Over the summer, Mrs. Dunham retired to enjoy other adventures. In her place will be a new face - Mrs. Crystal Hanson is joining our team and is excited to be part of the Seven Persons community! Welcome Mrs. Hanson!

<p>With the first day of classes less than a week away, our staff has been busy preparing for another year of “Everyone Learning Together” in Prairie Rose Public Schools. Before the new school year begins, here are some important resources that will help our families and students be ready for their first day. More information about our schools and programs can also be found by visiting the PRPS website <a href="http://www.myprps.com">www.myprps.com</a>.</p><p><strong>2024-2025 Returning Student Registration Forms</strong><br>There are still a number of outstanding student registration (demographic update) forms for returning students that have not been completed through our new School Engage online registration system. These forms were sent out in late spring and are your child’s official school registration form. The forms are required by Alberta Education and MUST be completed each year.&nbsp;</p><p>If you run into issues accessing School Engage, here are the most commonly reported reasons why:</p><ul><li>You are trying to use the PowerSchool app to access School Engage&nbsp;– the app does not integrate with School Engage. You must use a web browser such as Chrome, Edge or Safari to log in: <a href="https://prsd8.ca/public/home.html">Parent Sign In (prsd8.ca)</a></li><li>You are using a phone web browser and are encountering issues opening the window in PowerSchool where the School Engage icon is located. If you are using a phone there is a very small arrow (in the light grey area that points to the right) you need to open in the browser window. Using a computer, laptop or Chromebook will prevent this issue.</li><li>You have forgotten your PowerSchool username and password. All families were assigned a PowerSchool account. Your username is your email. Click Forgot Password. You will be prompted to choose a new password. As a hint, it won’t let you pick one that you used recently.</li></ul><p><strong>Bus Route Information</strong><br>In July families who had completed their bus registration were provided with a letter indicating their school bus route for the upcoming year. Over the summer our Transportation Department receives additional registrations which can result in some changes to the preassigned routes. Bus maps have now been posted online for viewing. Please note, the route designed by our Transfinder system MAY NOT BE the route a driver chooses to follow. Drivers will contact families directly with estimated pick up and drop off times. If you DO NOT receive a call from a driver before 8:00 p.m. on August 28, 2024, please complete this form so we can follow up: <a href="https://forms.gle/CNmkMxJkrjWmwHGAA">https://forms.gle/CNmkMxJkrjWmwHGAA</a></p><p>The most recent school bus maps can also be found online: <a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11YMNnplVapR8b7-VYwYgYB7ux7JGmQo6?usp=drive_link">2024-2025 School Bus Maps</a></p><p><strong>New Cell Phone Restrictions for Students</strong><br>As we shared with families at the end of the last school year, a provincial Ministerial Order has been issued restricting the use of student cell phones and social online access during instructional hours. School divisions have until January 1, 2025, to have all aspects of the order in place. In Prairie Rose we will be implementing the cell phone changes in multiple stages, the first step impacts the use of personal devices and will take effect the first day of school.&nbsp;</p><p><i>Personal Mobile Device Definition: Personal mobile device means any device that can communicate or access the internet, such as a cell phone, tablet, laptop or smart watch.</i></p><p>Highlights of the September 2024 implementation includes the following:</p><ul><li>During class time personal devices are powered down and in your bag, in your locker, or the space provided by your teacher and not on your person.</li><li>Headphones and ear buds are not in use during instructional time.</li><li>No personal devices in washrooms or change rooms.</li><li>Teachers will indicate if there are specific learning situations which support personal devices.</li><li>Students can access their personal devices during breaks and/or lunch.</li></ul><p>More information has been put into a document for reference: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V4OWuWubUTwaG10RV9upsEfPBbuT_AsI/view?usp=drive_link">PRPS Personal Mobile Device Procedures (August 2024)</a></p><p><strong>NEW: Online Absence Reporting</strong><br>In an effort to streamline the process for reporting student absences, we have created a new online form where parents can excuse their child’s absence. Parents can still use the former methods for reporting absences, but we encourage the use of the new online form. A confirmation of the absence will be emailed to parents once the form is submitted. There are two ways for parents to access the online reporting feature:</p><ol><li>The school website under the Useful Links found at the top right corner waffle menu (the waffle menu is the nine dots - look for Report an Absence)</li><li>By adding the link to the home screen of a cell phone. Using the Safari browser on an Apple phone, or the Google browser on an Android, copy the following link (<a href="https://prrdweb.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0JMwNIsmWPfUlUO">https://prrdweb.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0JMwNIsmWPfUlUO</a>). At the bottom of the phone screen there will be a box with an arrow pointing upward. Click on that option and scroll down until you see “Add to Home Screen”. Click Add. A new icon will be added to your phone screen. To report an absence, click this button and complete the form.</li></ol><p><strong>2024-2025 PRPS School Calendar</strong><br>Stay on top of important dates with our 2024-2025 PRPS Calendar. Want to save the 2024-2025 calendar to your phone images for easy access? Click the link to the phone friendly version and take a screenshot of the image file: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/18ms_t0mYokHg1PSedRUpPnxYqRycOAM4/view">2024-2025 Calendar</a></p><p><strong>Chromebooks</strong><br>PRPS students in grades 4-12 will be assigned a school Chromebook to use for the school year. There will be a fee will be assigned to each student which can be paid through School Cash.These Chromebooks will be managed via the school division’s Technology Department.</p><p><strong>School Supply Lists / Bell Times</strong><br>School supply lists along with school start and end times can be found in our online Back to School Guide which is available on the PRPS website: <a href="https://www.myprps.com/back-to-school-guide-2024-2025">https://www.myprps.com/back-to-school-guide-2024-2025</a></p>

NEW for Kindergarten!🌞🌿 Let your kids discover the magic of outdoor play! From climbing trees to playing tag, outdoor activities boost creativity, physical health, and social skills. 🌳🏃‍♂️ Foster a love for nature and let their imaginations soar! #igniteminds #kindlehearts #OutdoorPlay #HealthyKids

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

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

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

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

Happy Vacay!!!

Oopsy! We missed a couple of awards yesterday ...

A huge thank you to FortisAlberta for their very generous donation to our school to plants some trees. We are hoping to create a shelter belt. Great community supporters! And thank you Mrs. Duchscherer for applying for the grant 😊

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

Grade two’s wrote and illustrated books! They read them to the grade one’s today!

Grade 2s spent the day at Writing on Stone! Had an incredible tour guide that taught them all about the writings and meanings on the stone and shared some fabulous stories! #forgefutures #igniteminds

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

The last week of the 2023-2024 School year ... HELLO SUMMER!

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

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

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

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

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