BM Highlights Oct V2 NEWS

October 8, 2024, PRPS Board Meeting Highlights

event Published 2024-10-09 20:00:45.219 +0000 UTC

The agenda packages for the October 8, 2024, Public meetings can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UQnLaPpFZR0YOe-u-FVVF5Ldozj_H7ax/view?usp=drive_link

--------

1. Bow Island Schools Presentation

In a presentation to the Board, Bow Island Elementary and Senator Gershaw Principal Scott Angle and Vice Principal Paul Brocklesby emphasized the deep involvement with the Bow Island community, positioning the school as a central hub for students, parents, and the broader community. Key highlights of their presentation included:

Community Engagement: The school prioritizes community involvement, using local resources for activities and offering large events at no cost. Older students collaborate with younger ones, and initiatives like pickleball and 4-H programs foster strong local ties. The school also purchased a business (In Our Community) that was closing, turning it into a school-based learning opportunity for students.

Growth and Demographics: Enrollment between both schools has increased from 137 in 2020 to 197 in 2024. This growth is partly due to more Burdett School students transitioning into the regular high school program.

Innovative Programming: A focus on agriculture through the school greenhouse provides students daily outdoor learning. This serves both academic and wellness purposes, connecting with local ag businesses and involving activities like pollinators and STEM projects. Battlebots competitions and trips to MH College are part of the STEM initiatives.

FNMI and Cultural Integration: Bow Island schools have collaborated with the Peigan Board of Education, part of the Piikani Nation. The two communities have planned several opportunities to interact and learn from each other during the school year. At the last staff SI Day, Jesse Plain Eagle visited the school to teach staff how to build a teepee and discuss opportunities to incorporate the Blackfoot language into the curriculum. 

Student Responsiveness: "We listen, we ask, so that's how we know." The schools send out annual surveys to gauge student needs and successes, ensuring the school is adaptive. Initiatives like student-planned wellness days and recognition programs are in place to keep students engaged.

These efforts reflect the school's commitment to community integration, student well-being, and innovative learning approaches.

2. Executive Report

Superintendent Reagan Weeks shared the monthly Executive Report which included:

  • A summary of Truth and Reconciliation activities that took place across PRPS
  • An update on the asphalt work that has been completed at Margaret Wooding School
  • PRPS has been successful in securing a dual credit grant for $50,000 to enhance trades programming.
  • Foremost School alum William Barrows recently won the Canadian Final Rodeo Championship. Barrows coaches and mentors the students in the Foremost Rodeo Academy.

3. Student Enrollment Update

Chief Financial Officer Ryan Boser shared that the 2024-2025 student enrollment numbers have been finalized, and PRPS is once again experiencing growth. Overall, there are 127 more students in PRPS schools compared to the 2024-2025 school year.

4. HR Accountability Report

Deputy Superintendent Mark Heinricks presented the HR Accountability Report for information. It was shared that PRPS, on average, continues to have smaller class sizes than what is recommended by the province.

  • K: 12.4 students per class (Recommended value= 17)
  • 1 - 3: 14.9 students per class (Recommended value= 17)
  • 4 - 6: 19.7 students per class (Recommended value= 23)
  • 7 - 9: 20.3 students per class (Recommended value= 25)
  • 10 - 12: 19.2 students per class (Recommended value= 26)

Other highlights of the report include:

  • Most of the teaching staff in PRPS have lots of experience and education. 173 of 237 certified staff have more than 9 years experience and 5/6 years of education.
  • The certified staffing FTE across the division remains unchanged for 2024-2025; however, staff were reallocated based on enrollment needs.
  • PRPS is projecting total staffing costs for the year to be $41,865,333.

5. Approved (in-principle) Field Trips

  • Eagle Butte High School trip to Greece from April 2 - April 11, 2026
  • Foremost School trip to Italy from May 19 - May 28, 2026