02-27-2018 GPPSD Board Highlights

Grande Prairie Public School District

February 27, 2018

BOARD HIGHLIGHTS Central Office, 10127 120 Avenue, Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 8H8

The Grande Prairie Public School District is a learning community in which every student succeeds BOARD OF TRUSTEES BOARD CHAIR John Lehners BOARD VICE-CHAIR Joan Nellis TRUSTEES Andre Ouellette Lesley Craig Lynn Driedger Paulette Kurylo Rob Martin SUPERINTENDENT Alexander McDonald ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT, SECRETARY-TREASURER Norm Guindon ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, HUMAN RESOURCES Nick Radujko ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF PROGRAMS & PLANNING James Robinson ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, STUDENT SERVICES Christina Farquharson

REGULAR

BOARD MEETING

TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 2018 06:00 P.M., CENTRAL OFFICE FUTURE BOARD MEETINGS: March 27, 2018 April 17, 2018 May 8, 2018 May 22, 2018 June 12, 2018

Trustees and staff enjoying lunch at Swanavon School on Thursday, February 15, 2018.

BOARD CHAIR REPORT

be open to the public and allow people to see the results of the ‘exchange’. The District is excited to move into this next phase with Thoughtexchange.

Trustees meet with Local MLAs Trustees had the opportunity to meet with local area MLAs Mr. Wayne Drysdale, MLA GP-Wapiti, and Mr. Todd Loewen, MLA GP-Smoky, on February 23, 2018 at our Central Office.

The discussion centered around providing an update on the Composite Replacement project and other capital needs in the District. Trustees discussed preliminary elements of the UCP proposed education platform and the MLAs shared the grassroots process that will be used to develop the final platform.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Thoughtexchange update Superintendent McDonald updated the Board on the progress of our Thoughtexchange project. Designed to solicit input from a wide range of stakeholders that will inform the strategic direction of the District, our Thoughtexchange saw participation from 1319 individuals who contributed and ranked 2016 individual ‘thoughts’. The next step is the development of a results page, which will

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CULTURE & ENGAGEMENT Grande Prairie Composite High School Golden Ticket event Trustees discussed the annual Grande Prairie Composite High School Golden Ticket Event which was held on Wednesday, February 21, 2018. The event was held to acknowledge the effort and success of students on the Principal’s List (an average over 90%), the Honours List (an average over 80%), and who received a Teacher’s Choice Award for their effort and dedication. The event was organized by the school and was intended to be a night for students and their families to have fun while acknowledging and celebrating the success of GPCHS students. This year’s entertainment featured a magician as an opening act and a hypnotist as the headline performer.

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Page 2 | GPPSD BOARD HIGHLIGHTS

Grande Prairie Composite High School redesign

February 27, 2018

The Trustees greatly appreciate the work done by Swanavon School and Chef Gavin Young’s team at Charles Spencer High School to provide a free lunch to each child at the school every day. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet with students and get to learn more about the excellent work our staffs do to support our learners.

John Lehners reported to the Board regarding an open house held on Monday, February 26, 2018, where the new high school design was presented by staff from GPPSD and the architecture firm of Workun Garrick. Approximately 45 people attended the event and great dialogue was had about the design.

NEWS & EVENTS MARCH Full day off for students as it is 2 a Professional Learning Day for staff Full day off for students as it is 8-9 Teacher’s Convention Late Entry French Immersion 13 registration and information National Pi day 14 Day off for students and staff as it 23 is a day off in lieu of PTI’s First day for English language 27 kindergarten registration including the Montessori preschool/ kindergarten programming First day for French Immersion 28 preschool/kindergarten registration Good Friday 30 APRIL Easter break 1-8 First day back from Easter break 9 Full day off for students as it is 20 a Professional Learning Day for staff

Alberta Teachers’ Association Induction and Retirement event

MAY 13 18

Trustees reported on the opportunity to attend the annual Alberta Teachers’ Association Induction and Retirement Event held on February 24. This event honours recent retirees from the District and welcomes new teachers to the Alberta Teachers’ Association. The evening is a great way to celebrate the accomplishments of our retiring teachers and introduce new teachers to the Association and was an excellent evening.

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Mother’s Day Full day off for students as it is a Professional Learning Day for staff Victoria day

JUNE Full day off for students as it is 1 a Professional Learning Day for staff Father’s Day 17 National Indigenous Peoples Day 21 Last day for students 28 Last day for staff 29

Trustees experience the Lunch Program at Swanavon

JULY Canada Day 1 AUGUST Heritage Day 6

Trustees were invited to participate in the lunch program at Swanavon School on Thursday, February 15, 2018, and were informed on how the lunches are prepared and delivered every day.

BUSINESS SERVICES Capital Planning Facilities review update Associate Superintendent: Business Services, Norm Guindon provided a review of Infrastructure, Maintenance, and Renewal funding to date. This is the funding that supports the overall maintenance of our Districts’ capital infrastructure. Mr. Guindon and Superintendent McDonald also updated the Board on the status of the 10 year Capital Planning Facilities review, a supporting document that will be critical to our effective planning and decision making for many years to come.

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CONTACT INFORMATION MOHAMMAD HAIDAR Communications & Design Specialist 780-532-4491 Ext. 1013 mohammad.haidar@gppsd.ab.ca

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