Grande Prairie Public School District
September 12, 2017
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 JoAnn Cazakoff TRUSTEES Brenda Howard Paulette Kurylo SUPERINTENDENT Alexander McDonald ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT, SECRETARY-TREASURER Jeff Olson ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, HUMAN RESOURCES Nick Radujko ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF PROGRAMS & PLANNING James Robinson ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, STUDENT SERVICES Christina Farquharson
GPPSD Board of Trustees and District Administrators visiting Roy Bickell Public School
UPCOMING DISTRICT DATES REGULAR BOARD MEETING Tuesday, September 26, 2017 06:00 p.m., Central Office
Let’s Connect:
BOARD CHAIR REPORT
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Board Social Update - This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the GPPSD Board Social. In honour of this special anniversary, the Board has moved the Social to the Entrec Centre to allow up to 700 people to attend. Invitations to retirees and staff were sent out in early September and staff are urged to RSVP as soon as they are able. Board Chair John Lehners expressed the hope that every seat is filled for this special event.
Superintendent McDonald noted that Jeff Olson, Secretary-Treasurer/Associate Superintendent of Business Services has submitted his retirement notice after four years of service to GPPSD. The process of advertising and ultimately hiring Mr. Olson’s replacement has begun and more information is available on the District website. Congratulations Mr. Olson!
GPPSD 50th annual Board Social
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www.gppsd.ab.ca
Secretary-Treasurer Retirement and Replacement Search
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Page 2 | GPPSD BOARD HIGHLIGHTS
GPPSD enrolment update
September 12, 2017
CENTRAL OFFICE STAFFING NEWS
NEWS & EVENTS
Acknowledging two staff members
Superintendent McDonald praised the start-up work to prepare our schools for the first day and in particular highlighted the work of school administrative assistants and school administrators to support our students and families. Enrolments across the District are higher than projected, on average. To respond to class size concerns, principals have made staffing adjustments at their schools along with the hiring to date of 5.5 teachers new to the District.
Nutrition program planning Superintendent McDonald reported that the first day of the free lunch program at Swanavon School was a great success on Monday, September 11, 2017. As part of Alberta Education’s provincial nutrition pilot program, all students in grades 1-6 at Swanavon school will receive a free lunch every day for the school year, prepared by Chef Gavin and his staff at Charles Spencer High School.
2016-2017 District Satisfaction Survey Results Trustees reviewed results of the Spring 2017 Staff and Parent Satisfaction Surveys administered by the District. In general, both staff and parents reported high levels of satisfaction on the survey questions with the highest levels of satisfaction over the past 5 years on 12 questions for staff and 17 questions for parents. Mr. McDonald shared the process principals will use to review the results for each school with staff, students, and parents for the purpose of establishing school goals for the 2017-2018 school year.
In his report, Mr. McDonald also acknowledged two staff members at Central Office for their recent achievements. Nicole Chappell, Human Resource Administrative Assistant, has attained certification as a member of the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR) of Canada. As well, Mohammad Haidar, Communications and Design Consultant, has been formally recognized by the Canadian Association of Communicators in Education for a presentation made at their annual conference last year. The focus on branding a school was recognized as one of the outstanding projects done during the 2016-2017 school year. Additionally, on the morning of September 7, 2017, Mohammad was formally recognized with his citizenship at the ceremony for new Canadians.
TERRY FOX RUN 2017 GRANDE PRAIRIE Sunday, September 17, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Muskoseepi Park
REMEMBER TO WEAR PURPLE September 18, 2017 is Big Brothers Big Sisters Day! #ImagineBBBS
ALBERTA EDUCATION
School Act consultation meetings
Vice Chair, JoAnn Cazakoff reported on her attendance at recent consultation sessions, organized by Alberta Education, to discuss proposed changes to the School Act. Topics discussed included student age of access to education, age of entrance to kindergarten, school fees and transportation rules and regulations. A wide range of stakeholders from across Zone 1 participated in the two-day session.
GPPSD ANNUAL ELEMENTARY FUN RUN 2017-2018 Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
CONTACT INFORMATION PHONE 780-532-4491 EMAIL communications@gppsd.ab.ca
Let’s Connect:
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www.gppsd.ab.ca
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