<p>The April 9, 2024, Board Meeting Agenda Package can be found here: <a href="https://www.myprps.com/news/april-9-2024-public-board-meeting-1712590434996">April 9, 2024, Board Meeting Agenda</a></p><p>---------</p><p><strong>Eagle Butte High School Presentation</strong></p><p>Eagle Butte High School administration, which included principal Rocheal Howes and vice principals Greg Elgie and Lyall Loran, provided trustees with an overview of the school and programming options. It was shared that school staff have broken out into groups and, during PD days, brainstorm opportunities to enhance learning under the four PRPS education goals of ignite minds, forge futures, kindle hearts and First Nations Métis Inuit. Some examples shared include an upcoming field trip to Blackfoot Crossing, where Treaty 7 was signed, a new team of Mathletes who are headed to Edmonton to compete in a Math competition, Alumni Day, where the school invited several former students to speak to students about their current careers, a collaboration between the STEM class and Elkwater to use drones to geo map a section of land, and regular Spirit Days and events where students celebrate accomplishments and promote Talon pride. It was also noted that the school is projecting an enrollment increase for the 2024-2025 year from 497 to 550 students. This will be the highest enrollment count for the school since it opened in the 1990s. The full presentation can be found in the April 9, 2024, Board Meeting Agenda package.</p><p><strong>Executive Report Highlights</strong></p><ul><li>The PRPS Executive team attended the Special Areas Advisory Meeting. The Oyen and area revitalization report was provided at the meeting. The report can be found here: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i5iLquthIysuHcUbsSralyDc43ncdm5t/view?usp=drive_link">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i5iLquthIysuHcUbsSralyDc43ncdm5t/view?usp=drive_link</a></li><li>Parkside Jr High School will be hosting an open house on April 11th where the public can come and provide input on the design and layout of the school modernization. The event takes place from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. More information about the project can be found here: <a href="https://www.myprps.com/parkside-jr-high-school-modernization-project">https://www.myprps.com/parkside-jr-high-school-modernization-project</a></li><li>The Transportation RFP closes on Friday, April 12th at noon. A public tender opening will take place at the office immediately following. More information and requirements can be found here: <a href="https://www.myprps.com/bus-transportation-rfp">https://www.myprps.com/bus-transportation-rfp</a></li></ul><p><strong>Finance Update</strong></p><p>Finance Controller Candice Hintz provided a fiscal update to the board which represents spending and revenues for 60% of the school year, or 50% of the fiscal year. It was shared that PRPS is expecting revenues to come in $1,263,606 higher than budgeted, while expenses are expected to increase by $1,326,513. The difference will be an increased overall deficit of $62,907 from ($167,381) to ($230,288). The full financial update can be found in the April 9, 2024, Board Meeting Agenda package.</p><p><strong>Upcoming Trustee Meetings:</strong></p><ul><li>ASBA Zone 6 - April 17th</li><li>PSBAA - April 11-12th</li><li>RCASB - June 2nd Calgary</li><li>COSC Meeting with PRPS School Councils - April 9th @ Division Office</li></ul>

<p><i>In the photos: Home Plus student Brynnley Wikkerink of Bow Island completes a Fairy Garden project as part of her homeschooling.</i></p><p>Prairie Rose Public Schools (PRPS) Home Plus Learning Network currently has just under 50 students enrolled. Most of the programming is a parent-choice model, primarily home education directed by the parent(s). Two options are available, one is to follow a 22-outcome model from K-12 and the other is to follow the Alberta Education curriculum. With the second option, the parents are funded to buy all the resources and are responsible for the education of their child(ren).&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Home Plus is more involved in the learning process with the online program where software platforms, such as Seesaw or Google Classroom, are populated with learning materials and education is guided at home. Each student has regular virtual check-in meets with Home Plus where successes and concerns can be shared.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Distance learning is also an option, with some students attending school while living in other countries or long-distance sailing with their parents. Outside of assessment and marking, there isn’t a component for teacher time with distance learning, thus it is more suitable for students who are able to work independently,&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Additionally, there are five students who currently have in-person programming with Home Plus. This is for students who aren’t attending a regular school but require an in-person experience and their schedule, along with if they also have blended online learning, depends on the needs of the student and schedule of the parents.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“There are so many different family circumstances out there and this can fit around various scenarios,” said Principal Carol Carlson.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Home Plus staff are very attuned to mitigating students feeling isolated. “Many home-ed parents bring that up,” stated Carlson. “At the same time, because they are so aware of it, they do a beautiful job of getting their kids involved in things in the community. Many of those kids are in 4-H, sports, their parents have memberships at the Y, or they go to music lessons. They are doing so much and there is an opportunity for them to be around other kids. It inspires what we try to do to support that.”&nbsp;</p><p>Michelle Kuzik is the Behaviour Education Assistant with Home Plus and compiles a regular newsletter that outlines all the events and age-appropriate activities available in the community.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“I take the extra time to do the legwork and put it all on an easy document along with a calendar for them to see. We also update what we are doing in school so they can get involved on some of the projects or research going on (such as for Passion Projects),” added Kuzik.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Her role supports unique learning where Kuzik finds strategies and ways to strengthen weaknesses or enhance strengths to build student’s confidence and self-awareness so they can move forward. Kuzik meets with most of her students daily, but the schedule is constantly changing depending on their needs. Some require more support than others and there is often shyness to overcome when there has been in-person learning and a student is now moving to home learning.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“We often support them more in the beginning to get them into a routine,” said Carlson. Helping students establish routines and walking them through how to start their day is a key aspect when joining Home Plus. “Even for online learning, you still start your day with your regular things, whatever that looks like in their household, to stay balanced,” added Kuzik.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Learn more about the Home Plus Learning Network: <a href="https://www.myprps.com/home-plus-learning-network">https://www.myprps.com/home-plus-learning-network</a></p><p>&nbsp;By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>The April 9, 2024, PRPS Public Board Meeting will take place at the Prairie Rose Public Schools Division Office starting at 11:45 a.m. The meeting is only available in-person.</p><p>The complete agenda package can be found here: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/13GvNDHmqrOryjMLmMHl1vY95AKERdq_l/view?usp=drive_link">April 9, 2024 Board Meeting Agenda</a></p>

Hope everyone is having a fantastic Easter break! Parent/guardian update is below for next week, have a great weekend!

<p>On Monday, April 8, there will be a partial solar eclipse in Alberta. It is expected to begin at 11:48 a.m., peak at 12:46 p.m. and finish by 1:46 p.m. For many of our schools, this partial solar eclipse occurs over lunch hour.</p><p>Although people can safely observe the eclipse by wearing special glasses, the timing of the eclipse, over lunchtime, means students will be playing outdoors for lunch recess and may not take the precautions needed to safely view it.</p><p><i>Out of an abundance of caution</i>, our elementary schools will be adjusting their schedules and activities on Monday to keep students indoors during the time of the eclipse. Students in junior high and high school will follow a regular schedule and will be permitted to leave the school over lunch hour. If parents prefer to have their children in Grades 7-12 stay in the school building, we ask that you have that conversation with your child/ren.</p><p>Learn more about the eclipse: <a href="https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/canada/medicine-hat?iso=20240408&amp;fbclid=IwAR3E3wXLGjqdWOXA4GjjVT1WKqx00y6BNqEh0UaqfZ6xbOBkPqkesa2U1F0_aem_AcX5fxy1_kJ0blpYTIyUJAtDfZ7rAokrYTl6mgagWGK3uqONwJKlXuvcVRlJHF8xfeGyAwRWRUdruhcEhWKZ3F3D">https://www.timeanddate.com/ecl.../in/canada/medicine-hat...</a></p><p>Information from the Canadian Association of Optometrists: <a href="https://opto.ca/eye-health-library/solar-eclipse-safety?fbclid=IwAR37r96AQ5He6-A6OaYNGCSv-qsSWRXCOJplrhK5sB9aMeID7kZEZ2_K-wc_aem_AcVpZ4F6GYNOqEEnlrfegpAKCKHndsDylszh8LL8wIG-Adg_Qr8nVaAGUKMa4DEg0feKW8I7T7Ns3zT-_oiGDFk3">https://opto.ca/eye-health-library/solar-eclipse-safety</a></p>

<p><i>In the photos: Recent pictures from the AgPro Beef visit to the Medicine Hat Feeding Company. Also featured, Toby Newton, Livestock Specialist for South Country Co-op Cypress Agro Centre, with first place winners of the low-stress cattle handling system project Alexis Weir and Senya Hietamaa and second-place winners Katelyn Sheppard and KariDee Millington.</i></p><p>The first AgPRO Beef course at Irvine School wrapped up recently with students presenting their final project, a low-stress cattle handling system, to teachers Logyn Jacksteit, Nichole Neubauer and Toby Newton, Livestock Specialist for South Country Co-op Cypress Agro Centre, as the &nbsp;judges. The project aimed at giving students the chance to apply what they learned over the six weeks of the course and was done in groups of two.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Newton was impressed with the quality of all the cattle handling systems presented. “You all did an awesome job, the way you thought about how you laid it out, put water in all the pens, you thought about places for them to calve, the way the alleys work. You’ve all done a marvelous job and I did have trouble finding a first and second place,” Newton told the students. “You’ve taken a lot on board and justified what you’ve done…that is testament to how much you listened.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Even though the girls were outnumbered two to one in the class, both the winning pairs were female. The second-place team, Katelyn Sheppard and KariDee Millington, spent about 30 hours on their project and said they learned lots on the field trips and appreciated being able to apply that information when they were in class.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The first-place team, Alexis Weir and Senya Hietamaa, each won a hat and a $50 Co-op gift card. They didn’t think they were going to win as there were so many good handling systems presented. During the past week before the project presentation, the group worked on their system each day for a couple of hours to perfect it.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The week before the final project, the class took their final field trip to the Medicine Hat Feeding Company where they spent a couple of hours learning about selling and auctioning cattle. After a general introduction, the class headed upstairs to hear about the importance of brands and how they are checked when cattle come in. They also heard how cattle rustling is still an issue, although not so much in Southern Alberta as up north and in Texas.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Outside, the students had a tour of the holding and sorting pens, which took about 20 minutes. Before heading back inside, the group, minus the teachers, gathered on the cattle weigh scale and their combined weight came in a just over 3,000 lbs. Once inside, the students sat in the seating above the auction pen and heard about how much organization and administrative work is required for an auction house to run smoothly. An auctioneer was available, so a mock auction was held, with one student volunteering to be sold.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>In previous weeks, the group took field trips to Co-Op Agro Centre, Shortgrass Ranch and Deer View Meats. Various guest speakers also came into speak with the class, including veterinarians, vet technicians and producers.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer</p>

Congratulations to Bow Island sledge hockey players who played in Western Playoffs in Calgary this weekend! Miley, Mary, Mason, Gage, and Reid all played in the tournament!

Today was a one of a kind day at Senator Gershaw! It was a student led wellness day! Gratitude writing, food as fuel, painting with Painter Girl, yoga, and FNMI teamwork activities were a part of students day in multi-grade groups! All aspects of wellness were in this day through collaboration with Ever Active Schools (Kayla Repas who helped our students in the design of the day), Miywaasin Centre, Parent Advisory Council, and our school wellness committee! A special thank you to the full wellness committee for their months of planning as well as the leadership of Sophia and Mrs. Shigehiro! Another great day! #kindlehearts #igniteminds

<p>The March 26, 2024, Board Meeting Agenda Package can be found here: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y-xgy0LCIB3GdamNfEvAdP5EqiJcjJdt/view?usp=drive_link">March 26, 2024, Board Meeting Agenda</a></p><p>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -</p><p><strong>2025-2028 Capital Plan</strong></p><p>The Board of Trustees approved the 2025 - 2028 Three-Year Capital Plan at a Special Meeting on Tuesday, March 26th with all voting in favour with the exception of Bow Island/Burdett trustee Patty Rooks. The approval of the Capital Plan is a requirement of Alberta Education each year before the end of March. The plan includes four infrastructure priorities for the school division that includes:</p><p><strong>The Parkside Jr High School Modernization Project.</strong> The project received design funding last year. Community consultation and design are underway and will continue throughout 2024, with that project stage wrapping up by the fall. An open house where the community can provide input into the design is scheduled for April 11th from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the school. Construction will not begin until construction funding is received.</p><p><strong>Oyen K-12 School.</strong> The Capital Plan requests a value scoping of the project, which will determine options for progressing with a single K-12 school in Oyen. The community currently has a K-6 and a 7-12 school. The value scoping will look at whether renovating one of the current schools or building a new school would be the best option for accommodating a K-12 school.</p><p><strong>Burdett Replacement School.</strong> Based on the current state of the Burdett School and public input, the Capital Plan proposal outlines the costs of building a new school and demolishing the current school building.</p><p><strong>Eagle Butte High School Facility Expansion.</strong> Despite having received a modernization a few years back, due to increasing enrollment at Eagle Butte High School, increased classroom and gymnasium space is required to meet demand. The project request would increase the school's enrollment capacity from 651 to 825.</p>

<p><i>In the photo: Paige McLean working with Grade 3 student Atley at Schuler School. McLean has been an EA for 15 years. &nbsp;Lisa Newby, who has been an Educational Assistant for over 25 years, working with Grade 3 student Rene at Schuler School.</i></p><p>Prairie Rose Public Schools (PRPS) was accepted into a specialized training program for educational assistants (EAs) this year. The Educational Assistant Interim Pilot Program was initiated by Edmonton Public Schools last year and was piloted in three school divisions, with 12 joining this year and a plan to have the program in all Alberta school districts next year.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Lisa Lindsay, Director of Student Experiences for PRPS said, “we’ve seen an increased response with neurodiverse dysregulated trauma, students who have experienced trauma. How we support them in the classroom is becoming increasingly complex. PRPS did an EA professional development day at the start of the year on August 29 and the EAs loved it. Their feedback was we need more professional learning opportunities to support kids.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>EAs work the most with dysregulated students and more training was needed as the skill set required has not been taught. Lindsay believes the number of students requiring specialized support is increasing each year. Additionally, younger children require this support as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“A student needs to be regulated long before they can be reasoned with, so a dysregulated student is unable to learn. Until a child is regulated and feels safe, we aren’t going to get any learning done and for some of these kids, learning has taken a backseat,” stated Lindsay.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>PRPS can participate in the program at no cost; Edmonton Public only needs feedback on how the program was received. The program involves module work along with virtual community practice, which is ideal for a geographically diverse division like PRPS. Participants will connect with EA coach Cara Motz once a month as part of the community practice to discuss the module work, what they see in the classroom and different scenarios.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“Asking each other questions and providing each other support, I think it will help our EAs feel more connected and less isolated,” stated Lindsay. “The responsibility of the EAs is to share what they are learning with their classroom teacher and principal with the hope we can get it happening on a more universal level.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>When PRPS was initially accepted into the pilot program, it was hoped ten EAs would participate. After the notification was sent out about the new training, 27 indicated interest and the student services team decided if the response was that strong, the program would be offered to everyone who wanted to participate. The training began on Feb. 12 and will run for 16 weeks.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Paige McLean and Lisa Newby have both been EAs for many years and currently work at Schuler School as they both live locally. McLean has a love of learning and signed up for the pilot project to help her do a better job.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“We are getting away from one to one, it used to be I would work with one or two particular students and now we are trying to work with the classroom as a whole,” explained McLean. “It could be anything from taking a kid to learn some sight words or working on reading or math skills for a few minutes to sitting beside a child to motivate them to get their work done and focus.”&nbsp;</p><p>Newby became an EA after her two eldest children started attending school in Irvine and switched to Schuler School when the family moved. She is hoping to gain more knowledge and is most looking forward to the modules on literacy, autism spectrum and English as a second language.&nbsp;</p><p>“I think the need is the biggest thing, I don’t know if it’s a lot more knowledge and we now recognize there is a need for kids or if it’s just that there are more things going on in families. Previously, it was a very obvious need, such as a physical need of some sort, I remember those were the kids I first worked with and not those struggling with reading,” stated Newby.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Candice Ristau started working as an Educational Assistant at Irvine School in January 2023 after leaving her job with Alberta Health Services. “After day one, I fell in love with working at the school. The highlights for me are when all the kids in elementary come up and ask for a hug. Or when kids are struggling with something in school, and we work one on one or in the classroom together and the kids are successful and have a ‘light bulb moment’ when everything makes sense. I've been blessed with the opportunity to have worked with kids in Grades 3, 4, 5, 6,” said Ristau.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>She believes the pilot program is a step in the right direction in terms of offering supports for EAs within PRPS. Thus far, the modules have reinforced skills EAs already have, which Ristau says boosts their confidence and provides them with extra tools in their back pocket.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“Our number one goal should be student success, and with this added knowledge I feel like we are able to support children better and help develop into successful individuals,” stated Ristau. “Not only has being an EA been rewarding work, but I've had amazing opportunities over the last year coaching "A" girls volleyball (Grade 9) and running a developmental Grade 6 boys basketball program with Mrs. Klaiber. I look forward to many more years and hope to help as best I can to help students become who they are striving to be.”&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

Did you miss Friday's deadline? Don't worry! It's been extended until Wednesday morning 9am! Get your orders in! It's not too late!

That is a wrap on our Grade 11 play with the final performance last night! Absolutely fantastic work by our Grade 11 students in a excellent performance! The three day performance is a culmination of months of planning and morning practices. A big thank you goes to our directors - Mrs. Vos and Ms. Cross! Also thank you to Mr. Tiffin who runs the lights, Mrs. Hume who helps with multiple items behind the scenes, and numerous parents who make everything go so smooth! This is a fantastic community event and fundraiser for graduation!

This week's parent/guardian update, have a great Sunday!

Congratulations to our Poorhouse Players who have had 2 stellar performances. Tonight is their final curtain call. Break a leg! (Not literally...it's slippery out there!)

This week students in Physical Education class learned some Indigenous games/challenges. Students completed jumping high kick one footed and two footed, seal walks, and other physics challenges. Thank you to Mr. Smith (Darryl) for presenting and demonstrating these games to our classes! #igniteminds

Yesterday Jeff Stigter from Stigter greenhouses in Redcliff joined our Grade 9 class to learn more about greenhouse operations. Students learned the more about the business side of greenhouses including workforce, increased cost of transportation, coop groups for more buying power, and profit margins. Students also learned more about how to maintain plant health and productive greenhouse crops. To date we have harvested over 50 mini-cucumbers, 100 English cucumbers, and just yesterday our first 4 heads of lettuce! #igniteminds #kindlehearts

<p><i>In the first photo, Lynnette Copeland with her husband Trevor and two exchange students all holding up their names written in Japanese. In the second photo, Lynnette Copeland with her homestay student Kanon Miyake, who was delighted to carve a Halloween pumpkin, an activity she’d never done before.&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></p><p>Lynnette Copeland teaches junior high at Seven Persons School and this year she and her husband decided to become a homestay family to host exchange students for Prairie Rose Public Schools. Host families have many options to choose from including one month, two months, five months or a full school year. This past October Copeland hosted a Japanese exchange student followed by an exchange student from Columbia in January.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>With no children living at home any longer, Copeland found the exchange students brought life back into the family home. “Every experience was an excitement, she got to wear her hair in a ponytail, and they could wear makeup and jewellery<strong> </strong>if they wanted to. The things we learned were cool; she taught us how to do our names in calligraphy. In our spare room downstairs, we now have them framed,” said Copeland about Kanon Miyake from Japan staying with them.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The group of exchange students and the families also did group activities together, including a trip to Medalta and taking in a hockey game. The October snowstorm was a novel experience for the students, who happily built snowmen in the backyard. The Columbian exchange student, Sara Milena Casanova Rincon, wasn’t so lucky with the weather, as she was here during the deep freeze in January when there wasn’t much snow, so the Copelands took her out to Elkwater to build a snowman and go tobogganing.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“We also went on a hike, which was really funny because it’s hard as they don’t wear boots and walking on the trails in Elkwater was tough for her,” explained Copeland.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;The Japanese students were from an all-girls school and the Copelands had the group over for a sleepover one night as it was something they had never done. They set up a campfire in the backyard and had smokies and smores, a food the students really wanted to experience. They also got to participate in their first Halloween and Kanon particularly enjoyed carving her first pumpkin.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“We did so many things with them, it was so much fun. Having all the girls come to our house was something that we loved,” stated Copeland. “Kanaan’s English wasn’t as good as Sara’s so we put the translator app on our phones and that made a world of difference because we could communicate and ensured she understood what we were saying. We had two amazing girls, they were respectful, their cultures are respectful, and they were so excited to be in Canada.”&nbsp;</p><p>If you are interested in becoming a homestay family, contact Andrea Pillman 403-502-6244 or [email protected].</p><p>&nbsp;By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p><i>Background Information:</i></p><p>In September 2023, Alberta’s government announced a comprehensive and phased approach to engaging with Albertans on new draft social studies curriculum.&nbsp;</p><p>In the fall, Albertans completed more than 12,800 online surveys to provide input on what they would like students to learn in new draft social studies curriculum. Survey results indicated that Albertans believe developing critical-thinking skills and understanding local, Canadian, and global events and global and national history should be key elements of new social studies curriculum.</p><p>Since then, Alberta Education has met with more than 300 education partners, teachers, multicultural organizations, and Indigenous and francophone communities to gather input and inform new draft curriculum development.</p><ul><li><a href="https://open.alberta.ca/publications/draft-k-12-social-studies">Draft K-12 Social Studies Subject Overview</a></li><li><a href="https://curriculum.learnalberta.ca/curriculum/en/s/sss?s=SSS">Draft K-6 Social Studies Curriculum</a></li></ul><p>Albertans can provide input on key learnings within the new draft K-12 social studies curriculum through a feedback form on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.alberta.ca/curriculum-have-your-say">Alberta.ca</a>.&nbsp;Feedback will be accepted until April 2, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.</p>

<p>A new equine program at Eagle Butte High School will launch this coming September. Cory Schiebelbein and Cassandra Leung will be teaching the program, which already has close to 10 students registered.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Schiebelbein taught at Senator Gershaw for 20 years and transferred to Eagle Butte this academic year. He starts colts and has worked with horses for the past 20 years so was a natural fit for the new program, which is partnered with Coyote Creek Riding Arena, a short 4 km distance from the school. The best part of the program is students who register don’t need to own a horse. If they do, they can board at Coyote Creek or trailer in and pen the horse for the three days the students are at the arena each week.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Students have the chance to obtain their Level 1, 2, 3 and 4 of their Western Riding Instructors through Certified Horsemanship Certification (CHA) in the USA and will be able to test for those levels once they are 18.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“Insurance companies recognize CHA as a viable horsemanship program and understand someone with it knows what they are doing around horses and give insurance deductions for people who are trained with that certification. This company is recognized throughout North America, so students can cross the border to work in the States in camps, equestrian facilities or at ranches. It’s not like we are just letting them ride horses, they are coming away with some certifications that will give them a jump up in the horse industry,” stated Schiebelbein.&nbsp;</p><p>Students will have two hours each school day dedicated to the equine program while still being responsible for all their other required classes. Three days will be spent riding at the arena and two days will be at the school for physical fitness related to horsemanship or working on green certificate books and the CHA manual. Additionally, various guest speakers are booked to come in and speak to the students on topics such as working as a farrier, veterinarian, saddle maker, leatherworker, colt starter, roping, barrel racing and hat shaping. Field trips to Cypress Hills, Historic Reesor Ranch and other destinations are also being planned.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“This whole area is steeped in a ranching history and horses are a big part of that. The program is going to be a positive influence because nothing has been offered before, that I know of, where we can get them CTS credits and certificate credits,” added Schiebelbein. “They are going to come away with so much stuff from this program along with the knowledge of all the clinicians we are bringing in, to have access to that as part of the school program is amazing.”&nbsp;</p><p>Grade 11 student Kiandra Gaetz is excited about the new program and the work Schiebelbein and Leung have done to start it and make it easy for students to do something they love while at school.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“We are a school outside the city and lots of the kids who come here rodeo and are doing that sort of stuff. I’ve been riding my whole life, I own horses, rodeo, jackpot, and train,” said Gaetz. “The certificates would be very useful, I could coach, teach, help my clinician who I study under with clinics and make the equine and horse program bigger and better to help people to learn and teach and do everything surrounding horses at school.”&nbsp;</p><p>Leung is aware of the diverse population of students at Eagle Butte and the way the school is unique in bringing different opportunities forward for them to learn and grow.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“We noticed this was an area we hadn’t developed as a school yet. This is an opportunity for students to get to spend time at school doing something they love that they’ll hopefully grow into in the future after school. It also involves the community we have around here. We have such a rich resource of knowledge and people who have worked hard to set up some excellent facilities. I love that we are getting to involve the students in building a community and being part of it,” said Leung.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Space in the program is limited so anyone interested should register as soon as possible. For more information, contact Eagle Butte High School at 403-528-1996.&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prairie Rose Public Schools would like to congratulate Heather Gust on accepting the Vice Principal (VP) position at Irvine School.&nbsp;</p><p>Having spent her 17-year teaching career in the Medicine Hat area, Heather began with Prairie Rose Public Schools this past fall as a grade four teacher at Irvine School. Prior to that, she worked as an early elementary teacher and classroom support teacher at Ross Glen and Southview schools. In addition to a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta, Gust has a post-graduate certificate in Reading and Literacy and a Professional Master of Education in Literacy Education from Queen's University. Before obtaining her education degree, she also earned a diploma as a speech-language pathology assistant.</p><blockquote><p>“I am both thrilled and honoured to accept the vice-principalship position at Irvine School,” says Gust. “Becoming part of the Irvine family and Prairie Rose Public School has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my career. I am deeply grateful to continue working alongside such a dedicated group of students, staff and families.”</p></blockquote><blockquote><p>"Heather has been a great addition to our Irvine School staff this year and brings many exceptional skills to our education team,” says Principal Trent Rayner. “We are fortunate to have someone with her extensive background in reading and literacy instruction and I look forward to working alongside her as we continue to develop exceptional learning opportunities for students.”</p></blockquote><p>Heather Gust will officially assume the role of vice principal at Irvine School at the start of the 2024-2025 school year. The vice principal opening follows current VP Kerry Watson's retirement at the end of the current school year.</p>