<p>Prairie Rose Public Schools is pleased to announce the appointment of Tricia Rolheiser as Vice-Principal of South Central High School, effective Fall 2026.</p><p>The newly created vice-principal position has been established to provide additional support for students, staff, and school operations as South Central High School continues to grow and evolve.</p><p>A resident of Oyen for 30 years, Tricia brings extensive educational and leadership experience to the role. She currently teaches a variety of junior and senior high courses at South Central High School and has played an active role in supporting student opportunities, including the development of the Badlands Baseball Academy.</p><p>Prior to joining Prairie Rose Public Schools, Tricia served as Principal of Assumption Roman Catholic School for ten years and has held leadership positions including Vice-Principal and Academic Counsellor. Throughout her career, she has worked with students from early childhood through high school, building a strong reputation for fostering positive relationships and supporting student success.</p><blockquote><p>“Having lived in Oyen for many years, I value the relationships that make our schools strong and meaningful places for students and families,” says Rolheiser. “I am committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive school environment and continuing to build strong connections within our school community.”</p></blockquote><p>Prairie Rose Public Schools congratulates Tricia on her appointment and looks forward to the leadership, experience, and community perspective she will bring to the South Central High School team.</p>

<p>For Eagle Butte High School’s 2026 valedictorian Kassidy Sandau, high school has been about much more than grades. It has been a journey of discovering her voice, embracing creativity and learning to step beyond her comfort zone.</p><p>As she prepares to graduate, Sandau says the people she will miss most are the teachers who helped shape her experience.</p><p>“I've learned so much more than academics from them,” she said. “They taught me how to challenge myself, persevere and push beyond what I thought I was capable of.”</p><p>That willingness to take risks became especially evident through her passion for art. What began as a simple sketchbook project in Grade 10 evolved into a deeply personal creative outlet filled with drawings, found objects, symbolism and reflections on human emotions. Rather than limiting herself to familiar subjects, she learned to experiment, explore new ideas and draw inspiration from everyday objects and experiences. Through colour, imagery and symbolism, much of her work explores themes of emotion, personal growth and human connection.</p><p>Creativity has also extended into writing. Nearly two years ago, she began working on a novel, using fiction as a way to channel personal experiences and emotions. The project became both a creative challenge and a meaningful outlet for self expression, allowing her to reflect on experiences while developing her skills as a writer.</p><p>“It became almost a form of therapy,” she said. “It was a way to work through what I was feeling and create something meaningful.”</p><p>Her growing confidence has extended beyond creating art to sharing it with others. This year, she led a community paint night, guiding participants through a painting project while gaining valuable experience as an instructor. The opportunity challenged her to step into a leadership role and offered an early glimpse into a career she now hopes to pursue.</p><p>The experience reinforced her desire to become a teacher, specifically in the arts and humanities. She credits many of her own teachers for inspiring that goal, not only through their knowledge of the subjects they taught, but through the relationships they built with students and the encouragement they provided along the way.</p><p>Looking ahead, Sandau plans to pursue post secondary studies in education with the goal of one day teaching. While she admits the future can feel uncertain at times, she remains optimistic about the opportunities it will bring. As Eagle Butte High School's Class of 2026 prepares to take the stage, she encourages fellow graduates to remain true to their passions, embrace new experiences and approach the future with confidence and hope.</p><p>“I think hope is a huge driver of change,” she said. “Change is possible, and our generation is able to achieve that.”</p>

<p><meta charset="utf-8"></p><p>After nearly two decades of supporting students and building strong relationships within Redcliff schools, Danelle Albrecht is taking the next step in her leadership journey as the new Vice Principal of I.F. Cox School.</p><p>Danelle brings extensive experience and a deep commitment to student success. She has worked in Redcliff schools for the past 18 years, including 13 years at I.F. Cox School, where she has developed strong connections with students, staff, and families. Currently serving as Acting Vice Principal and Learning Support Teacher, she has played an important role in supporting both school leadership and daily operations.</p><blockquote><p>“I.F. Cox has been home for many years, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue supporting students and families in a different capacity,” said Albrecht. “I’ve had the privilege of working alongside incredible students, staff, and families over the years, and I’m excited to continue building those relationships while supporting the great work happening throughout the school.”</p></blockquote><p>Danelle holds a Master of Education in Leading for Learning from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Lethbridge. Throughout her career, she has supported students with complex academic, behavioural, medical, and social-emotional needs, working closely with multidisciplinary teams to help ensure inclusive, student-centred supports and positive learning environments for all students.</p><p>Please join us in congratulating Danelle on her new role. Prairie Rose Public Schools looks forward to the continued leadership, care, and dedication she will bring to the I.F. Cox School community.<br>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Parkside Junior High School will welcome a familiar face this fall, as Greg Elgie returns to the school community as Principal beginning Fall 2026.</p><p>Greg brings 14 years of experience with Prairie Rose Public Schools, along with a strong connection to Parkside Junior High School and the Redcliff community. A former Redcliff student, Greg previously worked at Parkside for eight years as a teacher and two years as vice‑principal, supporting academic programming and student development within the Grade 7–9 school setting.</p><p>Greg is currently Vice‑Principal at Eagle Butte High School, where he has provided leadership in school operations, instructional practice, student support, and facility management. His experience working across both junior high and high school environments offers valuable insight into student transitions and continuity of learning as students progress through their educational journey.</p><p>Greg holds a Master of Education from the University of Victoria and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta. Throughout his career, he has been actively involved in school and division‑based initiatives, including school improvement planning, professional learning, technology integration, and collaborative instructional leadership aligned with Prairie Rose Public Schools’ three‑year education plan.</p><blockquote><p>“Having grown up in Redcliff, I recognize that Parkside is an integral part of the community,” says Elgie. “It has been wonderful to be part of the school’s growth and development, and I am excited to return to Parkside in this role as we continue to build meaningful learning opportunities for students.”</p></blockquote><p>In addition to his administrative leadership, Greg has demonstrated a strong commitment to student engagement and community connection through his long‑standing involvement in athletics as an athletic director, coach, and association leader.</p><p>Prairie Rose Public Schools would like to thank Greg for his leadership and contributions at Eagle Butte High School, where he has made a meaningful impact that will continue in his new role at Parkside.<br>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Celebrating Our Prairie Rose Artists!</p><p>We are so proud of all our Prairie Rose Public Schools students who submitted their artwork to the 2026 School Art exhibition. Your creativity, talent, and hard work continue to inspire us!</p><p>Award Recipients:</p><p><strong>Esplanade School Art Invitation Award&nbsp;</strong><br>Jocelyn Wallin – Duck (Indigenous Art) (Mixed Media)&nbsp;<br>I.F. Cox School, Grade 2</p><p><strong>PRPS Lower Elementary Award (K–3)&nbsp;</strong><br>Blair Luscombe – Lodge Pole Pines: Folk Art (Mixed Media)&nbsp;<br>I.F. Cox School, Grade 2</p><p><strong>PRPS Upper Elementary Award (4–6)&nbsp;</strong><br>Chotika Jitjumnong – The Solar System (Oil Pastel)&nbsp;<br>Margaret Wooding School, Grade 6</p><p><strong>PRPS Junior Award (7–9)&nbsp;</strong><br>Lily Lawson – Saamis Teepee (Acrylic)&nbsp;<br>Parkside School, Grade 9</p><p><strong>PRPS Senior Award (10–12)&nbsp;</strong><br>Charlie Funk – 1960 Curbside Aston Martin (Charcoal &amp; Graphite)&nbsp;<br>Eagle Butte, Grade 12</p><p><strong>Visual Communications Department Award – Medicine Hat College&nbsp;</strong><br>Morgan Digney – Look at Yourself (Coloured Pencil)&nbsp;<br>Eagle Butte High School, Grade 12</p><p><strong>Deborah Forbes Drawing Awards&nbsp;</strong><br>Jaycee Dyck – Jaycee (Crayons), Bow Island Elementary, Grade 1&nbsp;<br>Blair Luscombe – Colourful Man: Picasso Style (Mixed Media), I.F. Cox School, Grade 2&nbsp;<br>Mack Van Ham – Me (Crayons), Bow Island Elementary, Grade 1</p><p><strong>Matthew James Morgan Armstrong Art Awards&nbsp;</strong><br>Zoii Wood – Self Portrait (Mixed Media)&nbsp;<br>I.F. Cox School, Grade 1</p><p><strong>Poul Nielsen Awards&nbsp;</strong><br>Sara Fehr – The Purple Flowers (Pencil), Eagle Butte, Grade 10&nbsp;<br>Amber Haskill – Glazing (Acrylic), Eagle Butte, Grade 10</p><p><strong>Esplanade Theatre Award&nbsp;</strong><br>Anneke Heglund – Seahorse Charcoal Drawing (Charcoal), Parkside School, Grade 8</p><p><strong>Esplanade Managers Award&nbsp;</strong><br>Morgan Digney – Fish (Mixed Media), Eagle Butte High School, Grade 12</p><p><strong>Donna MacLean Award (Excellence in Visual Arts)&nbsp;</strong><br>I.F. Cox School</p>