09-25-2018 GPPSD-Board-Highlights

Grande Prairie Public School District

September 25, 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, Octeber 9, 2018 06:00 p.m., Central Office Future Board Meetings: 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

Let’s Connect:

Photo from the annual GPPSD Elementary Fun Run on Saturday, September 22, 2018, at Muskoseepi Park.

Board Chair Report

Superintendent’s Report

Minister Eggen Meets with GPPSD Trustees

Positive Behaviour Supports in the Grande Prairie Public School District

On Friday, September 21, the Trustees of the Grande Prairie Public School District met with the Honourable David Eggen, Minister of Education. The focus of the discussion was on a number of areas of mutual interest including the replacement project for the Composite High School, the implementation of the new teaching quality standard, the early learning project at Avondale School, and Board advocacy for consideration for a Grande Prairie and Area Mental Health Capacity Building Project.

GPPSD hosted Dr. Shane Lynch, Director of Clinical Services for the Calgary office of the Alberta Centre for Autism Services, for days one and two of a four-day series on the topic of supporting students with challenging behaviours. Teams from each school, consisting of one or more administrators, Learning Support teachers, Innovative Support Centre teachers and the Program Unit Funded Preschool Teachers will be working with Dr. Lynch to review strategies, models and evidence-based practices that have been proven successful for children who present behaviour challenges.

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Smile Cookies Support the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation

September 25, 2018

2018-2019 Calendar

51st Annual Board Social

SEPTEMBER Professional Learning Day 28 Orange Shirt Day 30

Sean and Sandy Sargent and the Sargent Family Foundation made a donation of $20 000 to the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation that was used to purchase Tim Horton Smile Cookies for delivery to every student and staff member in our District schools. The donation represented 9,372 cookies, or 781 dozen cookies for our District, and is the third year of Sargent Family donations to some or all of our GPPSD schools. This gesture in support of our District and our community was very well-received and a great way to start the year.

Collaborative Inquiry and Professional Learning Superintendent McDonald highlighted the work that continues with system and school administrators focused on professional growth through collaborative inquiry as part of an ongoing partnership with the University of Lethbridge.

School administrator teams revisited their professional learning goal related to the learning of their students and shared plans for how they will be working to similarly support teacher professional growth this year.

Culture & Engagement Aspen Grove School Hosts the Minister of Education

Trustees had the opportunity to attend a Gator Pride assembly at Aspen Grove School along with the Minister of Education, the Honourable David Eggen. The assembly focused on building the culture of the school and affirming what it means to be a ‘Gator’ at Aspen Grove School. Also included in the assembly was recognition of Kim Verbecky, the recipient of the Alberta School Boards Association’s Friends of Education Award, which was presented by GPPSD Board Chair John Lehners.

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

Trustees discussed the planning for the 51st Annual Board Social, which will be held at Evergreen Park on Saturday, October 13. This event celebrates long-service recipients and retirees and is an opportunity for the Board to recognize and extend their appreciation to the staff of the Grande Prairie Public School District. This event is always well attended and is the social highlight of the school year. The Trustees look forward to seeing everyone there.

Business Services Grande Prairie Composite High School Replacement Committee

Secretary-Treasurer Norm Guindon updated the Trustees on the status of the Composite replacement project. As part of the process, the Board passed a motion related to the disposition to the existing Composite High School that will see the existing building demolished as part of the development process and the site be prepared for future considerations.

DECEMBER International Volunteer Day 5 Day in Lieu 7 Professional Learning Day 14 22-31 Christmas Break 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 8 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 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

Rotary Food Drive Kick-off Students from the Grande Prairie Christian School participated in the annual Rotary Food Drive Kick-off recently at the Eastlink Centre. The kickoff event featured a live version of the “Game of Life” and was planned and organized by Grande Prairie Christian School teacher Louie Chabot and his students. The event raised $14 000 to support the Salvation Army and Grande Prairie Friendship Centre food banks.

Let’s Connect:

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Contact us:

MOHAMMAD HAIDAR Communications Officer 780-532-4491 Ext. 1013 mohammad.haidar@gppsd.ab.ca

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