Submitted by WRPS
Visit from Minister of Education David Eggen
Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools’ board of trustees welcomed Alberta Education Minister David Eggen and staff to their regular board meeting. Minister Eggen engaged with the board on a variety of topics including the School Act and the proposed Education Act, the impact of the Climate Leadership Plan on our division, Alberta Education’s Curriculum Review process, Bill 1: An Act to Reduce School Fees and its impact on the school division, and Alberta Education’s Nutrition Pilot Project and the positive effects of that in school divisions across Alberta. Subsequently, Minister Eggen visited École Parkdale School to view the Nutrition Project in that school where lunches are prepared daily for approximately 115 students.
Indigenous Shining Student Nominees
The Indigenous Shining Student Award is an annual recognition awarded to a student of First Nations, Métis or Inuit heritage, who demonstrates leadership and inspires others, through embracing and respecting an Aboriginal perspective or world view from an Aboriginal perspective.
Five WRPS students were recognized by their schools as nominees for this award: Elmer Lee (Wetaskiwin Composite High School), Littlebear Morningstar (Wetaskiwin Composite High School), Reainha Mackinaw (Buck Mountain Central School), Kayla Cutarm (Pigeon Lake Regional School), and Katrina Boysis (Pigeon Lake Regional School). Trustees had an opportunity to meet the students and learn more about why they were recognized by their schools as nominees for the Indigenous Shining Student Award.
2018-2021 Capital Plan
At the March 14, 2017 regular board meeting, the board of trustees approved the 2018-2021 Capital Plan, which included moving École Parkdale School as the board’s number one priority for a total facility modernization.
Architects were hired to prepare a scoping report in order to assess the feasibility and costs associated with modernizing Parkdale School. Due to issues discovered related to building code, building safety and efficient building operations, the final recommendation from the architects is to demolish the existing building and construct a new replacement school on the existing site. As a result, the board revised its 2018-2021 Capital Plan to reflect this recommendation.
Modular classrooms for Griffiths-Scott Middle School
The board of trustees was notified that Alberta’s deputy minister approved the board’s request to purchase two modular classrooms for Griffiths-Scott Middle School, which will be in addition to the two modular classrooms that the Alberta government will provide.