<p><strong>Mileage and Meal Reimbursement Rates</strong></p><p>Secretary Treasurer Ryan Boser provided an overview of the results of a mileage and meal reimbursement review that compared Prairie Rose’s rates with other school divisions in Zone 6. The division currently reimburses staff at 0.50 per kilometre for mileage, $11 for breakfast, $15 for lunch and $25 for supper. It was recommended that the mileage rate be increased to 0.54 per kilometre and that breakfast financial reimbursement be increased to $15 and supper to $30. The changes would apply to all Prairie Rose staff when conducting official PRPS business. The motion was carried.</p><p><strong>Oyen Public School Presentation</strong></p><p>Principal Jason Duchscherer shared a presentation with the board outlining academic programming, instructional strategies and facility improvements at Oyen Public School. It was noted that the school used the assurance survey data collected in the spring of 2021 to make changes based on the feedback received from students and parents.&nbsp;</p><p>The presentation highlighted the following:</p><ul><li>Recent renovations at the school to improve the front entrance and the completion of a breakfast room.</li><li>Literacy strategies being used across all grade levels including science of reading, Heggerty program and secret stories.</li><li>New programming options at OPS including art class, band, drama, leadership, and computer skills and problem solving.</li><li>Two academy programs, including the SAHA hockey academy and the introduction of the new Jr. Badgers baseball program.</li><li>The introduction of the Prairie Rose Possibility agriculture program where the school purchased their own chicken coop and students were responsible for growing and caring for the animals. The school also purchased red wiggler worms as part of an organic recycling initiative.</li><li>The sharing of a school librarian with South Central High School for 9 hours per week.</li></ul><p>The full presentation can be found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LcBqHQiRv2YByODmAnYmid7PzdY2e6K4/view">December 14, 2021, Board Meeting</a> package.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Irvine School Field Trip</strong></p><p>Superintendent Reagan Weeks presented an Irvine School field trip request to Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto from April 23 - May 1, 2022, through EF Tours. It was noted that this specific trip has been approved by the board in past years and that EF Tours is a reputable company specializing in student travel. The board approved the field trip request as presented.</p><p><strong>Board Committee Structures</strong></p><p>Superintendent Reagan Weeks asked the board to vote on two separate motions to rescind two governance policies, Student Board Advisory Committee and FNMI Committee, as both were not consistently reviewed by the board on an annual basis. It was recommended that the Student Board Advisory Committee be renamed, Student Voice and be turned into an ad hoc committee. However, the FNMI Committee will be dissolved, as it was noted that the policy is outdated and the board already receives regular updates via the FNMI Coordinator report, Student Services report and Annual Education Results Report related to FNMI supports, results and strategies. The board passed both motions.</p>

Gator of the Week - celebrating student character and leadership. Gator of the week is Trent! Trent is always working hard with a big smile and a great attitude. He is also a great friend to all students in Grade 4. Great job Trent!

Our internet at BIE and SGS is down this morning and that means we have no phone lines into the school. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Last parent update of 2021. Have a great week!

Gator of the Week -celebrating student character and leadership. Gator of the week is Gabe! Gabe is always willing to lend an extra hand throughout the school. When he is not helping with something in the school you can find him working hard in class or working through his power engineering course! Great work Gabe!

Congratulations to Victoria Rooks who was recognized by MP Glen Motz today for her published research in the Canadian Science Fair Journal! Great work Victoria!

Pleased to honour Senator Gershaw School's aspiring scientist Victoria Rooks for having her science project published in the Canadian Science Fair Journal!! Well done!! Senator Gershaw School

Sr. Boys league basketball

Parent/guardian update for this week; have a great week!

BIE Christmas Market is tomorrow. Tons of great items to purchase for $1 each. Grades 4-9 will have an opportunity to shop there in the afternoon. The goal of the Christmas Market is to provide students opportunities to purchase items for other people. If you are sending money for the market with your grade 4-9 child please discuss who they should purchase items for. Thank you for your support and everyone who made the Christmas Market possible.

NEW GATOR GEAR JUST ARRIVED! Do you need some great Christmas gift ideas for your SGS student, or maybe yourself? We've got brand new hoodies in. $40 with various sizing available for youth and adults. First come, first serve. In addition we've got a rack full of discounted items including tops, bottoms, blankets, hats and frisbees. Come to the school to check out our selection if amazing gator gear options. Cash or cheque is preferred.

Post secondary day this afternoon! Lots of colleges and universities out to discuss possibilities with our students!

Gator or the Week - celebrating student character and leadership. Gator of the Week is Zack! Zack is always kind to his classmates and willing to lend a helping hand throughout the school! Great job Zack!

This week's parent/guardian update, enjoy the warm weather and have a great week!

<p>We have been asked to share the following information with our families from Alberta Health Services:</p><p>Health Canada has approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11. The Canadian Pediatric Society is recommending that all eligible children get vaccinated against COVID-19.</p><p>Parents may book vaccine appointments for children aged 5 to 11 through the <a href="https://bookvaccine.alberta.ca/vaccine/s/">Alberta Vaccine Booking system</a> or by calling Health Link at 811. <strong>Vaccines will not be available in schools and schools do not track or monitor the status of student vaccinations</strong>. Parent or guardian consent is required for children to get their vaccine, and it can be provided either in-person at the vaccine appointment or by a signed consent form.</p><p>K-12 students are not required to have a vaccination of any kind to attend Prairie Rose Public Schools, and no student will be denied access to an education based on their vaccination status. Prairie Rose will continue to recognize and respect parents as the primary decision-makers for their children regarding COVID vaccinations. We encourage our parents and guardians to seek out reliable and factual information to inform their decisions on vaccines for their children.&nbsp;</p><h4>Vaccine Resources</h4><ul><li><a href="https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/94df0467-fe7d-4008-891b-911c230bc8b9/resource/2fa7e614-a976-4cd2-82e2-4bc739687056/download/health-cmoh-letter-covid-19-vaccine-for-children-age-5-11-parents-guardians.pdf">Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health letter to parents (Nov 24)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.alberta.ca/covid19-vaccine-myths-and-facts.aspx">Government of Alberta – Vaccine myths and facts and information on vaccines for children</a></li><li><a href="https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/page17746.aspx">AHS COVID-19 Immunization for Children Under 12</a></li><li><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/vaccination-children/covid-19.html?utm_campaign=hc-sc-covidvaccine-21-22&amp;utm_medium=sem&amp;utm_source=ggl&amp;utm_content=ad-text-en&amp;utm_term=children%20covid%2019%20vaccine&amp;adv=2122-89750&amp;id_campaign=12876015044&amp;id_source=128444816378&amp;id_content=545566020908&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAs92MBhAXEiwAXTi25ykm3zsdnWS0BBBHnhZ9lKIDupsFaIexHgIGw5_VrYtlH691ESvTbxoCYmIQAvD_BwE&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds">Health Canada – COVID-19 vaccines for children: What you need to know</a></li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p>

Reminder that PAC Vista Gift Card fundraiser forms are due back tomorrow. They can be brought back to the office, thank you for your support!

Congratulations Victoria Rooks for having her research published in a scientific journal CJSF (Canadian Science Fair Journal)! You can find the article link below on Worm pHun, great work Victoria! https://csfjournal.com/volume-4-issue-2/2021/10/29/worm-phun

<p>Prairie Rose Public Schools would like to congratulate Daphne Thompson of Eagle Butte High School and Victoria Rooks of Senator Gershaw School who have both recently had their science fair research published in the Canadian Science Fair Journal. Being published is a huge accomplishment and we are incredibly proud to recognize the effort and dedication to science and learning required to reach this milestone.</p><p>Daphne Thompson, grade 12 student at Eagle Butte High School:<br><a href="https://csfjournal.com/volume-3-issue-7/2021/4/10/fungi-in-snow">https://csfjournal.com/volume-3-issue-7/2021/4/10/fungi-in-snow</a></p><p>Victoria Rooks, grade nine student at Senator Gershaw School:<br><a href="https://csfjournal.com/volume-4-issue-2/2021/10/29/worm-phun">https://csfjournal.com/volume-4-issue-2/2021/10/29/worm-phun</a></p><p>The full media release from the Kiwanis Regional Science Fair Committee can be found here: <a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LPB6IlUth_r49I408jB74tItdGpDuAe8">https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LPB6IlUth_r49I408jB74tItdGpDuAe8</a></p>

<p>The meeting agenda can be found here: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M8ausPsSe9nUKMaAxzulKi8w0RKXMzcd/view?usp=sharing">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M8ausPsSe9nUKMaAxzulKi8w0RKXMzcd/view?usp=sharing</a></p><p><br><strong>Student Services Report</strong></p><p>Director of Inclusion Services Camille Quinton shared her Student Services Accountability Report to the board for information. The Student Services team is responsible for providing a variety of programming support to students and staff that includes special education supports, counseling, student leadership, early childhood programming, speech and language therapy, social work, psychology and health supports. It was noted that there has been an increase in students requesting mental health support in schools as a result of the ongoing COVID pandemic. Priority around health and wellness in schools continues to be emphasized.</p><p><strong>Audited Financial Statements</strong></p><p>Assistant Secretary Treasurer Candice Hintz presented the 2020-2021 Audited Financial Statements for approval. It was noted that factors impacting the previous year’s budget included lower enrollment compared to spring projections, the implementation of a new funding model that included a weighted moving average per student calculation, and funding for COVID-19 to recover additional costs for subs, new technology and the implementation of the Home Plus Learning Program. For the 2020-2021 year, the division posted a total accumulated surplus of $10,424. This includes a surplus of $486,870 in Instruction, a deficit of $1,152,127 in Operations and Maintenance, a surplus in Transportation of $449,322, a surplus of $197,386 in System Administration and a surplus in External Services of $8,125. Auditors, MNP LLP, indicated no issues with the audit process and provided a clean audit opinion. The full financial statements and audit opinion can be found in the board meeting agenda package.</p><p>The board passed two motions related to the audited financial statements:</p><ul><li>That the Board of Trustees of Prairie Rose Public Schools approve the net transfer of $133,675 from Unrestricted Operating Reserves to Restricted Operating Reserves. Further, it approves the net transfer of $26,918 from Unrestricted Operating Reserves to Restricted Capital Reserves. <strong>CARRIED</strong></li><li>That the Board of Trustees of Prairie Rose Public Schools approves the 2020-21 Audited Financial Statements, as presented. <strong>CARRIED</strong></li></ul><p><strong>2021-2022 Revised Budget</strong></p><p>Secretary Treasurer Ryan Boser presented the revised 2021-2022 budget for approval. Assumptions of the revised budget included no interruptions in Alberta Education funding due to COVID-19, a decrease in enrollment of 69.5 FTE students from projections, a decrease in insurance premiums and no changes to the salary grids for teachers or support staff. In comparison to the spring projected budget, the division is now forecasting a deficit of $630,195, down from $733,873 for a difference of $103,678. This amount includes an instructional surplus of $128,373, a deficit of $918,747 in Operations and Maintenance, a surplus of $153,360 in Transportation and a surplus of $6,819 in External Services. It was noted that unlike previous years, System Administration (previously called Board and System Administration) is a separate grant, rather than a maximum percentage of overall expenses. The full budget can be found in the board meeting agenda package.</p><ul><li>That the Board of Trustees of Prairie Rose Public Schools approves the 2021-22 Revised Budget, as presented. <strong>CARRIED</strong></li></ul><p><strong>Annual Education Results Report</strong></p><p>Superintendent Reagan Weeks presented the Annual Education Results Report for approval. The report is now separate from the annual Education Plan and focuses on five new domains in connection with the new assurance model. The new domains include; Student Growth and Achievement, Teaching and Learning, Learning Supports, Governance and Local Context. It was noted that overall results are really strong in Prairie Rose and reflect the excellent efforts of staff, students and communities who have worked hard to provide and participate in unique learning experiences, despite the challenges related to COVID-19. The complete Results Report can be found in the board agenda package.</p><ul><li>That the Board of Trustees of Prairie Rose Public Schools approves the 2020-21 Annual Education Results Report, as presented. <strong>CARRIED</strong></li></ul>

Gator of the Week celebrating student character and leadership. Gator of the Week is Shayla! Shayla stays as long as needed to make sure our space for the Art Institute is clean and is a great citizen to her classmates in Grade 7. Great work Shayla!