May 28 Board Meeting NEWS

PRPS Board Meeting Highlights for May 28, 2024

event Published 2024-05-29 20:07:02.583 +0000 UTC

The May 28, 2024, Board Meeting Agenda Package can be found here: May 28, 2024, Board Meeting Agenda

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Foremost School Presentation

Principal Corey Steeves and Vice Principal Angela Hazell gave a presentation showcasing the great things going on at Foremost School. The school had a book study with all teachers on the Teacher Clarity Playbook that recently wrapped up. Falcon 50 was initiated, where staff made 50 positive calls to homes of students. They had a pep rally style celebration of growth and learning midyear. The school has been asking what they can do for the community and brought in community members to have conversations with high school students. Additionally, students engaged with seniors in the community, having coffee conversations that will result in the publishing of a book. The school also started a boy’s and men’s group and expanded mini ball to include Grade 1 and 2 students this year. The full presentation can be found in the May 28, 2024, Board Meeting Agenda.

First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Report and Presentation

Carol Carlson presented the annual First Nations, Métis and Inuit Report to trustees for information. Within PRPS there are 41 Status First Nations, 45 Non-status First Nations, 95 Metis and two Inuit self-identified students. Assurance measures were high for three-year high school completion and high for five-year high school completion for FMNI students. Dreamcatcher and soap making kits continue to circulate around PRPS each month. A drum kit has been added this year, which contains seven sets of four drums with drumsticks. This kit is currently being piloted at IF Cox School. The full presentation can be found in the May 28, 2024, Board Meeting Agenda. 

Timeless Tales: Intergenerational Story Writing Project Presentation 

PRPS Instructional Lead Kelli-Ann Nixdorf opened her presentation by saying the Timeless Tales: Intergenerational Story Writing Project now has a more intentional focus across the division. Following a lesson on age and ageism, students engage with seniors in a care facility. A book will be published based on the conversations with one going to the local library, one to the school and one to the care facility. The project has been life changing for both the seniors and students. The full presentation can be found in the May 28, 2024, Board Meeting Agenda. 

Executive Report 

Superintendent Reagan Weeks shared:  

  • 2024 Drone Games at Eagle Butte High School took place on Monday, May 27 with a record number 81 participants. Additionally, volunteers from many community partners – Medicine Hat College, Qinetiq, Medicine Hat RCers, Super T Aviation, Canadian Forces Base Suffield and Landing Zones - helped make it a successful event.  
  • The new South Alberta Collegiate building was granted temporary occupancy on Monday, May 27 and will begin use with students on Friday, May 31.  
  • Assistant Superintendent Boyd Craven has been working with administrators and teachers to develop some skills for Veretta, the provincial system that will be used to operate PAT and diploma exams.  
  • PRPS is working on new CTF options that will feed into some of the high school programming. The next ones that will become available include aerospace and aviation along with one centred on digital skills that will be for junior high students. 

2024-2025 Board Planning and Monitoring Cycle 

  • The Board approved GP06 as presented. 

2024-25 Division School Calendar Adjustment 

  • The board approved two small adjustments to the 2024-2025 school calendar.  
  • Two student instructional days have been taken out, one on November 7 for a teacher prep day. The other on June 6 for a SI Day, which will also allow teachers time during the day to continue to prep or work on report cards and other end of year tasks.  
  • The change has reduced instructional days from 183 to 181 with balanced semesters. 
  • The amended calendar is available on the PRPS website: https://www.myprps.com/calendar 

ASBA Report 

  • Trustee Shauna VanderSpruit attended the last ASBA meeting where there was a discussion about development of a possible cell phone policy for students and the recent survey the province put out. The Spring General Meeting will be on June 2 - 4. 

PSBAA Report 

  • The PSBSS Spring General Assembly takes place on May 30.