Prairie Land Public School Division

New Schools

The Board of Trustees for Prairie Land Public School Division unanimously passed two separate motions that will see Prairie Land grow by two new schools for the 2021-2022 school year. Al-Amal Academy is a K - 6 alternative faith-based public school located in NW Calgary, and Prairie Land Online Academy is our second virtual school that will deliver online education for grades 1-9, asynchronous high school courses, and grade 10-12 Alberta Curriculum abroad through our International Student Program.

The Board of Trustees are excited as the division grows in diversity and viability while continuing to be a leader in rural education within the province.

Draft K-6 Curriculum

Prairie Land Public School Division currently has a team of seventeen, K - 6 teachers critically analyzing the new draft Alberta Education curriulum. Prairie Land has commited to systematically investigating this document in its entirety by those who have an initmate working knowldege and understanding of curriulum in our classrooms. Upon completion of this work, the feedback will be provided to Alberta Education and used to guide the actions and position of Prairie Land Public School Division regarding the draft curriculum. The executive summary of this work will be available and shared with all stakeholders by May 3.

On April 12, a Prairie Land memo (curriculum and covid information) was sent to all parents and can be found by clicking here. The Board of Trustees would like to encourage all staff, parents, and community members to contribute their thoughts regarding the draft curriulum direclty to Alberta Education by completing this survey.

Schools of Excellence – Greenhouse Projects

The Board of Trustees passed two separate motions for in-year requests to purchase school greenhouses at Youngstown and Berry Creek Community School to help support their Schools of Excellence projects. The project at Youngstown will be based on horticulture, soil health research and biodiversity; while the Farm to Table and Beyond project at Berry Creek Community School investigates horticulture and ensuring a legacy of environmental stewardship. The Board approved $322,000.00 for the Youngstown project and $227,000.00 for Berry Creek Community School.

The Board of Trustees are excited for the value-added programming that will be made available for Prairie Land students as a result of these two programs. The greenhouses (along with the barn at Altario School and the Athletic Field House in Veteran) represent the commitment that the Board has for the Prairie Land Schools of Excellence philosophy.

For additional information please contact: Cam McKeage, Superintendent of Schools, Prairie Land Public School Division 403.854.4481.

Monday, March 29, 2021

(Hanna, Alberta) – The Prairie Land Public School Division Board of Trustees are honoured to nominate Ms. Courtney Fecho for the Alberta School Boards Association, 2021 Edwin Parr Teacher Award. This prestigious distinction has been bestowed upon deserving first year teachers for their outstanding efforts in Alberta since 1964. School boards across the province nominate one exceptional candidate for the Edwin Parr Teacher Award to their ASBA zone committee each year. The successful nominees from each Zone are honoured at the ASBA Fall General Meeting in November.

Ms. Fecho is in her first year at Consort School where she has been assigned ELA 7, Science 7, Science 9, Biology 30 and CTF 8. Courtney is also involved in extra-curricular activities including coaching volleyball and softball.

Courtney’s strength in practice would be her natural ability and intentional commitment to fostering, caring, understanding and professional relationships with her students. Her patience and understanding allow her to be a model of positivity to her students. She both believes and lives the idea that students who are treated with kindness and respect will have enhanced learning.

Ms. Fecho is the epitome of a new teacher who wants to grow and put forward her best self, day in and day out. She engages with other teachers to help better understand her own practice and most importantly, how to reach all students.

With many outstanding beginning teachers in Prairie Land, the Board of Trustees would like to acknowledge all staff whom were considered for this prestigious award, and to once again congratulate Ms. Courtney Fecho as Prairie Land’s 2021 Edwin Parr nominee.