flexible format for hosting large ... Full French Immersion High ... excited for the outdoor classroom, the Cafe-style F
District Good News January 2017 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11
Want to stay up-to-date on the Proposed Boundary & Initial Programming Changes? Visit our Information Hub Page! To access all the current news and information regarding the Proposed Boundary & Initial Programming changes, please visit our Information Hub page on GPCSD.ca. This page serves to provide a clear and informative centre for all news releases and updates regarding the changes. To visit the Information Hub page, go to bit.ly/2gmh8BJ or visit GPCSD.ca and look under District.
Proposed Boundary and Initial Programming Consultations: For Parents
Parents are invited to register and attend the Proposed Boundary and Initial Programming Consultations. A World Café format will be used to discuss the 2017-2018 opening of St. John Paul II Junior-Senior Catholic High School, the proposed JuniorSenior boundary, and programming options for students. Parents are welcome to attend any of the sessions. If your family is attending St. Kateri or St. Patrick, please feel free to attend a session that best suits your family’s need. What is a World Café? The World Café methodology is a simple, effective, and flexible format for hosting large group dialogue. After an
introduction, individuals will have the opportunity to move to different tables where a group leader will introduce a question that is specifically crafted for the dialogue. A series of additional questions will be incorporated to ensure the conversation remains focused and guided. At the end, group leaders will share highlights and new learnings. The dates for the Parent Consultations are: • January 17: St. Clement & Holy Cross Session @ Holy Cross Library - 7:00 PM, • January 19: Mother Teresa Session @ Mother Teresa Library - 7:00 PM,
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@GPCSD
780.532.3013 | 9902-101 STREET, GRANDE PRAIRIE, AB T8V 2P4
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January 24: Full French Immersion High School Program @ Ecole St. Gerard 7:00 PM, January 26: St. Catherine Session @ St. Catherine Library - 7:00 PM.
Parents that wish to attend a Consultation are required to register at: surveymonkey.com/r/GPCSDBoundary
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www.gpcsd.ca
St. Kateri Grade 7 Project-Based Learning Grade 7 students at St. Kateri presented their Restaurant Projects to fellow students, staff, and parents earlier in December. The project required groups of students to study a country, then prepare and serve food based on the country. Patrons to the student-run restaurants also experienced a learning opportunity, as students shared their knowledge of their selected country.
Bull Creek Wind Farm providing GPCSD with Renewable Energy
Grande Prairie and District Catholic Schools now receives power for most of our schools through the Bull Creek Wind Farm in Provost, Alberta. The wind farm became fully operational in January 2016. The Bull Creek Wind Farm contains 17 turbines, which generate a combined 29 megawatts of energy. The output of energy can potentially save 80,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases annually. The wind farm is part of an effort to secure a long-term energy plan, as it limits our exposure to energy cost spikes that occur during boom times and supply issue times to ensure stable costs for 25 years. “Wind, Solar, and Biomass all supplement traditional energy supply on the electrical grid,” said Superintendent Germann. “We still need traditional forms of energy, but renewables are offsetting the cost and allowing the school district to predict long term energy costs.” GPCSD is one of 24 Alberta school boards which entered the Alberta Schools Commodity Purchasing Consortium (CPC) in 2005 in response to the volatile energy prices in the early 2000s. The goal of the CPC is to provide over 500 schools an option for a long-term, affordable source of renewable energy. For more information on the Bull Creek Wind Farm, visit: www.bluearthrenewables.com Related Articles: Building the Bull Creek Wind Facility [Video] - Link: bit.ly/2iIOH0K BluEarth announces Bull Creek Wind Facility is now producing renewable power in Alberta - Link: bit.ly/1OtVXTh BluEarth celebrates commissioning at Bull Creek Wind Facility near Provost, Alberta Link: bit.ly/2hRhBqZ
Meeting with Students on Proposed Boundary and Initial Programming Changes
Throughout December, we met with Grade 7 and 8 students from St. Catherine, St. Clement, Holy Cross, Mother Teresa, and Grade 7-9 Ecole St. Gerard French Immersion students. The purpose of these Student Consultations was to share information with students on what programming options, facilities, and opportunities St. John Paul II will offer, as well as answer their questions and listen to their feedback. There was plenty of excitement from the students when we showcased many of the features St. John Paul II School will provide. Students appeared to be particularly excited for the outdoor classroom, the Cafe-style Flex spaces, the full dedicated Campus Immersion space, and the adjacent Fine Arts theatre. Students learned about electives, including Drama, Band, Visual/Graphic Arts, and Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) would be carried forward into the new school. Trevor Prichard was present to showcase Celtic Academy, GPCSD’s Athletic Development program that will be offered to students in Grades 8 to 12 at St. John Paul II. Ecole St. Gerard Junior High learned about St. John Paul II’s French Immersion Campus. The Campus will be a dedicated French language and cultural space for staff and students. All courses in junior high will be offered in French, and there will be an enhanced Full High School Immersion program for Grades 10 to 12.
Connect With Us! /gpcatholic
@GPCSD
780.532.3013 | 9902-101 STREET, GRANDE PRAIRIE, AB T8V 2P4
VISIT US AT
www.gpcsd.ca
