Updates on the COVID-19 pandemic including resources for staff and parents

The Government of Alberta has announced an update regarding diploma exams. On their website, www.alberta.ca/diploma-exams.aspx, they have stated that the January 2021, April 2021, June 2021, and August 2021 diploma exams are optional due to COVID-19.

High Prairie School Division has reviewed the results from the Annual Education Results Report and prepared our Three-Year Education Plan, which includes our detailed financial statements. We continue to use School/Community planning sessions, APORI survey data, Student Engagement Sessions, school survey data, and face-to-face interviews with students, staff, parents, and community members to give us some excellent perspectives on what we are doing well and what we can improve.

The HPSD Board of Trustees met on Wednesday, October 21, for their regularly scheduled board meeting. They began by adding items to the agenda and approving the consent agenda.

Check out this great video made by students and staff at Joussard School.

High Prairie School Division is accepting sealed tenders for the provision of Custodial Services at several locations.

The impacts of COVID-19 have been felt by many of us and our children are no exception. Alberta Health Services has traditionally been assessing children for speech language issues. These services have been limited because of COVID. We are pleased to inform you that during the month of September, Alberta Health Services and High Prairie School Division are partnering in an effort to identify children aged 2 years-8 months to 4 years-8 months who may require early intervention services.

The Board of Trustees met on Wednesday, August 19, 2020, for their regularly scheduled meeting. Trustees began by approving the consent agenda and adding additional items to the agenda.

The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of education delivery in our province. K-12 curriculum has not been traditionally presented to learners remotely. This is not stopping our staff from continuing to meet the guidelines for continuing K to 12 student learning while in-school classes are cancelled due to COVID-19. Learning at all grade levels is continuing.

These unprecedented times may have created challenges for you as you consider how to support your child in the weeks and months ahead. This is especially true if your child has special needs. Our schools are working hard to ensure supports and services are in place when school resumes.

High Prairie School Division is pleased to announce the appointment of three new Vice Principals and one new Principal in the Division. Additionally, there are two Vice Principals who have transferred to other schools with HPSD and one Vice Principal who has been appointed as Principal of another HPSD school.

Landon Fink is High Prairie School Division's nominee for the 2020 Edwin Parr award. The Edwin Parr award is given to a first-year teacher who goes above and beyond in the duties normally expected of a teacher.

The HPSD Board of Trustees approved the budget for the 2020-21 school year at their special budget meeting on May 14. The approved budget required the Division to make calculated financial decisions to address a variety of factors impacting all school authorities in the province. Changes to how school divisions can use their reserve funds, the elimination of the Regional Collaborative Services Delivery (RCSD) Grant, changes to the Program Unit Funding (PUF) Grant, and anticipated increases to insurance premiums are some of the key factors impacting budget 2020-21.

High Prairie School Division is continuing to work with local partners to provide food security to its students. The Government of Alberta directed school authorities to find innovative ways to provide meals or food to students from their school nutrition funds while in-school classes are cancelled.