Today our grade 1’s learned some new skills in Phys. Ed. class. Yup, PICKLEBALL! #forgefutures #prpsd

Grade 2 using their creative minds to build Leprechaun Traps! I wonder if they caught any?

Congratulations to our girls doubles team for winning Silver at the Parkside tournament. All the athletes played well and represented Seven Persons with sportsmanship and determination. Great job Wolfpack.

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

Some reminders for the week ahead ...

Yesterday, our Jr. High Foods students walked over to PREMIUM SAUSAGE (2009) INC. to make their own unique sausages. Last week, Nathan and Debbie Penner visited the school to teach the students about spices, blends, and sausage-making. The students then worked in groups to create their original spice blends. What a great afternoon of hands-on learning and fun! Thank you Penner Family! We returned to the school with fresh sausages and the contest for Top Sausage began …. 3 judges blind tasted tested the 5 different sausages and the winner? The Cumin Crushers with their Basil Blast Sausage! See the last photo to see the winning team. And just for the record- ALL of the sausages tasted phenomenal! ALL of the kids loved wearing the hair nets - who knew? 😂😂

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

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

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

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

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

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

This week at SPS ...

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

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

A few reminders for the week ahead ...

<p>Check out the March Newsletter</p><p><a href="https://secure.smore.com/n/m0jzy">https://secure.smore.com/n/m0jzy</a></p>

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

Welcome Back! Here are some reminders for the week ahead ...

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