<p>The Prairie Rose Public Schools Board of Trustees held its annual Organizational Meeting, where trustees selected the Board Chair and Vice Chair for the upcoming year. During the meeting, all members of the Board were sworn into their new or returning positions by the Returning Officer. The Organizational Meeting was followed by a Special Board Meeting to address current division matters and upcoming priorities.</p><p>Link to the Organizational Meeting Agenda: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FWss0nGIzM2a1vw2hxFsfHYYuIJrwR35/view?usp=drive_link">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FWss0nGIzM2a1vw2hxFsfHYYuIJrwR35/view?usp=drive_link</a></p><p>-----</p><h3><strong>Organizational Meeting</strong></h3><p>Each fall the board of trustees elects a new or returning board chair, vice-chair and other key board representative positions. In addition to their regular duties, the following trustees will represent and attend events on behalf of Prairie Rose Public Schools during the 2025-2026 year:</p><p>✔️ Patty Rooks, Board Chair<br>✔️ Pam Cursons, Vice-Chair<br>✔️ Representative for the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) - Pam Cursons<br>✔️ ASBA Alternate - Nancy Haraga<br>✔️ Representative for the Public School Boards Association (PSBA) - Janel Vossler<br>✔️ PSBAA Alternate - Graeme Dennis<br>✔️ Teachers Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) - Pam Cursons<br>✔️ Representative on the Rural Caucus of Alberta - Patty Rooks</p><h3><strong>Special Board Meeting</strong></h3><p><strong>PRPS Division Calendar</strong></p><p>The Prairie Rose Public Schools Board of Trustees approved modifications to the 2025-2026 school year calendar, changing the two November professional development days (November 7 and November 10) to instructional days for students. Trustees expressed that boards have not yet been advised whether there will be any adjustments or accommodations to student assessments as a result of the strike. It was noted that recovering some of the lost instructional time is particularly important at the high school level, where schools operate on semesters. The Board approved the changes with the understanding that further adjustments may be made once additional information is provided by Alberta Education. <a href="https://www.myprps.com/calendar">www.myprps.com/calendar</a></p>

<p><strong>Subject: Return to Classes – October 29, 2025</strong></p><p>Good afternoon PRPS families,</p><p>Prairie Rose Public Schools is sharing an important update regarding the return to classes following recent labour action. Students will return to class on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, and school buses will be running on their regular schedules.</p><p><strong>School Calendar Adjustments</strong><br>To help recover instructional time lost during the labour disruption, the Board of Trustees has approved adjustments to the school calendar. The two previously scheduled SI/PD Days on November 7 and November 10 will now become regular in-class learning days for students. Remembrance Day (November 11) will remain a statutory holiday, and schools will be closed on that day.</p><p>We understand that some parents and guardians may have already made plans for these dates. We appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we work to support students in re-establishing routines and regaining valuable learning time. If your child is unable to attend on these added instructional days, please contact your school directly.</p><p><strong>Fees, Assessments, Activities, Events, etc.</strong><br>We know parents will have questions related to several non-instructional related items, including fees that have been paid, grades and exam accommodations, extracurricular activities, cancelled events, etc. While we do not currently have all the answers, we will be working closely with school staff to review each situation and determine the best path forward. As more information becomes available, updates will be shared with impacted families.</p><p><strong>Next Steps</strong><br>The past month has not been easy for our staff, students, or families. We want to sincerely thank everyone for their patience, cooperation, and support during this time. As operations resume, we ask for continued compassion and understanding—recognizing that not everyone will return with the same feelings or experiences.</p><p>Our shared priority remains clear: helping students get back on track, re-engaged with their learning, and reconnected with their peers and school communities.</p><p>Thank you for your partnership and understanding as we return to regular school operations.</p><p>Sincerely,</p><p>Patty Rooks<br>Board Chair, Prairie Rose Public Schools</p><p>Reagan Weeks<br>Superintendent, Prairie Rose Public Schools</p>

<p>Additional information can be found in the October 14, 2025, Board Meeting Agenda package: &nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/13tAhNvkeBwe6pkPs_l1UJfHcInc01IbK/view?usp=drive_link">https://drive.google.com/file/d/13tAhNvkeBwe6pkPs_l1UJfHcInc01IbK/view?usp=drive_link</a></p><p>-----</p><p><strong>Executive Report</strong></p><p>With labour action continuing across the province, all Prairie Rose support staff remain on duty. Educational assistants and school-based staff are completing training, professional learning, and school improvement projects. Bus drivers are also engaged in driver safety refreshers, first aid updates, and bus maintenance checks.</p><p><strong>Enrollment Update</strong></p><p>Chief Financial Officer Ryan Boser reported that Prairie Rose continues to see steady enrollment growth, marking the sixth straight year of increases. As of September 29, the division serves 5,158 students from kindergarten to grade 12, an increase of 128 full time equivalent students from last year. This represents a 2.5 percent overall rise and more than 12 percent growth since 2018.</p><p>About 93 percent of Prairie Rose students live within the division’s boundaries. The number of students choosing Prairie Rose schools from outside the division now nearly equals those who leave for other systems, showing the strong appeal of Prairie Rose’s specialized programs. Over the past decade, the number of local students attending other divisions has dropped by more than 60 percent.</p><p>Even with this growth, class sizes remain small and consistent with Alberta Commission on Learning guidelines. Division averages consist of the following:</p><p>○ Primary (grades 1-3) 14.6<br>○ Elementary (grades 4-6) 15.2<br>○ Junior (grades 7-9) 17.8<br>○ Senior (grades 10-12) 18.4</p><p>These numbers reflect Prairie Rose’s ongoing commitment to maintaining personal, student focused learning environments.</p><p><strong>Prairie Rose Division Complexity</strong></p><p>Director of Student Experiences Lisa Lindsay shared a report outlining the support Prairie Rose has put in place for students with complex needs. Funding in this area has grown substantially, rising to 3.34 million dollars this year, an increase of more than 1.3 million compared to 2023 to 2024.&nbsp;</p><p>This investment supports a team of over 130 educational assistants, along with learning support teachers, wellness counsellors, psychologists, and therapy staff who work directly with students in classrooms. New partnerships have also doubled occupational therapy access, helping to meet the needs of students with low vision, hearing challenges, and other specialized supports.</p><p>Prairie Rose continues to explore creative approaches that build confidence and emotional regulation, including hippotherapy, the Prairie Rose Honey program, canine support teams, and the Back on Track restorative program. Two major initiatives are also underway, with the CASA Classroom opening in February 2025 and a Behaviour Support Program planned for 2026.</p><p><strong>Yuill School of Agriculture Groundbreaking</strong></p><p>Prairie Rose Public Schools will be holding a groundbreaking event (October 14 @ 2 PM) to announce the creation of the Yuill School of Agriculture, a new learning opportunity made possible through the generosity of the Yuill Family Foundation, the Government of Alberta, and in partnership with Neubauer Farms. Set to open in 2027, the Yuill School of Agriculture will provide students with hands-on, real world learning experiences that connect classroom education to careers in agriculture, business, and technology. Read the full story: <a href="https://www.myprps.com/news/yuill-school-of-agriculture-to-strengthen-education-innovation-and-alberta-s-agri-food-future-20251014144559">https://www.myprps.com/news/yuill-school-of-agriculture-to-strengthen-education-innovation-and-alberta-s-agri-food-future-20251014144559</a></p><p><strong>Out of Country Field Trip Approvals</strong></p><p>The Board approved several international travel experiences for students this year:</p><ol><li><strong>South Alberta Flight Academy – Texas Flight Training</strong><br>Students will head to Texas in February 2026 for advanced flight training. The trip will include simulator work, aircraft maintenance demonstrations, and flying time at a professional aviation facility. Participants will also visit the historic NASA Johnson Space Center and local aviation museums.<br>&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Eagle Butte High School – Greece and Italy Adventure</strong><br>Set for April 2–11, 2026, this 10-day trip will take students through Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos, before crossing into Rome. The group will tour the Acropolis, ancient marketplaces, and historic cathedrals, as well as enjoy cultural experiences such as traditional Greek dining and a cruise through the Aegean Sea.<br>&nbsp;</li><li><strong>Foremost School – Discovering Italy</strong><br>Students will explore Venice, Florence, Pisa, and Rome from May 19–28, 2026. The trip includes gondola rides through Venice’s canals, visits to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Colosseum, and time in Tuscany’s countryside. It’s designed to immerse students in art, culture, and history while strengthening friendships and independence.</li></ol><p><strong>Commendations</strong></p><p>The Board thanked outgoing trustees Cathy Hogg and Shauna Vanderspruit for their combined 16 years of dedicated service to Prairie Rose. Both have been strong advocates for students, always considering how each decision would benefit children and families across the division. Cathy Hogg served as trustee for Ward 2, representing Schuler, Irvine, and Cypress County from 2013 to 2025, while Shauna Vanderspruit represented Ward 3, serving the communities of Redcliff and Dunmore since 2021.</p>

<p><strong>Cypress County, AB -</strong>&nbsp;A new era of agricultural learning is taking root in Southern Alberta as Prairie Rose Public Schools announces the creation of the Yuill School of Agriculture, an innovative partnership designed to cultivate hands-on learning and community growth.</p><p>Set to open in the fall of 2027, the new school will serve students in Grades 10 through 12, offering a comprehensive program that blends classroom instruction with real-world agricultural experience. Operating under Prairie Rose Public Schools in partnership with Neubauer Farms, the initiative builds on a shared commitment to developing the next generation of agricultural leaders.</p><p>Construction is expected to begin in spring 2026, supported by a collaborative investment from the Yuill Family Foundation, the Government of Alberta, and Prairie Rose Public Schools.</p><p>Reflecting the Foundation’s strong values of education, youth development, and community growth, the Yuill Family Foundation has donated land valued at approximately $1.03 million, along with an additional $600,000 toward construction of the facility. This significant contribution demonstrates a continued commitment to strengthening opportunities for young people and communities across Southern Alberta.</p><blockquote><p>“The Yuill Family Foundation is incredibly proud of our partnership with Prairie Rose Public Schools and the creation of the Yuill School of Agriculture,” says Cori Cuthbertson, Administrator for the Yuill Family Foundation. “Together, we are fostering hands-on-learning opportunities that connect students to the land, their community, and the vital role of agriculture in our future.”</p></blockquote><p>Support from the Government of Alberta includes $725,000 in collegiate funding to assist with start-up expenses. This investment will provide students with access to high quality learning environments and pathways into Alberta’s expanding agri-food industries.</p><blockquote><p>“This investment reflects our commitment to hands-on, career-connected learning that prepares students for the future,” says Cypress Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright. “Programs like the Yuill School of Agriculture strengthen local communities and help ensure the next generation of Albertans are ready to lead in one of our province’s most important industries.”</p></blockquote><p>Students enrolled in the program will have opportunities to earn certifications, complete dual credit courses, and gain practical experience in areas such as crop and livestock management, agri-business, greenhouse operations, and agricultural technology. The school’s design and curriculum are being developed collaboratively by Prairie Rose Public Schools and Neubauer Farms to balance academic learning with industry-relevant experience.</p><blockquote><p>“This project is about creating meaningful connections between learning and real-world application,” says Prairie Rose Superintendent of Schools Reagan Weeks. “The Yuill School of Agriculture will provide students with the chance to explore the science, business, and technology behind modern agriculture while helping sustain the values that have long defined rural Alberta.”</p></blockquote><p>The Yuill School of Agriculture marks an important step forward in advancing agricultural education and workforce development in Alberta, combining industry partnerships, community collaboration, and innovative learning opportunities for students.</p><p>-------</p><p><strong>Background Information About the Partners</strong></p><p><strong>About the Yuill Family Foundation (</strong><a href="http://yuillfamilyfoundation.ca">yuillfamilyfoundation.ca</a><strong>)</strong><br>The Yuill Family Foundation supports initiatives in health, education, youth sports, and community development throughout Medicine Hat, Southern Alberta, Western Canada, and across Canada. Guided by the belief that change is achieved through vision, leadership, and hard work, the Foundation is committed to supporting organizations that create positive, lasting impact.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>About Alberta Education (</strong><a href="http://alberta.ca/collegiate-schools">alberta.ca/collegiate-schools</a><strong>)</strong><br>Alberta Education is committed to providing students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to succeed in an ever-changing world. Through the Collegiate Programming Initiative, the Government of Alberta is helping school divisions expand opportunities for students in Grades 7–12 to explore career pathways that connect directly to post-secondary programs and in-demand industries.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>About Prairie Rose Public Schools (</strong><a href="http://myprps.com">myprps.com</a><strong>)</strong><br>Prairie Rose Public Schools serves approximately 6,600 students across southern Alberta. The division is deeply rooted in community and dedicated to providing high quality education that reflects rural values. The school division fosters a culture of connection and opportunity where students are encouraged to explore their passions, pursue their goals, and engage in meaningful, real-world learning.</p><p><strong>About Neubauer Farms (</strong><a href="http://neubauerfarms.ca">neubauerfarms.ca</a><strong>)</strong><br>Neubauer Farms, owned and operated by Mark and Nichole Neubauer, is a mixed farming operation near Medicine Hat. Neubauer Farms also operates the Agriculture Discovery Centre at Irvine School, a student-led agricultural education initiative for kindergarten to Grade 9 students within Prairie Rose Public Schools. In addition, the farm hosts the <i>Growing Minds</i> program, which has welcomed nearly 20,000 students to learn where their food comes from.</p>

<p>The next Prairie Rose Public Schools board meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the PRPS Division Office in Dunmore <strong>starting at 10:00 a.m.&nbsp;</strong></p><p>Board Meeting Agenda Package: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/13tAhNvkeBwe6pkPs_l1UJfHcInc01IbK/view?usp=drive_link">https://drive.google.com/file/d/13tAhNvkeBwe6pkPs_l1UJfHcInc01IbK/view?usp=drive_link</a></p>