<p>Prairie Rose Public Schools and Ralston School would like to extend congratulations to PRPS teacher Jocelyn Encinas who is one of the 2023 recipients of the <i>Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence</i>. With over a decade teaching Science &amp; Math, Jocelyn has illuminated the world of STEM for countless students at Ralston School on the Canadian Forces Base Suffield.&nbsp;</p><p>Jocelyn stands out for her innovative approach in the classroom. From pioneering robotics workshops and integrating cutting-edge tools like Microbits, to hands-on lab experiments, she offers real-world, experiential STEM learning. Her initiatives, like the 'Learning from the Land' project, merge outdoor education with STEM, even leading her class to victory in the Queen’s Jubilee Classroom Competition for their outstanding work in native plant identification.&nbsp;</p><p>But Jocelyn's dedication goes beyond just the classroom walls. She ensures every student feels seen and supported, adapting curriculum and projects to cater to their unique learning styles. Her commitment to community involvement and global citizenship shines through with her Kiva Microloans Math project, empowering students to understand global economic challenges, and her work on automating the greenhouse watering system which addresses real-world food scarcity concerns.&nbsp;</p><p>Thank you Jocelyn for igniting minds and instilling a passion for STEM in your students. We are incredibly proud to have you as part of our PRPS team!</p><p>Read the full write up: <a href="https://pmate-ppmee.ised-isde.canada.ca/site/pm-awards-teaching-excellence-stem/en/recipients/2023-recipient-biographies-teaching-excellence#Jocelyn-Encinas">Jocelyn Encinas Igniting the Scientific Spark</a><br>Read the write up in the Medicine Hat News: <a href="https://medicinehatnews.com/news/local-news/2023/10/25/ralston-school-teacher-wins-pm-award-for-excellence/">https://medicinehatnews.com/news/local-news/2023/10/25/ralston-school-teacher-wins-pm-award-for-excellence/</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><i>Medicine Hat News - BY JAMES TUBB ON OCTOBER 4, 2023.</i></p><p>The first year of the South Alberta Fire Rescue Academy is now in full swing. Students from Eagle Butte have been learning in the classroom while also receiving hands-on training at the Cypress County Fire Services Dunmore Station.</p><p>This year is a pilot project with Grade 11 students receiving six certificates and Grade 12s four. The students will receive the same certification a post-secondary institution would provide.</p><p>“Especially in a rural areas, we are trying to get new recruits, and maintaining volunteers is a struggle throughout Alberta. The sooner we get junior firefighters involved, the better for the community,” stated fire chief Jason Linton. “It’s a good partnership, they get to go to school, get credits and get certification as well.”</p><p>Eagle Butte vice principal Lyall Foran teaches the classroom part of the Fire Academy. Administration throughout Prairie Rose Public Schools can be seen still teaching in the classroom, allowing them to connect with students on a different level.</p><p>“You get to build that common ground and build a rapport with them,” said Foran.</p><p>This is Foran’s second year at Eagle Butte. Before that, he spent nine years teaching at Medicine Hat High School where he had the opportunity to create different programs. Having the background in creating class content and schedules, he was a good fit for putting together the program for the Fire Academy.</p><p>“There are two components to the class,” explained Foran. “One is the Career and Technological Studies program with outcomes based off Alberta Education, so that is how they are getting their high school credits. The second components are the fire modules to get certified as level 1 and level 2 firefighters.”</p><p>Cypress County delivers the fire modules online. The students also have a textbook and Foran’s focus is to deliver the Alberta Education credits so students not only get certified but also all the credits they need to graduate high school.</p><p>Grade 12 student Quade VanderSpruit enrolled because he wants to be a firefighter. He plans to return to Eagle Butte for an additional year to complete the program.</p><p>“Last week we were trying on all our bunker gear and getting on air, the SCBA’s (self-contained breathing apparatus) and then walking around and trying it out,” explained VanderSpruit. “It was good. Lots different than just breathing but it gets easier and easier.”</p><p>Zion Raible is in Grade 11 and thinks the academy is great because he can learn so much at a young age.</p><p>“I would love to be a firefighter. It’s been my dream since I was a little kid. I loved being outdoors and helping out.”</p><p>When he was younger, Raible would puncture a hole in a water bottle to use as a makeshift fire extinguisher for putting out campfires. Raible feels they have a strong group of students this first year who are making him a better person. The class also has workout sessions together at a fitness centre in the city to build up their strength.</p><p>Being the firehall has “been awesome, we’ve done so much stuff,” stated Raible. “Recently we put some air tanks on our backs and we got to breathe through masks. It was so cool.”</p>

Tomorrow is International Walk to School Day! Walk or roll to school tomorrow and feel free to put a picture of your walk to school in the comments! #kindlehearts

This week's weekly parent/guardian update! 4-day weekend coming up, have a great week!

Congratulations Grade 6/7 girls, second place in their home tournament! Thank you to all players, parents, coaches, referees, and Mr. Smith for hosting a successful home tournament! #kindlehearts

<p><i>Medicine Hat News - BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2023.</i></p><p>Award-winning Blackfoot filmmaker Cowboy Smithx of southern Alberta’s Piikani and Kainai tribes, has been making the rounds speaking to students at Prairie Rose Public Schools.</p><p>He was at Parkside School in Redcliff on Wednesday with Grade 6 students from Margaret Wooding joining the assembly.</p><p>Smithx began his talk by explaining his name – explaining that it had to do with rodeo, which both his parents were involved in, joking about what his name might have been had they been plumbers.</p><p>Smithx spoke to the students about the importance of wearing orange shirts at this time of year.</p><p>“A very important subject,” he said. “It’s not just about Indigenous cultures or histories, it’s about Canada, Alberta and Redcliff (as well).”</p><p>He explained that 147 years ago, on Sept. 22, 1877, Treaty 7 was signed. Smithx used the example of a Pokemon card trade to explain an Indigenous pipe ceremony and how it was the historical method used by Indigenous peoples to confirm a contract.</p><p>There were several Oilers fans in the gymnasium and Smithx asked the kids to imagine someone taking away their jersey and never giving it back and how it relates to Phyllis Webstad’s story and the orange shirt campaign.</p><p>“That is why we wear the shirt in solidarity, to bring awareness about what happened in residential schools.”</p><p>Smith spoke about Truth and Reconciliation Day, likening Sept. 30 to Remembrance Day.</p><p>“We never forget our veterans, so why should we forget Indigenous people who went through lots of suffering as well? Who suffered through genocide? It’s very important to me that this is happening, as an Indigenous person,” Smithx said. “I’m very thankful this conversation is happening, but it’s not over. The conversation is ongoing, we are still dealing with lots of discrimination in this country, still dealing with lots of bullying and racism.”</p><p>He again used a Pokemon card exchange, this time to define reconciliation and how the breaking of treaties affected Indigenous people.</p><p>Smithx described characteristics of buffalo to discuss the importance of resilience. Buffalo are led by a matriarch, a single female who would sense danger in the distance, such as a large storm. Most animals run away or hide but the buffalo, which had herds the size of a small city, run into the storm.</p><p>“The lead buffalo turns her head towards the storm and she starts charging,” explained Smithx. “There are so many of them. They become such a powerful force that they become one … the barometric pressure changes and breaks the storm up.”</p><p>This is the lesson the buffalo gave the Indigenous people, he said. Each day brings a different storm, whether that be homework, chores or whatever someone wants to procrastinate on.</p><p>“When things get really hard, really difficult, you have to charge into the storm because if you run away from the storm, what happens?” asked Smithx. “It stays on top of you. If you stop and turn and run through it, you come out the other side to see the sunshine and rainbows.”</p><p>He taught the students a Blackfoot word that means ‘try your best,’ put your best your best foot forward and charge the storm.</p><p>“That’s the message all of the ancestors have given to all my grandparents and passed down to me, in spite of all the hardships we faced as Indigenous peoples,” said Smithx. “This is a Blackfoot story, and this is your story because when the treaty was made in 1877 we all became one big family. That’s the story we don’t hear enough and that’s the story I’m going to tell all of you.”</p><p>Asking how many remember the pandemic, Smithx talked about how his ancestors wanted us all to work together in uncertain times such as that.</p><p>“There is no reason for us to be at odds with each other. There is no reason you should be picking on each other and giving each other a hard time. There are enough natural forces out there in the world that could potentially harm us.”</p><p>It is dishonouring the treaty to be a bully, and this is part of the conversation around Truth and Reconciliation.</p><p>“The spirit and intent behind what we as Indigenous people wanted in the first place when we made treaty. We wanted new family, we wanted new friends, we wanted to trade.”</p>

Pancake breakfast and school colour day today for spirit week! Great way to start the day!

Grade 5’s harvested the garden that they planted in Spring. They all took home a pumpkin and we will have pumpkins for sale next week. We also have extra dill and cucumbers if you want some they can be picked up for free. We also harvested watermelons, cantaloupe, and corn! The Grade 4 class also cleaned out some plants and weeds so we can be ready to plant again next season! #igniteminds #kindlehearts

Biology 30 students were joined by Grade 2 students in eyeball dissection! Grade 12 students furthered their learning by dissecting, identifying, and describing the different parts of the eye! #igniteminds #kindlehearts

Cowboy Smith X was at Senator Gershaw School yesterday! Great message to our students through storytelling and artistry! #igniteminds

<p>Every year, schools across Canada participate in various activities and learning focused on Orange Shirt Day and the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report. The 30th of September was chosen for this day as it represented the time of year when the Indigenous children were collected from their homes, forced to leave their families and attend Residential Schools. The day also allows schools and teachers to settle into their school year, teacher students about Residential Schools an event for Orange Shirt Day. &nbsp;Additionally, by having the day fall at the start of the school year, it sets the stage for anti-racism and anti-bullying policies to inspire inclusion.</p><p>In Prairie Rose, schools planned a variety of events, activities and lessons focused around indigenous teachings and culture. Some of these included bringing in guest speaker Cowboy Smithx who is a Blackfoot filmmaker from the Piikani Nation and Kainai Nation in Southern Alberta, having Whitebear Creations work with students to create indigenous artwork, incorporating indigenous games into PE classes, cooking traditional indigenous foods, and class lessons focussed on understanding Truth and Reconciliation and the impacts of Residential Schools.</p><p><strong>The Day for Truth and Reconciliation</strong> is about learning and understanding what happened as a result of Residential Schools. Listed below are some of the primary understandings and education shared with students about Canada's history with Residential Schools and what is currently being done to work towards reconciliation.</p><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Why do we recognize the Day for Truth and Reconciliation?</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Orange Shirt Day, September 30th, is a day to honour Residential School Survivors, their families and remember those children who didn’t come home. It is recognized annually on the same day as Canada’s federal statutory holiday - the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>The vision that inspired Orange Shirt Day.</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School Commemoration Project held in Williams Lake, BC. The vision for reconciliation, inspired by Chief Fred Robbins from the Esk’etemc First Nation, involved all people remembering and learning what happened at St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School, honouring and helping the Survivors to recover from their experiences and ultimately reconciling together.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Understanding our past history. THE INDIAN ACT</strong></td></tr><tr><td><p>In 1876, the Canadian Government passed a law called the Indian Act. The Act gave the government political power enabling them to control the Indigenous population by regulating their languages, traditions, customs and lands. Indigenous people were required to register themselves and live on government allotted land.</p><p><i>“Under the act, the Canadian Government assumed control of Indian peoples’ governments, economy, religion, land, education, and even their personal lives. The act empowered the federal cabinet to overturn band decisions. The act also placed new restrictions on Aboriginal hunting rights. The government had the power to move the bands if reserve land was needed by growing towns and cities.”&nbsp;</i></p><p><i>- Interview excerpt Phyllis Webstad</i></p></td></tr></tbody></table></figure><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>The Truth and Reconciliation Commission</strong></td></tr><tr><td><ul><li>The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) was founded in June 2, 2008 and aimed to reveal the truths of Residential Schools and provide support for Survivors and their families. It was created out of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) which was announced in 2006.</li><li>Between 2008 and 2015, the TRC revealed the dark truths about Residential Schools and provided a platform for Indigenous peoples to be heard and begin their journey of reconciliation.&nbsp;</li><li>As a result of the TRC’s conclusion in 2015, 94 calls to action were created to provide steps for reconciliation on topics that included education, child welfare, language and culture, health and professional development.</li><li>The TRC’s report can be found online: <a href="The TRC’s report can be found online: https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2015/trc/IR4-8-2015-eng.pdf">https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2015/trc/IR4-8-2015-eng.pdf</a></li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table></figure><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>The creation of the Residential Schools System.</strong></td></tr><tr><td><p>In 1879, John A. MacDonald declared <i>“it has been strongly impressed upon myself, as head of the [Indian] department, that Indian children should be withdrawn as much as possible from the parental influence, and the only way to do that would be to put them in central training industrial schools where they will acquire the habits and modes of white men.”</i></p><p>To assimilate children into European culture, John A. MacDonald moved a measure through his cabinet authorizing the creation of three Residential Schools for Aboriginal children. This was the start of Canada’s Residential School System. By 1931, there were 80 government sponsored Residential Schools across Canada. All aboriginal children were required to attend these schools whether they wanted to or not. This was enforced by Indian Agents. Some children were taken to attend Residential School as young as the age of four.&nbsp;</p></td></tr></tbody></table></figure><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>The impact of Residential School on Indigenous People.</strong></td></tr><tr><td><p>It is estimated that approximately 150,000 Indigenous children attended government-sponsored Canadian Residential School. At least 6,000 of those children died at Residential Schools due to variety of reasons including overcrowding, malnourishment, neglect, poor health and trying to run away. Many schools were in isolated locations across Canada.</p><p><i>“The school was supported by a federal grant, but funding was a constant issue and often inadequate to support quality education, care of children, or facility maintenance. Hunger was common, food often poor, and sickness rampant in the poorly constructed buildings. The school attempted to destroy students’ pride in their heritage, their families and themselves. The student death rate was high, and some who died were not returned to their families.”</i></p><p><i>- Written by Ordell Steen, Jean William and Rick Gilbert in the Orange Shirt Story</i></p></td></tr></tbody></table></figure><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Intergenerational trauma from Residential Schools.</strong></td></tr><tr><td><p>The trauma created by Residential Schools has created long-term impacts that have affected family members who did not attend Residential Schools themselves. Many of the former students were unable to care for themselves or their families which created trauma passed down through the generations.</p><p>Intergenerational trauma occurs when the trauma experienced by a parent or grandparent is also experienced by future generations. The results of the intergenerational trauma caused by Residential Schools have taken many forms including alcoholism, abuse, mental illness and children being forced into foster care.</p><p><i>“We need to break the cycle and start having our people become healthier. It is an interesting and long journey.”</i></p><p><i>- Former Chief Ann Louie of Williams Lake First Nations (T’exelcemc)</i></p></td></tr></tbody></table></figure><p>Material Source: <i>Orange Shirt Day Every Child Matters</i>, Phyllis Webstad &amp; the Orange Shirt Society</p>

Last week 7 SGS Fire Academy students and 10 of their EBHS counterparts departed for a 2 day camping trip to Elkwater. The primary purpose of the trip was to complete courses in First Aid/CPR with AED training as well as Child Care First Aid. Just as important, however, was the chance to team build and meet the students from the EB program. Click through to see the fun that was had and a brief description of everything the students were able to participate in. #SAFR #forgefutures #myprps #abed @prairierosesd8

Grade 7-9 parents interested in EF - Heritage Tour (given to students last week) the parent meeting is coming up Wednesday. See the information below regarding the parent information meeting. Hello EF Tour Parents, Just a quick reminder that our parent information meeting will be on Wednesday, September 27th, 2023. The meeting will be on google meet at 5:00 pm. Please click on the following link for information on the Quebec, Montreal and Ottawa trip on May 24th, 2024 meet.google.com/rvi-sgae-yqv

School Spirit Week starts today with Jersey Day! See the flyer below for all the weeks events!

This week's parent update! A lot going on at Senator Gershaw this week!

Congratulations to all 3 Hintz boys who took part in the Talon’s cross-country run today in Echo Dale! Mason 16th, Gage 4th, and Reid 2nd!

Congratulations Jr.Boys champions of the swamp winning their home tournament!

Terry Fox run today! Thank you all parents who joined us and contributed to the Terry Fox Foundation! Fantastic day for a walk! #kindkehearts

Students in Biology class this week dissected pig brains! Want to see what the inside of the pig brain looks like -- see the pictures below. #igniteminds

Home game today vs. Foremost! SGS gym come cheer on our Junior A teams!