Apr 26, 2018 - during the year, Mr. Young shared ongoing CRM. Committee goals. The list includes Dossier software implem
Peace Wapiti Public School Division
APRIL 26, 2018
BOARD NEWS 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.
Upcoming Events
Kindergarten Registration is ongoing – register online: www.pwsd76.ab.ca/registration Northern AB Heritage Fair May 3, Teresa Sargent Hall, Montrose Cultural Centre Grade 9 PATs May 8 and June 22-27 Gr. 6 PAT schedules may vary by school – contact the school office. Day off in lieu of PTIs Fri., May 18 Victoria Day, Mon., May 21 No classes. Offices/shops closed. Administrator meeting May 29, Location TBA Next Board Meeting Thursday, May 31 10:30 a.m., Central Office. PSBAA Spring Gen. Assembly June 1-3, Sheraton Red Deer www.public-schools.ab.ca Diploma Exams June 13-14 and 20-28 Schedule: https://education. alberta.ca/writing-diplomaexams/schedule/?searchMode=3 National Aboriginal Day Fri., June 21. No exams. Last day of classes: June 28 Last day for staff: June 29
Board Chair Dana McIntosh (right) leading a discussion with parents and staff during the Wembley Grade 4 Consultation Meeting on April 19, 2018.
Board opts to relocate Grade 4 programming to Helen E. Taylor School
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ore than 70 people attended the Wembley Grade 4 Consultation Meeting on Thursday evening, April 19, 2018. Following a presentation by PWSD Superintendent Sheldon Rowe, attendees were encouraged to express feedback on two options. Option 1 would see two modular classrooms added at Wembley Elementary School (WES) to maintain the K - Grade 4 status quo. Option 2 would see two modular classrooms added at Helen E. Taylor School (HET) to facilitate transferring Grade 4 programming to HET, creating a K-Grade 3 school with additional space that could be used for a Junior Kindergarten program, and a Grades 4-9 school. PWSD trustees and executive team members gathered input from each table, recording comments on benefits/concerns forms. One representative from each table was selected to share key points with all attendees. The information supplied via the forms was compiled into a report to help inform the decision reached by Trustees at the Board meeting on April 26. Grade 4 program transferring to Helen. E. Taylor At their Board meeting on April 26, Trustees decided to transfer the Grade 4 program from WES to HET, effective the 2018-2019 school year. The Board also authorized a $75,000 expenditure to construct a hallway link at HET to connect the two modular classrooms to the school building.
More news from Peace Wapiti Public School Division:
Next steps – Link construction and delivery of modular classrooms
A typical modular classroom interior, R.W.Z. Public School in Sexsmith. Weather and other factors permitting, construction of the hallway link at HET is expected to begin near or at the end of the current school year. The two modular classrooms will be transferred from Harry Balfour School after classes wrap up for the summer months. Thank you to the Wembley community The Board expressed appreciation to the community of Wembley for the respectful dialogue that took place during the meeting on April 19. Trustees thanked members of the Wembley & District Arts, Culture and Historical Society for the meal, those who helped set up the gymnasium for the meeting, and all who attended and provided feedback. Whenever possible, the Board strives to include stakeholder feedback in its decision-making process.
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APRIL 26, 2018
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Using technology to convey cross-curricular connections to students
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exsmith Secondary School Assistant Principal Ali Lario led trustees through a classroom scenario using TI-Nspire handheld Computer Algebra Systems to demonstrate the cross-curricular connections between science and math, along with elements of social studies and language arts. The device helps students understand the connectivity of all school subjects. A class set and the software costs schools approximately $10,000.
School Act amendments bring policy changes for Alberta’s school authorities
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lberta Education provided school authorities with a table tool to assist them in meeting the requirements resulting from the Bill 24 amendments to the School Act. The amendments affected four PWSD policies and administrative procedures: • BBA – School Board Powers and Duties • GCAD – School Administrator • IFC – Student Code of Conduct • IHF – Safe and Caring Learning Environment PWSD’s Policy Review Committee used the Alberta Education table tool to compare the legislated requirements to PWSD’s existing policies, to ensure compliance and make amendments where necessary. Policy changes have been submitted for review to the Society for Safe and Caring Schools and Communities, but no response has been received.
Policy Review Committee Report
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he Policy Review Committee reviewed or updated the following policies during their meeting on April 12, 2018. • BCE – Board Committee - Exhibit 1 - Committee Terms of Reference • EEA – Student Transportation Services • IE – Student Attendance • IFA – Appeals Concerning Student Matters • IFCJ – Student Violence, Use of Weapons and Criminal Offence • IGD – Student Suspension/Expulsion • JAB – Conflict Resolution The committee also reviewed all policies referencing the words alcohol, drug, and smoking, and updated them to include ‘cannabis’ where appropriate. The group will re-implement sending the ‘Policy of the Month’ to Administrators and School Council Chairs on a monthly basis, starting in September.
Collaborative Response Model Report
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he Collaborative Response Model (CRM) at PWSD encourages embedded teacher collaboration time to address student interventions and improve outcomes. In his report to the Board, Assistant Superintendent Darren Young summarized the 2017-2018 CRM goal as “supporting ongoing development at all PWSD schools by continuing to refine and develop the process to reflect school context and meet student needs.” “Having staff come together to discuss and support students is fundamental to our purpose as educators. It helps us build shared responsibility for student learning and opens up teaching to help us move forward for the betterment of students.” In addition to the timeline of supports provided during the year, Mr. Young shared ongoing CRM Committee goals. The list includes Dossier software implementation support; integration of PWSD’s Student First Framework for Learning meeting tool; utilizing CRM module alerts; refining the focus for collaborative team meetings; linking CRM needs with PD opportunities; utilizing PWSD’s Inclusive and Instructional Coaches to build staff capacity; and structured school visits. Mr. Young noted that PWSD is a CRM leader in Alberta, and that several school teams and a team from Central Office were invited to present at last year’s Annual CRM Conference in Edmonton.
Register online
Kindergarten www.pwsd76.ab.ca/registration or click the REGISTRATION tab on your school website
All families welcome. Open to children turning five in 2018 If you do not have access to the Internet, please contact the school for assistance.
Registration is
ONGOING
Horse Lake Rep. Report Rep. Joachim updated the Board on upcoming MMS Society events planned for the month of May, including Rite of Passage Women’s Teaching on May 1-2; an MMS open house on May 9; and Dealing with Trauma/Healing workshop, presented by Dr. Simington on May 15-17. A parentcommunity workshop on May 8, sponsored by the IFNE grant, will provide engagement activities for families. The movie Indian Horse opened in theatres this week, based on the book by Richard Wagamese on residential school experiences. The Horse Lake First Nation will have a private screening at the Cineplex in Grande Prairie on May 4 at 11:00 a.m.
Teamsters’ Memorandum of Agreement ratified The board ratified the Teamsters’ Memorandum of Agreement, dated April 24, 2018, for the term of Jan. 1, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2019.
Committee and meeting reports
A birth certificate and proof of residency are requirements for in-person or online registration.
Trustee Knull reported on the Public School Boards Council meeting held April 12-14.
PWSD school tours
PWSD BOARD NEWS A report on news from Peace Wapiti Public School Division, published following each Board Meeting. Content and Design: Angela Sears Communications Officer
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The Board reviewed plans to visit five schools in the western portion of the division on May 10 as part of their annual school tour schedule. For more good news, see the News & Announcements section at www.pwsd76.ab.ca.
