School News

Stay up to date on school news here.

2022-01-06 22:41:36.124 +0000 UTC
Parent Update: Return to In-Person Classes on Jan 10th
<p>On Wednesday, <a href="https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=81695BC01F3A2-FCDD-B660-8693473704E81BE1">January 5th the Alberta Government confirmed</a> that in-person classes would restart on January 10th. With the classes resuming next week, Prairie Rose Public Schools is prepared to welcome back students using enhanced cleaning and health practices such as masking for grades 4-12 (and all adults), cohorting when possible, and enhanced cleaning practices.&nbsp;</p><p>To supplement our current efforts, the government will begin distributing medical grade masks and testing kits to each student and staff member. The school division has been told that we can expect to start seeing shipments of these items as early as Friday, January 7th, although there is no guarantee they will arrive by the start of classes next week. Once schools receive the materials they will be sent home with students. <i>The use of the medical masks and testing kits is optional and can be used at the discretion and guidance of parents. </i>A video has been created with instructions on how to use the <a href="https://youtu.be/h4q7EuAbgE8">testing kits</a> for those who wish to use them.</p><p>Other important information:</p><ul><li>All individuals are still required to review the <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/12oedZgsqwxJlmL6yMMLlR86E4PeuvGMG/view">Student Illness Guide</a> with their child each day before coming to school. If your child shows any signs of illness, parents will be contacted to pick up their child from school. It is anticipated there will be new changes to the daily checklist, but currently we ask families to follow the same process as prior to the winter break when determining if their child is well enough to attend school. Over the break the government also announced changes to the <a href="https://www.alberta.ca/isolation.aspx">isolation and quarantine timelines</a>. Please take a moment to review the new changes.<br>&nbsp;</li><li>Based on current health data, there will likely be a high number of student and staff absences in the coming weeks due to the rising number of Omicron COVID-19 cases within communities. Should this happen in Prairie Rose, it may be necessary to move a class or classes to online learning for a short period of time. Online learning will only be used as a last resort when it is not possible to offer in-person learning.<br>&nbsp;</li><li>It is our hope that extra curricular activities (including sports programs) will continue as planned. We have not received official confirmation regarding extra curricular and expect more information related to the continuation of these programs in the next few days.<br>&nbsp;</li><li>It is expected that the government will be making several changes to their K-12 school guidance documents. Currently, we do not have additional information related to what these may be, including contact tracing practices. Once we have more information this will be shared with families.<br>&nbsp;</li><li><strong>For high school students only</strong>: Diploma exams have been cancelled for January. Prairie Rose has also made the decision to cancel exam week, which means there will be no final exams for any high school students. Classes will run for all high school students up to and including January 26th. Students will be off on January 27th and January 28th (SI Day). Second semester will begin on January 31st.</li></ul><p>We understand that families may have additional questions. We continue to ask for your patience as we amend our guidelines based on new information from the province. Please watch your email over the weekend, as it is likely you may receive another update from us with these details. As always, we appreciate your cooperation and patience as we navigate the uncertainty of the pandemic and look forward to a return to in-person learning next week.</p><p>Sincerely,</p><p>Reagan Weeks<br>Superintendent of Schools<br>Prairie Rose Public Schools</p>
2021-12-31 17:43:40.168 +0000 UTC
Delayed Return to Classes until Jan 10th
<p>On December 30th, the province announced that due to the rising number of Omicron cases of COVID-19, <strong>the return to school following the Christmas break will be delayed across the province until January 10th</strong>. In Prairie Rose, students were scheduled to return to class next Monday on January 3rd. In addition to postponing a return to class for students, it was also announced that diploma exams that are scheduled to start on January 11th have been cancelled.</p><p>During the extended break, school jurisdictions have been asked to assess staffing implications and the potential operational impacts of the current COVID-19 situation. This also includes reviewing current COVID-19 protocols in Prairie Rose schools and considering additional measures that can be implemented for a safe return to in-person classes. Alberta Education has committed to sharing more information with school authorities next week and have informed us that they are already working to secure additional PPE (masks and rapid test kits) to increase student and staff safety. In Prairie Rose we have already taken proactive measures and have secured KN95 and testing kits which will be available in our schools for the January 10th start date. Once we have more information regarding any additional measures they will be passed along to our school communities.</p><p>We appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty it brings for both schools and families. Our goal is to continue to work with parents to ensure learning remains a priority, despite the unforeseen challenges we face. Please enjoy your extended Christmas break and we will provide more information once it is made available to us.</p><p>Sincerely,</p><p>Reagan Weeks<br>Superintendent of Schools</p>
2021-12-15 16:51:49.432 +0000 UTC
December 14, 2021 Board Meeting Highlights
<p><strong>Mileage and Meal Reimbursement Rates</strong></p><p>Secretary Treasurer Ryan Boser provided an overview of the results of a mileage and meal reimbursement review that compared Prairie Rose’s rates with other school divisions in Zone 6. The division currently reimburses staff at 0.50 per kilometre for mileage, $11 for breakfast, $15 for lunch and $25 for supper. It was recommended that the mileage rate be increased to 0.54 per kilometre and that breakfast financial reimbursement be increased to $15 and supper to $30. The changes would apply to all Prairie Rose staff when conducting official PRPS business. The motion was carried.</p><p><strong>Oyen Public School Presentation</strong></p><p>Principal Jason Duchscherer shared a presentation with the board outlining academic programming, instructional strategies and facility improvements at Oyen Public School. It was noted that the school used the assurance survey data collected in the spring of 2021 to make changes based on the feedback received from students and parents.&nbsp;</p><p>The presentation highlighted the following:</p><ul><li>Recent renovations at the school to improve the front entrance and the completion of a breakfast room.</li><li>Literacy strategies being used across all grade levels including science of reading, Heggerty program and secret stories.</li><li>New programming options at OPS including art class, band, drama, leadership, and computer skills and problem solving.</li><li>Two academy programs, including the SAHA hockey academy and the introduction of the new Jr. Badgers baseball program.</li><li>The introduction of the Prairie Rose Possibility agriculture program where the school purchased their own chicken coop and students were responsible for growing and caring for the animals. The school also purchased red wiggler worms as part of an organic recycling initiative.</li><li>The sharing of a school librarian with South Central High School for 9 hours per week.</li></ul><p>The full presentation can be found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LcBqHQiRv2YByODmAnYmid7PzdY2e6K4/view">December 14, 2021, Board Meeting</a> package.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Irvine School Field Trip</strong></p><p>Superintendent Reagan Weeks presented an Irvine School field trip request to Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto from April 23 - May 1, 2022, through EF Tours. It was noted that this specific trip has been approved by the board in past years and that EF Tours is a reputable company specializing in student travel. The board approved the field trip request as presented.</p><p><strong>Board Committee Structures</strong></p><p>Superintendent Reagan Weeks asked the board to vote on two separate motions to rescind two governance policies, Student Board Advisory Committee and FNMI Committee, as both were not consistently reviewed by the board on an annual basis. It was recommended that the Student Board Advisory Committee be renamed, Student Voice and be turned into an ad hoc committee. However, the FNMI Committee will be dissolved, as it was noted that the policy is outdated and the board already receives regular updates via the FNMI Coordinator report, Student Services report and Annual Education Results Report related to FNMI supports, results and strategies. The board passed both motions.</p>