03-13-2018 GPPSD-Board-Highlights

Grande Prairie Public School District

March 13, 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 (Sandy) 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 27, 2018 06:00 P.M., CENTRAL OFFICE

Over 500+ educators at the annual Mighty Peace Teachers’ Convention held from Thursday, March 8 to Friday, March 9, 2018

GPPSD PRESENTATION Education Foundation Annual Report

BOARD CHAIR REPORT

FUTURE BOARD MEETINGS: April 17, 2018 May 8, 2018 May 22, 2018 June 12, 2018

Chamber of Commerce Round Table

Laura LaValley, Executive Director and Angus Sutherland, Chair presented a comprehensive report to the Board on the activities of the Foundation over the 2016-2017 school year. During that year, $7,500.00 was distributed through their scholarship program. Schools received just over $22,645.00 in response to their requests submitted through the Foundation’s Annual Grant Program, which supported items such as Maker Space Kits, Orff Instruments, Tone Chime Bells among other items and programs. Laura LaValley also provided information on the annual Striving

Let’s Connect:

for Excellence Dinner. This evening recognizes students who have been acknowledged for putting forth outstanding effort and providing service to their school. The final focus of the presentation was on the Foundation’s support for the Nutrition programming in our schools, which is heavily supported by the United Way.

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Vice-Chair Joan Nellis and James Robinson, Assistant Superintendent represented the District at the annual Chamber Round Table last Friday afternoon. GPPSD was one of approximately 16 educational organizations, government, businesses and other community groups that shared the highlights of their year to date. GPPSD discussions addressed the new high school project, Off Campus learning opportunities for students and system growth, among other topics. Labour shortages around Grande Prairie, reflected in the current shortage of substitute teachers and educational assistants in GPPSD and in trades positions in other organizations, was a common theme from many of the organizations who presented.

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Page 2 | GPPSD BOARD HIGHLIGHTS

March 13, 2018

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

CULTURE & ENGAGEMENT

Off Campus Program Update

Trustees meeting with Trumpeter Local 26 of the Alberta Teachers’ Association

One of the priority strategies for improving the overall engagement of students, and ultimately increasing high school graduation rates, is to seek to provide students more authentic and relevant learning opportunities. In high school, one way this is accomplished is through providing students the opportunity to learn outside of the school setting. A report providing program information and enrolment in work experience, the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) and dual credit courses was shared and discussed with the Board. Kim Frykas, Director of Instruction 7-12, works with off campus teachers and high school staff to implement programming outlined in the Off-Campus Handbook.

The Board passed a motion affirming the approval of the involvement of GPPSD students in off-campus education activities and to direct staff to adhere to the procedures and guidelines identified in the Off-Campus Handbook.

Superintendent McDonald also informed the Board of upcoming ‘Tours of the Trades’ opportunities designed to give students in grades 9-12 exposure to different trades to support their program and career planning in high school.

After School Homework Club Program-Avondale School

NEWS & EVENTS

Trustees reported on the supper meeting they had recently with the executive of the Trumpeter Local 26 of the Alberta Teachers’ Association. Board Chair Lehners noted there was good discussion during the meal and that they appreciated the opportunity to meet. The Board expressed interest in future meetings to discuss issues of importance to both parties.

Alberta Education Assurance Framework Superintendent McDonald and Trustees who were able to attend provided a report on the Alberta Education Assurance Framework development workshop they attended February 28. The workshop provided for focused discussions on the topic of building of a new Assurance Model in Alberta to address Provincial and Local priorities. Locally, on this topic, schools will soon be preparing for their annual School-Board Assurance Meetings to review their results, their plans, and their engagement processes with the Board.

Grande Prairie Composite High School Replacement Project Meeting with Mayor and City Manager

MARCH 23 Day off for students and staff as it is a day off in lieu of PTI’s 27 First day for English language kindergarten registration including the Montessori preschool/ kindergarten programming 28 First day for French Immersion preschool/kindergarten registration 30 Good Friday APRIL 1-8 Easter break 9 First day back from Easter break 20 Full day off for students as it is a Professional Learning Day for staff MAY 13 18 21

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 17 Father’s Day 21 National Indigenous Peoples Day Last day for students 28 29 Last day for staff JULY 1 Canada Day AUGUST Heritage Day 6

Frontier College (www.frontiercollege.ca) is an organization focused on providing literacy support across Canada. The college has a lengthy history of providing literacy supports in rural/remote areas and specifically to First Nations, Métis and Inuit students. Frontier College is bringing their programming to Grande Prairie following the successful piloting of 16 programs in Edmonton. Frontier College staff have met with James Robinson, Assistant Superintendent, and Angela DesBarres, Director of Instruction P-6, and have planned an after-school homework club for Avondale School to run until the end of the school year. Frontier College is also exploring an in-school literacy support program for next year.

Board Chair Lehners reported on the ongoing work with the city on discussing possible uses of the current Grande Prairie Composite High School when the new replacement school opens in 2020. The opportunities to optimize the site use is a focus of the Board and a subcommittee of the Board recently met with Mayor Given and City Manager Bob Nicolay to discuss possible partnerships in the redevelopment of the area.

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

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