Grande Prairie Public School District
JANUARY 31, 2017
BOARD HIGHLIGHTS Central Office, 10213-99 Street, Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 2H3
The Grande Prairie Public School District is a learning community in which every student succeeds GRANDE PRAIRIE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Support our FNMI learners
THE BLANKET EXERCISE
Board of Trustees Board Chair John Lehners Board Vice-Chair JoAnn Cazakoff Trustees Brenda Howard Karen Propokowich Paulette Kurylo Superintendent Alexander (Sandy) McDonald Associate Superintendent - Secretary-Treasurer Jeff Olson Assistant Superintendent - Curriculum Services Nick Radujko Assistant Superintendent - Student Services James Robinson
UPCOMING DISTRICT DATES Regular Board Meeting Tuesday, February 14 06:00 p.m., Central Office Roy Bickell Public School Boundary Meeting Tuesday, February 7 06:30 p.m., Avondale School
Superintendent McDonald provided information to Trustees about the recent Blanket Exercise workshop that staff and administrators attended in late January. The second day’s session hosted teachers and grade 8 students in training for the students to lead the Blanket Exercise at their schools. The Blanket Exercise is a teaching tool that represents historical events in a different manner and is intended to help build understanding of the history of the relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples
Mission, Vision and Guiding Principles
BOARD POLICY 1
The Board reviewed the work completed to date on the revision of Board Policy 1. Discussion
LET’S CONNECT:
in Canada. Trustees have participated in the Blanket Exercise previously, and discussed how activities such as this can support the new provincial Teaching Quality Standards and the proposed Leadership Standards. Superintendent McDonald shared how activities like this are planned to help build deeper understanding within our system of the foundational knowledge necessary to support our FNMI learners. For more information, visit: http://kairosblanketexercise.org/
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focused on the importance of this policy to guiding all work that occurs in the District. Trustees are planning a half-day retreat with administrators on the topic of continuous improvement and the importance of using evidence to support planning and decision-making. Trustees noted the significant learning opportunities involved in policy revision and identified a desire to review all Board Policies in future years to ensure they are current and effective in guiding District practice.
GPPSD2357
GPPSD.AB.CA
780-532-4491
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GPPSD BOARD HIGHLIGHTS
JANUARY 31, 2017
School Assurance Meetings
Update on
The Board shared their reflections on the IV Macklin Public School, Parkside Montessori and Maude Clifford Public School assurance meetings held last Thursday. Again, Trustees were excited to hear of the specific strategies put in place at schools to address student learning needs. The use of evidence to respond and make adjustments to practice in the school was observed. Note was made, again, of the positive learning-focused cultures and the enthusiasm evident in our schools.
Superintendent McDonald provided Trustees with an update re: the status of the Board’s request to increase the number of Trustees on the Board from 5 to 7 in response to population growth within the City. The request has been approved and an electoral ward order, formally authorizing the request, will be issued by the government in March and allow for the election of 7 Trustees in the October 2017.
STUDENT LEARNING NEEDS MUNICIPAL ELECTION
Induction and Retirement Ceremony
The week of January 23rd to 27th
FOR LOCAL ATA
LITERACY WEEK REPORT
The week of January 23rd to 27th was Literacy Week in our schools. Trustees, central office administrators and community members were invited to many of our schools to read to students. The energy and enthusiasm in planning Literacy Week themes and events was highlighted by Trustees. Staff and students are to be commended for their significant efforts.
LET’S CONNECT:
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Trustees shared their appreciation for the invitations to the Local ATA Induction and Retirement Ceremony, planned for February 25th, and those who are able to attend are looking forward to celebrating that evening with the new and retiring teachers in Grande Prairie Public.
@GPPSD2357
GPPSD2357
GPPSD.AB.CA
780-532-4491