<p><i>Credit: George Lee, The Macleod Gazette, Local Journalism Initiative</i><br><i>Published: November 2, 2025</i></p><p>A multi-billion-dollar Alberta industry with rural roots – literally and figuratively – will reap the benefits of a new educational champion in Cypress county, the legislature heard last week.</p><p>The Yuill School of Agriculture will give high school students “the knowledge, skills and hands-on training they need to thrive in one of Alberta’s most cherished and essential industries,” Justin Wright said.</p><p>The collegiate school’s development “marks a significant milestone for public education and opportunity in southeastern Alberta,” said Wright, the UCP member for Cypress-Medicine Hat and the parliamentary secretary for rural health, south.</p><p>Construction is set to start next spring on 76 acres of land just southeast of Medicine Hat on the south side of the Trans-Canada Highway. Opening of the school is slated for the fall of 2027.</p><p>A Prairie Rose Public Schools news release says the school for grades 10-12 “marks an important step forward in advancing agricultural education and workforce development in Alberta, combining industry partnerships, community collaboration and innovative learning opportunities for students.”</p><p>Support from the Alberta government includes $725,000 towards start-up expenses. The Yuill Family Foundation donated land worth about $1 million and $600,000 towards construction. In partnership with Neubauer Farms, Prairie Rose will operate the school.</p><p>Students will be able to earn certifications, complete dual-credit courses and gain practical experience in crop and livestock management, agri-business, greenhouse operations, agricultural technology and other areas of the industry, says the school division release.&nbsp;</p><p>Neubauer Farms and the school division will work together on the school’s design and curriculum “to balance academic learning with industry-relevant experience.”</p><p>Wright told the legislature: “Agriculture is more than just an industry in Alberta. It’s the heart and soul of our province. It’s where our values, culture and entrepreneurial spirit were born. It’s a force that has shaped the resilient and tight-knit communities we proudly call home.”</p><p>He continued: “With the creation of the Yuill School of Agriculture, we’re investing in future generations who will carry forward Alberta’s proud legacy of agriculture.”</p><p>The Yuill family has a storied history in and beyond Medicine Hat, going back to the development of the clay pottery industry in the earlier 1900s. The establishment of CHAT-AM and CHAT-TV in the 1940s and 1950s foreshadowed the Yuills’ advancement of cable broadcasting.</p><p>The family is also big in sports franchise ownership and league development, including the ownership of the Medicine Hat A’s, a farm team of the Oakland A’s. It became the Medicine Hat Blue Jays and operated for 25 seasons as an affiliate of the (not this year) World Series-winning Toronto Blue Jays.</p><p>Since its founding in 2007, the Yuill Family Foundation has put more than $9 million worth of philanthropy towards capital projects and programs.</p><p>For new collegiate schools, Alberta’s 2025 budget included $22 million in start-up funding over three years and $43 million in capital supports.</p><p>The province’s website says that collegiate schools “bring together students with similar interests to benefit from enriched programming, specialized facilities and enhanced learning opportunities through a unique delivery model.”</p><p>Collegiate schools provide “a clear pathway” into post-secondary education and careers in students’ chosen fields, the site says. Eligible are public and accredited private schools that meet program criteria.</p><p>Agriculture and the agri-food industry contributed about &nbsp;$10.3 billion to Alberta’s GDP in 2023 and employed more than 83,000 people, published sources say.</p><p>Wright concluded: “The is more than just a school. It’s a promise to our youth, our province, and our future.”</p>

<p>The Prairie Rose Public Schools Board of Trustees held its annual Organizational Meeting, where trustees selected the Board Chair and Vice Chair for the upcoming year. During the meeting, all members of the Board were sworn into their new or returning positions by the Returning Officer. The Organizational Meeting was followed by a Special Board Meeting to address current division matters and upcoming priorities.</p><p>Link to the Organizational Meeting Agenda: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FWss0nGIzM2a1vw2hxFsfHYYuIJrwR35/view?usp=drive_link">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FWss0nGIzM2a1vw2hxFsfHYYuIJrwR35/view?usp=drive_link</a></p><p>-----</p><h3><strong>Organizational Meeting</strong></h3><p>Each fall the board of trustees elects a new or returning board chair, vice-chair and other key board representative positions. In addition to their regular duties, the following trustees will represent and attend events on behalf of Prairie Rose Public Schools during the 2025-2026 year:</p><p>✔️ Patty Rooks, Board Chair<br>✔️ Pam Cursons, Vice-Chair<br>✔️ Representative for the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) - Pam Cursons<br>✔️ ASBA Alternate - Nancy Haraga<br>✔️ Representative for the Public School Boards Association (PSBA) - Janel Vossler<br>✔️ PSBAA Alternate - Graeme Dennis<br>✔️ Teachers Employer Bargaining Association (TEBA) - Pam Cursons<br>✔️ Representative on the Rural Caucus of Alberta - Patty Rooks</p><h3><strong>Special Board Meeting</strong></h3><p><strong>PRPS Division Calendar</strong></p><p>The Prairie Rose Public Schools Board of Trustees approved modifications to the 2025-2026 school year calendar, changing the two November professional development days (November 7 and November 10) to instructional days for students. Trustees expressed that boards have not yet been advised whether there will be any adjustments or accommodations to student assessments as a result of the strike. It was noted that recovering some of the lost instructional time is particularly important at the high school level, where schools operate on semesters. The Board approved the changes with the understanding that further adjustments may be made once additional information is provided by Alberta Education. <a href="https://www.myprps.com/calendar">www.myprps.com/calendar</a></p>

<p><strong>Subject: Return to Classes – October 29, 2025</strong></p><p>Good afternoon PRPS families,</p><p>Prairie Rose Public Schools is sharing an important update regarding the return to classes following recent labour action. Students will return to class on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, and school buses will be running on their regular schedules.</p><p><strong>School Calendar Adjustments</strong><br>To help recover instructional time lost during the labour disruption, the Board of Trustees has approved adjustments to the school calendar. The two previously scheduled SI/PD Days on November 7 and November 10 will now become regular in-class learning days for students. Remembrance Day (November 11) will remain a statutory holiday, and schools will be closed on that day.</p><p>We understand that some parents and guardians may have already made plans for these dates. We appreciate your flexibility and understanding as we work to support students in re-establishing routines and regaining valuable learning time. If your child is unable to attend on these added instructional days, please contact your school directly.</p><p><strong>Fees, Assessments, Activities, Events, etc.</strong><br>We know parents will have questions related to several non-instructional related items, including fees that have been paid, grades and exam accommodations, extracurricular activities, cancelled events, etc. While we do not currently have all the answers, we will be working closely with school staff to review each situation and determine the best path forward. As more information becomes available, updates will be shared with impacted families.</p><p><strong>Next Steps</strong><br>The past month has not been easy for our staff, students, or families. We want to sincerely thank everyone for their patience, cooperation, and support during this time. As operations resume, we ask for continued compassion and understanding—recognizing that not everyone will return with the same feelings or experiences.</p><p>Our shared priority remains clear: helping students get back on track, re-engaged with their learning, and reconnected with their peers and school communities.</p><p>Thank you for your partnership and understanding as we return to regular school operations.</p><p>Sincerely,</p><p>Patty Rooks<br>Board Chair, Prairie Rose Public Schools</p><p>Reagan Weeks<br>Superintendent, Prairie Rose Public Schools</p>

<p>The next Prairie Rose Public Schools board meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the PRPS Division Office in Dunmore <strong>starting at 10:00 a.m.&nbsp;</strong></p><p>Board Meeting Agenda Package: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/13tAhNvkeBwe6pkPs_l1UJfHcInc01IbK/view?usp=drive_link">https://drive.google.com/file/d/13tAhNvkeBwe6pkPs_l1UJfHcInc01IbK/view?usp=drive_link</a></p>

As-Salamu `Alaykum Dear Parents, We are excited to invite you to our Open House on Monday, September 29th from 5:30–6:30 pm! 🎉 This is a wonderful opportunity to: ✅ Meet your child’s teachers ✅ Explore their classrooms and learning spaces ✅ Learn about our goals and vision for the year ✅ Connect with other families and strengthen our school community Your presence means so much to us and to your children—we look forward to welcoming you insha'Allah! 💙 📍 [School Name] 📅 Monday, September 29th 🕠 5:30 – 6:30 pm We can’t wait to see you there, insha’Allah! ✨

<p>The next Prairie Rose Public Schools board meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at the PRPS Division Office in Dunmore starting at 12:45 p.m.&nbsp;</p><p>Board Meeting Agenda Package: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OH02srd4nDhhJgUaNHitZSuWp9USYwtu/view?usp=drive_link">https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OH02srd4nDhhJgUaNHitZSuWp9USYwtu/view?usp=drive_link</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

First Week of School To help ensure a smooth start, we will have a staggered entry during the first week: Tuesday, September 2nd: Students with last names A – M only Wednesday, September 3rd: Students with last names N – Z only Thursday, September 4th: All students attend Friday, September 5th: All students attend

<p><strong>Dunmore, AB</strong> - At a special public meeting held on August 25, 2025, the Prairie Rose Public Schools (PRPS) Board of Trustees approved wage and benefit increases for non-unionized support staff and bus drivers, effective September 1, 2025.</p><p>The Board motions included the following:</p><ul><li>A 6% wage increase for non-unionized support staff.</li><li>A 3% wage increase for PRPS bus drivers.</li><li>An increase of $75 to the Health/Wellness Spending Account for non-unionized support staff.</li><li>A directive for administration to undertake a market wage grid review for non-unionized support staff to ensure wages remain comparable within the education sector.</li></ul><p>“The Board of Trustees recognizes the essential work of our support staff, whose contributions directly impact the success of our students,” says PRPS Board Chair Lois Bedwell. “Our decision reflects the importance of providing fair compensation, but also the need to remain competitive with other school divisions across Alberta. Attracting talent to work in our jurisdiction is a priority to ensure we have thriving and supported school environments.”</p><p>In addition to providing compensation for staff, PRPS has also prioritized support for students in classrooms. From 2022 to 2025, allocations for student support in schools increased from $2 million to nearly $3 million dollars. This number includes 114 Educational Assistants who work directly with students. Other added PRPS student directed supports include:</p><ul><li>Students who meet criteria for a severe behavioral code have one to one support.</li><li>Students with a severe medical code have at minimum 2:1 support.</li><li>A Resilience Strategist has been added to work with our most complex students and their families.</li><li>A designated Student Support Advocate works directly with students and families facing barriers to attendance.</li><li>The Student Wellness Counsellor (formerly FSLW) team has been increased by 0.2 FTE.</li><li>Occupational Therapy contracted hours have been doubled.</li><li>PRPS has partnered with the PALIX foundation to foster positive childhood experiences in our schools for all students using models such as the Brain Story and the Resilience Scale.</li></ul><p>These investments reflect the division’s commitment to ensuring students receive the support they need, while also highlighting the importance of retaining and attracting skilled staff through fair and competitive compensation. The approved support staff increases were built into the previously&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AC5yd1a6o7OFh__kythL8r0MuO7DzCLw/view">approved 2025–2026 operating budget</a>, which remains balanced. The decision also responds to the reality of rising costs of living in southeast Alberta and across the province, and aligns with compensation trends for education support staff in other Alberta school divisions.</p><p>For media inquiries:</p><p>Angela Baron<br>PRPS Director of Communications<br>403-527-5516 ext. 2319<br><i>communications@prrd8.ca</i></p>

🌟 Enrollment Update: Limited Seats for 2025–2026! 🌟 At Calgary Islamic School – Akram Jomaa, we are dedicated to helping students grow into leaders grounded in faith, knowledge, and ingenuity. Our mission is simple yet powerful: “The Whole Child, The Whole Way.” ✅ Alberta-accredited K–12 program ✅ Strong academic foundation rooted in Islamic values ✅ Diverse, vibrant student community ✅ Opportunities for extracurricular and co-curricular growth With over 1,000 students already thriving at our campus, only a few spots remain for the upcoming school year. Don’t miss the chance to secure your child’s seat in a nurturing environment that inspires excellence in both academics and character. 👉 Apply today: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJnID7qWANPdt6c-fmGNURbEsh8VEorLVWF_MDnk6npLjGHA/viewform #AkramJomaa #CalgaryIslamicSchool #IslamicEducation #FutureLeaders

📢✨ We’re looking forward to welcoming our students and families back soon insha'Allah! As we prepare for another year of learning, growth, and community, we’d like to share our updated school start and end times: 📅 Mondays KG – Grade 6 → 8:00 am – 12:50 pm Grade 7 – 12 → 8:00 am – 12:45 pm 📅 Tuesday – Friday KG – Grade 6 → 8:00 am – 3:10 pm Grade 7 – 12 → 8:00 am – 3:05 pm Thank you, parents and guardians, for your continued partnership. May Allah bless each of your children and grant them success in their learning journey! The Whole Child, The Whole Way.

<p>As-Salamu 'Alaykum Dear Parents/ Guardians.<br><br>We warmly welcome all new and returning families to the Calgary Islamic School community. As part of the onboarding process with Prairie Rose Public Schools, it is essential that all parents complete the new student registration form via our PowerSchool system no later than Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025.</p><p>With the transition from Palliser to Prairie Rose, we are required to re-collect all student and family information. This ensures proper account creation, timetable setup, and allocation of services for each student, Insha'Allah.</p><p>Calgary Islamic New Student / Returning Student Registration Notes</p><ol><li>It is very important that we have the new student forms completed for all OBK and AJ students who are attending school this fall as soon as possible.&nbsp;<strong>Please note Returning students are considered “New Students” as well.&nbsp;</strong>The registration process is fully digital; no paper forms are used.</li></ol><p><img src="https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcXhUSOTKqwroHAuSRiZ1GFN6JTJgk_QlqlADUPyuB8zIfM1Jg_tgSZ_iBfOTe1PjSJSa05vRtVMWFJY1ePkMuBOUht2MTD1JUoFwfnZLME-5X5FTeyNa57GD5toZ1E2NuC6IZH5A?key=ro10Y7tR89o7GqldkrTivA"></p><ol><li>With the transition from Palliser to Prairie Rose, all student and family information will need to be re-collected in order to create accounts, set timetables, allocate services for students, etc.&nbsp;</li><li>There are no paper forms. Families can create one main School Enrollment account to complete the forms for each child.&nbsp;</li><li>The form will request proof of identification/citizenship and any custody documentation. Kindly have these documents ready to upload at the time of registration. While it is preferable to upload them during submission, they may also be provided to the school afterward.</li></ol><p>Please complete the registration form here:&nbsp;<a href="https://registration.ca.powerschool.com/family/gosnap.aspx?action=100001054&amp;culture=en">https://registration.ca.powerschool.com/family/gosnap.aspx?action=100001054&amp;culture=en</a></p><p>Helpful Hints:</p><ol><li>If you are a parent of an AJ student who enrolled with Coulee Collegiate or South Alberta High School this spring for summer school (Chrome Academy), you will already have created a PowerSchool Enrollment account. Use the same email and password to complete the form for New Calgary Islamic School Registration form. Do not make a second account to complete the registration.</li><li>If you are registering more than one student, the form will provide you with a link to complete a second form at the end of the first registration.</li><li>If you have any issues completing the form, please contact Amberlynn Sauve at Prairie Rose Public Schools &nbsp;(amberlynnsauve@prrd8.ca).</li></ol><p>Next steps for after completing the form:</p><ol><li>An email confirmation for each student will be sent approving your enrollment with CIS. Those who are not approved will also be notified.</li><li>Following approval of the registration form, parents will begin to receive several notifications via email and text for setting up Prairie Rose Public Schools accounts.<ol><li>Watch for emails from PowerSchool Parent Portal (this is different from the PowerSchool Enrollment account used to complete the registration form).</li><li>Parents will receive an email regarding School Cash. A new account must be created with Prairie Rose Public Schools. School fee payments are required over the summer for the 2025-2026 school year.</li><li>A text message from 728443 will be sent from Prairie Rose School Division 8 asking families to opt-in for text messaging. Type the letter Y in the text box to allow CIS schools to send information from School Messenger directly via text message. This only needs to be done once per family.</li></ol></li></ol><p>Jazakum Allahu Khairan for your cooperation and trust. May Allah (SWT) bless your family and make this school year one of beneficial learning and growth for your children.</p><p>Calgary Islamic School Admissions Committee</p>

<p>Calgary Islamic School is accepting applications for teaching positions at both our Akram Jomaa (K–12) and Omar Bin Khattab (K–9) campuses. CIS offers a unique opportunity to teach in a faith-based environment that blends Alberta curriculum with Islamic values. We are looking for passionate, qualified educators who are committed to academic excellence and student growth—both intellectually and spiritually. Learn more: <a href="https://canva.myprps.com/calgary-islamic-schools-careers">https://canva.myprps.com/calgary-islamic-schools-careers</a></p>

<p>Our Grade 11–12 students had an unforgettable experience through the YMCA Youth Exchanges Canada program! They visited Ottawa and spent time with students from Abraar Secondary School, exploring Canada’s capital and its rich history, from Parliament Hill to national landmarks. They even got to enjoy a day trip to beautiful Montreal! A week full of learning, laughter, and lasting memories 🇨🇦🤝✨</p>

<p>Due to smoke from nearby forest fires, air quality levels across our school division may vary throughout the day. Prairie Rose Public Schools is closely monitoring the situation to ensure the health and safety of all students and staff.</p><h4>How Decisions Are Made:</h4><p>Each school uses trusted weather sources to check the <strong>Air Quality Index (AQI)</strong> in their local area. Based on these readings, schools will adjust outdoor activities and follow safety protocols when needed.</p><ul><li><strong>If air quality is rated high risk</strong>, students will <strong>remain indoors</strong>, and the <strong>Shelter in Place</strong> protocol will be activated.</li><li><strong>If conditions fall in the moderate range</strong>, schools may limit outdoor activities, especially for students or staff with health concerns.</li></ul><h4>Monitoring Tools:</h4><p><strong>The Weather Network</strong> is used in some locations to access the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI). A rating of <strong>7 or higher</strong> triggers Shelter in Place.</p><p><a href="https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/weather/alberta/medicine-hat">Check AQHI for Medicine Hat</a></p><p><strong>AccuWeather</strong> provides data for many of our rural areas. If air quality is listed as <strong>Poor or Unhealthy</strong>, the same indoor protocols apply.</p><p><a href="https://www.accuweather.com/en/ca/medicine-hat/t1a/air-quality-index/46928">Check AccuWeather for your area</a></p><h4>What This Means for Your Child:</h4><ul><li>Outdoor recess, PE classes, and other outside events may be moved indoors depending on air quality levels.</li><li>Students with asthma or respiratory conditions may be given additional precautions.</li><li>Principals and staff will continue to monitor conditions throughout the day and adjust as needed.</li></ul>

<p>While Mattias Radke loves playing hockey and is a goalie on the U18 hockey team with the South Alberta Hockey Academy, he is aware it is a career that will eventually end. “It's nice that I found a program like this that supports the hockey side with the school side. I have two classes a day on top of the hockey and I’m still able to get all my work done,” said Radke.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>For his last semester at Eagle Butte, Radke is taking Chemistry 30 and Physics 30 and says he gets his homework and studying done after school and when the team is on the bus travelling to an away game. He still needs to take calculus but plans on taking that course online next year when he is plays Junior A hockey for the Kindersley Klippers.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>He’s been playing hockey for as long as he can remember. “I probably started playing organized hockey when I was six or seven and became a goalie when I was ten years old. I like the brotherhood I get from being on a team and appreciate both the high and low moments that come with the sport. When we win, it’s the best feeling ever and it’s crazy the contrast from winning and losing. Feeling the joy of winning a big game is why I still play, and I love being competitive,” stated Radke.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>He’s excited to be going to Kindersley to join the Klippers and plans to play junior hockey a few years before pursuing a post-secondary education in biomedical engineering while hopefully continuing to play hockey. “For me, hockey will end eventually, and I need a backup plan,” said Radke.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Currently recovering from knee surgery, biomedical engineering holds an interest for Radke due to many injuries he’s sustained over the years. “With biomedical engineering I wanted to develop certain things that are going to help people with injuries to keep playing. If someone hurts themselves, I’d like to develop a way they can keep doing what they love. I wanted to do medicine, and I also wanted to be an engineer, so that’s why I chose biomedical engineering,” concluded Radke.</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>Alayna Martens enrolled in a dual-credit program for her Grade 10 year at Senator Gershaw School rather than taking any of the traditional options available. With a love of animals and an interest in veterinary medicine, the Veterinary Technical Assistant Certificate will allow Martens to work in a vet clinic as a non-registered member.</p><p>The last of her exams will be written in May, allowing Martens to attend the Olds College convocation in June and walk across the stage. She has sent out resumes to volunteer at a clinic over the summer and plans to continue volunteering or applying for paid positions for the next two years.</p><p>While Martens could fast-track to become a veterinary technician after graduating high school, her goal is to take a Bachelor of Science degree and then enrol in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at either the University of Calgary or the University of Saskatchewan. The dual-credit program allowed Martens to try some courses and get some practical experience working in a veterinary setting to see if it would be a viable career for her.</p><p>Martens completed five courses to complete the requirements for the certificate. The first she took in the summer prior to beginning her Grade 10 year, followed by two courses in the fall semester and the final two courses this semester.</p><p>“I had to be at Olds College on some weekends, five times last semester and four times this semester. It’s definitely busy but lots of fun,” said Martens. “I carpooled with another student from Lethbridge. We would drive up together and sleep there Friday night. Saturday was a full day and, depending on the course, we would either participate in a lab or handle live animals. We’ve been practicing different restraints for animals and their behaviours this semester. Last semester was a focus on surgery, so we learned about surgical instruments and practicing clinical procedures.”</p><p>Martens was also able to spend a day at a vet clinic as part of the course, which she enjoyed. Having grown up around horses and other large animals, she didn’t have much experience with smaller animals until her weekends at Olds College. Although her focus is getting a position in a clinic, she could also work in another animal-related area, such as at the SPCA.</p><p>“I’ve wanted to be a vet since I was quite young. To be able to try it out has been a great experience. I have lots of first-hand experience with animals and wanted to find a career where I could mix my passion with animals and be able to make a living,” stated Martens.</p><p>Martens used her experience in the Veterinary Technician Assistant dual-credit program for her 4-H speech this year as well as for the project she completed for the Senator Gershaw exhibition of learning.</p><p>“I would say it was a great experience if one isn’t sure what career they want to pursue because it is only one year,” concluded Martens. “It is a fantastic program. The professors are amazing and I got to learn lots and meet new people. If students want to try something new, this is a good course to look at.”</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prairie Rose Public Schools is pleased to announce that Candace Robins has accepted the position of Principal at Bow Island Elementary School (BIE). She will step into the role as part of the school’s transition to a full-time principal position this upcoming fall.</p><p>Candace has been a dedicated educator with Prairie Rose since 2007, teaching across all lower elementary grade levels at Isabel F. Cox School in Redcliff. Much of this work has placed a strong emphasis on early learning skills, helping young students build a solid foundation for future success. Her approach centers on creating inclusive, engaging classrooms, fostering a culture of respect and cooperation, and encouraging leadership in her students from an early age.</p><p>Candace holds a Master of Education in Leadership and Educational Research from the University of Calgary, along with Bachelor degrees in Education and English. She has also completed additional training in leadership and literacy, including the Leadership Quality Standard, SIVA training, and courses through the Writing Revolution.</p><p>Please join us in congratulating Candace on her new role. We are confident she will bring her experience, dedication, and passion for student success to the Bow Island Elementary School community.</p>

<p>Prairie Rose Public Schools was a hosting partner for the Aerial Evolution Association of Canada’s (AEAC) National Student Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Competition that started on May 9 and ran through till May 11th. Students from 15 universities across Canada arrived in Medicine Hat on the Thursday to compete, unloading all their equipment and drones at the South Alberta Collegiate building.&nbsp;</p><p>“Helping to assist in hosting this event was a wonderful opportunity for Prairie Rose School Division,” said Superintendent Reagan Weeks. “Utilizing our building and bringing in students from 15 universities across the country gave us a chance to interact with students pursuing various engineering programs. It also provided us with an opportunity to look at some advanced drones and allowed our flight academy to interact with post-secondary students who they may aspire to emulate in the near future. I am very grateful to our staff who were able to pitch in to support the community as a whole and to support the competitors in their pursuit of addressing a problem that is very real in our area. One of the most exciting things was the competition challenge was designed around a very tangible problem our families face across Prairie Rose. It’s very exciting to see the cutting-edge work being done to address prairie fires.”&nbsp;</p><p>The competition, which has been held for the past 15 years, provides teams with real-world challenges they must address using UAS technology. Teams were responsible for designing and building their own UAS system prototype to demonstrate during the competition and the task for this year was wildfire detection and response. Teams are comprised of students from various academic programs, providing them with the expertise needed to successfully design, construct and operate their UAVs.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>2025 marks the first year the competition was held in Western Canada and, with over 170 students competing this year, the first obstacle was transporting the team members and equipment. The Universite de Sherbrooke Miniature Aerial Vehicle team chose to drive their UAV and equipment to Medicine Hat, driving 24 hours on the first day and completing the trip after stopping in Kenora, Ontario for the night.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>On Friday, each team gave an oral presentation where they introduced their team, outlined their design process and introduced the UAV’s they would be using to complete the two tasks. On Saturday, the task was wildfire surveillance where the teams needed to find hot spots, simulated by LED emitters. On Sunday, after all teams were provided with the location of the hot spots, the task was to transport water to each one. The flying was all done at the Len Holden Memorial Airfield, home of the Medicine Hat Rc’ers.&nbsp;</p><p>The Queen’s Aerospace Design Team’s presentation closed with Jake Campbell explaining to the audience the large number of crashes their fixed-winged UAV, the one they were going to use for wildfire surveillance, had sustained. The final crash, into a tree, resulted in the drone being destroyed. On Friday of the competition, the team was testing their water-drop UAV, which also crashed and wasn’t repairable, resulting in the team being unable to fly over the weekend.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Campbell, who is entering his final year of electrical engineering at Queen’s University, said, “we spent the year designing two drones, so we had a fixed-wing drone and a few videos of it flying very well. When we initially started testing, our motor was undersized, so we weren’t getting enough lift. Our last crash put our airplane into a hundred pieces, it pretty much exploded. No fires or anything, we tried to prepare for that.”&nbsp;</p><p>The general consensus amongst the judges was the wildfire surveillance task would be the easier of the two, but this didn’t end up being the case. There were three hot spots in the field, but the teams who did find hot spots only managed to find false ones.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“Our day 1 survey task proved exceptionally difficult,” said lead judge Katrina Cecco at the awards banquet. “I never imagined when we were developing this con ops (concept of operations) over the summer as a team that the water bucket transport by drone would be easier than the basic aerial survey for which we gave you very obvious red balloons, visible from the flight line.”&nbsp;</p><p>Several teams received awards at the banquet, with the energy in the room celebratory and enthusiastic throughout the evening. The winner of the competition was the University of Waterloo Robotics Group (WARG) who brought three drones to the competition and, in the words of one of the organizers, knocked it out of the park on Sunday by using two drones in sequence to transport water to the hot spots. Many of the teams are reforming after dissolving during the pandemic and WARG is no exception. Started in 1997, they are now in their fifth year as a renewed design team.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>WARG faced some tough issues on Saturday with interference and were unable to get all three drones in the air at the same time. The first drone went out and got lost and needed to be retrieved by truck. The team tried to get the other two going but only managed a short flight with the third drone. On Sunday, the team put one drone in the air, and had it hover in a waiting pattern while the second one lifted off, collected water, and took it away. Once it was clear of the water barrel, the waiting drone came in to collect water and this pattern was repeated multiple times until one of the drones decided to remain at the barrel, causing a congestion problem with the other drone.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>Second place went to the University of British Columbia Uncrewed Aircraft Systems design team. This team’s drone sustained a fire on Friday during a test flight, but they managed to still fly on Saturday, recording numerous hotspots, although all were false. On Sunday, they were the first team to fly and managed to make one successful water drop. Their UAV managed to fill with a second load of water before the drone toppled off the top of the barrel, causing it to lose all propellers and a camera.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>The Blackbird UAV team from Carleton University took third place. On Saturday, their UAV flew well, but the team only took it halfway across the field before circling to look for hotspots. On Sunday, they picked up water a couple of times before deciding to play it safe and brought their drone back for a successful landing.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Phase 1 of the competition involves each team submitting design reports. The rules for the competition are set in the summer, student teams register in November, and the design reports are submitted in mid-January, providing a checkpoint for judges to see the progress teams have made. The reports are scored on different criteria, one being how they plan to attempt the two tasks. “The designs continue to evolve throughout the year and sometimes teams show up with drones that don’t quite look like what was in the report,” said lead judge Katrina Cecco. For Phase 1, first place went to the University of Victoria AERO team, second to the University of Waterloo Robotics Group third to the University of Toronto Aerospace Team.&nbsp;</p><p>The Innovation award also went to the University of Toronto Aerospace Team, who made much progress in autonomous mode and impressed the judges with their display of intention and the great design they had for payload.&nbsp;</p><p>McGill Drones and Vertical Flight Society took home the award for perseverance. When flying UAVs, a perfect flight plan rarely comes to fruition due to a variety of reasons, such as wind gusts, hardware fails, and software bugs. The judges saw all teams displaying impressive technical skills, creative problem solving and engineering excellence. The judges found McGill’s ability to adapt, improvise and overcome adversity made them exceptional and while the team didn’t have the smoothest journey throughout the competition, they kept persisting rather than giving up.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The Judges Award went to the University of Victoria AERO team. The Judge’s Award is given out for any criteria, which changes from year to year, the committee has been impressed with on a particular team. “This year it goes to a team that excelled for many reasons,” Cecco told the audience at the banquet.&nbsp; “They didn’t have an optimal flight performance as planned, but they were some of the most impressive in terms of preparation, organization of operations, including the use of checklists, safety features, modular and transportable design of their UAV, along with cool design innovations. Their water collection system was very fast and was suspended under the drone but could detach to allow for emergency landings. The amount of forethought and planning that went into this system and its operation was truly impressive for a team founded in 2022.”&nbsp;</p><p>Polytechnique Montreal Zenith team took home the award for team spirit, which acknowledges a team’s impact on the overall spirit of the competition. The Zenith team stood out as keeping their spirits up and boosting the energy of all present after their drone crashed and damaged the water collection system. On Sunday, the team showed up with an improvised water collection system consisting of a water bottle and a golf ball. Following this success, they proceeded to keep the entire crowd out at the field energized, enthused and engaged.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>There were a couple top students in this year’s graduating class at Senator Gershaw and Mary Reusser was somewhat nervous if she was going to be the one to come out with the highest grades.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“There is always a chance, you never know if someone else is going to sneak in there,” said Reusser. “It was a really good feeling when I was told. As much as grades aren’t an accurate representation of someone’s intelligence, it’s the only thing universities look at and I wanted to get into a good university. I also love learning, so working hard at it isn’t difficult. Learning is fun.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Reusser received early admission into the University of Calgary engineering program and her goal is to pursue biomedical engineering. “It’s building robotic limbs or organs for people,” explained Reusser. “I have an older brother who is disabled, and I’ve seen first-hand how we need more advanced technology to help him live better. My friend’s younger brother had some biomedical engineering students work with him, and I saw the good it did. I’ve always been interested in creating and building along with the maths and sciences. I thought it was the perfect mixture of all of that.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Aside from concentrating on her schoolwork, Reusser loves track and field, particularly discus and shotput, which she said require different mindsets to excel in. “It’s hard to explain, it almost exhilarating in a calming way. Once you get good at discus, it’s mostly muscle memory and the movements are going so fast. Shotput is a different mindset, for discus you need to be as loose as possible but also strong, which is really hard to do because as soon as you try to do something hard or fast, you tense up. As soon you tense up in discus, it goes straight into the ground. You need to be loose and fast and throw it as hard as you can and once you get to that point, it’s relaxing,” stated Reusser.&nbsp;</p><p>Another sport she finds relaxing is swimming and while she was never on a swim team, she and her brother competed as independents in the Alberta Summer Games a few years ago. She said swimming came easy to her and one of her summer jobs is as a lifeguard at Foremost Pool, which has taught her how to cope with stress under pressure, extensive first aid and to manage rowdy teenagers.&nbsp;</p><p>Additionally, she and her two brothers played sledge hockey for several years in Medicine Hat. “My older brother wanted to join. Me and my other brother thought it would be nice to play a sport all together where we are all on equal footing, so we all joined the team. We played that for around six years. We convinced my friend’s family to join and brought in another family, so brought a bit of Bow Island to Medicine Hat to play sledge hockey. When I first started, we were a small team that lost at every tournament. Last year, we were in a tournament in Calgary against higher ranking teams and did well.”&nbsp;</p><p>Her other summer job is at the same still her father works at. She completed her class 4 power engineering certificate before starting Grade 12 last year so she would move beyond being only a general labourer. Both lifeguarding and working at the still are good summer jobs and she was hoping that was how she was going to spend the next two months. However, she found out last week she will be having knee surgery next week, which has a 16-week recovery time. “By the time I enter university, if all goes well, I will be into the sport readiness phase. That’s probably the best timing so I’m not hobbling around the campus.”</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p>Payton Duffield is the valedictorian this year for South Central High School. Since entering high school, her focus has been on achieving high grades. It was always her hope to be valedictorian, but she didn’t know how close the race was and was surprised to find out in early April she had succeeded.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“I was pretty excited. I’ve been working toward it for a long time, so it was nice to know and kind of relieving,” said Duffield.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Accepted into the Bachelor of Nursing program, Duffield will be attending Medicine Hat College in September. A nursing career path appealed to Duffield after she started taking a Healthcare Aide dual-credit program at South Central, a partnership between Prairie Rose Public Schools and Northern Lakes College.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“I’m almost done that. I have three courses left and I should be done by this summer. I’ve been working at the long-term care here in Oyen since last June with some other classmates. Being there really helped me realize nursing is what I want to do,” explained Duffield.&nbsp;</p><p>Her family moved to Oyen from Big Stone when Duffield was younger and she has completed all her schooling at Oyen Public School and South Central High School. Duffield is somewhat nervous about going to college because she has a close relationship with her parents and is worried about getting homesick.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>However, she has some family living in Medicine Hat and said her parents drive to the city about once a week and thinks it will make the transition easier. Once she graduates with a Bachelor of Nursing, Duffield is looking forward to returning to Oyen.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“Nursing is a job I could do in Oyen,” said Duffield, “They are always looking for nurses so it’s a pathway to working in my rural community. The first two years will be at Medicine Hat College, then I switch to being a University of Calgary student, but I can still take those courses at the college. I’m not much for big cities.”&nbsp;</p><p>Over the summer, Duffield plans to work as much as possible at the long-term care facility. She is currently a casual staff member and primarily works evenings and weekends, although she is expecting her hours to increase during the summer when full-time staff take time off.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>When asked what she finds most rewarding about the job, Duffield said, “being able to help. I know I’m helping, and I think the experience has made me a better person.”&nbsp;</p><p>The highlight of her high school years is achieving valedictorian. “I will miss all my friends and the teachers here. We have such good connections with the teachers. It helps that half of them are parents of my friends, so we see them outside of school. It will be hard to adjust to that, when I go from seeing my friends for the past twelve years each day to not seeing them as often. A couple are also attending Medicine Hat College in other programs, so that is nice to know.”&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer</p>