroom Complexity (20%)</li><li>Transportation revenue will decrease slightly due to changes in funding formulas and fuel subsidies.</li></ul><p><i>Program Allocations</i><br>Total funding by program area:</p><ul><li>Instruction: $65.95 million</li><li>Operations &amp; Maintenance: $9.78 million</li><li>Transportation: $4.61 million</li><li>System Administration: $2.68 million</li><li>External Services: $262,630</li></ul><p><i>Staffing and Wages</i><br>Staffing will increase by over 90 FTE to support enrollment growth. The budget includes projected wage increases for both teachers and support staff, with teacher salary adjustments expected to be funded by the province.</p><p><i>Reserves</i><br>Operating reserves are projected at $2.66 million (3.19% of expenditures), with capital reserves estimated at $868,000.</p><p><strong>Redcliff School Project</strong><br>A site assessment meeting with the Alberta Education/Infrastructure designated contractor is scheduled for June 17, 2025. The assessment will confirm if the selected location meets compliance requirements. Utility design is also complete, and next steps depend on the outcome of the site assessment.</p><p><strong>Student Services Report</strong><br>The Board received the Student Experiences Accountability Report, which outlined the range of supports provided across Prairie Rose Public Schools. The division employs a diverse team that includes 124 educational assistants, 11.125 inclusion support teachers, 7 student wellness counsellors, a psychologist, two therapy assistants, and a part-time resilience strategist. Additional supports are accessed through contracted services for occupational therapy, physical therapy, and vision supports.</p><p>Over the past year, 445 students accessed wellness services, with the most common concerns related to emotional regulation and family issues. A total of 162 Early Childhood Screenings were conducted for incoming students. Five students participated in the division’s hippotherapy program, which is available by referral. Prairie Rose also continues to support the use of trained service dogs in schools, with two dogs—Ian and Taija—currently working with students.</p><p>The report emphasized the growing complexity of student needs across the division and identified increasing challenges in programming and service delivery for students requiring specialized support. Educational assistants were acknowledged as essential members of school-based teams in meeting these needs. A new website and monthly newsletter have been developed to improve communication about the services provided and to support staff in accessing available resources.</p><p><strong>Executive Report</strong></p><ul><li>Two students are graduating with Veterinary Technician credentials from Senator Gershaw and Foremost schools</li></ul><p><strong>Other Items:</strong></p><ul><li>The board approved a new school code for Rosebank Colony School</li><li>The Board approved the 2025-2026 Board Monitoring Schedule</li><li>The Board passed three readings of Bylaw 1-2025 to allow for more than one voting station in a subdivision at the upcoming municipal trustee elections</li><li>The board approved locally developed courses Forensic Studies 25/35, Design Thinking for Innovation 15/25/25, Developing Personal Integrity 15/25/35, and Religious Studies Islamic Studies 15/25/35</li><li>The board approved K-9 Biblical Studies (a PRPS locally developed elective course for Burdett School)</li><li>Cathy Hogg (12 years), Lois Bedwell (8 years) and Pam Cursons (8 years) received awards for years of service from the Public School Boards Association</li></ul>

<p>Due to smoke from nearby forest fires, air quality levels across our school division may vary throughout the day. Prairie Rose Public Schools is closely monitoring the situation to ensure the health and safety of all students and staff.</p><h4>How Decisions Are Made:</h4><p>Each school uses trusted weather sources to check the <strong>Air Quality Index (AQI)</strong> in their local area. Based on these readings, schools will adjust outdoor activities and follow safety protocols when needed.</p><ul><li><strong>If air quality is rated high risk</strong>, students will <strong>remain indoors</strong>, and the <strong>Shelter in Place</strong> protocol will be activated.</li><li><strong>If conditions fall in the moderate range</strong>, schools may limit outdoor activities, especially for students or staff with health concerns.</li></ul><h4>Monitoring Tools:</h4><p><strong>The Weather Network</strong> is used in some locations to access the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI). A rating of <strong>7 or higher</strong> triggers Shelter in Place.</p><p><a href="https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/weather/alberta/medicine-hat">Check AQHI for Medicine Hat</a></p><p><strong>AccuWeather</strong> provides data for many of our rural areas. If air quality is listed as <strong>Poor or Unhealthy</strong>, the same indoor protocols apply.</p><p><a href="https://www.accuweather.com/en/ca/medicine-hat/t1a/air-quality-index/46928">Check AccuWeather for your area</a></p><h4>What This Means for Your Child:</h4><ul><li>Outdoor recess, PE classes, and other outside events may be moved indoors depending on air quality levels.</li><li>Students with asthma or respiratory conditions may be given additional precautions.</li><li>Principals and staff will continue to monitor conditions throughout the day and adjust as needed.</li></ul>

<p>While Mattias Radke loves playing hockey and is a goalie on the U18 hockey team with the South Alberta Hockey Academy, he is aware it is a career that will eventually end. “It's nice that I found a program like this that supports the hockey side with the school side. I have two classes a day on top of the hockey and I’m still able to get all my work done,” said Radke.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>For his last semester at Eagle Butte, Radke is taking Chemistry 30 and Physics 30 and says he gets his homework and studying done after school and when the team is on the bus travelling to an away game. He still needs to take calculus but plans on taking that course online next year when he is plays Junior A hockey for the Kindersley Klippers.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>He’s been playing hockey for as long as he can remember. “I probably started playing organized hockey when I was six or seven and became a goalie when I was ten years old. I like the brotherhood I get from being on a team and appreciate both the high and low moments that come with the sport. When we win, it’s the best feeling ever and it’s crazy the contrast from winning and losing. Feeling the joy of winning a big game is why I still play, and I love being competitive,” stated Radke.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>He’s excited to be going to Kindersley to join the Klippers and plans to play junior hockey a few years before pursuing a post-secondary education in biomedical engineering while hopefully continuing to play hockey. “For me, hockey will end eventually, and I need a backup plan,” said Radke.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Currently recovering from knee surgery, biomedical engineering holds an interest for Radke due to many injuries he’s sustained over the years. “With biomedical engineering I wanted to develop certain things that are going to help people with injuries to keep playing. If someone hurts themselves, I’d like to develop a way they can keep doing what they love. I wanted to do medicine, and I also wanted to be an engineer, so that’s why I chose biomedical engineering,” concluded Radke.</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>Alayna Martens enrolled in a dual-credit program for her Grade 10 year at Senator Gershaw School rather than taking any of the traditional options available. With a love of animals and an interest in veterinary medicine, the Veterinary Technical Assistant Certificate will allow Martens to work in a vet clinic as a non-registered member.</p><p>The last of her exams will be written in May, allowing Martens to attend the Olds College convocation in June and walk across the stage. She has sent out resumes to volunteer at a clinic over the summer and plans to continue volunteering or applying for paid positions for the next two years.</p><p>While Martens could fast-track to become a veterinary technician after graduating high school, her goal is to take a Bachelor of Science degree and then enrol in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at either the University of Calgary or the University of Saskatchewan. The dual-credit program allowed Martens to try some courses and get some practical experience working in a veterinary setting to see if it would be a viable career for her.</p><p>Martens completed five courses to complete the requirements for the certificate. The first she took in the summer prior to beginning her Grade 10 year, followed by two courses in the fall semester and the final two courses this semester.</p><p>“I had to be at Olds College on some weekends, five times last semester and four times this semester. It’s definitely busy but lots of fun,” said Martens. “I carpooled with another student from Lethbridge. We would drive up together and sleep there Friday night. Saturday was a full day and, depending on the course, we would either participate in a lab or handle live animals. We’ve been practicing different restraints for animals and their behaviours this semester. Last semester was a focus on surgery, so we learned about surgical instruments and practicing clinical procedures.”</p><p>Martens was also able to spend a day at a vet clinic as part of the course, which she enjoyed. Having grown up around horses and other large animals, she didn’t have much experience with smaller animals until her weekends at Olds College. Although her focus is getting a position in a clinic, she could also work in another animal-related area, such as at the SPCA.</p><p>“I’ve wanted to be a vet since I was quite young. To be able to try it out has been a great experience. I have lots of first-hand experience with animals and wanted to find a career where I could mix my passion with animals and be able to make a living,” stated Martens.</p><p>Martens used her experience in the Veterinary Technician Assistant dual-credit program for her 4-H speech this year as well as for the project she completed for the Senator Gershaw exhibition of learning.</p><p>“I would say it was a great experience if one isn’t sure what career they want to pursue because it is only one year,” concluded Martens. “It is a fantastic program. The professors are amazing and I got to learn lots and meet new people. If students want to try something new, this is a good course to look at.”</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prairie Rose Public Schools is pleased to announce that Candace Robins has accepted the position of Principal at Bow Island Elementary School (BIE). She will step into the role as part of the school’s transition to a full-time principal position this upcoming fall.</p><p>Candace has been a dedicated educator with Prairie Rose since 2007, teaching across all lower elementary grade levels at Isabel F. Cox School in Redcliff. Much of this work has placed a strong emphasis on early learning skills, helping young students build a solid foundation for future success. Her approach centers on creating inclusive, engaging classrooms, fostering a culture of respect and cooperation, and encouraging leadership in her students from an early age.</p><p>Candace holds a Master of Education in Leadership and Educational Research from the University of Calgary, along with Bachelor degrees in Education and English. She has also completed additional training in leadership and literacy, including the Leadership Quality Standard, SIVA training, and courses through the Writing Revolution.</p><p>Please join us in congratulating Candace on her new role. We are confident she will bring her experience, dedication, and passion for student success to the Bow Island Elementary School community.</p>

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<p>Prairie Rose Public Schools was a hosting partner for the Aerial Evolution Association of Canada’s (AEAC) National Student Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Competition that started on May 9 and ran through till May 11th. Students from 15 universities across Canada arrived in Medicine Hat on the Thursday to compete, unloading all their equipment and drones at the South Alberta Collegiate building.&nbsp;</p><p>“Helping to assist in hosting this event was a wonderful opportunity for Prairie Rose School Division,” said Superintendent Reagan Weeks. “Utilizing our building and bringing in students from 15 universities across the country gave us a chance to interact with students pursuing various engineering programs. It also provided us with an opportunity to look at some advanced drones and allowed our flight academy to interact with post-secondary students who they may aspire to emulate in the near future. I am very grateful to our staff who were able to pitch in to support the community as a whole and to support the competitors in their pursuit of addressing a problem that is very real in our area. One of the most exciting things was the competition challenge was designed around a very tangible problem our families face across Prairie Rose. It’s very exciting to see the cutting-edge work being done to address prairie fires.”&nbsp;</p><p>The competition, which has been held for the past 15 years, provides teams with real-world challenges they must address using UAS technology. Teams were responsible for designing and building their own UAS system prototype to demonstrate during the competition and the task for this year was wildfire detection and response. Teams are comprised of students from various academic programs, providing them with the expertise needed to successfully design, construct and operate their UAVs.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>2025 marks the first year the competition was held in Western Canada and, with over 170 students competing this year, the first obstacle was transporting the team members and equipment. The Universite de Sherbrooke Miniature Aerial Vehicle team chose to drive their UAV and equipment to Medicine Hat, driving 24 hours on the first day and completing the trip after stopping in Kenora, Ontario for the night.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>On Friday, each team gave an oral presentation where they introduced their team, outlined their design process and introduced the UAV’s they would be using to complete the two tasks. On Saturday, the task was wildfire surveillance where the teams needed to find hot spots, simulated by LED emitters. On Sunday, after all teams were provided with the location of the hot spots, the task was to transport water to each one. The flying was all done at the Len Holden Memorial Airfield, home of the Medicine Hat Rc’ers.&nbsp;</p><p>The Queen’s Aerospace Design Team’s presentation closed with Jake Campbell explaining to the audience the large number of crashes their fixed-winged UAV, the one they were going to use for wildfire surveillance, had sustained. The final crash, into a tree, resulted in the drone being destroyed. On Friday of the competition, the team was testing their water-drop UAV, which also crashed and wasn’t repairable, resulting in the team being unable to fly over the weekend.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Campbell, who is entering his final year of electrical engineering at Queen’s University, said, “we spent the year designing two drones, so we had a fixed-wing drone and a few videos of it flying very well. When we initially started testing, our motor was undersized, so we weren’t getting enough lift. Our last crash put our airplane into a hundred pieces, it pretty much exploded. No fires or anything, we tried to prepare for that.”&nbsp;</p><p>The general consensus amongst the judges was the wildfire surveillance task would be the easier of the two, but this didn’t end up being the case. There were three hot spots in the field, but the teams who did find hot spots only managed to find false ones.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“Our day 1 survey task proved exceptionally difficult,” said lead judge Katrina Cecco at the awards banquet. “I never imagined when we were developing this con ops (concept of operations) over the summer as a team that the water bucket transport by drone would be easier than the basic aerial survey for which we gave you very obvious red balloons, visible from the flight line.”&nbsp;</p><p>Several teams received awards at the banquet, with the energy in the room celebratory and enthusiastic throughout the evening. The winner of the competition was the University of Waterloo Robotics Group (WARG) who brought three drones to the competition and, in the words of one of the organizers, knocked it out of the park on Sunday by using two drones in sequence to transport water to the hot spots. Many of the teams are reforming after dissolving during the pandemic and WARG is no exception. Started in 1997, they are now in their fifth year as a renewed design team.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>WARG faced some tough issues on Saturday with interference and were unable to get all three drones in the air at the same time. The first drone went out and got lost and needed to be retrieved by truck. The team tried to get the other two going but only managed a short flight with the third drone. On Sunday, the team put one drone in the air, and had it hover in a waiting pattern while the second one lifted off, collected water, and took it away. Once it was clear of the water barrel, the waiting drone came in to collect water and this pattern was repeated multiple times until one of the drones decided to remain at the barrel, causing a congestion problem with the other drone.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>Second place went to the University of British Columbia Uncrewed Aircraft Systems design team. This team’s drone sustained a fire on Friday during a test flight, but they managed to still fly on Saturday, recording numerous hotspots, although all were false. On Sunday, they were the first team to fly and managed to make one successful water drop. Their UAV managed to fill with a second load of water before the drone toppled off the top of the barrel, causing it to lose all propellers and a camera.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>The Blackbird UAV team from Carleton University took third place. On Saturday, their UAV flew well, but the team only took it halfway across the field before circling to look for hotspots. On Sunday, they picked up water a couple of times before deciding to play it safe and brought their drone back for a successful landing.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Phase 1 of the competition involves each team submitting design reports. The rules for the competition are set in the summer, student teams register in November, and the design reports are submitted in mid-January, providing a checkpoint for judges to see the progress teams have made. The reports are scored on different criteria, one being how they plan to attempt the two tasks. “The designs continue to evolve throughout the year and sometimes teams show up with drones that don’t quite look like what was in the report,” said lead judge Katrina Cecco. For Phase 1, first place went to the University of Victoria AERO team, second to the University of Waterloo Robotics Group third to the University of Toronto Aerospace Team.&nbsp;</p><p>The Innovation award also went to the University of Toronto Aerospace Team, who made much progress in autonomous mode and impressed the judges with their display of intention and the great design they had for payload.&nbsp;</p><p>McGill Drones and Vertical Flight Society took home the award for perseverance. When flying UAVs, a perfect flight plan rarely comes to fruition due to a variety of reasons, such as wind gusts, hardware fails, and software bugs. The judges saw all teams displaying impressive technical skills, creative problem solving and engineering excellence. The judges found McGill’s ability to adapt, improvise and overcome adversity made them exceptional and while the team didn’t have the smoothest journey throughout the competition, they kept persisting rather than giving up.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The Judges Award went to the University of Victoria AERO team. The Judge’s Award is given out for any criteria, which changes from year to year, the committee has been impressed with on a particular team. “This year it goes to a team that excelled for many reasons,” Cecco told the audience at the banquet.&nbsp; “They didn’t have an optimal flight performance as planned, but they were some of the most impressive in terms of preparation, organization of operations, including the use of checklists, safety features, modular and transportable design of their UAV, along with cool design innovations. Their water collection system was very fast and was suspended under the drone but could detach to allow for emergency landings. The amount of forethought and planning that went into this system and its operation was truly impressive for a team founded in 2022.”&nbsp;</p><p>Polytechnique Montreal Zenith team took home the award for team spirit, which acknowledges a team’s impact on the overall spirit of the competition. The Zenith team stood out as keeping their spirits up and boosting the energy of all present after their drone crashed and damaged the water collection system. On Sunday, the team showed up with an improvised water collection system consisting of a water bottle and a golf ball. Following this success, they proceeded to keep the entire crowd out at the field energized, enthused and engaged.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>