<p>The Young at Heart Reading Program at Seven Persons School started up in early October of this year. Every other Tuesday afternoon, volunteers, primarily grandparents within the community, come to the school for about an hour and read with or to students from kindergarten through to Grade 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Debbie Penner, who at one time was the librarian at Seven Persons School, was part of the early discussions to begin the group. “The idea was for grandparents to come and read with young children to help with literacy and to encourage reading, which is always a fundamental good thing, but also to work at the community aspect of things. In a small town, it’s really good for young kids to have that connection with older people within the community,” explained Penner. “It builds relationships, but also accountability for young kids. It’s a good idea for small communities to do this kind of thing. We have lots of activities at the hall and churches, so these kids will run into members of the community.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Those who are interested can sign up for the days they are available. When they arrive at the school, volunteer's check-in with reception to find out what classroom and grade they’ve been assigned to. Some come each time and go to the same classroom, building stronger relationships with those students. Generally, about six volunteers show up, allowing there to be at least one or two readers in each of the grades.&nbsp;</p><p>“We do whatever the teacher wants, which we love. We will read with the kids or read to the kids, it can be one on one, small groups or the whole class. We don’t have to plan anything, we are just there to facilitate and help the teacher,” said Penner. “I think it is going very well. It’s for grandparents to get involved in the school, many of us have grandkids here. It’s been very successful, and I think the teachers find it a good thing too.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Margaret Cook is another volunteer who arrives regularly for the Young at Heart Reading program. Originally from England – although she left 28 years ago, she still has a marked accent – students get to hear slightly different stories from her. “We talked about wartime last time I was here and that was good. My mum was 11 years old when war broke out so I can tell them about rationing with no candy, sugar, bananas or pineapple,” said Cook. “My grandchildren are more grown up now, the youngest is 13, and I love reading to kids and I love little kids. I’ve been with the Grade 2 class, and they are so much fun. They are very attentive, have lots to say, are well behaved and polite. It’s been a pleasure.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

The winners are ....... Door #2 - Alicia Hall and Door #4 - Jacee Ismay. Thank you to all of those that took the time to vote! @prairierosesd8 Prairie Rose Public Schools @mhcollege Medicine Hat College Medicine Hat Public School Division @mhpublicschools

<p><strong>Experienced US Baseball Coach and Mentor to Spearhead New Academy at Eagle Butte High School</strong></p><p>Having experienced great success with the current Badlands Badgers Baseball Academy in Oyen, Prairie Rose Public Schools will be adding another competitive baseball program to the roster. Starting in the fall of 2025, Eagle Butte High School will launch the South Alberta Baseball Academy.</p><p>“The Badgers program was the first academy program offered by Prairie Rose,” says Director of Enhanced Programming for PRPS Darren MacMillan. “Over the years the Badgers have had great success in developing players who have gone on to play collegiate ball in the US. Having a program out of Eagle Butte would have benefits for both teams.”</p><p>Unlike other high school academy sports programs such as hockey, no academy league with official standings exists for baseball. Teams often have to travel long distances just to compete with other schools who offer competitive baseball options. MacMillan hopes that adding another competitive team to the region will support the growth of baseball in the area and possibly result in establishing an academy league in the future.</p><p>“It is a challenge to offer baseball year-round in a country where the weather impacts access to facilities,” adds MacMillan. “In Oyen we are incredibly lucky to have “The Barn” which is a massive 13,000 square foot indoor training facility, and now with the addition of the South Alberta Collegiate building by the airport we have removed one of the bigger obstacles around offering a competitive baseball program.”</p><p>Spearheading the new program will be Marc MacMillan who has an extensive baseball resume in the southern US market. His experience includes Head Coach at Charleston Southern University, Assistant Coach and Director of Operations at the University of Mississippi, and Associate Head Coach at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Additionally, Marc operates Marc MacMillan Baseball, which provides training camps for children to learn and grow their baseball skills.</p><p>“I am looking forward to being part of this new opportunity to grow baseball at the high school level in southern Alberta,” says Marc MacMillan. “Even though I have lived in the southern US most of my life, I have family in the Medicine Hat and Milk River regions. When I was asked to coach and develop this new program for the South Alberta Baseball Academy, it was my chance to reconnect with my Canadian roots and bring home what I have learned from my time building competitive baseball players in the US market.”</p><p>Earlier this year Prairie Rose Public Schools announced the partnership with the Mavericks baseball organization (WCBL) to develop baseball fundamentals in students from grades 4 - 9. Led by head coach and program director Greg Morrison, the Mavericks School of Baseball now operates at four PRPS schools with 52 students enrolled.</p><p>------</p><p><strong>Other Links and Information</strong></p><p>Badlands Baseball Academy: <a href="https://baseballacademy.myprps.com/">https://baseballacademy.myprps.com/</a></p><p>Marc MacMillan: <a href="https://www.csusports.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/marc-macmillan/215">https://www.csusports.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/marc-macmillan/215</a><br><a href="http://www.cmac23camps.com/Staff">http://www.cmac23camps.com/Staff</a></p><p>Mavericks School of Baseball: <a href="https://www.myprps.com/news/the-mavericks-and-prairie-rose-partner-to-launch-new-school-of-baseball-this-spring-1704825660121">https://www.myprps.com/news/the-mavericks-and-prairie-rose-partner-to-launch-new-school-of-baseball-this-spring-1704825660121</a><br><a href="https://www.myprps.com/news/mavericks-school-of-baseball-is-back-on-the-field-20241003214848">https://www.myprps.com/news/mavericks-school-of-baseball-is-back-on-the-field-20241003214848</a></p>

<p>Parkside Junior High School in Redcliff has a multitude of electives for students to choose from. Throughout the year, all students at the school can select six different electives from over 30 options in a variety of categories, which include fine arts, forging futures, sports, and technology. Under forging futures, one of the options is work experience, which is only open to Grade 9 students.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Vice-Principal Janet Kraft explained, “the students have lots of different opportunities, but one of them is going over to I.F. Cox School to support kids from kindergarten through to Grade 3, maybe working with students, reading to them, or helping them with projects. They might also be helping the teacher in the classroom with marking assignments or creating bulletin boards. There are lots of different ways they are involved at I.F. Cox, and we are thankful to have them so close to us so we can make this program successful.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>A new term of electives began in late November with seven students enrolled in work experience. Jake Druar is assigned to the Grade 1 class at I.F. Cox with teacher Leslie Beaudoin, who taught Druar when he was in Grade 1. Druar signed up for this elective because he enjoys meeting new people and finds younger kids fun to be around. As a goalie on the U15AAA hockey, he already has experience mentoring young players.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“I really like working with kids and wanted to get some experience in the workforce,” stated Druar. “I have a couple of younger siblings, and I do some on-ice work with younger goalies.”&nbsp;</p><p>Beaudoin enjoys having previous students back in her classroom. “It’s very exciting and I love Jake. He knew all the cool music from hockey so I used to always giggle when Jake would sing. He would sing the coolest songs, ones I knew. He would be writing and singing ACDC, it was so funny.”&nbsp;</p><p>Adrianna Eremenko felt the work experience elective was a good opportunity and she enjoys interacting with kids. “I babysit and have younger cousins that I see all the time. They are fun to be around, and I like hanging out with them,” said Eremenko. “I wanted to make an impression and be able to meet new people and spend time with younger kids, colouring with them, doing something fun, helping them read, or other activities.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Teacher Candace Robbins at I.F. Cox School, who has had several work experience students in her classroom throughout the years the elective has been running, said, “I love it. It’s a great way for the schools to connect and for those older students to come and interact with the younger ones at I.F. Cox. They love coming back to the school they attended for their early grades and engaging with their previous teachers, seeing the spaces again and remembering those good feelings of being here. They are like mentors, I find my students love seeing the Parkside students come over, some are brothers and sisters or cousins or they see them on their hockey team, so they already have that connection, and that mentorship really helps them learn and grow. They support us in an academic way, or a social emotional way. It's more like a peer group than an adult, so they feel a closer bond.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer</p>

The Staff participated in a Holiday Door Decorating Contest. Here are the 9 doors ....... stay tuned for the top 2 winners! @prairierosesd8 @mhcollege @mhpublicschools

<p>This year, Margaret Wooding School started a program of complementary courses divided into three themes: fine arts, lifestyle and leisure, along with tech/STEM. There are three terms every year and students participate in one complementary course each term from a different category.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“After our school review last year, we looked at how we wanted to offer our complementary course program based on feedback from parents,” explained Principal Craig Corsie. “We used that information to design courses that we provide at each grade level. It’s been successful and a bit of a change from how we did it before, but the students have really gotten into the courses we’ve been offering. Each week presents a new challenge and opportunity for students and it's great seeing the kids engaged, smiling and working together on their different tasks.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The first term of complementary courses finished recently, with Grade 4 students taking Life Skills, which was designed to help foster independence, leadership, cooperation and organization through a variety of different activities and challenges. Guest speakers come in and help introduce students to broader concepts and connect the learning to real life.&nbsp;</p><p>Olivia talked about how they played board games, such as Monopoly and that she is good with money. “Speaking about money,” she said, “we had a class on how to handle money. A banker came in, she talked to us about bank accounts and stuff like that.”&nbsp;</p><p>Her friend Jordan added, “we did a home alone course, virtual reality all around the world, learning about the Great Wall of China and other places. In home alone, we learnt about fires, if somebody broke in, if you choke, if you start bleeding and who you should contact.”&nbsp;</p><p>Grade 5 students had VEX Robotics to learn about engineering, design, robotics and coding to construct and program their own robot. Students work through a construction phase and then learn how to create commands to have the robot carry out a variety of functions.&nbsp;</p><p>Both Tommy and Jagger said their favourite part of the course was making an extended grabber. We built it out of pieces supplied by Mr. Buckle and followed instructions,” said Tommy, who added most of the content in the course was new to him. Jagger’s dad is a mechanic and often works in the garage with him. “I know how to build lots of stuff, mostly with wood and metal.”&nbsp;</p><p>In the Grade 6 class, students worked together in groups to tackle cooperative engineering challenges in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) course. The course is designed to teach teamwork, leadership, design thinking and creativity as students analyze challenges and determine the most effective ways to complete the task. There is a competitive nature to each task, which students found made the tasks more enjoyable.&nbsp;</p><p>Deegan and Maddie explained how one of the tasks was to build a table out of newspapers and tape. The students had to be able to put their hand under the table when it was completed and the competition was to see which one lasted the longest when books were placed on top, with Deegan’s group winning the competition.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“That’s what’s we normally do in STEM, is have a competition,” stated Deegan. “It was fun, especially hanging out with the people in the group. We rolled the newspapers, crossed them over each other and kept going. I learned you have to use teamwork and that you can’t be getting down on your team and you have to be positive.”&nbsp;</p><p>Maddie added, “everyone builds their thing, and we’ll have a test and whoever gets the longest or survives the longest wins. My favourite part was when we worked in groups together on challenges, such as the paper chains. Everybody got in groups of three or four and had a big sheet of paper and they had to figure out how to make the longest chain with it. Some did tiny hoops and others did big hoops. You had to have a strategy to figure out how to make yours the longest and beat the other groups.”</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer</p>

Final exams start today. Good luck to all of our students writing this week and next.

1st Annual Coulee Collegiate Gingerbread House Contest Voting is open until Thursday, December 12 at 8:00 p.m. Winners will be awarded on Friday, December 13. Click on this link to vote: https://prrdweb.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6uqLWjnh0bgoDXM @prairierosesd8 @mhcollege @mhpublicschools

This week is Spirit Week at Coulee Collegiate! Dig out those sweaters and Christmas socks! Prairie Rose Public Schools Medicine Hat College Medicine Hat Public School Division

<p>The Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) is a short walk, less than five minutes, from Ralston School, which the school uses for all Phys. Ed. classes. Not only does the facility have a large-sized gym – with two volleyball courts and a full-sized basketball court – but there are also three weight training areas, a mid-sized pool, and a squash court. Additionally, there is an area with multiple stationary bikes and a CFMWS instructor is available each week to take the hockey academy students through a spin class. To top it off, there is a classic-style movie theatre the school can request to use.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Across the green from the CFMWS is the Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC), which houses a four-lane ten-pin bowling alley, and a public library, which is part of the Shortgrass Library System and has a multitude of resources available for use.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Another two-minute walk from the MFRC is the Ralston Arena, which students in the hockey academy use on Monday and Wednesdays. Unfortunately, one of the dehumidifiers went out this year and the students weren’t able to use the arena until mid-November.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“They love hockey here,” said Principal Jason Duchscherer. “It is a passion, and this is the first year for the hockey academy. It’s separate, it’s not with the Willie Desjardin Hockey Academy. Teacher Wade Carrier had the idea to start an academy at Ralston because the British military, many of the Canadian military and some Suffield families were interested in an academy being created. It was proposed last year, and this is the first year it is running at Ralston School.”&nbsp;</p><p>Some of the students enrolled in the academy are just learning how to skate while others are already playing hockey. “We’ll have a big range in ability. Monday and Wednesdays are ice times, and they get in-class exercise with the instructor from the CFMWS on Fridays and then on Tuesdays and Thursdays they join regular Phys. Ed. class. This was supposed to start at the beginning of October but because of the ice issue, today is the first day. The kids have been waiting and waiting,” explained Duchscherer.&nbsp;</p><p>The last time teacher Sonia Stanton was in Britain, she bought some fancy pens, and the school has implemented a handwriting program this year. When they are ready, students will write a letter to Superintendent Reagan Weeks who will judge each letter and if she thinks they have met the standard of handwriting, one of the pens along with a Pen License will be presented to the student at the monthly school assembly.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“We haven’t had anyone who has written to Reagan yet, but we are getting close,” stated Duchscherer. “We are bringing handwriting back as recent research states a student without it is concentrating so hard on writing notes, they are missing some of the material coming. All that cognitive load is focused on writing because they haven’t developed those skills. Hopefully, this month we’ll have someone ready to write to Reagan. It’s not so much the topic or sentence structure being focused on for the letters, but the penmanship.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Junior High students will soon be given the opportunity to learn about working at BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting Service) Radio, which is beside the MFRC. Radio presenter Melissa Davies said they will be able to talk about, “what is going on at school, who is having birthdays or anything else. We’ll work on a script, and they will also get a chance to work at the desk and play with the faders.”&nbsp;</p><p>“The school would really like to thank the base for everything they’ve done. Even when we go swimming with the Grades 1 to 3, there are not enough lifeguards to watch all the kids, there are about 20 students in the pool, so some of the soldiers will come down and swim with the kids. They are family oriented and school focused,” concluded Duchscherer.&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

Our first semester has flown by! Last day of classes for our In Person students is Tuesday, December 10th. Exam schedule is as follows. Second semester starts on January 6, 2025.

Let's get festive! Medicine Hat College Prairie Rose Public SchoolsMedicine Hat Public School Division

Let the holiday fun begin! Take a stroll through Coulee Collegiate and vote for your favourite decorated door! Prairie Rose Public Schools Medicine Hat College Medicine Hat Public School Division

Congratulations to Ali Lambert, the recipient of our Student Spotlight! Prairie Rose Public Schools Medicine Hat Public School DivisionMedicine Hat College

You will find our holiday backdrop just outside the Coulee Collegiate Registration Office. Don't forget to tag us! Prairie Rose Public Schools Medicine Hat CollegeMedicine Hat Public School Division

<p>Earlier this semester, staff and students at Foremost School, along with some parent volunteers, put together a greenhouse. Some students were part of the project for the whole day and others participated as classes allowed. On the initial day of the project, the frame went up and most of the panels.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“It was a good learning process,” said Principal Stuart Shigehiro. “We had to do line locates and get a permit from the village and students learned the proper process from this initiative. One of the biggest issues was reading instructions, everyone just wants to build it because they all know how to build. There were a few hiccups on the way, but we overcame them and got it up.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Grade 5 student Gus Haraga and Grade 6 student Hayden Stryker were part of the group who participated for the whole day. “It was pretty interesting to build, and I learned the step-by-step process,” stated Hayden Stryker.&nbsp;</p><p>“It was fun to build,” added Gus Haraga. “I struggled with the instructions at times and stepped back to watch (the older students) and then when I knew what I was doing, I would catch back up again.”&nbsp;</p><p>The school occasionally has meetings with high school students and staff to generate ideas, which is where the plan to build a greenhouse originated. “The entire school will participate,” explained Shigehiro. “The younger students will help with watering and planting. The construction kids will build the irrigation unit. It is a whole school initiative.”&nbsp;</p><p>A staff member suggested growing bedding out plants in the greenhouse. The school was looking for a way to use the greenhouse that encompassed all their goals and outcomes but did not involve having to staff it over the summer. The plan is to hold a celebration event sometime in the spring next year where the bedding out plants will be sold.&nbsp;</p><p>Trustee for the Foremost area Nancy Haraga said, “I’m so proud of the students that took part in the build of the greenhouse. The Grade 9 boys shop class built the project with the help of Tyler Haraga guiding them in the right direction. At one point I think we all thought we had Ikea instructions. The instructions were hard to understand, but the boys managed to put their thinking caps on and pivot their way of thinking. Huge shout out to AgroPlus for helping us fund the project with $8,000 the school won through a Winfield United and Ag Retails contest, which donates money to small communities. Excited to watch the kids get their hands dirty!”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Outside the greenhouse there are some raised flower beds that aren’t used much because the deer eat anything grown in them. Shigehiro explained they intend to reclaim some of the beds and convert them into benches so the area can be used as an outdoor classroom.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Coming up next month, Foremost School will be holding a holiday carnival. “We are changing it up, it used to be a concert each year, so we decided to hold a holiday carnival where there will be games and activities throughout the school,” said Shigehiro. “Some classes are going to perform live singing and others will prerecord their performance that will be running on TVs around the school.”&nbsp;</p><p>Shigehiro is hoping the entire community will participate in the carnival, which will be a more interactive event than a concert. “We are going to do the carnival every other year because many people love the traditional Christmas concert, so we’ll rotate between them.” The inaugural Foremost School holiday carnival will be held on December 19 starting at 10 a.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Also happening in December is Skills Exploration Day. The younger students who are taking shop will be presented with an issue and will need to create a project around it. “They won’t know the issue; it could be water conservation or something else. They find out about it that day and they must create a project to help solve the issue being presented,” stated Shigehiro.&nbsp;</p><p>Eight high school students at Foremost who enrolled in the School of Trades have been travelling into Medicine Hat once every two weeks to learn how to weld at Medicine Hat College. “They love it. They love their gear, their hard hats and boots, overalls and learning how to weld. Some of the certificates they get, like confined space, some of the larger boys didn’t like that so much, but everything else they are really enjoying,” said Shigehiro.&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>This past September, Seven Persons School added a nature element to the existing Kindergarten program. On scheduled Fridays, two or three each month, the class ventures to natural areas in Medicine Hat and the surrounding region. Teacher Natasha Finnie obtained her Forest and Nature practitioner certificate through Child Nature Alliance of Canada (childnature.ca), who offer an outdoor five-day in-person course along with a one-year online component, to teach the skills to offer the program safely and successfully.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“The premise is to open the walls of the classroom and let nature act as the primary educator with me there to facilitate learning opportunities,” explained Finnie. “The intent is not to take our existing classroom and simply move it outside, but to create a new learning experience where curricular outcomes are met in an organic way sparked by the curiosity of the students.”&nbsp;</p><p>The idea for Wondering Wolves Nature Kindergarten came to Finnie during her time off after welcoming her second baby. Her eldest, who was three at the time, was exhibiting developmentally appropriate, yet frustrating behavioural issues. After delving into the research to nurture her son’s development, she discovered being outdoors in the natural environment were recurring themes.&nbsp;</p><p>“The research brought me to the idea that children today, and our society as a whole, are being deprived of the natural world and its benefits to human development and well-being. We began dedicating more of our days to being outdoors and the results for all of us were amazing.” &nbsp;</p><p>This got Finnie thinking about her day-to-day experiences in the classroom, and she wondered how she could incorporate more outdoor time into her classroom activities. “The research kept indicating that the real benefits of being outdoors come from children being given unstructured time to engage their natural curiosities about the world around them in a natural environment.” &nbsp;</p><p>When the class was at Police Point Park, they went on a short walk before stopping for a snack and playtime. On the walk, lots of spontaneous questions came from the students about the shape of the trees, the wildlife in the park and the river. After the snack the students enjoyed a period of unstructured play, either singly or in groups, and used the natural elements to enhance their experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“We look for places that offer untouched natural landscapes for the kids to engage in, but we also need infrastructure such as washrooms and a contingency plan for inclement weather. Kin Coulee has the kitchenette we rented and at Police Point they had a couple of hours in the theatre room,” said Finnie. “We are also teaching them how to be outdoors and what kind of clothing is going to be the most comfortable in certain types of weather.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>She created a gear guide for families on how to dress for different weather and sends out a memo a few days before the program. The memo has the forecast along with appropriate gear to dress their child in so they will be comfortable.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“If they aren’t comfortable, they won’t enjoy the day and it’s also a huge safety concern. We always have extra stuff as well should the kids lose anything. We do a bag and gear check before we come out to ensure they have what they need,” stated Finnie. The day the group went to Police Point Park started out colder than anticipated and many of the students weren’t wearing outer pant wear. Finnie and Educational Assistant Sarah Widmer ensured each one was wearing snow pants, along with warm shoes, coats, hats, and gloves before getting on the bus. They also brought a tub of extra gear with them to the park so children could remove layers or add new ones as required.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p><br>The agenda package for the November 26, 2024, public meeting can be found here: <a href="https://www.myprps.com/news/november-26-2024-public-board-meeting-20241125154420">https://www.myprps.com/news/november-26-2024-public-board-meeting-20241125154420</a></p><p>---------</p><p><strong>1. Seven Persons School Presentation</strong></p><p>Seven Persons School Principal Catherine Usher provided an overview of a project the school has been piloting alongside the PRPS Student Experiences team. The project focuses on developing social and emotional skills in children to help students build self-awareness, empathy, resilience and strong interpersonal relationships. The Second Step Program addresses growth mindset and goal setting, emotional management, empathy and kindness, problem-solving, and bullying and harassment. Using Dessa assessments, students complete a check-in three times a year. For those students who score below 40, the team follows up with a secondary assessment to determine where the student needs more support. Additional details can be found in the board agenda package.</p><p><strong>2. Dual Credit Programs</strong></p><p>Sherry Craven with South Alberta High School shared a presentation about dual credit programs offered in PRPS and students earning graduation credits and work experience through this option. Dual credit also means the credits students receive can often be allocated toward a college, university or apprenticeship program. The option to take dual credit is available for high school students and can consist of a single course, certificate program or part of a larger PRPS program. Currently, PRPS has 50 students enrolled in the School of Trades, 18 in Health Care Aide, two in the Veterinary Technician’s Assistant Certificate program, 18 in Aircraft Systems I, and six in a single online course. Taking dual credit in high schools has several advantages, including earning post-secondary credits early, cost savings, exposure to career paths, hands-on experience, increased engagement and motivation, scholarship opportunities and customized learning options. Learn more about dual credit in PRPS online:<a href="https://www.myprps.com/dual-credit-programs">&nbsp;https://www.myprps.com/dual-credit-programs</a></p><p><strong>3. Audited Financial Statements</strong></p><p>Finance Controller Candice Hintz presented the 2023-2024 Audited Financial Statements for approval. Total revenues for the 2023-2024 year totalled $60,502,963, up from $55,697,369 in the 2022-2023 year. Expenses for 2023-2024 totalled $60,158,855, resulting in a surplus of $344,108. Overall, PRPS was presented with a clean audit from MNP with no recommendations.</p><p>Key financial factors impacting the 2023-2024 budget:</p><ul><li>Enrolment was 3,049.5 FTE, an increase of 74 FTE from estimated.</li><li>The transportation grant is now a targeted grant and can only be spent on transportation. Therefore, any unused funds are to be recorded as deferred revenue.</li><li>With Bus Route RFP’s coming in significantly higher than expected, the decision was made to provide our own bussing transportation for a portion of our routes starting in 2024/25.</li><li>An increase in enrolment resulting in increased revenue</li><li>South Alberta Flight Academy was granted collegiate school status for the 2024/25 school year. In the 2023/24 year, costs related to the startup were incurred.</li></ul><p>The Board approved the Audited Financial Statements as presented. A second motion was also passed to approve the net transfer of $180,514 from Unrestricted Operating Reserves to Restricted Operating Reserves. The complete audit report can be found in the board agenda package.</p><p><strong>4. PAT and Diploma Results</strong></p><p>Assistant Superintendent Boyd Craven presented the spring 2024 results for information. At the provincial assessment testing (PAT) level, the division is trending above the provincial average in all subjects at the Acceptable Standard and upward compared to the 2023 results at the Standard of Excellence. The results could have been stronger at the diploma exam level, coming closer to the provincial average or slightly below. The division will be doing a deeper review of the diploma results. Some possible reasons for the lower diploma results include loss of learning continues to be noticeable in students who were in junior high during pandemic and online learning, PRPS encourages more students to participate in the testing compared to the provincial average, and PRPS tends to encourage students to take 30-1 level courses who may have previously been advised to stream down to 30-2 classes. The division will continue to support and work with the schools to provide time and support to close student gaps in learning. The complete results can be found in the board agenda package.</p><p><strong>5. Annual Education Results Report</strong></p><p>Superintendent Reagan Weeks presented the 2023-2024 Annual Education Results Report for approval. The report highlights the results from the accountability survey, the PAT and diploma results, and commentary on the results. Overall, it was noted that PRPS has a very positive ‘report card,’ with 8 of the 12 measures listed as high or very high. The full report is required to be posted on the PRPS website and can be found in the board agenda package.</p><p><strong>6. Redcliff Capital Plan</strong></p><p>At the public board meeting on November 26, 2024, the Prairie Rose Public Schools Board of Trustees passed a motion changing the Capital Plan request from a modernization of the current Parkside Jr High School to a new school facility located in the new Eastside Subdivision development of Redcliff. Having received construction funding for the Parkside Jr High School modernization project in early October as part of the&nbsp;<i>School Construction Accelerator Program</i>, the Board voted to adjust the project after consultation with Alberta Education and based on input from the Town of Redcliff. The town has until August 31, 2025, to have all the required servicing and subdivision complete. Additional information about the project change can be found in the release on the PRPS website:<a href="https://www.myprps.com/news/school-accelerator-program-results-in-changes-to-the-parkside-jr-high-school-construction-project-20241127154815">&nbsp;https://www.myprps.com/news/school-accelerator-program-results-in-changes-to-the-parkside-jr-high-school-construction-project-20241127154815</a></p><p><strong>7. Cell Phones and Social Media</strong></p><p>The Board approved&nbsp;<i>A313—Use of Personal Mobile Devices and Social Media in Schools,&nbsp;</i>which must be in place by January 1, 2025, as per the Ministerial Order on cell phone use in schools. The procedure outlines how PRPS schools will be required to manage the use of personal student cell phones in their buildings, including how non-compliance will be handled for those students who do not comply. The approved policy can be found in the board agenda package.</p><p><strong>8. Other:</strong></p><ul><li>Trustee Candidate Criminal Record Checks that are no older than 60 days old will be required for any trustees running for office. The bylaw passed all three readings.</li><li>ASBA/ PSBAA/ Rural Caucus - No reports.</li></ul>

<p>At the public board meeting on November 26, 2024, the Prairie Rose Public Schools Board of Trustees passed a motion to change the capital project request for a modernization of the current Parkside Jr High School to a new school facility located in the new Eastside Subdivision development of Redcliff.&nbsp;</p><blockquote><p><i>Approved Motion: That the Board of Trustees of Prairie Rose Public Schools request a change in the Redcliff Capital Project to the design and construction of a new school to be located on the Eastside Subdivision of Redcliff as per the Eastside Area Structure Plan.</i></p></blockquote><p>In early October, PRPS received construction funding for the modernization of Parkside Jr High School. Later that month, the province announced the&nbsp;<i>School Construction Accelerator Program</i>, and the board engaged in conversations with the Town of Redcliff, Alberta Education, and Alberta Infrastructure to investigate the possibility of a new school instead of the modernization. Based on those conversations, it was determined that a modification to the plan could be beneficial to all parties.</p><p>“This change in plans provides mutual advantages,” says Redcliff Trustee Pam Cursons. “Prairie Rose will be able to provide students with the benefits of a new school, and avoid the need to find a place for students during the 2025-2026 school year when construction was scheduled. Redcliff Council benefits by developing a new area of the town and attracting new families to the community.”</p><p>As is outlined in the&nbsp;<i>School Construction Accelerator Program</i> requirements, the Town of Redcliff is responsible for completing the servicing to the new school location which includes subdivision, road construction and utilities. As this work has not yet been started, the Town will require time to get this infrastructure in place before construction can begin at the new site. The estimated timeline for completion of that work is August 31, 2025.</p><p>“Understandably some in the community will be disappointed by the project delay and the extended time required to get the servicing in place,” says Chief Financial Officer Ryan Boser. “However receiving funding for a new junior high school means Redcliff will have a state of the art new learning facility for students designed with the priorities identified by the Redcliff community. These include a larger gymnasium, spectator seating, the ability to host tournaments, and enhanced CTS learning space for science, trades and additional options courses."</p><p>Additional information will be shared with the Redcliff community once it is available. The change of request will not impact the current grade configurations of the three Redcliff schools, however Prairie Rose has asked that the new junior high school built under specifications to ensure future growth can be accommodated in Redcliff.</p>

<p>The November 26, 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/14JeKUqpBvxtHBdrjulTK7oBZ6dB5SlSd/view?usp=drive_link">https://drive.google.com/file/d/14JeKUqpBvxtHBdrjulTK7oBZ6dB5SlSd/view?usp=drive_link</a></p>