Grande Prairie Public School District
August 21, 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 Deputy Superintendent James Robinson Associate Superintendent, Secretary-Treasurer Norm Guindon Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources Nick Radujko Assistant Superintendent, Student Services Christina Farquharson
Next Board Meeting Tuesday, September 11, 2018 06:00 p.m., Central Office Future Board Meetings: September 11, 2018 September 25, 2018 October 9, 2018 October 30, 2018 November 13, 2018 November 27, 2018 December 11, 2018 January 15, 2019 January 29, 2019 February 12, 2019 February 26, 2019 March 12, 2019 April 9, 2019 April 23, 2019 May 14, 2019 May 28, 2019 June 11, 2019
GPPSD Board of Trustees, from left to right: Rob Martin, Trustee, Andre Ouellette, Trustee, Joan Nellis, Board Vice-Chair, Lynn Driedger, Trustee, John Lehners, Board Chair, Lesley Craig, Trustee, Paulette Kurylo, Trustee.
Review of Organizational Meeting Annual Organization Meeting Highlights The Trustees of the Grande Prairie Public School District convened on August 21 for their annual Organization Meeting. John Lehners was acclaimed for the position of Chair and Joan Nellis was acclaimed for the position of Vice-Chair. Additionally, meeting dates and committee representatives were established. Further information is available through the Board minutes which are posted online.
Superintendent McDonald gave Trustees an update on the District Nutrition program which will be structured to provide a nutritious lunch to students in need in all schools with K-6 programming. The program will operate from Roy Bickell School and will be facilitated by a coordinator responsible for supervising the meal prep and purchasing of supplies. Key next steps are to communicate with parents and teachers to identify students who may need to access the program and to develop menus and distribution practices.
Superintendent’s Report
Superintendent McDonald extended his appreciation to the staff members of the Grande Prairie Public School District who demonstrate dedication and excellence in preparing our schools for the new year. Highlighted in his appreciation were the Maintenance Department, our caretakers, Central Office and the IT Department. Our schools would not be ready for our students without the hard work and focus of these individuals.
Highlights from the Superintendent’s Report Superintendent McDonald tabled changes to the Board’s Policies and Administrative Procedures supporting Welcoming, Caring, Respectful and Safe learning and
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working environments. The amendments, based on feedback from the Department of Education, ensure that the Policies and Procedures of the Grande Prairie Public School District are aligned with the direction established by the Minister of Education in the Spring of 2018. GPPSD Policies and Procedures are available on the GPPSD Website.
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Page 2 | GPPSD BOARD HIGHLIGHTS
August 21, 2018
Culture & Engagement
2018-2019 Calendar AUGUST 29-30 School Improvement Planning Organizational Day 31
Every Day Matters! A District Approach to Positive Attendance
SEPTEMBER Labour Day 3 First day of classes (PreK-Grd 9) 4 First day of classes (Grds 10-12) 5 International Literacy Day 8 Professional Learning Day 28 Orange Shirt Day 30 OCTOBER World Teacher Day 5 Thanksgiving 8 World Mental Health Day 10 Professional Learning Day 19 NOVEMBER Daylight Saving Time Ends 4 Remembrance Day 11 Remembrance Day Stat 12 12-16 Bullying Awareness Week Professional Learning Day 23 DECEMBER International Volunteer Day 5 Day in Lieu 7 Professional Learning Day 14 22-31 Christmas Break
Superintendent McDonald acknowledged the work of a committee of Central Office staff and principals focused on supporting and promoting positive attendance in the District. Identified as “Every Day Matters”, the work is focused on promoting positive attendance among students, supporting students with attendance challenges and helping inform parents and the public about the benefits of regular school attendance and the challenges associated with irregular attendance. Sample branding was provided and a more detailed presentation by the working group will scheduled for a Board meeting in September.
JANUARY Christmas Break 1-6 First Day after Break 7 Professional Learning Day 18 Family Literacy Day 27 Semester two begins 31 FEBRUARY Professional Learning Day 2 Valentine’s Day 14 National Flag of Canada Day 15 Family Day 18 Pink Shirt Day 27 MARCH Teacher’s Convention 7-8 Daylight Saving Time starts 10 11-15 Substitute Teacher Week National Pi day 14 Professional Learning Day 15 23-31 Spring Break
The Alberta Summer Games
The City of Grande Prairie hosted the 2018 Alberta Summer Games from July 19th to the 22nd. The Games were supported by all three local school districts and Superintendent McDonald expressed his appreciation to the many staff who volunteered during the games and the District Maintenance, Custodial staff, and IT department who provided exceptional support before, during and after the Games. Without the support of our staff, events like the 2018 Alberta Summer Games would not occur for the benefit of our students and our community.
APRIL 1 12 19 21 22 23 24
First Day Back from Spring Break Professional Learning Day Good Friday Easter Sunday Day Off in Lieu / Earth Day World Book Day Administrative Professionals Day
MAY 8 10 12 20
Hats On! For Mental Health Professional Learning Day Mother’s Day Victoria day
JUNE 7 16 21 27 28
Professional Learning Day Father’s Day National Indigenous Peoples Day Last Day for Students / Canada Multiculturalism Day Last Day for Staff
JULY Canada Day 1 2-31 Summer Break
New Staff Orientation Employees who are new to the Grande Prairie Public School District will have an opportunity to experience a ‘New Staff Orientation’ on August 30 from 12:00 to 1:30 PM. This is an opportunity to get to meet members of our system and learn about GPPSD practices. Lunch will be provided.
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Contact us:
MOHAMMAD HAIDAR Communications Officer 780-532-4491 Ext. 1013 mohammad.haidar@gppsd.ab.ca
www.gppsd.ab.ca
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