Annual ASBA Zone 1 Awards –
PWPSD names firefighters 'Friends of Education', honours 2019 Edwin Parr Nominee

​PWPSD presented six volunteer and municipal fire departments with a Friends of Education Award during a special luncheon on September 11, part of the annual Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) Zone 1 meeting in Peace River. The award provides an opportunity for each Zone 1 school division to acknowledge local organizations for their contributions to education. Savanna School teacher Anastasia Potratz was among the Edwin Parr Teacher Award nominees also honoured by each Zone 1 school division for their outstanding first year of teaching. Read the full media release. 

Saddle Hills County to assume ownership of sewage lagoons at Savanna and Bonanza schools

Since connecting additional facilities and residences, Saddle Hills County has determined that it is no longer equitable for PWPSD to cover the operation and maintenance costs associated with two wastewater lagoons and associated low pressure sewer lines that were originally constructed to provide service to Savanna School and Bonanza School.

The PWPSD Board agreed to transfer the Savanna Sewage Lagoon and the Bonanza Sewage Lagoon to Saddle Hills County, pending written approval from the Minister of Education, which is required for disposition of property, as outlined in Section 192 of the Education Act. 

Reading University presentation
 

Policy Review Committee Report
 

• Update to Policy IGD - Student Suspension/Expulsion

• Policy DBA - Operating and Capital Reserve Funds
• Policy DGA - Authorized Signatures
• Policy DNA - Disposition of Property
• Policy EBBA - Provision of First Aid
• Policy FBC - Lease of Facility Space
• Policy GCAE - Administration Team in Schools
• Policy HGBF - Second Language Instruction
• Policy HKE - Promotion and Retention
• Policy HNB - Teaching About Controversial Issues
• Policy IECB - Foreign Students – Admission to Schools
• Policy IFCL - Use of Digital and Electronic Devices
• Policy IHCD - Administration of Medical Assistance to Students
• Policy IL - School Sponsored Fund Raising
• Policy JG - Non-Curricular Use of School Facilities

AHS Oral Health Program continues at PWPSD schools

The Board received a letter from Steven K. Patterson, Associate Dental Public Health Officer for Alberta Health Services (AHS), thanking PWPSD for its ongoing support of the AHS Oral Health Program. The program provides preventative services to Kindergarten - Grade 2 students in targeted schools. In some selected schools, additional grades may be included. The letter went on to say that Principals of targeted schools will receive more information directly from Oral Health Program staff. 

Committee & meeting reports

• Trustee Crane reported on the Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce round table meeting held on September 16 that included representatives from several local organizations and the three local school boards. Minister Travis Toews and MLA Tracy Allard also attended the meeting. Trustee Crane thanked the County of Grande Prairie Council for their work on the Five Mile Hall school site and distributed copies of The Unfolding Journey brochure which outlines the funding shortfall for PWPSD transportation. 
   
• Trustee Knull shared the PSBC report and a report from the meeting of ASBA Board Chairs. 
   
• Trustee Clarke provided the ASBA Zone 1 report. 
   
• Trustee Grant provided the Health & Safety Committee report.
   
• Trustee McIntosh shared a report on the Funding Formula Review Consultations with Alberta Education.
   
• The Board approved trustee attendance at the Canadian School Boards Association Annual Congress and National Trustee Gathering on Indigenous Education on July 2-5, 2020.
   
• The Board approved Trustee Clarke's attendance at the Shaping the Future 2020 conference hosted by Ever Active Schools on January 30 - February 1, 2020. 
   
• The Board approved trustee attendance at the Mamawhitowin "Coming Together" Conference 2019 on October 17-18, 2019. 

Travel requests reviewed by Board

The Board provided approval in principle for two Peace Wapiti Academy student groups to travel to Hawaii and Europe in April 2020. Approval for all travel is pending compliance with Policy HGCG – Off-Site Activities.

Upcoming events

• Orange Shirt Day: The majority of PWPSD school events will align with the official observance on Monday, Sept. 30. View the schedule of events for PWPSD schools. Learn more at http://www.orangeshirtday.org 
   
• Deadline to register for Fall PSBAA Events: Thursday, Oct. 3. Member online registration: https://public-schools.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2893b3ef33303c52e3c377631&id=c9f4ad3d02&e=6ec1939675 
   
• Deadline to register for PSBAA Student Voice: Thursday, Oct. 3.
  Online registration: https://public-schools.us9.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2893b3ef33303c52e3c377631&id=394ba0322c&e=6ec1939675 
  Maximum of two students per board on a first-come, first-served basis. A total of 40 students from Alberta may attend this event. 
   
• World Teacher's Day 2019 — I Teach for a Better World: 
  Saturday, Oct. 5. https://www.ctf-fce.ca/en/Pages/Events/WTD.aspx
   
• Thanksgiving Day: Monday, Oct. 14. No school. All PWPSD offices and shops will be closed.
   
• Merv Crouse Coats for Kids: Help keep kids warm this winter! Bring your gently used winter wear to Crouse's Cleaners until October 15th. For a list of accepted items, visit  https://crousescleaners.com/coats-for-kids. The Distribution Centre will be open during October 1-31 at the Towne Centre Mall, 9845 99 Ave., Grande Prairie. Gently-used winter-wear in all sizes will be available free of charge to those in need.
   
• 2019 Fall PSBAA Events: October 16-18, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Edmonton.
   
• Mamawhitowin "Coming Together" Conference: October 17-18, Stonebridge Hotel, 12102 - 100 Street, Grande Prairie. Registration and conference line-up: https://nrlc.net/conference/97
   
• 2019 PSBAA Student Voice: October 17-18, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Edmonton.
   
• Next Board Meeting: Thursday, October 24, 10:30 a.m., PWPSD Central Office. http://www.pwpsd.ca/Board/meetingdates