<p>The January 9, 2024, Board Meeting Agenda Package can be found here: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xfSaApkqnkNaP3j0aLaCWSiHJuYC2mnE/view?usp=drive_link">January 9, 2024, Board Meeting Agenda</a></p><p><strong>Schuler School Presentation</strong><br>The principal of Schuler School, Lyle Kennedy, provided an update on the school's learning goals, emphasizing educational programming and promoting a strong sense of community. Feedback from school stakeholders highlighted the importance of parent engagement, diverse student opportunities, student voice, and the staff's dedication to making a difference. One of the school's primary education goals is to enhance literacy skills through methods like the science of reading, UFLI, and a vibrant library run by the school's administrative assistant and librarian, Janice Herman. Efforts to promote a positive culture include regular interactions with stakeholders that focus on being "for our community, with our community, as our community." It was also noted that the small school has expanded its sports offerings to include volleyball, basketball, curling, mini basketball, badminton, archery, and track and field options. Additionally, it was shared that the school was recently successful in securing a wellness grant for $10,000, which could go towards funding a greenhouse, outdoor fitness equipment, guest speakers, or even hosting community wellness events. The full presentation can be found in the January 9th Board Meeting Agenda package.</p><p>Story about Schuler School by the Medicine Hat News:&nbsp;<a href="https://medicinehatnews.com/news/local-news/2024/01/11/schuler-schools-new-principal-has-been-building-off-past-successes/">https://medicinehatnews.com/news/local-news/2024/01/11/schuler-schools-new-principal-has-been-building-off-past-successes/</a></p><p><strong>Executive Report</strong><br>In the monthly executive report, Superintendent Reagan Weeks shared that the school division was announcing two exciting new sports programs for both baseball and softball. The new Mavericks School of Baseball will begin this spring and will be offered to students in grades 4-9 who attend Irvine School, Schuler School and Senator Gershaw School. The new South Alberta School of Softball will kick off at Seven Persons School this spring and be offered to female students in grades 4-9. It was also shared that two new drone offerings are being developed for students. One is a semester-long course offered in partnership with the Medicine Hat College. The other is a joint initiative with Cypress County, a two-day drone course centred around agriculture and livestock in Seven Persons on March 12th and 13th.</p><p>Mavericks School of Baseball:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.myprps.com/news/the-mavericks-and-prairie-rose-partner-to-launch-new-school-of-baseball-this-spring-1704825660121">https://www.myprps.com/news/the-mavericks-and-prairie-rose-partner-to-launch-new-school-of-baseball-this-spring-1704825660121</a></p><p>South Alberta School of Softball:&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aWI4f0bnqEM2iOt1-OUx9cnOuKUT9mfN/view?usp=drive_link">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aWI4f0bnqEM2iOt1-OUx9cnOuKUT9mfN/view?usp=drive_link</a></p><p>Story on Drone Courses by the Medicine Hat News:&nbsp;<a href="https://medicinehatnews.com/news/local-news/2024/01/11/prps-revamps-its-drone-program/">https://medicinehatnews.com/news/local-news/2024/01/11/prps-revamps-its-drone-program/</a><br>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Building Operations and Maintenance Report</strong><br>Director of Building Operations and Maintenance Darrell Drefs provided his annual report to the board for information. One of the biggest challenges continues to be the Operations and Maintenance budget, which ran a deficit for the 2022-2023 year ($150,000). Drefs contributes the deficit to several factors including increased utility costs for power and water, additional mechanical costs added in schools compared to previous years, which cost more to run, reduced federal subsidies for summer students (grounds crews), higher insurance costs, and vehicle and fuel costs. Some of the listed priorities for the current year include updating the mechanical rooms at Oyen Public School, replacing the gym roof at Foremost School, upgrading the Senator Gershaw treatment room, and refinishing the SGS gym floor. The other notable project is the Parkside School Modernization, which is currently in the design stage. The division hopes to complete design plans by the fall of 2024, with construction beginning in the spring of 2025. The complete Building Operations and Maintenance Report can be found in the January 9th Board Meeting Agenda package.</p><p><strong>Wellness Report</strong><br>Tammy Toews and Greg Godard presented the Wellness Report for information. Toews gave an overview of employee wellness strategies for the year, including the development of new policies (disconnecting after work hours, workplace diversity, discrimination and harassment training) and the division-wide PD day held last fall with a primary focus on the dimensions of wellness. The division also has a wellness BINGO in January, February and March to promote self-wellness for employees. On the student side, School Psychologist Greg Godard provided an overview of the Student Support team, which consists of Family School Liaison Workers (7), a mental performance professional, behaviour intervention specialists (2), himself (school psychologist) and three service dogs (Timber, Luka, Iain). It was shared that the four most commonly referred cases to the FSLW team are related to anxiety, emotion regulation, and family and peer relationships, which is similar to what the team saw last year. It was also shared that overwhelming pressure on junior and senior high students, sleep problems, use of inappropriate language, social drama, and cyber and in-person bullying are the most common trends school mental health counsellors are seeing in today's youth. The complete Wellness Report can be found in the January 9th Board Meeting Agenda package.</p><p><strong>Other items:</strong></p><ul><li>The board approved proposed updates to policies GP#3 Chairperson's Role, GP#7 Regular Board Meetings, GP#8 Board Organizational Meeting, and GP#9 Executive Sessions (In-Camera) as presented.</li></ul>

<p>Prairie Rose students will be stepping up to the plate this spring as Prairie Rose Public Schools in collaboration with The Mavericks baseball organization (WCBL) is partnering to launch the Maverick School of Baseball. This innovative sports program is specifically designed for students in grades 4-9 and will be available at several schools in Prairie Rose Public Schools.</p><p>The Maverick School of Baseball integrates enhanced baseball training into the regular school curriculum outside of regular physical education instruction. Students will benefit from additional programming during their school day, focusing on developing and honing their baseball skills under the guidance of skilled professionals.</p><p>Key to the program's success is the direct involvement of experienced Mavericks coaches. Leading the Mavericks School of Baseball coaching team is head coach and program director Greg Morrison, a former professional player with a distinguished 12-season career which includes time with the LA Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays organizations. Morrison's career highlights include achieving over 1,000 hits and 100 home runs.</p><blockquote><p>“We know the importance of giving younger kids the skills to throw, catch, and hit a baseball,” says Greg Morrison. “Not only will you see those dividends in sport and athletic development for the students who choose to continue to play baseball in high school and college, but also in promoting a healthy lifestyle which carries with them for the rest of their lives.”&nbsp;</p></blockquote><p>Joining him is Chad Martin, a seasoned professional with a rich background in baseball. Martin has a history of playing US College baseball, has served as a high school baseball head coach at Eagle Butte High School and Crescent Heights High School for 25 years, and is currently the assistant coach with the Mavericks since 2009 and a teacher at Senator Gershaw School.</p><p>The Maverick School of Baseball will launch this spring (2024) and will be available to Prairie Rose students at Irvine School, Schuler School, and Senator Gershaw School.&nbsp;</p><blockquote><p>“The addition of the Mavericks School of Baseball to the PRPS program offerings represents a unique opportunity for young athletes to grow under the guidance of accomplished professionals,” says South Alberta High School principal Darren MacMillan. “In Prairie Rose we are always trying to find engaging learning experiences for students based on their passions. We heard from many students and parents that would like to see a program based around building baseball skills. Thanks to our partners at the Mavericks, we have been able to make that happen.”</p></blockquote><p>Details about the program are still being finalized and will be shared as soon as they are available. An information night will be held on January 16, 2024, at the Prairie Rose Public Schools Division Office at 6:00 p.m. All interested families are invited to attend.</p><p>Watch the story on CHAT TV: <a href="https://chatnewstoday.ca/2024/01/09/school-of-baseball-partnership-between-prairie-rose-school-division-and-medicine-hat-mavericks-announced/?utm_source=dlvr.it&amp;utm_medium=twitter">https://chatnewstoday.ca/2024/01/09/school-of-baseball-partnership-between-prairie-rose-school-division-and-medicine-hat-mavericks-announced/?utm_source=dlvr.it&amp;utm_medium=twitter</a></p><p>Medicine Hat News story 1: <a href="https://medicinehatnews.com/news/local-news/2024/01/10/prairie-rose-sd-partnering-with-mavericks-for-baseball-school/">https://medicinehatnews.com/news/local-news/2024/01/10/prairie-rose-sd-partnering-with-mavericks-for-baseball-school/</a></p><p>Medicine Hat News story 2: <a href="https://medicinehatnews.com/sports/local-sports/2024/01/10/morrison-mavs-open-baseball-school/">https://medicinehatnews.com/sports/local-sports/2024/01/10/morrison-mavs-open-baseball-school/</a></p><p>Learn more about the Mavericks School of Baseball ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️</p><p><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZB6c-aOqcSH5aduCRrQaQ6MKQQSqJSe8/view?usp=drive_link"><img src="/images/8c60f5bc-3ee4-46c6-a315-69832877d0b8?fingerprint=ppb20251217023850" alt="MSB News Graphic"></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The January 9, 2024, PRPS Public Board Meeting will take place at the Prairie Rose Public Schools Division Office starting at 12:45 p.m. The meeting is only available in-person.</p><p>The complete agenda package can be found here: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xfSaApkqnkNaP3j0aLaCWSiHJuYC2mnE/view?usp=drive_link">January 9, 2024 Board Meeting Agenda</a></p>

<p><i>Medicine Hat News - BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER ON DECEMBER 6, 2023.</i></p><p>Prairie Rose Public Schools has received a clean financial audit, with statements presented to the board on Nov. 28.</p><p>Board chair Lois Bedwell was on the audit committee and stated she learned a lot during pre- and post-audit meetings. Accounting firm MNP LLP gave PRPS a clean audit and was impressed with the work done by the financial team. Controller Candice Hintz touched on three of the main schedules in her presentation.</p><p>Last year, PRPS received new and initial funding, but only for a few months, and this year it is available for the full 10 months of operations. Badlands Baseball Academy has been incorporated into PRPS operations this year and the division was approved for collegiate funding for the South Alberta Flight Academy.</p><p>New this year is the assets retirement obligation (ARO), estimated at a $4.6 million cost to deal with any asset retirement obligation, such as asbestos and septic tanks, at the end of useful life. Most assets are in the schools, which Alberta Education will likely fund when the time comes, but since it’s not confirmed, PRPS must record this cost as a liability. With the ARO, it makes the total liabilities higher than total assets, resulting in a net debt amount due to that change in accounting policies.</p><p>Actual revenue was $1,549,994 higher than budget due to increased funding from Alberta Education, increase in fees, increase in interest income, additional donations and ASBIE (Alberta School Boards’ Insurance Exchange) equity return.</p><p>Actual expenses were $1,360,545 over budget, which was due to increased support for programming, additional professional development, increased utility costs and expenses incurred due to increased funding.</p><p>CFO Ryan Boser asked the board to approve a motion, which was carried, prior to approving the audited financial statements.</p><p>“In order to fund the deficit this year and get our reserves down below the maximum, which we successfully did, it does require a reserve transfer to move $1,003,458 from restricted operating reserves to unrestricted operating reserves. Essentially what that means is we are moving just over $1 million from our restricted reserves into operations to fund that deficit, and that was part of our plan all along.”</p>

<p><i>Medicine Hat News - BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER ON DECEMBER 5, 2023.</i></p><p>For K-3 students at I.F. Cox School in Redcliff, there is a new Prairie Rose Possibilities project available called TNT, or Try New Things.</p><p>Parents wanted to see broader programs in the school and this project offers opportunities for students to take part in different areas of interest. Another benefit is children engage with different teachers as well as students from other grades while participating in their chosen courses.</p><p>The project aligns with kindling hearts by bringing a sense of well-being to both students and staff. It allows staff to offer courses in subjects they are passionate about and gives students a choice of what topics they want to engage in. It also provides an opportunity to bring parents and stakeholders back into the school post-pandemic. It ignites minds by providing high yield strategies, co-operative learning, executive functioning skills and non-linguistic representation.</p><p>Additionally, by cultivating wonder, strengthening partnerships with stakeholders and offering prospects for deeper learning, the program is forging futures.</p><p>The program started with teaching staff offering courses and has grown to include support staff and a divisional lead. First-year education students from Medicine Hat College, a retired teacher who is a watercolour artist, the Mavericks baseball team, along with men’s and women’s sports teams from the college have all come into the school.</p><p>There were 92 parent responses from a survey and 100% were positive, with comments focused on how much they were looking forward to sessions restarting again this year.</p><p>Trustee Patty Rooks stated the program was a great way to create a sense of community, and while she is aware it creates extra work for the teachers, it is appreciated.</p><p>The school is having a Christmas fair and fun night and many groups have been working on products to sell, such as baked items, ornaments and watercolour paintings. The fair will take place Dec. 6 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and the school is in the process of choosing a charity to donate all proceeds to.</p>

<p>The November 28, 2023, Board Meeting Agenda Package can be found here: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IXInzuN7EFDeKlyOezLkvCr58mlAWksf/view?usp=drive_link">November 28, 2023 Board Meeting Agenda</a></p><p><strong>PAT and Diploma Results</strong></p><p>Assistant Superintendent Boyd Craven presented the 2023-2024 Prairie Rose results from the PAT (provincial assessment testing grades 6 and 9) and Diploma (grade 12) exams for information. It was noted that Prairie Rose students did very well in most areas compared to the provincial results.&nbsp;</p><p>Some highlights of the report include:</p><ul><li>The divisional PAT results were higher at the acceptable level than the province in every subject.</li><li>Overall, the diploma acceptable standard increased from 71% to 77%.</li><li>There was an overall increase in the diploma standard of excellence from 10.9% to 11.8%.</li></ul><p>The full report can be found in the November 28, 2023, Board Meeting Agenda package.</p><p><strong>IF Cox Presentation</strong></p><p>IF Cox School Vice-Principal Tracy Frank provided an overview of the school’s Prairie Rose Possibility program called TNT or Try New Things. The program runs in six-week cycles, with each student getting to choose two options during that time frame. Some options available to students have included sign language, coding, pickleball, virtual reality, running, pinata making, magic tricks, field trips and more. The options are chosen based on staff interest and their passion for sharing with the students. Outside community members are also brought in to offer additional subject options. The program was developed to offer opportunities for younger students to engage in areas of passion and interest, much like they do at the junior high level. It was also shared that TNT classes are not grade-specific, but students from K-3 all participate together in their chosen subject areas. This has helped transition students between grades and the Redcliff schools as they get to know students outside their direct peer groups. The full presentation can be found in the Board Meeting Agenda package for November 28, 2023.</p><p><strong>Cypress County Ag Conference</strong></p><p>Trustee Graeme Dennis commended Cypress County on successfully hosting the Ag Connections Conference on November 22, 2023. Community partner Nichole Neubauer and the Irvine School ADC students were also congratulated for their presentation at the conference. It was noted that a lot of great work is happening in agriculture, which has been intertwined with learning in PRPS.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>PRPS Executive Report</strong></p><p>Superintendent Reagan Weeks shared the executive report with the board, highlighting several exciting and upcoming initiatives across Prairie Rose Public Schools.&nbsp;</p><p>Some of the highlights include:</p><ul><li>Recent Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence winner and Ralston School teacher Jocelyn Encinas will spearhead a new Prairie Rose Possibility program focused on robotics at Ralston School.</li><li>PRPS Instructional Coach Cammie Kannekens was invited to attend the Google for Educators conference in Ireland to represent PRPS at Google headquarters</li><li>PRPS will launch an expanded drone program with new partnerships for training specific to the agriculture industry. The training will take place at the airfield in Foremost.</li><li>The DR South Alberta Flight Academy is touring CFB Cold Lake to learn more about the Canadian military aviation program.</li></ul><p><strong>Audited Financial Statement</strong></p><p>Board Chair Lois Bedwell provided highlights from the MNP audit report. Overall, PRPS was given a clean audit from MNP. The full report can be found in the November 28, 2023, Board Meeting Agenda package.</p><p>Total revenues for the 2022-2023 school year amounted to $55,697,369.</p><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>K-12 Instruction</td><td>$39,151,322</td></tr><tr><td>Plant Operations and Maintenance</td><td>$6,035,008</td></tr><tr><td>Transportation</td><td>$6,234,628</td></tr><tr><td>System Administration</td><td>$2,220,085</td></tr><tr><td>External Services</td><td>$28,084&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><p>Total expenses for the year totalled $56,416,818.</p><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>K-12 Instruction</td><td>$39,039,516</td></tr><tr><td>Plant Operations and Maintenance</td><td>$7,294,079</td></tr><tr><td>Transportation</td><td>$5,905,299</td></tr><tr><td>System Administration</td><td>$2,106,651</td></tr><tr><td>External Services</td><td>$33,926</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><p>The total operating deficit for the 2022-2023 year came in at $719,449, a planned deficit amount to get division reserves under the allowable 4.42% of August 31, 2022 expenses ($2,374,703). Operating reserves now sit at $2,228,252. Trustees approved a motion to move 1,358,000 from restricted to unrestricted to cover the deficit. The 2022-2023 financial statements were approved as presented.</p>

<p>The November 28, 2023, PRPS Public Board Meeting will take place at the Prairie Rose Public Schools Division Office starting at 10:00 a.m. The meeting is only available in-person.</p><p>The complete agenda package can be found here: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IXInzuN7EFDeKlyOezLkvCr58mlAWksf/view?usp=drive_link">November 28, 2023 Board Meeting Agenda</a></p>

<p><i>Medicine Hat News - BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER ON NOVEMBER 23, 2023.</i></p><p>The cosmetology 20/30 class at Eagle Butte High School will be holding a Cuts for Cancer fundraiser on Dec. 1. Teacher Ingrid Rose explained the fundraiser hasn’t been done at the school for a few years, but they are excited to bring it back.</p><p>The students are nervous yet excited about the prospect of working on people rather than mannequins.</p><p>“They just finished learning hair cutting and layering and they will wash and cut. I’ve already talked to the Canadian Cancer Society and all the proceeds will go there and there might be one person who pays $5 and another who pays $100. Last time I had it, we had our superintendent and he had no hair here (on top) but he put in a hundred bucks, it’s just a donation and it’s good for us to help the community,” said Rose.</p><p>Grade 12 student Ryeanna Jones said, “I like it because I have a lot of people I’ve lost to cancer in my family so I think this is a very good fundraiser. This brings light to the struggle with it (cancer) because it’s such a worldwide thing and a lot of people deal with it.”</p><p>Lana Giles, also in Grade 12, added, “I think cancer touches everyone … who knows at least one person close to them that has been affected by it, so I think it’s important to recognize it even at a high school level, it’s a conversation we need to have.”</p><p>Cuts for Cancer is on Dec. 1 from 10-11: 30 a.m., and those who wish to participate are asked to book in for their cut beforehand by calling the school at 403-528-1996.</p><p>“I’m really excited and nervous at the same time. I really like being in this class,” said Grade 11 student Hope Burkitt, who is in her second year of cosmetology.</p>

<p><i>Medicine Hat News - BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER ON NOVEMBER 4, 2023.</i></p><p>As part of the Careers Technology Foundations options, Irvine School is now offering all junior high students Life Skills with Certifications. Courses will become available at different times of the school year with a combined babysitting/emergency first-aid and a firearms/hunter education safety courses underway.</p><p>Principal Trent Rayner has wanted to run certification courses for a few years and mentioned the idea to teacher Linda Kraft, who ran with it.</p><p>“We’ve been valuing and getting more and more community partnerships, so another partnership developed between us and Safety Buzz through Linda setting that up,” Rayner said. “We are working with them to make sure most of our junior high students will leave this year being certified in something they can either use practically, for their portfolio or on their resume – anything to help them get a job and help them in real life.”</p><p>The first-aid/babysitting course is full and has a waiting list. Rayner wasn’t sure about it, as the course, while valuable, can be dry, but is pleased with the response. It speaks to how the students are responsible enough to see the value in the course along with knowing how it will set them apart from other junior high students when it comes to getting their first job.</p><p>“The amazing thing is these kids are picking certifications right now when they could be taking other courses, such as active living or low-organized games. That is what has surprised me so far about this,” said Rayner.</p><p>Kraft is excited LSC has taken off so well, with double-digit numbers enrolled in both courses currently offered.</p><p>“I put it out to the kids so anything they are interested in and anything parents see might be a benefit, we are happy to take a look at it,” stated Kraft. “There are so many times when kids or parents say, ‘Too bad you didn’t learn that in school.’ We are offering these real-life skills courses, especially the emergency first-aid, that every single individual can use and could potentially be required for their part-time jobs moving forward.</p><p>“In my health class it ties in nicely because we do portfolios and resume, career/job type stuff, so this is something to help fill their resume.”</p><p>Grade 9 students Odin Jordet, Ethan Bowey and Parker Bellamy all enrolled in the babysitting/first-aid LSC. All three play a variety of sports and enjoy being active, and they are all taking the course with the goal of a well-paid lifeguard job. First-aid is required before they can complete their Bronze Cross in swimming, a prerequisite for the lifeguarding certificate.</p><p>“It’s a good course to have,” stated Jordet. “It will look good on a resume. It’s cheaper (to take) in school and then I don’t have to use my personal time that I like to spend doing sports.”</p><p>Bowey also said it will look good on his resume for future jobs.</p><p>“You need to get your first-aid before you can go do your Bronze Cross, they made that mandatory this year. I’m going to see how far this gets me because it says you need your full first-aid, but I’m going to see if this course gives you a full one,” stated Bowey, who is also interested in the boating course that will be offered later in the year.</p><p>Bellamy talked about how useful first-aid is in a rural environment where an ambulance could be 90 minutes away or HALO needs to be called. He said all but two of the boys in the class have babysat before.</p><p>“I think it’s because most of us have younger siblings. There are people south of us who have little kids and if you get into a wreck with cattle or something, you gotta go babysit for a bit because it’s hard to pack a four- or five-year-old on a horse,” explained Bellamy.</p><p>Driver’s education, referee certification for volleyball and basketball, a boating and water safety course as well as financial literacy are being looked at as future courses. Further down the road, the school is looking into life-skills classes that might not have a certification but are no less useful.</p><p>“How many kids, including my own, know how to sew a button onto a shirt or change a tire? Things I know they should know. If my kids or these kids could come home with 12 different life skills, simple as that, that would help so much moving forward,” concluded Rayner.</p>

<p><i>Medicine Hat News - BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER ON NOVEMBER 2, 2023.</i></p><p>Cross-country at Eagle Butte High School is not considered an individual sport, rather coach Darryl Smith creates a team atmosphere to support students of all abilities and levels to be successful.</p><p>“When I talk about the program it’s the idea of having a set of guidelines and meeting the expectation of what came before us and moulding that for us and the legacy of those coming after us. If we don’t do that it falls apart,” explained Smith. “The kids hold themselves to a standard of being appropriate. There is an expectation of honour and respect. The kids here know my expectations and what the team needs.</p><p>“Excellence for us could mean how we act, it could mean how we run, or how we train. I talk about this a lot. Kids will meet your expectations and always step up, always. I don’t think we give them enough credit.”</p><p>Grade 12 student Brianna Finke joined cross-country this year to help her get in shape for other sports, primarily hockey, and because of the fun team culture. Training and competing in cross-country not only helped Finke attain a higher level of positivity, but also increased her stamina for when she is on the ice.</p><p>“Mr. Smith has helped me a lot. He’s taught me how to bring out the best in myself and my energy and put it onto other people, too,” stated Finke.</p><p>Finke wants to continue playing hockey at a post-secondary institution while pursuing a degree in education with the aim of becoming an elementary school teacher.</p><p>Quinn Olson, who has been on the team for three years, has experienced a shift from an observing role in her first year to taking on more responsibility in successive years.</p><p>“Moving up through the years, I took on more of a leadership role guiding the younger kids and then eventually Smith calls you a team captain and I was leading warmup and doing the cheer,” stated Olson.</p><p>In classes now, Olson is less likely to sit back and wait for others to make decisions, rather she takes greater initiative when working on projects while also taking more chances, which supplies greater opportunities.</p><p>Following graduation, Olson is interested in a career in real estate. During her first two years on the team, she qualified for provincials, but only ran in them last year due to the pandemic the year before.</p><p>“There are a hundred-some kids running and if you don’t position yourself at the front, you are pretty much packed in until it all levels out. For the first 1 km, I was stuck between seven to eight different girls and couldn’t get by,” Olson explained.</p><p>This is the second year on the team for Grade 11 student Ryker Weiss, who plays basketball and joined to get ahead on training and enable him to perform at his best when on the court.</p><p>Cross-country is about getting into the right head space.</p><p>“When you are running you feel like you want to give up but if you keep pushing yourself than you’ll realize how far you can actually go,” stated Weiss. “When I practise, I’m right beside Mr. Smith and he’s always pushing me to go further, so I always just think I’m running with someone and if I slow down then they will go in front of me, so I try to keep forward.”</p><p>Shop is his favourite subject and Weiss wants to go pursue a career in carpentry after he graduates. This year, Smith gave Weiss more of a leadership role and he had to pay attention to what everyone on the team was doing, which has helped increase his social awareness and communication skills.</p>

<p><i>Medicine Hat News - BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER ON OCTOBER 28, 2023.</i></p><p>Prairie Rose Public Schools welcomed five Japanese students – Rena Katayama, Hikara Kawano, Kanon Miyake, Natsuka Nishida and Mao Yamanaka – into Eagle Butte classes this month. The students arrived in Canada in early October and have one more week left before flying back home next weekend.</p><p>The students attend Shoin Junior and Senior High School in Kobe, Japan, which was founded in 1892 to educate girls.</p><p>“In today’s globalized world, language skills, such as English, and cultural understanding are crucial,” head teacher Mr. Shinohara wrote in an email. “The study abroad program to Canada is part of the student’s Global program with an aim of deepening their understanding of global reality.”</p><p>The trip allows the students to practise their English skills and learn about different educational systems, which will help them prepare for their future.</p><p>“Japan is known for its homogenous society with Japanese as the primary language, which lags behind countries like Canada and the United States in terms of diversity,” added Shinohara. “Therefore, we aspire to provide students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in Canada’s diverse culture and truly experience the concept of diversity.”</p><p>Principal of Eagle Butte Rocheal Howes said Eagle Butte is excited to have the exchange students at the school.</p><p>“It’s so good for us to have students coming from other cultures and showing us their ways and their food and the way they write.”</p><p>Hikara Kawano liked taking classes, particularly information processing, at Eagle Butte. Two enjoyed music classes the most, another said foods was her favourite and Mao Yamanaka liked cosmetology, which isn’t available at her school in Japan.</p><p>“I feel freedom, especially at school,” stated Kawano. “School in Japan, there are lots of school rules, which is really strict for us. When I am in Eagle Butte, I feel really free so it’s lots of fun.”</p><p>Not having to wear a uniform and being able to wear accessories, such as earrings, were two aspects they liked. The young women weren’t as enthusiastic about the early spell of cold weather and snow, although one made a snowman with her homestay family. Poutine was hands down the favourite Canadian food for all of them.</p><p>Each one has done different activities with their respective host families. The two that stood out for Kawano were playing pickleball and taking a trip to Elkwater.</p><p>Katayama celebrated her sixteenth birthday while she was here and said the day was an unforgettable memory.</p><p>Nishida’s homestay family lives on a farm, which she has never experienced before, and she enjoyed spending time with the animals, including sheep, goats and a llama. The night they arrived it was clear and Nishida said the night sky with all the stars was memorable.</p><p>Yamanaka made T-shirts with her homestay family and she appreciated having a handmade keepsake to take back to Japan.</p><p>Miyake’s host family likes to hike and took her out to Elkwater where they walked one of the trails. She liked the nature and took lots of pictures.</p><p>“The lake waters are so clean,” said Miyake, “I was surprised, there are no plastics.”</p><p>On their return, each must write a report and give a presentation on their Canadian experience, including the differences from Japan and adding in some history of Canada.</p><p>Andrea Pillman is the international homestay coordinator for PRPS and works closely with the school, homestay families and international partner. It is her job to pair up each exchange student with a homestay family and to ensure each international student is successful, safe and comfortable.</p><p>Pillman took the group to Medalta this past Wednesday evening where they had a guided tour of the museum and were going to work with clay. If the roads were good, they are scheduled to travel to Drumheller this weekend.</p><p>The program needs homestay families for Colombian students due to arrive in November and Brazilian students coming in 2024. Contact Pillman directly at 403-502-6244 if you are interested or would like more information.</p>

<p>At an event on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, the Prairie Rose Public Schools Board of Trustees presented the <i>2023 Community Champion for Education</i> awards. The award recipients were nominated by both community and PRPS staff and chosen by the PRPS Board of Trustees Advocacy Committee.&nbsp;</p><p>Criteria for the award was a community member, organization, or business that has made a significant and sustained contribution to education in Prairie Rose. Submissions included a short write up about the nominee along with how they made a contribution to forwarding the school division's Education Plan which includes:</p><p><strong>IGNITE MINDS:</strong> The nominee supports a culture of learning and academic excellence through their contribution to the school community.</p><p><strong>FORGE FUTURES:</strong> The nominee cultivates curiosity, wonder and possibility in the minds of students through their contribution to the school community.</p><p><strong>KINDLE HEARTS:</strong> The nominee supports wellbeing and connection to service through the contribution to the school community.</p><p>Congratulations and thank you to this year's award winners!</p><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Super T Aviation</strong></td><td><p>Under the guidance of Teri Super, Les Little, Doug Little and Sheri Little, the incredible partnership between Super T Aviation and Prairie Rose Public Schools with the DR South Alberta Flight Academy (SAFA) has not only provided students with the unique opportunity to earn a private pilot license while still in high school but has also given them so much more – a community, a sense of belonging, and a tribe they can call their own.</p><p>Thanks to Super T Aviation, students have soared high in the skies and self-esteem, walking a little taller and beaming with the pride of achieving something meaningful. In a world where loneliness and isolation can be all too common, programs like the South Alberta Flight Academy are vital. They remind us that the best antidote is finding 'our people.'</p><p>Beyond just flight skills, SAFA students have learned life lessons and built lifelong friendships. It's no small feat to design a high school program, but Super T Aviation did it seamlessly, enriching the lives of our students.</p><p>Thank you, Super T, for giving our students wings and being an outstanding community partner!</p></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Nichole Neubauer</strong></td><td><p>From igniting the minds of our students with the creation of the Agricultural Discovery Center (ADC) to providing immersive agricultural programming aligned with their curriculum, Nichole's unparalleled dedication has made a monumental impact at Irvine School and Prairie Rose Public Schools.</p><p>Nichole's vision for a student-led ADC and her exceptional organizational skills and unyielding passion has given our students an invaluable hands-on learning experience. Her direct involvement – from working side-by-side with students, teaching them vital skills, to imparting straightforward curriculum concepts – embodies what it truly means to be a Community Champion.</p><p>Thank you, Nichole Neubauer, for sharing your passion, experience, leadership and knowledge with our students!&nbsp;</p></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Willie Desjardins</strong></td><td><p>Willie's commitment to empowering student-athletes, enhancing their strengths and igniting a passion for hockey through the South Alberta Hockey Academy (SAHA) is inspirational. His generosity in supporting the reduction or elimination of fees for SAHA academy students who need it most and contributing to various Prairie Rose initiatives speaks volumes about his dedication to community.</p><p>Despite the challenges of bringing top-notch coaching to rural areas, Willie's many hockey connections mean that every student has an equal opportunity to shine and receive high-quality training. The positive feedback we've received about the Academy's impact on student relationships, athletic development and community service is a testament to his vision and hard work.</p><p>Willie, thank you for your leadership and vision around creating exceptional opportunities for student-athletes, no matter where they live. We couldn't be prouder to recognize you as a PRPS Community Champion!&nbsp;</p></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Paulette Heller</strong></td><td><p>Paulette Heller was a long-serving member of our Prairie Rose Board of Trustees and, despite stepping away from board duties many years ago, she continues to "Kindle Hearts" across Prairie Rose as one of our biggest advocates. You will often see Paulette volunteering and soliciting interest and donations for the annual Kaleidoscope of the Arts event, where all PRPS students can showcase their talents in the fine arts. Additionally, Paulette continues to follow and support the ever-evolving growth of our local schools and attends multiple fundraising events each year. These events provide funds to support field trips, school purchases and other student-focused opportunities.</p><p>Thank you, Paulette, for being such a strong supporter, advocate and volunteer with Prairie Rose Public Schools. We appreciate your ongoing commitment to our programs and students!&nbsp;</p></td></tr></tbody></table></figure><p>Read the write up in the Medicine Hat News: <a href="https://medicinehatnews.com/news/local-news/2023/10/26/prps-board-honours-community-champions-for-education/">https://medicinehatnews.com/news/local-news/2023/10/26/prps-board-honours-community-champions-for-education/</a></p>

<p><i>Medicine Hat News - BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER ON OCTOBER 19, 2023.</i></p><p>Between the September and October meetings of the board for Prairie Rose Public Schools, two staff members received awards, including director of communications Angela Baron.</p><p>The award will be presented to her during the national conference of the Canadian Association of Communicators in Education, which takes place near the end of October.</p><p>“She (Baron) has received a BRAVO! Award for the work on revamping all the school’s logos and marketing pieces. That was a massive undertaking in a very short amount of time,” superintendent Reagan Weeks told the board at the Oct. 12 meeting.</p><p>Baron explained that each year the association puts out a call for award applications. Those who have completed communication projects that they believe could be deserving of an award are encouraged to apply.</p><p>“This year, in the summer, we did this really cool project with all the schools,” said Baron. “We rebranded all the schools. I took that project and did a write-up on all the things we did, why we did it, what were some of the results we saw with the changes. That goes to a number of judges, and they evaluate it. I got an email saying our project won and I will find out at the end of October what category of award it is.”</p><p>The project was around providing consistency in the overall brand of PRPS. Prior to undertaking this project, many of the schools were using different fonts and formats.</p><p>“Your first impression, if you are a parent, is where is the consistency when you have things going all over the place. It doesn’t set the stage with what you want to represent yourself as when you are attracting new students. Eagle Butte was the last one we got done at the end of June and it took us about 18 months to get through them all.”</p><p>PRPS contracted with the design company Flag Five, which worked with all the schools to complete the graphic design aspects of the project.</p><p>“I feel good,” stated Baron. “I haven’t submitted anything for years. It’s always so busy and it’s work to make a submission. You have to outline the criteria and show how you evaluated it. There are lots of pieces of evaluation, so it’s not something you do lightly.”</p><p>Jocelyn Encinas, a teacher at Ralston school, is the second award winner within PRPS. She is one of the 2023 recipients of the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence. Only 50 teachers across Canada receive this award each year. Look for an interview with Encinas in an upcoming edition of the News.</p>

<p><i>Medicine Hat News - BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER ON OCTOBER 18, 2023.</i></p><p>On Monday, rural power provider EQUS CEO Andy Metzger, along with staff members, gathered at the EQUS Medicine Hat facility to present a $25,000 cheque to the Agriculture Discovery Centre at Irvine School. The cheque was received by Irvine principal Trent Rayner, vice principal Kerry Watson and ADC co-ordinator Nichole Neubauer.</p><p>The funds were raised over the past year as part of EQUS Community Connection, an employee-driven initiative that raises funds in support of the rural communities EQUS serves.</p><p>The ADC will use the funding to develop a set of agri-food toolkits. The aim of the kits is to bring a hands-on agriculture learning experience, such as the one ADC students receive, into schools and rural communities across the province that are served by EQUS.</p><p>“The Agri-Food Toolkits will be curriculum-linked and filled to the brim with hands-on materials and interactive activities that will get students excited about the amazing Canadian Food System,” said Neubauer. “The toolkits will form the ADC’s agriculture resource lending library. Educators will be able to borrow and then return the toolkits at no charge.</p><p>“We are thrilled to partner with EQUS to help bring agriculture into classrooms in communities throughout Alberta.”</p>

<p><i>Medicine Hat News - BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER ON OCTOBER 17, 2023.</i></p><p>Prairie Rose Public Schools’ Badlands Baseball Academy has been running for about a dozen years and continues to attract players from across the country. This year’s team is comprised of five players in Grade 10, six in Grade 11 and eight in Grade 12, arriving at the academy from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta.</p><p>From September through to the middle of October, the team plays about 35 games before spending the winter practising five days a week at an indoor facility in Oyen. In the spring they are back outside and normally play between 45 and 55 games to conclude the year. The team travels around Alberta and B.C. and play multiple tournaments in the U.S. each year.</p><p>Head coach Nolan Rattai moved over to Badlands Baseball after previously managing the Medicine Hat Mavericks.</p><p>“The aim (at Badlands) is to prepare them to be able to go succeed in college down south,” stated Rattai. He added that nearly all players from the academy manage to secure scholarships in the States.</p><p>Badlands Baseball Academy employs a full-time massage therapist and works with a strength trainer and nutritionist. Players choose to come to the academy because there is “better competition, better coaching, more resources,” said Rattai. “Just a better environment to prepare yourself for college and play better teams.”</p><p>All players on the team attend South Central High School in Oyen. The players’ final block of each school day is scheduled for baseball.</p><p>“In season we go six times a week and in the off season, five times a week,” said Rattai. “It’s at least two hours each time we go. In season, you’re looking at least 15 hours a week, and out of season, 10-12 hours.”</p><p>There are several ways for players to find their way to Oyen. Both Rattai and pitching coach Zach Zinc travel the country each year watching baseball, and if they see a player they like, they will approach them to discuss coming to Badlands. Other players interested in the academy will send in a video and if Rattai likes what he sees, he will go watch them play. Alternatively, a player can also travel to Oyen for a tryout.</p><p>Dryden Pidlisny is in Grade 12 and this is his third year with Badlands. He is originally from Burstall, Sask. and has played ball since a young age.</p><p>“I was looking for somewhere to play more baseball all year and I found out about Oyen,” Pidlisny said.</p><p>During his time at the academy, Pidlisny says his game has immensely improved. He plays second base and explained, “It gets lots of action on the diamond and you have to pay attention to lots of different things.”</p><p>Pidlisny doesn’t have any concrete post-secondary ambitions yet, but definitely has his eyes on playing ball at a college down south.</p>

<p><i>Contributed: MHC Communications</i></p><p>In an effort to provide mental health resources and education to the community, made possible through The Brandon Niwa Legacy Fund – The Beej Project, Medicine Hat College (MHC) is proud to launch a parent-focused workshop series this October to support children in their teen years.<br><br>Recommended for those with children between the ages of 12-18, Parenting Through Adolescence is being facilitated by clinical psychologist, Dr. Emily Wang, and master of social work/registered social worker, Shawn O’Grady, who aim to help parents navigate this transitory time of their children’s lives.<br><br>“In my experience, dysregulated kids often grow up to become dysregulated adults,” says O’Grady, who draws on his expertise in childhood trauma and family counseling. “This program will help parents better understand their child and learn strategies to effectively communicate, avoid conflict, and work through negative behaviours, in a way that helps instill positive mental health in children as they approach adulthood.”<br><br>The five modules within the workshop series are designed to help parents better understand their adolescent’s brain, develop strategies for relationship building, navigate neurodivergent diagnoses, and manage high-risk behaviours in adolescents. The first module begins on Saturday, Oct. 28.<br><br>Jennifer Kerslake, director of community engagement at MHC, says the need for the workshop was identified by MHC and its advisory panel, a group of professionals from the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education, Medicine Hat Public School Division, Prairie Rose Public Schools, and Medicine Hat Police Service.<br><br>“At Medicine Hat College, we believe it is important to offer opportunities that help to meet the needs of our communities,” says Kerslake. “We are grateful to be able to provide our region with these exceptional mental health resources and partnerships because of the generosity of the Niwa Family.”<br><br>To learn more and to register for the upcoming workshop series, please visit <a href="https://mhc.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=CourseSeries.CourseSeriesRegistration&amp;CourseSeriesGroupId=311" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.mhc.ab.ca.</a><br>For information about The Beej Project, visit <a href="https://www.mhc.ab.ca/about-mhc/community-engagement/current-initiatives/beej-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.mhc.ab.ca/BeejProject</a></p>

<p><i>Medicine Hat News - BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER ON OCTOBER 5, 2023.</i></p><p>The gym at Irvine School was packed full for the Agriculture Discovery Centre’s second annual Fall Production and Harvest Sale. The gala event raised $30,677 during the evening with all funds to be invested into new programming and initiatives for students at Irvine School.</p><p>Student MCs for the evening were Heather Vossler, vice president of the student executive for the ADC, along with Parker Bellamy, who each relayed amusing anecdotes about happenings at the ADC over the past year, before the formal speeches began.</p><p>Prairie Rose Public Schools superintendent Reagan Weeks spoke and gave praise to ADC’s creator.</p><p>“This incredible learning experience that has been created takes community,” said Weeks. “It also takes vision and, as you know, (ADC founder) Nichole Neubauer has that in spades. Congratulations, you did it again. You brought this transformative learning experience to life.</p><p>“One key factor the ADC addresses that we don’t often talk about is that it builds connection, belonging, a network and a team. That’s inoculation against sadness, depression and isolation.”</p><p>During Neubauer’s speech, she spoke of welcoming more than 150 students to the ADC from River Heights and Dr. Roy Wilson schools. The organizers decided to spend the entire day in Irvine to visit the museum, library, volunteer firehall and have ice cream at the muffin shop.</p><p>“It was a fantastic day to showcase the amazing things that happen down in Irvine and in this great community,” stated Neubauer. “On more than one occasion a teacher came up to me to say, ‘Wow, I had no idea there were so many cool things here in Irvine.’</p><p>“Anytime we can build a program that helps galvanize our rural communities and also invites others to come in and share things that we already know are so great, it’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate.”</p><p>A short video of images from the past year of students participating in the first Ag-Pro careers and technology option at Western Tractor preceded teacher Logyn Jacksteit’s speech. He also discussed what are now normal scenarios at Irvine School.</p><p>“One of our incredible students, who happens to be sitting up here, Heather Vossler, brought one of our baby goats into school this week with a diaper on … Everyone heard a goat down the hallway and not one singular teacher thought it was weird. That’s what’s funny about it, it’s just another goat in our school.”</p><p>Scott Hershmiller from Western Tractor followed.</p><p>“Seeing the student’s interaction, focus, reaction and involvement was priceless,” he stated. “It (Ag-Pro CTF) can help them choose classes in the future to help them get the career they really want to be in. John Deere has made a significant investment in R&amp;D and are making huge advancements in technology and in digital farming.</p><p>“It’s going to change the way we farm and ultimately the way we feed our families. It’s more important than ever that our youth are ready for what is coming today in the agriculture industry. Science and technology are merging to create a massive change that is going to come at us at a very fast pace.</p><p>“John Deere has already brought to our attention that we’ll see five times the technology five times faster than we are used to. Let’s have our children ready for what is to come and show them the opportunities that lie ahead for each individual.”</p><p>A representative from EQUS was also at the event. Neubauer explained that the ADC has received funding of near $25,000 from an employee-led initiative called EQUS Community Connection. The funding will be used to develop curriculum-linked agri-food toolkits that will be shared with educators across the regions of Medicine Hat, Innisfail, Claresholm and other communities EQUS serves. Kits will also be developed for Irvine staff and students and will be a way to bring the ADC to students who aren’t able to make the journey to visit.</p><p>“Community is one of our values at EQUS,” said Melinda Paplawski. “It’s important to raise funds that stay in our communities … we were all very clear immediately that Nichole would get anything done … we loved the idea of bringing hands-on connection to food supply and agriculture and sustainability into classrooms.”</p>

<p>Prairie Rose Public Schools and Ralston School would like to extend congratulations to PRPS teacher Jocelyn Encinas who is one of the 2023 recipients of the <i>Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence</i>. With over a decade teaching Science &amp; Math, Jocelyn has illuminated the world of STEM for countless students at Ralston School on the Canadian Forces Base Suffield.&nbsp;</p><p>Jocelyn stands out for her innovative approach in the classroom. From pioneering robotics workshops and integrating cutting-edge tools like Microbits, to hands-on lab experiments, she offers real-world, experiential STEM learning. Her initiatives, like the 'Learning from the Land' project, merge outdoor education with STEM, even leading her class to victory in the Queen’s Jubilee Classroom Competition for their outstanding work in native plant identification.&nbsp;</p><p>But Jocelyn's dedication goes beyond just the classroom walls. She ensures every student feels seen and supported, adapting curriculum and projects to cater to their unique learning styles. Her commitment to community involvement and global citizenship shines through with her Kiva Microloans Math project, empowering students to understand global economic challenges, and her work on automating the greenhouse watering system which addresses real-world food scarcity concerns.&nbsp;</p><p>Thank you Jocelyn for igniting minds and instilling a passion for STEM in your students. We are incredibly proud to have you as part of our PRPS team!</p><p>Read the full write up: <a href="https://pmate-ppmee.ised-isde.canada.ca/site/pm-awards-teaching-excellence-stem/en/recipients/2023-recipient-biographies-teaching-excellence#Jocelyn-Encinas">Jocelyn Encinas Igniting the Scientific Spark</a><br>Read the write up in the Medicine Hat News: <a href="https://medicinehatnews.com/news/local-news/2023/10/25/ralston-school-teacher-wins-pm-award-for-excellence/">https://medicinehatnews.com/news/local-news/2023/10/25/ralston-school-teacher-wins-pm-award-for-excellence/</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><i>Medicine Hat News - BY JAMES TUBB ON OCTOBER 4, 2023.</i></p><p>The first year of the South Alberta Fire Rescue Academy is now in full swing. Students from Eagle Butte have been learning in the classroom while also receiving hands-on training at the Cypress County Fire Services Dunmore Station.</p><p>This year is a pilot project with Grade 11 students receiving six certificates and Grade 12s four. The students will receive the same certification a post-secondary institution would provide.</p><p>“Especially in a rural areas, we are trying to get new recruits, and maintaining volunteers is a struggle throughout Alberta. The sooner we get junior firefighters involved, the better for the community,” stated fire chief Jason Linton. “It’s a good partnership, they get to go to school, get credits and get certification as well.”</p><p>Eagle Butte vice principal Lyall Foran teaches the classroom part of the Fire Academy. Administration throughout Prairie Rose Public Schools can be seen still teaching in the classroom, allowing them to connect with students on a different level.</p><p>“You get to build that common ground and build a rapport with them,” said Foran.</p><p>This is Foran’s second year at Eagle Butte. Before that, he spent nine years teaching at Medicine Hat High School where he had the opportunity to create different programs. Having the background in creating class content and schedules, he was a good fit for putting together the program for the Fire Academy.</p><p>“There are two components to the class,” explained Foran. “One is the Career and Technological Studies program with outcomes based off Alberta Education, so that is how they are getting their high school credits. The second components are the fire modules to get certified as level 1 and level 2 firefighters.”</p><p>Cypress County delivers the fire modules online. The students also have a textbook and Foran’s focus is to deliver the Alberta Education credits so students not only get certified but also all the credits they need to graduate high school.</p><p>Grade 12 student Quade VanderSpruit enrolled because he wants to be a firefighter. He plans to return to Eagle Butte for an additional year to complete the program.</p><p>“Last week we were trying on all our bunker gear and getting on air, the SCBA’s (self-contained breathing apparatus) and then walking around and trying it out,” explained VanderSpruit. “It was good. Lots different than just breathing but it gets easier and easier.”</p><p>Zion Raible is in Grade 11 and thinks the academy is great because he can learn so much at a young age.</p><p>“I would love to be a firefighter. It’s been my dream since I was a little kid. I loved being outdoors and helping out.”</p><p>When he was younger, Raible would puncture a hole in a water bottle to use as a makeshift fire extinguisher for putting out campfires. Raible feels they have a strong group of students this first year who are making him a better person. The class also has workout sessions together at a fitness centre in the city to build up their strength.</p><p>Being the firehall has “been awesome, we’ve done so much stuff,” stated Raible. “Recently we put some air tanks on our backs and we got to breathe through masks. It was so cool.”</p>

<p><i>Medicine Hat News - BY SAMANTHA JOHNSON LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2023.</i></p><p>Award-winning Blackfoot filmmaker Cowboy Smithx of southern Alberta’s Piikani and Kainai tribes, has been making the rounds speaking to students at Prairie Rose Public Schools.</p><p>He was at Parkside School in Redcliff on Wednesday with Grade 6 students from Margaret Wooding joining the assembly.</p><p>Smithx began his talk by explaining his name – explaining that it had to do with rodeo, which both his parents were involved in, joking about what his name might have been had they been plumbers.</p><p>Smithx spoke to the students about the importance of wearing orange shirts at this time of year.</p><p>“A very important subject,” he said. “It’s not just about Indigenous cultures or histories, it’s about Canada, Alberta and Redcliff (as well).”</p><p>He explained that 147 years ago, on Sept. 22, 1877, Treaty 7 was signed. Smithx used the example of a Pokemon card trade to explain an Indigenous pipe ceremony and how it was the historical method used by Indigenous peoples to confirm a contract.</p><p>There were several Oilers fans in the gymnasium and Smithx asked the kids to imagine someone taking away their jersey and never giving it back and how it relates to Phyllis Webstad’s story and the orange shirt campaign.</p><p>“That is why we wear the shirt in solidarity, to bring awareness about what happened in residential schools.”</p><p>Smith spoke about Truth and Reconciliation Day, likening Sept. 30 to Remembrance Day.</p><p>“We never forget our veterans, so why should we forget Indigenous people who went through lots of suffering as well? Who suffered through genocide? It’s very important to me that this is happening, as an Indigenous person,” Smithx said. “I’m very thankful this conversation is happening, but it’s not over. The conversation is ongoing, we are still dealing with lots of discrimination in this country, still dealing with lots of bullying and racism.”</p><p>He again used a Pokemon card exchange, this time to define reconciliation and how the breaking of treaties affected Indigenous people.</p><p>Smithx described characteristics of buffalo to discuss the importance of resilience. Buffalo are led by a matriarch, a single female who would sense danger in the distance, such as a large storm. Most animals run away or hide but the buffalo, which had herds the size of a small city, run into the storm.</p><p>“The lead buffalo turns her head towards the storm and she starts charging,” explained Smithx. “There are so many of them. They become such a powerful force that they become one … the barometric pressure changes and breaks the storm up.”</p><p>This is the lesson the buffalo gave the Indigenous people, he said. Each day brings a different storm, whether that be homework, chores or whatever someone wants to procrastinate on.</p><p>“When things get really hard, really difficult, you have to charge into the storm because if you run away from the storm, what happens?” asked Smithx. “It stays on top of you. If you stop and turn and run through it, you come out the other side to see the sunshine and rainbows.”</p><p>He taught the students a Blackfoot word that means ‘try your best,’ put your best your best foot forward and charge the storm.</p><p>“That’s the message all of the ancestors have given to all my grandparents and passed down to me, in spite of all the hardships we faced as Indigenous peoples,” said Smithx. “This is a Blackfoot story, and this is your story because when the treaty was made in 1877 we all became one big family. That’s the story we don’t hear enough and that’s the story I’m going to tell all of you.”</p><p>Asking how many remember the pandemic, Smithx talked about how his ancestors wanted us all to work together in uncertain times such as that.</p><p>“There is no reason for us to be at odds with each other. There is no reason you should be picking on each other and giving each other a hard time. There are enough natural forces out there in the world that could potentially harm us.”</p><p>It is dishonouring the treaty to be a bully, and this is part of the conversation around Truth and Reconciliation.</p><p>“The spirit and intent behind what we as Indigenous people wanted in the first place when we made treaty. We wanted new family, we wanted new friends, we wanted to trade.”</p>