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WCHS student attends Forum for Young Canadians

Notes from the Apr. 10 meeting of board of trustees
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Wetaskiwin Composite High School student Emily Briand attended the April 10, 2018 meeting to present to the board on her experience in attending the Forum for Young Canadians held March 18-23, 2018 in Ottawa.

The study of the processes of government in Canada allows high school students to learn about their federal government first hand. From over 800 applicants from across Canada, 300 students were chosen to attend one of three sessions. Emily Briand a Wetaskiwin Composite High School student was chosen as one of those 300 representatives. Emily presented to the board on the opportunity she had to talk to decision makers about perspectives from rural Alberta life. Emily thanked her sponsors and supporters which included the WRPS Board of Trustees.

Capital Plan 2019-2022

The Board of Trustees approved the 2019-2022 Capital Plan, which indicates that the number one priority is a new replacement school for Winfield School and the number two priority is a replacement school for Parkdale School.

Architects were hired to prepare a scoping report in order to assess the feasibility and costs associated with deficiencies related to heating, plumbing, ventilation and electrical systems at Buck Mountain School. Buck Mountain School was included as a priority in the 2018 - 2021 plan. While the deficiencies noted in the report need to be addressed, the combined estimated cost to address them is well under the $1 million limit that is necessary in order to make a request for “capital” funding. Any repairs or replacements of the deficient systems will be funded from Infrastructure Maintenance Renewal funding.

2018-2019 School Year Calendar

In the spring of 2017, principals informed the board that schools do not have sufficient time to advance impactful practices that improve student learning. This work is being guided by Response to Intervention (RTI) and Professional Learning Community (PLC) frameworks. The board approved principals initiating discussions to develop a proposal.

Principals report there is general consensus amongst staff and parents that changes are needed to the school calendar. Principals also drew from the high school redesign experience gained at Buck Mountain Central School (BMCS) and Pigeon Lake Regional School (PLRS). Beginning in 2014-2015, following approval of the Regular School Year Calendar, the board approved a redesign calendar for BMCS and PLRS. The high schools were driven by the RTI and PLC frameworks to support the development and implementation of high school completion strategies. The redesign calendar maintains the number of instructional hours for students, with fewer instructional days and more staff only days. In each of the subsequent years these schools reported on the improvements to student learning.

At the April 10, 2018 Regular Board meeting trustees were provided an update on the impact of high school redesign and the use of job embedded collaboration days at BMCS and PLRS. The board re-approved the redesign calendar for a three high schools. The board also resolved that the redesign calendar be adopted to improve student learning in all schools with additional job embedded collaboration days. Principals will undertake the necessary actions to support implementation and provide evidence that the redesign calendar improved student learning.

Submitted by Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools