<p><img src="/images/1c2fe93c-be5f-4b9c-9011-7e26aaed61ac?fingerprint=ppb20251217022002" alt=""></p><p>Prairie Rose Public Schools (PRPS) is now accepting applications <i>from all interested Redcliff families</i> for student transportation (bussing) to IF Cox, Margaret Wooding and Parkside Jr High School for the 2023-2024 school year. The purpose of the application process is to understand bussing interest in the community of Redcliff and determine student eligibility for the 2023-2024 year based on new bus eligibility requirements.&nbsp;</p><p>This past March the province announced changes to the Transportation Regulation which provides school divisions with distance requirements for school bus transportation and walk limits for students. Under the new model, students in grades&nbsp;K-6 may receive transportation if they live over one kilometre from their school, while those in&nbsp;grades 7-12 will receive transportation if they live over two kilometres. In Redcliff we recognize that this could mean significant changes to those who would qualify for bussing services as most students do not currently receive bus transportation. While the new rules do not come into effect until the 2024-2025 school year, Prairie Rose will be using the next school year as an opportunity to transition towards the new requirements.&nbsp;</p><p>During the transition year (2023-2024) PRPS will continue to provide bus transportation in Redcliff, however, it will be done through an application process. We know that some families may prefer having their children walk to school, while others rely on access to bus transportation. Through the application process PRPS will determine which families are interested in accessing bus transportation and whether our current Redcliff bus fleet is able to meet demand. As you are aware, there is currently a significant shortage of buses and drivers in the province and it is unlikely we would be able to add several additional routes in Redcliff next year. Our goal through the application process is to accommodate as many families as possible, however the new Transportation Regulation guidelines will be used as the criteria to prioritize bus transportation access.&nbsp;<i>Those whose bus applications are approved will not be required to pay bussing fees during the 2023-2024 school year.</i></p><p>Please click on the link below if you wish to apply for bus transportation for the 2023-2024 school year.&nbsp;<i>Each family only needs to complete the form one time.</i>&nbsp;<strong>The application link will close in one week (June 14)</strong> to allow our Transportation Department time to review interest and eligibility. Families will be notified prior to the end of the current school year whether their application is approved.&nbsp;</p><p>➡️&nbsp;Complete the Redcliff Transportation Application Form:&nbsp; <a href="https://prrdweb.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5gMbzidfNJEqnWe">https://prrdweb.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5gMbzidfNJEqnWe</a></p>

Thank you for sharing your amazing books! We are looking forward to more tomorrow.

Do you have items to donate?

Enjoy our June newsletter.

Perfect for our fish release!! Thanks Sara Cocks!

The praying mantis babies have arrived!! #igniteminds #myprps

Learning how to make healthy snacks was the goal for this cooking group during TNT (Try New Things). Those yogurt parfaits look delicious!! #kindlehearts #forgefutures #inspireminds #myprps

The baking TNT group had a great afternoon “Baking with Candice”!

After studying Ukraine, Mr. Montoya’s 3C class wanted a way to help. They decided to have a bake sale during our Exhibition of Learning and were able to donate $307 to “Maya’s Hope”. Great work! #kindlehearts #forgefutures #igniteminds

<h3>Additional details and full reports from the May 23, 2023, Board Meeting can be found in the <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1a3hYP7XJ_hxsysaOxA5AEQDg6ydZHQ3I/view">Agenda Package</a>.</h3><p><img src="/images/4907d0d4-3020-45ff-ab92-f0e79d9e43ba?fingerprint=ppb20251217022751" alt=""></p><p><strong>Ralston School Presentation</strong><br>Ralston School Principal Stacey Nunweiler provided the board with an overview of the school's&nbsp;<i>Learning from the Land</i> Prairie Rose Possibility project. The project focuses on connecting the school community with the Southern Alberta environment, highlighting learning opportunities in the local area to build an appreciation for where we live and creating an understanding of indigenous cultures' connection with the land and natural environment. Some of the activities students have participated in include; planting an indigenous garden, outdoor cooking and learning about food preservation, building indigenous flutes, outdoor education activities, creating landscape art and visiting local natural landmarks. This is the third year the school has implemented&nbsp;<i>Learning from the Land</i> into the learning curriculum. The full presentation can be found in the May 23, 2023, Board Meeting Agenda package.</p><p><strong>Locally Developed Courses</strong><br>The board approved locally developed courses Social Literacy 15 and Social Literacy 25. The classes, focussing on health and personal wellness, will be instructed by Alberta Health Services. A total of one credit will be awarded to students who complete either course.</p><p><strong>FNMI Report</strong><br>Student Services Coordinator Carol Carlson presented the 2022-2023 First Nations Metis Inuit (FNMI) Report for information. It was shared that 3.2% of Prairie Rose are self-identified FNMI students. Three outcomes identified as part of the PRPS Three-Year Education Plan for Truth and Reconciliation include ensuring all FNMI students are successful, acknowledging and supporting the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, and prioritizing integrating Indigenous perspectives into education. A list of PRPS FNMI learning initiatives and teaching resources was also shared as information. All links are available as part of the presentation in the May 23, 2023, Board Meeting Agenda package.</p><p><strong>2023-2026 Three-Year Education Plan</strong><br>Superintendent Reagan Weeks presented the updated 2022-2023 Education Plan for approval. It was noted that the 2023-2024 year will be the second year of the three-year plan focused on the new learning goals of ignite minds, kindle hearts, forge futures and truth and reconciliation. As such, only minor changes were made to update learning progress and evaluation. The board approved the plan as presented. The 2023-2026 Education Plan can be found on the Annual Reporting page of the Prairie Rose website&nbsp;<a href="http://www.myprps.com/annual-reporting">www.myprps.com/annual-reporting</a>.</p><p><strong>2023-2024 Budget Report</strong><br>Chief Financial Officer Ryan Boser presented the 2023-2024 Prairie Rose Public Schools Budget Report for approval. PRPS will receive additional Alberta Education funding of $3,256,184 next year based on new grants and grant increases compared to the 2022-2023 school year. Total revenues for the school division are expected to be&nbsp;<strong>$57,861,807</strong>, with expenses coming in at&nbsp;<strong>$58,029,188</strong>. Overall, the school division is forecasting a deficit budget for the year of&nbsp;<strong>$167,381</strong>. Some notable highlights of the budget include:</p><ul><li>Projected enrolment decrease of 32 funded FTE students from 2022-2023</li><li>Alberta Education will fund teacher salary increases of 2% in 2023-24.<ul><li>2023-24 will include a budget assumption of a 2% wage increase for support staff (match teachers 2% for 2023-24).</li></ul></li><li>An expected increase in division insurance premiums for the 2023-2024 year (property 5%, liability 2%, cyber 15%)</li><li>A 10.3% increase in ASEBP benefit premiums</li><li>An increase of 4.9 FTE certified staff from basic staffing allocations</li><li>An increase in EA hours and a continuation of additional supports and services hours (speech, behavior, therapy assistants)</li><li>An operating deficit in Operations and Maintenance of $1,136,661</li><li>A new transportation funding model resulted in the addition of an estimated four new bus routes and the purchase of new location-tracking software for the buses.&nbsp;<ul><li>A surplus in Transportation of $844,388</li></ul></li><li>Spending under the maximum allowable for Board and System Administration of $170,603</li></ul><p>The full budget report can be found on the Annual Reporting page of the Prairie Rose website&nbsp;<a href="http://www.myprps.com/annual-reporting">www.myprps.com/annual-reporting</a>.</p>