Happy Father’s Day to all dads, especially our awesome New Brigden Dads! ❤️ Grade 2-4’s were so proud to share the special gift they made for you!!

<p>The June 14th Board Meeting Agenda and attachments can be found here: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xNtrBfr401XVztLP838zAV0xFfhjwDQX/view?usp=sharing">PRPS June 14, 2022 Board Meeting Agenda Package</a></p><p><strong>Foremost School Presentation</strong></p><p>Foremost School principal Corey Steeves made a presentation to the board focused on current and future learning initiatives taking place at the school. In his report, he shared that through student and parent engagement staff heard that there was a desire for more option classes focused on building connections between what students were learning and life skills. As a result, the school added fitness, outdoor education, agriculture, coding, shop and food classes to the school timetable. The Foremost hockey academy was also expanded to add grade 4 - 6 students to the current 7-12 program. In terms of new and growing projects, the school has established a FARM program (Foremost Agriculture Resource Model) which involves the students growing, harvesting and selling the produce they grow. It was shared that a student has been hired as a caretaker and will oversee the garden throughout the summer months, with the goal of opening a student-led farmers market this fall. Another notable addition to the school next fall is a rodeo academy. The school has offered rodeo clinics in the past and plans to expand the program by offering a rodeo and life on the ranch course for the first semester, followed by a rodeo program in conjunction with the high school rodeo season the following spring. The full Foremost School presentation can be found in the June 14th Agenda Package.</p><p><strong>Ralston School Growcer’s Modular Farm</strong></p><p>Ralston School Principal Stacey Nunweiler and teacher Wade Carrier made a presentation to the board requesting support for establishing a Growcer’s Modular Farm on the school site. The addition of a hydroponic growing farm would help further develop the school’s Prairie Rose Possibility project focused on ‘learning from the land.’ The program focuses on three key learning areas for students which include FNMI learning, sustainable food production and outdoor education. The goal for the school is to apply for grants and establish community partnerships that can assist with funding the vertical hydroponic farm which has the capacity to produce 600 heads of lettuce each week. While still in the planning phase, the school’s goal would be to sell produce to local Ralston residents and community businesses, support other PRPS school food programs and donate 25% of the product to a food scarcity issue. The cost of a single Growcer’s unit is approximately $270,000. The full school presentation and proposal can be found in the June 14th Agenda Package.</p><p><strong>Health and Safety Report</strong></p><p>Health and Safety Coordinator Derek Beck shared the annual health and safety report for information. Highlights of the report include updates related to staff emergency response training, safety inspections, fire inspections and participation in the AHS ARTSSN illness reporting program. An update regarding injuries reported during the 2021-2022 school year was also provided. In total there were 107 student injuries across 15 schools reported with the most common occurring on the playground. 11 staff also reported injuries this year, primarily related to strains/sprains and slips and falls. It was noted that PRPS WCB rates continue to remain high, as they are based on averages from staff injuries reported over the past three to five years.</p><p><strong>Locally Approved Courses</strong></p><p>The board of trustees approved the following locally approved courses which are either new, or will be continued for use at all PRPS schools over the next three to five years:</p><ul><li>Aviation - Structures 25</li><li>Aviation - Structures 35</li><li>Aviation Navigation Aids 15&nbsp;</li><li>Mental Health Literacy -15&nbsp;</li><li>Developing Personal Integrity - 15, 25, 35</li><li>Competencies in Math (2022) 15</li><li>Learning Strategies 15</li><li>Learning Strategies 15</li><li>Learning Strategies 25</li><li>Learning Strategies 25</li><li>Learning Strategies 35</li><li>Learning Strategies 35</li><li>Psychology - Abnormal 35</li></ul>

ECS Celebration tonight! They got to share what they want to be when they grow up. Students got some great gifts and well wishes from everyone including our local trustee, Lois Bedwell. What a great night! We look forward to these four returning to NBS for Grade 1 in the fall!

<p>The next public board meeting for the Prairie Rose Public Schools Board of Trustees will take place on Tuesday, June 14th starting at 12:45 pm. The meeting will be streamed online and held in-person at the Chamber of Commerce Office in Medicine Hat located at:</p><p>413 - 6 Avenue SE<br>Medicine Hat, Alberta</p><p>Due to limited space at the meeting location, attendees are encouraged to join via the online stream: <a href="https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NWY5ZTFkNGUtYWQxMS00ZDlmLTk2YjYtOGNmZjM3M2IzMDY5%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22c1a7f361-4369-4e63-af8a-db541e2c097b%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2248a6a9b8-2a7b-494f-9523-0206f91ffcad%22%2c%22IsBroadcastMeeting%22%3atrue%7d&amp;btype=a&amp;role=a">Click here to watch the live stream</a> (<i>Once you click the link, click cancel on the pop up, watch on the web instead, join anonymously.)</i></p><p>The meeting agenda can be found here: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xNtrBfr401XVztLP838zAV0xFfhjwDQX/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xNtrBfr401XVztLP838zAV0xFfhjwDQX/view?usp=sharing</a></p>

Thanks OPS for inviting our Grade 4’s to the dance on Friday! These students had a great time! Thanks Nichole Foot for driving and supervising!

Students are loving to swim at Oyen each week! This is our second time to the pool! Beautiful day to swim and play in the water!

Congratulations to Halen Blair who placed 3rd for Grade 3 at the local branch level for his Remembrance Day poster. We are so proud of you,Halen, and of the great job you did on your poster! Thank you to Kim Walker, Legion member, for presenting the award to Halen in Oyen today.

NBS students to the rescue! This morning we found an orphaned kitten by the school. Blake took charge by cleaning up the little fellow’s eyes, then got to work feeding him. Love to see how caring these kids are! ❤️

<p>Prairie Rose Public Schools would like to congratulate PRPS Board Chair Cathy Hogg who was honoured with the Dick Baker Legacy Award at the Public School Boards' Association of Alberta Spring Assembly this past weekend.</p><p>The award is bestowed on a public school board trustee who models the values of integrity, compassion, respect, mentoring and leadership with a focus on always putting children first.</p><blockquote><p>“I am honoured and humbled,” says Cathy Hogg. “There are many incredible individuals who have received this award over the years and I feel proud to be recognized in the company of these amazing people.”</p></blockquote><p>Cathy Hogg was first elected to the Prairie Rose Public Schools board in 2013. During her time as trustee she has been active on the provincial scene advocating for public school education, serving on the PSBAA executive from 2015-2017 and as the President of the Public School Boards' Association from 2017-2021.</p><p>Read the PSBAA media release here: <a href="https://public-schools.ab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/06-06-2022-Dick-Baker-Award-MEDIA-RELEASE-PSBAA.pdf">https://public-schools.ab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/06-06-2022-Dick-Baker-Award-MEDIA-RELEASE-PSBAA.pdf</a></p><p><i>In the photo: PSBAA President Dennis McNeil and PRPS Board Chair Cathy Hogg</i></p>

Today we released our painted lady butterflies! First, we had to have a little time with them. So, we got everyone under our big parachute and let the butterflies go. Students were so excited when they landed on them. We said goodbye and set them free! ❤️

<h3>2022 Kaleidoscope Art Winners</h3><p>Click here to see the complete list of winners in the art categories: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_GY5-YT6P4Uqr3fBssXpdnWS5xp_kt7L/view?usp=sharing">2022 Kaleidoscope Art Winners</a></p><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="/images/eeabf7b2-e195-4e66-836f-301cab82bc59?fingerprint=ppb20251217025517" alt=""></figure></td><td><figure class="image"><img src="/images/f8374be6-0e65-4878-867d-38c2b98ce044?fingerprint=ppb20251217025706" alt=""></figure></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13Ci7djbA6m8ggZdxLC_i5GAPKBI-iyZb?usp=sharing"><strong>Click here</strong> to check out all the photos from the 2022 event.</a> A special thanks to Kyla Darr at Little Reflections photography for capturing this year's event.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><h3>PRPS Institute of the Arts Program</h3><p>Thank you to everyone who came out and bid on the student art work. Total sales from the 2022 Silent Auction and Art Exhibit Student Sales totalled $3,245. All sale proceeds goes back to the student artists.</p><p>If you are interested in enrolling your student in the PRPS Institute of the Arts for the 2022-2023, complete the registration form: <a href="https://prrdweb.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3ZVjFItvPIYyb2e">https://prrdweb.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3ZVjFItvPIYyb2e</a></p><p>____________________________________________________________________________</p><p>Prairie Rose Public Schools will be hosting the 13th annual Kaleidoscope of the Arts on June 1st and June 2nd at the Esplanade in Medicine Hat. The format has been changed from previous years and will include the following:</p><h3><strong>June 1, 2022</strong></h3><p><i>Silent Auction and Art Exhibition&nbsp;</i></p><p>The Prairie Rose Institute of the Arts students will be holding a Silent Auction and Art Exhibition running from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Students will be on hand to talk about their work and present it in an exhibit format. Highest bidders in the silent auction will purchase the student's work. All money raised goes directly back to the student artists.</p><p>The list of participants can be found here: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ag7raZBPlmrF0ogtAvd7nbJMLbCgqJjk/view?usp=sharing">Art Showcase</a></p><p><i>Musical Showcase</i></p><p>Starting at 7:00 p.m. students from Seven Persons School, Margaret Wooding School, Bow Island Elementary School, Senator Gershaw School, Eagle Butte High School and Parkside Jr High School will perform on the Esplanade main stage. The show is free to attend and will be approximately one hour in length.</p><p>Musical program lineup can be found here: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/14ON1AjcuRNWvj0vxVCJ4YP6glULTZbdk/view?usp=sharing">Music Showcase</a></p><h3><strong>June 2, 2022</strong></h3><p>Classes from across Prairie Rose will be transported to the Esplanade for a day of workshops focused on art, FNMI/mixed media, music creation, ukulele, and chorale. The day will end with a group performance with all students on the main stage of the Esplanade.&nbsp;</p>

Trevor Moore’s “Magic with a Message” presentation was great this morning! Such a fabulous message for everyone! Thanks to the northern School Parent Councils for supporting this presentation, and to SCHS for hosting! Hope lots of parents have an opportunity to attend this evening.

<p>Prairie Rose Public School would like to congratulate Rocheal Howes, who will become the new Eagle Butte High School Principal at the start of the next school year.</p><p>Howes holds a Master of Education in School Leadership and Bachelor’s degrees in Education and Kinesiology. Throughout her 22-year career, she has taught overseas in Japan, in the Medicine Hat area, at both the high school and junior high levels, and as a teacher and vice-principal of Parkside Junior High School in Redcliff. Currently, Howes is one of two vice principals at Eagle Butte High School; a role she has had since 2020.</p><blockquote><p>“Eagle Butte is such a vibrant and innovative school,” says Howes. “There’s always something exciting happening, whether in our Back to Business class, through the South Alberta Hockey and Flight academies, our sports and athletics programs, fine arts initiatives, and noticeably at the heart of all other classroom activities. The school is a vibrant learning community, and I am honoured to be chosen to lead our team as we continue to create unique and impactful learning experiences for students.”</p></blockquote><blockquote><p>“Having worked at the junior and high school levels for many years as both a teacher and a school administrator, Rocheal has a strong leadership foundation which will serve her well in this new role,” says Superintendent Reagan Weeks. “She is a passionate school leader who is always looking for new ways to engage the school community. We look forward to seeing what the Eagle Butte staff, students, parents, and community will accomplish together.”&nbsp;</p></blockquote><p>Rocheal Howes will officially assume the role of Eagle Butte High School principal at the start of the 2022-2023 school year.</p>

We now have FIVE butterflies!! Thanks for the pics Ashley Herron! Kids will be so excited to see how many have completed their metamorphosis and are butterflies by Monday morning when they come back to class! 🦋

Congratulations to our NBS artists who have their work chosen as part of the School Art display at the Esplanade Gallery in Medicine Hat. Great job students! 👏👏❤️👏👏

Our first butterfly emerged today!

Boys were excited to receive the Elementary Boys plaque (formerly awarded a banner). Proud of how well they all did at the track meet held in Oyen on May 25th!

All five of our Grade 4’s did a great job at their first Track and Field Day in Oyen today. Way to make our school proud! The boys earned NBS the Elementary Boys Banner! 👏👏👏👏👏

<p>The May 24th Board Meeting Agenda and attachments can be found here: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WYrx7MA441adTbUJDWfRHTgz9hs3lqzY/view?usp=sharing">PRPS May 24, 2022 Board Meeting Agenda Package</a></p><p><strong>Eagle Butte High School Presentation</strong></p><p>Eagle Butte High School principal Boyd Craven and vice-principals Cathy Hynes and Rocheal Howes provided an update to the board highlighting educational and student initiatives from the past year. In addition to adding several new learning opportunities for students, such as podcasts, tutor time, busking and food fusion classes, the school leadership team has increased opportunities to gather student input through the implementation of TAG surveys. Overall, it was noted that students have transitioned really well from the restrictions of COVID-19 and are involved in many sporting events and activities this spring. It was also shared that this is Eagle Butte High School’s 25th anniversary with an extensive community event planned for June 25th.</p><p><strong>FNMI Report</strong></p><p>FNMI Coordinator Carol Carlson provided an overview of several FNMI learning initiatives and activities across Prairie Rose Public Schools. It was shared that Prairie Rose has been working closely with community partner Whitebear Creations, a local group who has visited several PRPS schools to provide FNMI learning support which includes sharing history, games and indigenous art projects. Increased FNMI learning has also been integrated into many Prairie Rose Possibility projects. These include the Ralston School Learning for the Land project, where students learn how to use resources found in the local area. This spring, heirloom seeds, native to the land and passed on through generations, are also being added to PRPS greenhouse projects. Prairie Rose Public Schools currently has 122 self-identified FNMI students, representing 2.85% of the student population.</p><p><strong>2022-2025 Three-Year Education Plan</strong></p><p>Superintendent Reagan Weeks presented the 2022-2025 Three-year Education Plan to the board for review and approval. The plan features three new goals, including Ignite Minds, Kindle Hearts and Forge Futures. These three goals are supported by the six new Core Principles outlined in the plan focused on Connect, Create, Communicate, Care, Contribute and Challenge. Feedback from various stakeholders, including staff, parents, students and community partners, was conducted as part of the plan’s development. The full plan can be found in the Agenda package.</p><p><strong>2022-2023 Preliminary Budget</strong></p><p>Chief Financial Officer Ryan Boser presented the Preliminary 2022-2023 Budget for approval. Overall, Prairie Rose Public Schools is projecting the following expenses and revenues for the upcoming school year:</p><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td><strong>Revenues</strong></td><td><strong>Expenditures</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Instruction</td><td>40,067,342</td><td>40,050,342</td></tr><tr><td>Operations and Maintenance</td><td>6,043,124</td><td>7,157,173</td></tr><tr><td>Transportation</td><td>5,814,362</td><td>5,548,298</td></tr><tr><td>Board and System Admin</td><td>2,193,363</td><td>2,272,705</td></tr><tr><td>External Services</td><td>29,184</td><td>27,755</td></tr><tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>Total Budgeted</td><td>54,147,375</td><td>55,056,273</td></tr><tr><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2">Surplus (Deficit) of Revenues over Expenses</td><td>(908,898)</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><p>It was shared that the proposed deficit for the 2022-2023 year of $908,898 will bring PRPS reserves down to 3.97% or $2.187 million. For the first time this upcoming year, K-12 school division operating reserves cannot exceed more than their Board and System Admin expense percentage allowance, which for PRPS is 4.42% of operating expenses (approx. $2.250 million).</p><ul><li>The board approved the transfer of $300,000 from unrestricted operating reserves to restricted reserves to implement the 2022-2023 Education Plan.</li><li>The board approved the 2022-2023 Preliminary Budget as presented.</li></ul><p>The complete 2022-2023 Preliminary Budget can be found in the Board Agenda package.</p>

Our caterpillars have all found a spot to make their cocoons. Some of them were working hard today. It is truly amazing!