<p>Two mathlete teams from Eagle Butte High School, the Denominators and Casual Mathletes, competed at the Totem Torus Math Competition in Edmonton on Thursday, April 11. The teams drove up the day before and got to spend time together as a group at the mall during the evening. The teams were made up of those students in the Grade 12 calculus class who wanted to attend the competition.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Questions could be from every grade level between 7 and 12 with a solo competition where a calculator was allowed, a team portion in groups of six solving 25 questions in 45 minutes without calculators and then a relay in groups of three, where the previous person’s answer corresponds to the next person’s question.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“They choose harder questions because they wanted to challenge you, but they wanted something that anyone in each grade could solve,” said Arabella Allen. “It wasn’t questions from the curriculum, just trying to think out of the box.”&nbsp;</p><p>The student’s scores compared well with other public-school students from across Alberta, but Allen stated they’d gone for the experience and not to win. After graduating this year, Allen plans to go to Carleton University for the aerospace engineering program.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“I didn’t study at all or review anything, I probably should have and I likely would have done better,” said Jordan Vandor who will attend the University of Alberta for mechanical engineering in September. “I went for fun, it’s not for marks so it’s easier to do because there isn’t that stress of having to get it right. The relays were fun, the solos were better than the team ones, that was the worst one. I’m retired now, I’m a one-hit wonder.”&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

<p><i>In the photos: South Eastern Alberta Search and Rescue (SEASAR) present to students on how to stay safe in the outdoors. The Medicine Hat Rattlers running team put students through a warm up exercise.&nbsp;</i></p><p>---</p><p>For Education Week 2024, Margaret Wooding School has been doing different activities. Inspirational video clips of student speakers or famous people the students would know about were played in each class during the morning. The video was followed by a discussion led by the teacher. “A reflective process on the video they watched and to think about their own living and who they are and their own growth along with setting goals,” explained Principal Craig Corsie. &nbsp;</p><p>Representatives from South Eastern Alberta Search and Rescue (SEASAR) came to the school to present to the Outdoor Education class, one of the options students can sign up for that run on Wednesday afternoon. &nbsp;</p><p>“We learned a lot about what to do if you are lost in the woods,” said Lilly, who signed up for Outdoor Education because she likes plants and finds being outside in nature relaxing. Classmate Hailynn also joined the option because she likes being outside in Nature, with the coulee are by the river one of her favorite places. &nbsp;</p><p>The girls helped each other remember the top four strategies to use when in the wilderness: to tell a parent where you are going, stay put and hug a tree (if lost), stay warm and dry, and lastly to listen to the search and rescue people who respond to the call. &nbsp;</p><p>“It’s an expert voice and good content for the kids,” explained teacher Robyn Harrington, “with just starting a new term, it introduced being in the outdoors and how to keep safe. The students get a certificate for it as it’s an accredited course across Canada. SEASAR is a community-based group that potentially kids might be interested in down the road to connect with and possibly volunteer with,” explained Harrington. “One of the girls in the class, her mom volunteers with search and rescue and I didn’t know that.”</p><p>When asked if there was anything they wanted to add, Lily said, “they taught us how to put on these tinfoil blanket things to keep warm.” Hailynn jumped in to say, “and they also taught us to get lots of big branches and make an X, an SOS or an arrow pointing to where you are,” added Hailynn.</p><p>Each morning, the school has been playing a game of bingo just for fun. Different clubs at the school were showcased, with the coach and four student athletes from the Medicine Hat Rattlers running team coming to the school to demonstrate stretches, warm up exercises, and running games to students of the Margaret Wooding running club. The Rattlers also brought some swag with them to pass out to the students, including balls, mini-sticks and lanyards. &nbsp;</p><p>Josh, Peyton, and Nash are all members of the running club and agreed the games were the best part. All joined the club because they like running, with Josh and Peyton preferring short-distance competitions. Nash prefers running in a group because it’s more fun and said he likes a mix of both short and long-distance running. &nbsp;</p><p>“There was this one game where everybody was it, but to tag someone you had to tag them below their knee and when you get out, all the people you tagged are back in,” explained Josh.</p><p>Nash added, “they taught us this warmup where everyone lies on their stomachs and someone runs between them and the person you were next to, after you’ve done a full lap, you lie down back beside them, and they have to get up and do the same thing.” &nbsp;</p><p>This is the second year the Rattlers have visited the running club. “We got to do a bit more because it was outside. Yesterday, we had to shift things because we had to be inside (due to the rain and snow), but it was still fun. Another thing they did at the end was field some questions from the kids and they had a chance to talk about what it’s like to be a Rattler,” concluded Harrington, who supervises the running club. &nbsp;</p><p>Education week culminated in the Margaret Wooding Learning Exhibition, which ran throughout the school day and then again in the evening, making it a long day for students and staff. On Friday, Corsie said everyone was going to take a breath and have some relaxation time to acknowledge all the hard work everyone put in to make the 2024 Education Week and the Learning Exhibition successful. &nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer</p>

<p><i>In the photos: Parents, school leaders, and PRPS trustees get a hands on experience with vermicomposting during the recent Council of School Councils meeting.</i></p><p>-----</p><p>On Tuesday, April 9, the Council of School Councils had their spring meet up at Prairie Rose Public Schools (PRPS) division office. Representatives from the parent councils of Bow Island Elementary, Burdett, I.F. Cox, Margaret Wooding, Parkside, Ralston, Schuler, Seven Persons and Warren Peers schools were in attendance. The evening started off with a supper before moving into the activity for the evening. Roxanne Doerksen of TRAD Worm Industries joined the meeting with enough supplies for attendees to pair up and create a functional vermicomposting bin.&nbsp;</p><p>“This was an activity they could learn that the students can do at schools. We are hearing lots about schools building outdoor learning areas. This is the time of year with it being spring and this is curriculum related so why not get the elementary students engaged? The compost can be used in outdoor or flower gardens they are building in the schools,” said organizer of the evening Trustee Patty Rooks. “There is lots of cross-curricular learning here that can be taken back to teachers and it’s a great way to get parents engaged with those teachers where they can show them what they are learning and possibly volunteer in the classroom. You never know what may transpire between what we’ve created here with the parent councils, the parents and the school community.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>At the last meeting in fall 2023, the activity was chair yoga and the PRPS therapy dogs were brought in. A discussion took place about resources available in the schools, such as Family School Liaison Workers (FSLWs). “The aim was to get the word out because the more our parents know and can share with their councils, the more they can engage parents and utilize the resources we have and just engage the whole community so much better,” explained Rooks.&nbsp;</p><p>After the activity there was a short break before Karen Blewett, Community Development Officer with Alberta Arts Culture and Status of Women, gave a presentation on designing effective meetings with a focus on creating agendas.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Rooks feels lucky that the PRPS Board gave her free reign to design the Council of School Councils meetings. The purpose of the meetings is to engage all parent councils from across the district and have them come together to have a learning opportunity. Rooks wanted to create a format that was engaging with topics and activities those in attendance could take back to their schools. She also wanted to enhance, improve and/or build upon their knowledge by providing them with tips and strategies, particularly those schools with new councils.&nbsp;</p><p>It was a good turnout with representatives from schools who have never attended the meeting in the past. “I’ll be honest, it can be scary to come to a new meeting you’ve never been to before, but I’m proud of them for coming and picking up on those tips. I’ve watched them throughout the night engaging with other parents and asking for some feedback. That’s what tonight is about as well, is talking to your peers and learning how they are successful or not successful,” concluded Rooks.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer</p>

Ms. Burzminski’s Chemistry 30 classes played some “balansketball” today to practice balancing chemical equations. #igniteminds #kindlehearts #forgefutures #myprps #abed @prairierosesd8

<p>Alberta Education is conducting a province-wide survey to gather input from parents and staff about the impacts of cellphones in schools. Feedback on the topic is being accepted until May 3, 2024.</p><p>Link to the survey: <a href="https://your.alberta.ca/cellphones-in-schools/survey_tools/en">https://your.alberta.ca/cellphones-in-schools/survey_tools/en</a></p><p><strong>Background:</strong> In Alberta, and in many other places across the world, student cellphone use is increasing. Cellphones have the potential to be powerful teaching aids that, when used appropriately, can improve learning outcomes. But there are significant risks and concerns with inappropriate cellphone usage. They can be a distraction to students in the classroom and disrupt a student’s learning and can impact student safety through bullying or harassment.</p><p>The purpose of the survey will be to gather feedback on the following topics:</p><ol><li>What concerns about student cellphone use in schools does your organization have?</li><li>What does your organization see as the benefits of student cellphone use in schools?</li><li>What concerns do you have about potential restrictions on student cellphone use in schools?</li><li>What benefits do you see with potential restrictions on student cellphone use in schools?</li><li>What concerns do you have about province-wide restrictions around student cellphone use in schools?</li><li>What benefits do you see in having province-wide restrictions around student cellphone use in schools?</li><li>Is there anything the department should be aware of if school authorities were asked to amend their codes of conduct to restrict cellphone use in schools?</li><li>Is there anything the department should be aware of if school authorities were asked to adopt or approve goals and standards to restrict cellphone use in schools?</li><li>If the department requires school authorities to amend codes of conduct or adopt/approve goals and standards related to cellphone use, how much lead time is required to make this happen?</li><li>Ontario and Quebec have exceptions to their cellphone use restrictions (unless authorized by a teacher for educational purposes; for health and medical reasons; or to support special education needs.) Would you support similar exceptions if a cellphone restriction were implemented? Are there other exceptions to be considered?</li><li>Are there any other considerations regarding cellphone use in schools that should be considered in developing a policy?</li><li>Is there anything else you would like to share about cellphone use in schools?</li></ol><p><i>Note: This survey is being distributed on behalf of Alberta Education. Prairie Rose Public Schools does not have any input into the questions or access to the results. Questions regarding participation can be sent to Alberta Education&nbsp;</i><a href="https://www.alberta.ca/education-guide-alberta-education-contacts"><i>https://www.alberta.ca/education-guide-alberta-education-contacts</i></a></p>

Who Dunnit? Mrs. Krause's Math 20-1 class took on the role of detective to solve a Clue mystery while also learning to solve quadratic equations. Can you solve the mystery, too? Find Mrs. Krause for a sweet treat if you have the answer, but remember you must have supporting evidence (ie. show your work) 😎 #igniteminds #kindlehearts #myprps #abed Prairie Rose Public Schools

<p>In the photos: Sophia Wever, Wellness Committee leader. Students taking part in a Painter Girl session. Students are playing a version of jacks using rocks which is an Indigenous team building game.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>---</p><p>As the oldest member of the Wellness Committee at Senator Gershaw School, Sophie Wever became the leader of the group. The idea for the committee sprang out of the annual leadership conference Wever and fellow members of the leadership group at the school attended back in November 2023.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;“We took away from that day and planned it all out,” explained Wever.&nbsp;</p><p>“Every year they do the healthiest school cup and plan out what the school will do to be healthy. It’s not a competition, just how they ensure we are having good wellness in our school as that is becoming a more popular thing in Alberta. We like to take away from that day because it gives us a bunch of ideas and gets us thinking of things we could do in our school.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The Wellness Day, which took place the day before Easter weekend, was split into 40-minute sessions with time for breaks between each one. Healthy protein and how a healthy diet can affect one’s wellness was covered with students making protein balls in the home economics room. Representatives from Miywasin Centre were in the gymnasium for Indigenous team building games. Ever Active Schools were running yoga sessions, and Painter Girl offered the chance for students to discover some creative fun. Teachers and staff also got to take part with members of the Wellness Committee leading them in a variety of activities.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The Wellness Committee is composed of elementary and junior high students at the school, who were supported by teachers and school administration along with the parent advisory council.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“It’s all elementary and junior high run and that is what we wanted to do because it brings more opportunities for the younger kids to be in our Wellness Committee in our school,” said Wever. “I was a little nervous at the start but after we had our intro and we went over everything, I’m excited now. We’ve done so much planning and scheduling with our group that it’s surreal we actually made it happen. It’s wonderful, I’m so happy now, it turned out great. The last week was crazy, I had surgery on my knee in February. We were going to have our wellness day in February, but due to that we changed it around. It’s been chaotic for sure, but it’s coming to play really well.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The biggest challenge for the committee was planning the schedule for Wellness Day and creating groups that account for differing student characteristics and having enough variety so there was at least one thing each student would find enjoyable. Each group was composed of 30 students and feeding them all also had to be taken into account.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“For my wellness, it’s been great because I get to see how much the kids love it. They came in this morning and were excited about what group they were in and all the fun stuff they get to do. That has been satisfying for me and how I get to make someone’s day and see them excited about it and it makes me so excited. I am a scheduler and I loved scheduling this day,” stated Wever.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>She hopes Wellness Day will become a yearly event at Senator Gershaw and is hopeful the younger students on the committee, some in Grade 4 who were responsible for making posters, will continue on. “It’s really nice to see they want to keep doing it too,” said Wever. “I’m so glad it all worked out and I’m so thankful for everyone that has been helping because I was raised that when you put the hard work in, good things come. After seeing this and putting all my hard work in, and we get to see all the kids enjoying it, it’s such a good feeling, that feeling of achievement.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Other members of the Wellness Committee at Senator Gershaw include Makaya Porteous, Mila Wever, Leah Pinchin, Gage Hintz, Henson Oldenzijl, Spencer Kramer, Lacey Thacker, and Evan Veilleux.&nbsp;</p><p>By Samantha Johnson, Prairie Rose Public Schools Content Writer&nbsp;</p>

US College Expo Event will be held on Sunday, April 28, 2024 in Calgary. The US College Expo is an event for students interested in pursuing higher education in the United States, it will feature a variety of resources and presentations designed to help students navigate the college admissions process in the United States. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from various colleges and universities, learn about topics such as financial aid and standardized testing, and discover the advantages of pursuing higher education in the United States. Date: Sunday, April 28, 2024 Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm Location: Arts Commons, 205 8 Ave SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 0K9 Free admission: https://prepskillsconnect.com/register #igniteminds #forgefutures #myprps #abed Prairie Rose Public Schools

Congratulations to Dannica Beck for being drawn as our last "EBHS Driver of the Month". With nicer weather upon us, Dannica can now keep her truck spotless thanks to Clean Machine Carwash. Two more draws remain until the end of the year! #kindlehearts #igniteminds #forgefutures #myprps Prairie Rose Public Schools

Today in Physics 30, Mrs. Marshall's class is using a diffraction gradient to measure how light bends! Classic student quote of the day: "Marshall, can we get a class cat, so we can have lasers every day?" 🐈 #igniteminds #myprps #abed Prairie Rose Public Schools

This week EBHS math students participated in the Totem Torus Math Competition at Ross Sheppard High School in Edmonton. These mathletes were challenged to individual & team competitions and a math relay. What a fun and challenging opportunity for our students! #igniteminds #forgefutures #myprps #abed Prairie Rose Public Schools

Mr. Schiebelbein led a workshop for Dunmore community members and our Eagle Butte Community Service Club in making bat houses. It was a lot of fun to build them and we are looking forward to having fewer mosquitos! #kindlehearts #myprps @prairierosesd8