Peace Wapiti Public School Division

OCTOBER 27, 2015

DIVISION UPDATE Central Office, 8611A-108 Street, Grande Prairie, Alberta T8V-4C5 | www.pwsd76.ab.ca

Inspiring all learners to become confident, collaborative and ethical citizens motivated with a passion to achieve a sustainable future.

STAFF UPDATE New faces, new roles at PWSD

www.pwsd76.ab.ca Barb Arend has been named Principal of Bezanson School after serving as Principal and Teacher at Teepee Creek School since 2007.

In November, residents within the Harry Balfour School attendance area may submit naming suggestions for the new Whispering Ridge School.

New K-8 schools for Whispering Ridge subdivision and Town of Sexsmith – Mid-year occupancy expected at replacement R. W. Zahara Public School Casey Brown is the new Principal of Teepee Creek School. Prior to joining PWSD in 2011 as Principal of Rycroft School, she spent 18 years at Northland School Division in the roles of Teacher, Principal and Pedagogical Supervisor; two years as the Director of Education for the Athabasca Tribal Council; and in 2009, received the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence.

Julie Hynes has been appointed Principal of Rycroft School. In 2001, she moved from Northland School Division to teach at Bezanson School, followed by a transfer to Rycroft School in 2003 where she has held a number of assignments, including Inclusive Education Coordinator; Grades 2, 3 and Junior High Teacher; General Learning Teacher; and Physical Education Teacher.

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n September, PWSD’s Board received full Ministerial approval for the new Kindergarten-Grade 8 school, to be located in Whispering Ridge subdivision. The new school was part of a larger announcement made last fall by the former government. Minister Eggen’s letter informed the Board that they may proceed with the project once all requirements, as outlined in the School Capital Manual, are satisfied. He also noted that a grant agreement will be forthcoming, which will contain the terms and conditions of the approval, as well as further budget and project scope information. “With the approval from the Minister, the Board can get moving on a request for proposals, once the additional requirements have been met,” says Dana McIntosh, Board Chair. “Not only will the new school in Whispering Ridge reduce bus ride times for young rural students, it will also alleviate some of the pressure felt at Harry Balfour School, an aging facility which saw a significant enrolment increase during the past school year,” adds Superintendent Sheldon Rowe. A second K-8 school, located southeast of Grande Prairie, has been named a priority by PWSD’s Board. If approved, the resulting closure of Harry Balfour School will bring an end to busing rural elementary students through Grande Prairie’s high traffic central core.

More news from Peace Wapiti Public School Division:

‘Name That School’ survey opens in November On November 1st, PWSD’s School Facilities Partnership Committee will launch ‘Name That School’ – an online survey designed to gather naming suggestions for the new K-8 public school, to be located in Whispering Ridge subdivision. During the month of November, residents and students within the Harry Balfour attendance area may visit PWSD’s website or the Harry Balfour School website to submit a name for consideration. Stay tuned for an announcement following the January 21st Board meeting. Replacement R. W. Zahara Public School taking shape

In Sexsmith, planning is underway for a mid-year occupancy of the replacement R. W. Zahara Public School. Outstanding work on the project includes delivery and set-up of modular classrooms, landscaping touch-ups, and all interior finishing such as paint, millwork, flooring, doors, hardware and light fixtures. Following the move, the old school will be demolished, opening up space for the new parking lots.

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AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS Nominate an Outstanding Principal by November 2, 2015 The Learning Partnership honours outstanding principals who exemplify excellence in public education. Details at http://cop. thelearningpartnership.ca.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS Quality Learning Environment – Positive impact felt at PWSD schools

McIntosh, Pelland re-elected as Chair, Vice-Chair

Communications Officer wins three national awards

Jurisdictional Student Engagement Team (JSET) members brainstorm to develop a description of a Quality Learning Environment.

Angela Sears (r), Communications Officer at PWSD, has earned three Bravo Awards from the Canadian Association of Communicators in Education (CACE). The national CACE Bravo Awards program recognizes outstanding work in the field of communications. Melissa Wade, United Way AB honoured at ASBA awards event

The ASBA Zone 1 meeting in September included an awards ceremony in which Melissa Wade (l), a teacher at LaGlace School (pictured with Principal Terry Fast), was recognized along with fellow Zone One Edwin Parr Teacher Award nominees.

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ince its initial roll-out during the 2013-2014 school year, PWSD’s Quality Learning Environment (QLE) is having a positive impact throughout the Division, with schools reporting greater student engagement. Clairmont Community School Principal Shawn O’Shea says his school has embraced PWSD’s QLE through the development and implementation of a Comprehensive Student Success Model. “Our school’s success model includes a number of initiatives, such as embedded collaboration, individual action plans for each student, and student health supports. Through the QLE, these initiatives are aimed at supporting individual student success,” adds Principal O’Shea. On the staffing side, PWSD has hired 15 additional teachers to support staff in working together to implement the QLE. Teachers also have access to improved professional development which is not only aligned with the critical elements of the QLE, but also offers greater opportunities for collaboration, thanks to a renewed focus on common goals.

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ncumbents Dana McIntosh, Chair (l), and Stacey Pelland, Vice-Chair (r) have been re-elected by acclamation for the 2015-2016 school year. This is Ms. McIntosh’s second year serving as Board Chair, in addition to 10 years in the roles of Trustee and Vice-Chair. Ms. Pelland is in her second year as Vice-Chair, following her role as Chair in 2009-2014. Election of Board Chair and Vice-Chair is an annual event at PWSD. According to PWSD policy, a Trustee may serve as Board Chair for a maximum of five consecutive years; Vice-Chair is limited to two consecutive years.

PWSD Education Officers

Pictured l-r: Superintendent Sheldon Rowe will oversee schools in Sexsmith, Teepee Creek, LaGlace, Eaglesham and Ridgevalley; Deputy Superintendent Mark Davidson will lead schools in Grovedale, Grande Prairie, Bezanson, Clairmont, Wembley, Beaverlodge and Hythe; Elmworth School will report to Assistant Superintendent Heather Putio; and schools in Woking, Rycroft, Spirit River, Savanna and Bonanza will report to Assistant Superintendent Bob Stewart.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS PWSD students selected to 2015 Alberta Education Summer Camp in China

subsidized by students and the host school, Qinglai School. As a member of the Minister’s Student Advisory Council, Miss Douglas traveled free-of-charge. PWSD’s FNMI Scholarship awarded to Beaverlodge graduate Darrion Letendre arrion Letendre (l), a member of BRHS’s Class of 2014, was selected as the recipient of the 2015 PWSD First Nations, Métis, and Inuit (FNMI) Scholarship, valued at $1,000. Mr. Letendre has completed his first year at Augustana University in Camrose where he is majoring in Kinesiology and Sports Studies. The scholarship was presented in June by Connie Calliou (r), FNMI Liaison Worker at BRHS.

D United Way Alberta Northwest’s Tools for School program, PWSD’s Friends of Education Award nominee, was honoured along with nominees from other Boards for their contributions to education. The award was presented to Brenda Yamkowy (l), Executive Director of United Way AB NW by Dana McIntosh (r), PWSD Board Chair.

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n August, Grade 12 students Danielle Laurin (l) of Eaglesham School and Kaitlynn Douglas (r) of Beaverlodge Regional High School were among 20 students selected province-wide to participate in Alberta Education’s 11-day Summer Camp in China. Alberta Education supplied $1,500 in airfare to the camp participants, and additional costs were

DIVISION UPDATE | OCTOBER 27, 2015 | 3

Board engages with students at Woking and Clairmont Schools

Merv Crouse Coats for Kids Donations of gently-used winter wear were accepted at Crouse’s Cleaners on Sept. 15 - Oct. 15. Distribution Centre now open Mon.-Sat., Oct.1-31, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Prairie Mall. Items are free of charge to those in need.

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his year, the Board has developed a new strategy to engage with students throughout the Division. Through revamped school visits, Trustees are now able to gather input on what works, from the student perspective. The format of the visit varies by school, but typically begins with a fine arts performance or a student-led tour of the building. Trustees then break into small groups with students for a brief presentation on School Board governance, followed by engaging in conversations to determine what excites them about their school. In true democratic fashion, the groups work together to come up with three words to describe what makes their school special. The words are entered into a ‘Wordle’ – a digital application used to create a visual word cloud in which words that appear most frequently are given greater prominence – which is then printed as a poster for the school.

Students at Woking School (top) and Clairmont Community School (bottom) engage with Trustees during school tours on October 15, 2015.

Enrolment and Staffing Report

COUNCIL CORNER

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Education Act

WSD is reporting an increase of 90 students for the 2015-2016 school year. Deputy Superintendent Mark Davidson notes that while Alternate Education enrolment is down, Kindergarten has exceeded projections and is up slightly over last year. Grades 1-12 enrolment is also showing a slight increase. Enrolment at PWSD’s 32 schools has reached 5,850 students, while staffing sits at the full-time equivalent of slightly more than 366 teachers.

ASCA Webinar Wednesday Upcoming webinars include: Oct. 28: Masterful Minutes Nov. 4: School Council Purpose Nov. 18: Chair Basics To register, visit www. albertaschoolcouncils.ca/events.

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s Alberta Education works to revise the Education Act, PWSD’s Board has voiced some concerns to the Minister: that the method and place of providing educational services to the 19-21 age group be at the Board’s discretion and at no reduction in services to students in the 6-18 age group; that the compulsory age of attendance be in consultation with Hutterite colony elders; and that a student’s permanent residency be determined by the residency of the parent.

School Council Resources

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Harvest time at Elmworth School

SCA will present workshops at your school, free of charge. The workshops are designed to enhance school councils’ effectiveness and parent engagement in public education, and focus on foundation building, operational aspects and expansion potential. Also, check out their weekly Webinar Wednesday series and more at www.albertaschoolcouncils.ca.

You spoke. PWSD listened.

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hile the greenhouse project, pictured in the background, is not quite complete at Elmworth School, students were able to celebrate their first harvest of red potatoes from raised beds in September.

UPCOMING EVENTS

t the Spring General School Councils Meeting, PWSD requested suggestions from attendees on issues, topics, and speakers for inclusion in upcoming School Council Meeting agendas. At tonight’s meeting, you will be updated on PWSD’s Quality Learning Environment (QLE) and learn about ASCA training opportunities which may assist you in recruiting new School Council members. Thanks for your suggestions – we will continue to use them as we plan agendas for future meetings.

PWSD Board Meetings Thursday, October 29 and Thursday, November 19 Central Office, 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 10 Sub-Office, Spirit River, 10:30 a.m. Student Learning Assessments (SLA) Information Sessions for Parents of Grade 3 Students Monday, November 2 Alberta Education will present info on the 2015-2016 Student Learning Assessments (SLA) pilot, in a webinar series hosted by ASCA. Register at www.albertaschoolcouncils. ca/events/event_details. asp?id=679844&group=. Remembrance Day Wednesday, November 11 No classes. Day off in lieu of Parent-Teacher Interviews Friday, November 20 No classes. Deadline to submit issues for consideration at the ASCA 2016 AGM Wednesday, December 16 The ASCA 2016 Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Sunday, April 24, 2016 at the Delta Edmonton South. For paper and electronic forms, and additional info, visit www.albertaschoolcouncils. ca/?page=AGM. Christmas Break Saturday, December 19, 2015 Sunday, January 3, 2016 No classes. Classes resume Monday, January 4, 2016

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SCHOOL NEWS

Lorne Cardinal, Monique Hurteau tour schools

Bezanson Bulldog mascot “larger than life” In September, the 147 Kindergarten - Grade 9 students at Bezanson School constructed the school mascot, a bulldog, out of aluminum foil and made it mobile by building it on an AV cart and scooter boards. The Atomic 13 Ingenuity Challenge, sponsored by www.beakerhead.com, challenged students to use science, engineering and art to create something “larger than life” out of aluminum foil. A total of 108 entries, representing 7,971 students from across Alberta, were entered in the challenge. Saddle Hills County Leaders of Tomorrow

PWSD schools raise more than $58,000 for cancer research

PWSD welcomed back Lorne Cardinal and Monique Hurteau for the second leg of their FNMI school tour on September 21-25. Their question-andanswer style of presentation was a hit with students at Beaverlodge, Bonanza, Savanna, Teepee Creek, Ridgevalley, Rycroft, Eaglesham, Penson and Harry Balfour Schools. Mr. Cardinal is well-known for his role as Sergeant Davis Quinton on CTV’s Corner Gas, as well as numerous other film, television and stage credits. Ms. Hurteau, a producer, writer and comedian, appears on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network as a fitness expert.

The Sexsmith Sabres Boys Football team participated in the Swan City Rotary Food Drive on September 15th, filling one and a half trucks with packed boxes for delivery to the food bank. Accessing myPass for Diploma Exam results myPass is an Alberta Education secure self-service website for Alberta students and parents to: • View and print diploma exam results MY EDUCATION, OUR FUTURE • Order high school transcripts • View progress towards a credential (diploma or certificate) • View student personal information • View and print a Detailed Academic Report (DAR) • Order additional copies of an awarded credential Visit https://public.education.alberta.ca/PASI/myPass. An Alberta School Number is required to access the site.

myPass

Fourteen PWSD schools participated in Terry Fox School Run events, resulting in a combined $58,789.80 donation for cancer research. Harry Balfour School’s 788 students were the top fundraisers, bringing in a total of $16,324.50.

Wembley students start the day off right

Academy Awards at PWA A total of $10,500 in scholarships and numerous awards were handed out during Peace Wapiti Academy’s 14th annual Academy Awards night on October 8th. To see who was honoured at the event, visit http://bit.ly/1jfqQ5y.

Students are enjoying the opportunity to eat with siblings and friends during the morning breakfast program, thanks to new tables purchased through a PWSD Quality Learning Environment grant to enhance learning opportunities. Last year, food was delivered to classrooms by volunteers.

Classroom Champions brings Olympic athletes to PWSD schools This year, cyclist Monique Sullivan, a triple gold medalist from the Pan Am Games, will interact with students of Beaverlodge Elementary, Harry Balfour, Helen E. Taylor, Hythe Regional and LaGlace Schools through the Classroom Champion Olympic Athlete Mentorship Program.

Woking, Bonanza, Spirit River and Rycroft students were welcomed to Saddle Hills County offices in September for a ‘Leaders of Tomorrow’ event, designed to educate youth about municipal government. Students elected peers as councilors and participated in a mock council meeting which included motions and voting. Following the meeting, students toured the County Complex. Sexsmith Sabres lend a hand

GOOD NEWS

Dinosaur-themed playground for Helen E. Taylor Habitat Playground Systems has been contracted to provide plans for a new playground at Helen E. Taylor School, which will be developed in three phases: a multi-use system with a dinosaur theme; a Geo-Netrix system; and a health and fitness area.

For more good news, read the News & Announcements section at www.pwsd76.ab.ca.

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PWSD DIVISION UPDATE PWSD Division Update is a biannual report on news from Peace Wapiti Public School Division, produced for the Spring and Fall General School Councils’ Meetings. Content and Design: Angela Sears Communications Officer angelasears@pwsd76.ab.ca

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