<p>Prairie Rose Public Schools would like to congratulate Jason Duchscherer who will assume the role as principal of both Oyen Public School (OPS) and South Central High School (SCHS) in Oyen, starting fall 2022. The announcement comes following the retirement of Jean Kimber at the end of the current school year as principal of South Central High School.</p><blockquote><p>“Combining the leadership roles allows the two schools in Oyen to continue forward on the path towards a future of one amazing K-12 school,” says Duchscherer. “Both OPS and SCHS have already made steps to connect and build programming that enables a smooth transition for students as they move from elementary to junior high and onto high school, so this further supports that work.”</p></blockquote><p>The move towards a unified school community is something both OPS and SCHS have been working towards for the past few years. Following a community consultation in 2019, the Board of Trustees added a new K-12 school in Oyen to the Prairie Rose Public Schools Capital Plan. Last spring, both schools collaborated on their school rebranding projects and established a single vision statement of developing confident, engaged and caring citizens. Both schools have also focused on building opportunities where students are learning alongside each other through programming such as the South Alberta Hockey Academy and the Badlands Junior Badgers program.</p><blockquote><p>“I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Jean Kimber who has contributed tremendously to the education of countless students and wish her well in her next adventures. Jason Duchscherer takes on this newly structured role with a breadth of experience and a passion for rural education,” says Superintendent Weeks. “We have other schools in the division that operate under a similar model and it has worked very successfully in building a community of one school, despite being in different buildings. To further support the transition to one administrative position, a vice principal role will be added in Oyen to ensure leadership resources are maintained.”</p></blockquote><p>Duchscherer will officially assume the role of principal of both OPS and SCHS at the start of the 2022-2023 school year. The vice principal role will be posted later this spring.</p>

<p>Families living in the Redcliff area may have started hearing about a new program called Roots and Wings. The program aims to provide flexibility and ease of access to Redcliff students and their families for basic needs such as clothing, baby formula, and non-perishable food.&nbsp;</p><p>Eagle Butte teacher Scott Raible came up with the idea for the program when he was tasked with finding an initiative for his Masters degree that helps fill an identified gap for students. As a teacher he says he often sees that families can be hesitant to access the many supports already available in communities due to accessibility issues. The Roots and Wings program is aimed to remove those barriers to ensure that no Prairie Rose family in Redcliff goes without.</p><blockquote><p>“The process is quite simple,” says Raible. “Our school staff keep an eye out for those who may require assistance and information is provided directly to families via our Family School Liaison Workers. Families can also reach out to the schools directly and initiate support. All the family has to do is make an appointment and come “shopping”; selecting the clothing and food items that they need. There is absolutely no cost and no forms to fill out. If they need something we don’t have, we will find a way to get it.”</p></blockquote><p>Raible says the new program is growing and word of mouth is getting out in the community with many people providing donations. This support is greatly appreciated and is vital to ensuring continued success of the program. Currently those who wish to donate non-perishable food, can do so at the Redcliff Library and at the Redcliff Youth Center.</p><blockquote><p>“The entire purpose of Roots and Wings is to ensure that every student and their family in Redcliff has access to what they need to be successful. The program is organic in that we know each school has different needs. The staff at IF Cox, Margaret Wooding and Parkside have been essential in ensuring that we can be prepared when a family reaches out to us for assistance.”</p></blockquote><p>The program is currently only available to students who attend IF Cox, Margaret Wooding, Parkside Junior High, and Prairie Mennonite Alternative School and operates out of the old Redcliff Mennonite Alternative School. Families can call their local Redcliff school to get details on accessing the Roots and Wings program.</p><p><strong>Program sponsors:</strong> Prairie Rose Public Schools, Redcliff Library, Redcliff Youth Centre, The Salvation Army, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, The Mustard Seed, Little Munchkins.</p><p><strong>Program contact:</strong> Scott Raible, [email protected]</p><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><figure class="image"><img src="/images/860873c1-d07f-401e-b9c3-4999dbfb0568?fingerprint=20260603T2130Z" alt=""></figure></td><td><figure class="image"><img src="/images/030ab9da-99af-4a10-a384-490ca5aa3159?fingerprint=20260603T2130Z" alt=""></figure></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>

Gator of the Week - Celebrating student character and leadership. Gator of the week is Melissa! Melissa has been a big help translating and making our new Spanish student feel welcome in our school! Great work Melissa!

This week's parent update, have a great week!

Junior High badminton zones - congratulations Daniel and Nathalee winning bronze!

Congratulations Alan - bronze in singles at High School badminton zones!

Family Movie Night at SGS -Clifford the Big Red Dog!

<p>Prairie Rose Public Schools would like to congratulate Darren MacMillan on being selected as the principal of South Alberta High School.</p><p>MacMillan has been a teacher with PRPS for 25 years having previously worked at Schuler School, Irvine School and Eagle Butte High School. Most recently he has been instrumental in developing academy programming for both the South Alberta Hockey and South Alberta Flight academy programs and holds the General Manager role for the U18 Male and Female CSSHL Prep hockey teams. In addition to a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts, MacMillan also has a Master of Education with a focus in coaching studies.</p><p>South Alberta High School will offer a wide range of programming and learning opportunities with a focus on academy development and growth, non-primary distance education for high school students, collaboration with non-profit groups and establishing business partnerships. MacMillan will oversee the South Alberta Hockey Academy, the Dave Rozdeba South Alberta Flight Academy, Badlands Baseball Academy, Player X, E-Sports, House of Leaders, rodeo and equine programs, summer educational opportunities and international student recruitment.</p><p>“I am excited to continue working alongside my colleagues in Prairie Rose Public Schools to develop unique learning opportunities and provide high quality education,” says MacMillan. “South Alberta High School will increase accessible options for high school students as we continue to develop partnerships with community members. I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to starting the work.”&nbsp;</p><p>“Prairie Rose Public Schools has been working hard the past few years to build unique programming opportunities that focus on a wide range of student interests and maintain long-term enrollment stability across the division,” says Deputy Superintendent Mark Heinricks. “Darren’s role will be to provide guidance and leadership to support these efforts.”</p><p>At the April 2022 Board Meeting, the PRPS Board of Trustees officially approved the name South Alberta High School which was previously called Rural Futures. MacMillan will assume the role of principal of South Alberta High School on July 1, 2022.</p>

Family Movie Night Tomorrow - Friday, April 29 6:30pm Free Admission Everyone welcome Concession available

<p>Congratulations to the following Prairie Rose Public Schools students who came out on top at the annual Kiwanis Southeast Alberta Regional Science Fair held earlier this month. The event is an opportunity for students in grades 4-12 to showcase their scientific investigative skills and present the findings in front of peers and a panel of judges.&nbsp;</p><p>A special shout out to Victoria Rooks (Senator Gershaw School) and Britten Kurtzweg (Foremost School) who have been chosen to compete at the 2022 Canada Wide Science Fair. Good luck and we are excited to have you represent Prairie Rose Public Schools.</p><p><strong>Elementary School Winners</strong></p><p><i>Bronze</i></p><ol><li>Elise Poku, Ralston School (Grade 6) – Will bacteria increase or decrease depending on temperature?</li><li>Isaac Holmes and Elias Pemberton, Ralston School (Grade 6) – Mini Drill</li></ol><p><i>Honourable Mentions</i></p><ol><li>Yasmine Kamara and Joyous Raskoti, Ralston School (Grade 6) – EV3 Mindstorms Space Challenge</li><li>Lucy Cowley and Hollie Hemingway, Ralston School (Grade 6) – How to extract iron from corn flakes</li><li>Kyla Green and Jamie-leigh Beatty, Ralston School (Grade 6) – Growing Bacteria</li></ol><p><strong>Junior Winners</strong></p><p><i>Bronze</i></p><ol><li>Froese, Parker &amp; Froese, Taten – Ralston School (Grade 7): “What Humidity Ivy (My Snake) Best Sheds At”</li><li>Spaan , Ava – Ralston School (Grade 8): “Lava Lamps – “How Can I Make a Homemade One?”</li><li>Sumner, Poppy – Ralston School (Grade 8): “What Are We Wasting?”</li></ol><p><i>Silver</i></p><ol><li>Rodrigue, Patrick – Ralston School (Grade 7): “How Do Different Drinks Affect Your Teeth”</li><li>Owusu-Ansah, Kofi &amp; Reilly, Kayden – Ralston School (Grade 8): “How It Works”</li></ol><p><i>Gold</i></p><ol><li>Pemberton, Marlie &amp; Sherpa, Rinzen – Ralston School (Grade 7) – “Marlie and Rinzen Colour Change Flower”</li><li>Pflughaupt , Aden – Ralston School (Grade 8) – “Does the Colour of Food Affect Its Taste?”</li></ol><p><strong>Intermediate Winners</strong></p><p><i>Silver</i></p><ol><li>Wall, Joseph – Ralston School (Grade 9) – “Chemical change”</li><li>Davies, Riley &amp; Green, Kian – Ralston School (Grade 9) – “Are Sports Drinks Actually Better Than Water?”</li></ol><p><i>Gold</i></p><ol><li>Kurtzweg, Britten – Foremost School (Grade 9) – “Pondering Pendulums”</li><li>Rooks, Victoria – Senator Gershaw School (Grade 9) – “Killing It!”</li></ol><p><strong>Senior Winners</strong></p><p><i>Gold</i></p><ol><li>Rooks, Ayden – Senator Gershaw School (Grade 11) – “Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons”</li></ol>

This week's parent/guardian update, hope everyone had a great Easter break!

Gator of the Week - Celebrating student character and leadership. Gator of the week is Damian! Damian returned money when he found it in the hallway. Damian always has a positive, enthusiastic attitude, smiling and telling stories throughout the day! Great job Damian!

Thank you Grade 8 Class for making a great afternoon for BIE students and bringing back the Spring carnival this year!

<p>At the April 12, 2022, public board meeting, the Prairie Rose Public Schools Board of Trustees revisited the previously approved 2022-2023 school year calendar. The calendar was brought back to the board to review following feedback from parents and staff citing concerns that the Prairie Rose calendar was not in alignment with neighbouring school division calendars. Specifically, concerns were raised regarding the difference around the Christmas break, as there would be challenges for both parents and staff to find childcare services and that the current calendar only included two full weekends within the break instead of three.</p><p>The following changes to the calendar were approved by the board by a vote of four (Haraga, Cursons, Hogg, Vanderspruit) to three (Bedwell, Dennis, Rooks) at the April 12th public meeting:</p><ul><li>The Christmas break has been shifted to December 24th – January 8th. Students will still have an early dismissal day on December 23rd and will return on January 9th.</li><li>The SI day scheduled on November 14th has been moved to November 9th.</li></ul><p>The revised calendar has been posted to the public documents section of the Prairie Rose website and is available for online viewing.</p><p>The approved calendar can be found here: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JjxVhn6FpP9-UYmMKL6VrZ-61O-_YqOv/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JjxVhn6FpP9-UYmMKL6VrZ-61O-_YqOv/view?usp=sharing</a><br>&nbsp;</p>

Gator of the Week - celebrating student leadership and character! Gator of the week is Madison. Madison is always willing to help clean up in Home Ec class, works hard in all core classes, and was in the very top of her cosmetology option! Great job Madison!

<p>The next public board meeting for the Prairie Rose Public Schools Board of Trustees will take place on Tuesday, April 12th starting at 12:45 pm. The meeting will be held 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_ZDVlODA3MDktMjVlMS00MTQyLWI4OTYtZDM5MmI0MGNmNjNj%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/1L4YAmX-XD5lfH4rvdguTPv3slTvpwxPi/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L4YAmX-XD5lfH4rvdguTPv3slTvpwxPi/view?usp=sharing</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

This week's parent/guardian update, short 4-day week before Easter break! Have a great week!

Grade 6 badminton tournament at SGS! Great action in the gym with some winning from our Grade 6 students. Great job athletes and thank you to Mr. Smith and Mr. Phillips for running the tournament!

When you come into Senator Gershaw on Thursdays and Fridays you will see a new face in our front office. Welcome Mrs. Bezruchak to SGS!

Junior high cosmetology option finished up last week! If anyone is looking for some hair styling at upcoming events we may have some students that can help you out! A big thank you to Mrs. Porteous for volunteering to share her expertise in this option! Congratulations to Rebeca and Madison who were considered the top hair updo’s by a panel of fellow students. Great job everyone!