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Board News

What is Board News?
 
The GPCSD Board News briefly highlights recent Regular Public Board Meetings. Board News is posted publicly to this website within one week of the Board Meeting's date.  
2021-2022 Documents
Assurance Report: Inclusive Education
Inclusion initiatives like Cup of Joe’s Coffee Shop, are helping students learn and prepare for an active role in the workplace. The Professional Learning Support Team and Catholic Family Services are supports available to our Division families.
 
School Facilities Update
École Catholique Louis Riel is on schedule to open this September. Staff transferring to the new school are packing and getting excited to move into their new classrooms at Louis Riel. In order to prepare for the move, the last school day for students at École St-Gérard is Friday June 24. 
Construction on St. Patrick Catholic School has begun. The school is on schedule to open for September 2023.
 
GPCSD Board Four Year Assurance Plan
The Board of Trustees approved the May 2022 GPCSD Four Year Assurance plan, which will focus on three goals: Inspiring Learners, Creating Connections, and Believing in the Love of Christ.
 
Our Board Meetings can be viewed here. https://www.gpcsd.ca/apps/pages/BoardMeetingVideos
 
Assurance Report: Religious Education
Sacrament Preparation is provided for grades 2, 3, and 6. Monthly Mass is celebrated at all schools. Our students are able to participate in social justice initiatives as a class, school and community.
 
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Graduation Dates
High school graduation season is here! St. John Paul II is hosting grad on June 2 at 12:00 pm, and St. Joseph is hosting grad on June 3 at 12:00pm. All Grande Prairie graduation ceremonies will take place at the Bonnets Energy Centre. The St. Thomas More graduation ceremony will take place in Fairview on June 3 at 1:00pm.  

St. Thomas More Travel Request - Ireland April 2023
The Board of Trustees approved students and staff of St. Thomas More Catholic School to travel to Ireland from April 6-15, 2023 with EF Tours. 

Budget 2022-2023 Approval 
The Board approved Budget 2022-2023. The Division is opening a new French Immersion school in September and expanding its programs, resulting in an increase in staffing FTE.
 
Our Board Meetings can be viewed here. https://www.gpcsd.ca/apps/pages/BoardMeetingVideos
 
Celebrating our Faith
  • The local GrACE committee planted trees at every school to celebrate Catholic Education week.
  • Grade 6 students participated in faith retreats to prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation. 
  • Three representatives from Camp St. Martin visited all GPCSD schools to share upcoming Summer Camp opportunities.
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Board Meeting Highlights
 
Upcoming High School Graduations
St John Paul II and St. John Bosco’s graduation celebrations are on Thursday June 2nd. St. Joseph and St. Thomas More are on Friday June 3rd.  
 
Celebrating Catholic Education Week (May 24-27)
- The local GrACE committee will be planting trees at each school to celebrate Catholic Education week 2022. 
- This year’s theme is Rebuild, Restore, and Renew Together. 
- Across Alberta, Catholic schools are celebrating Catholic Education week with a host of activities and ceremonies.
 
2022-2023 Draft Budget 
Secretary Treasurer Chelsea Nestibo presented the 2022-2023 draft budget to the Board. 
 
Our Board Meetings can be viewed here. https://www.gpcsd.ca/apps/pages/BoardMeetingVideos
 
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Board Meeting Highlights

1. Students Arrive from Ukraine
In April, the Division welcomed two new Ukrainian students into our schools, as a part of the ongoing efforts to assist families displaced by the conflict in Ukraine. 
 
2. Senior High Locally Developed Courses 
Every year across Alberta, unique courses are developed by various school divisions. The Board approved the 2022-2023 list of Senior High Locally Developed Courses for GPCSD high schools. 

3. School Travel Requests
The Board of Trustees approved requests for St. Mary Catholic School (Beaverlodge) students to travel to Toronto from May 17-28 2023 and St. John Paul II Catholic School students to travel to Switzerland from April 6-16 2023.
 
The motion made at the April 25, 2022 Regular Board Meeting regarding the naming of O’Brien Lake School is under review. The Board of Trustees have met with Archbishop Pettipas and before a name is formally announced, a further discussion will take place at a Special Board Meeting via zoom at 10am on Saturday, April 30 2022.  This meeting will be recorded and posted at a later date.
 
Our Board Meetings can be viewed here. https://www.gpcsd.ca/apps/pages/BoardMeetingVideos
 
Celebrating our Faith
GPCSD schools celebrated this past month with a host of faith-based activities and celebrations.
  • Holy Week occurred and schools took part in Easter ceremonies.
  • Grade 6 students began preparing for the sacrament of Confirmation.
  • Students took part in Earth Day prayers and activities centered around Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’.
  • Catholic Education Week is May 24-27.
 
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Board Meeting Highlights

1. ASBA Friends of Education Award
The Board of Trustees selected the GPCSD Education Foundation, as their 2022 Alberta School Board Association Friend of Education nominee.
 
2. Edwin Parr Award Nomination 
The Board of Trustees selected St. Mary Beaverlodge Grade 2 teacher Madisyn Gorman as their 2022 ASBA Edwin Parr Award nominee. Congratulations Madisyn!

3. Naming of O’Brien Lake West Catholic School
Administration will be engaging with stakeholders to provide suggestions for names for the O’Brien Lake West School facility. Three choices will be brought forward to the Board, for consideration at the April 25, 2022 Board Meeting. 

Our Board Meetings can be viewed here. https://www.gpcsd.ca/apps/pages/BoardMeetingVideos
 
Celebrating our Faith
GPCSD schools celebrated this past month with a host of faith-based activities and celebrations.
  • There was Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday kicking off the season of Lent. 
  • The National Evangelization team (NET) visited schools, providing faith retreats for all Grade 8 and 10 students.
  • Staff had the opportunity to attend mentorship and faith formation sessions.
  • Students participated in celebrations for the sacraments of First Eucharist and Reconciliation.
 
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Board Meeting Highlights
 
1. Facility Utilization OBL/St-Gérard
The Board designated both O'Brien Lake West and St-Gérard as Pre-K to Grade 8 Immersion facilities for the 2022-2023 school year and as Pre-K to Grade 9 facilities for 2023-2024.

 

2. OBL/St-Gérard School Boundaries
The Board designated the boundary for École St-Gérard as east of 100 street, South of Highway 43, and North of Highway 668. The boundary for O'Brien Lake West School is west of 100 street, South of Highway 668 and North of Highway 43.

  

3. Draft GPCSD City Calendar
The Draft 2022-2023 GPCSD school year calendar is now available at www.gpcsd.ca.

 

Our Board Meetings can be viewed here.  https://www.gpcsd.ca/apps/pages/BoardMeetingVideos

 

Celebrating our Faith

 

Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday

The Lenten season is fast approaching, beginning with Shrove Tuesday on March 1 and Ash Wednesday March 2.

 

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Board Meeting Highlights
 
1. GPCSD Facility Utilization

Henri Chauvet, Michel Lemay, and Roger Lauck presented three scenarios regarding the utilization of O'Brien Lake West and the current École St-Gérard.

 

2. Community Feedback

We are asking families for their feedback on each scenario from the GPCSD Facility Utilization presentation. Results will be gathered and submitted to the Board for review. Access to the feedback form can be found at www.gpcsd.ca.

  

3. New Ward 3 Trustee

Grande Prairie & District Catholic Schools welcomed new Trustee Gaytane Moskalyk. She was sworn in and joined the Board at the January 31st Public Board Meeting.

 

Our Board Meetings can be viewed here.  https://www.gpcsd.ca/apps/pages/BoardMeetingVideos

 

Celebrating our Faith

 

1. Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

All GPCSD Schools participated in a variety of faith-based activities during the week of prayer for Christian unity. There were classroom prayers, a high school bible study and reflection activities.

 

2. Grade 3 Eucharist Preparation

Eucharist prep has started in grade 3 classes across the District.

 

3. Liturgical Year School Resources

All schools in the District were provided with copies of liturgical year resources; Daily Prayer 2022, 2022 Ordo, and Children's Daily Prayer 2021-2022.

 

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Board Meeting Highlights
 
1. Indigenous Education Report
Supervisor of Indigenous Education Omarla Cooke, presented the Indigenous Education Assurance Report to the Board of Trustees. The Division has eight indigenous Liaison workers who support over six hundred students. Indigenous education focuses on the importance of indigenous culture, building positive relationships, truth and reconciliation, local community involvement, and history and traditions.
 
Liaisons create opportunities for our students and ensure support in all schools. The program creates a sense of belonging, encourages growth, and builds positive relationships within our school communities. Activities and teachings guide students through cultural content from the Indigenous perspective.
 
Nominations for the Provincial Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Awards 2022 are due February 1, 2022. Nominations forms can be found at: https://www.asba.ab.ca/nominations-for-the-honouring-spirit-indigenous-student-awards-2022-now-open/
 
2. Facilities Update 
The Board discussed potential space utilization for the current École St. Gérard building, the O’Brien Lake facility, and the St. Patrick replacement school.
 
3. Vaccine Protocol 
The Board approved the vaccine protocol for all GPCSD employees.
 
4. Ward 3 By-Election Update
Norbert Luken and Gaytane Moskalyk are the Trustee Candidates for the Ward 3 By-Election. Election day in Fairview is January 10, 2022.
 
Our Board Meetings can be viewed here. https://www.gpcsd.ca/apps/pages/BoardMeetingVideos
 
Celebrating our Faith 
 
1. Student Advent Service Projects 
Schools participated in a variety of Service projects throughout the month. Here is a small sample of all the wonderful things schools are doing:
-Completing Christmas cards for soldiers stationed overseas
-Assisting local parishes with snow removal and organizing food donations
-Raising money to support local children with medical needs
-Supporting local food banks in our regional communities
-Sewing hats for the St. Lawrence Centre.
 
2. Weekly Advent Celebrations 
Advent celebrations are taking place online in all schools throughout December.
 
3. Take Twenty PD Sessions for Teachers 
These religious professional development sessions take place over a brief 20-minute time period. The sessions are built around incorporating quick cross curricular faith-based activities in the classroom.
 
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Board Meeting Highlights
 
1. 2020-2021 Annual Education Results Report (AERR)

Learn more about our school division by checking out the full AERR report at https://www.gpcsd.ca/apps/pages/plans  

  

2. St. Patrick and St. Gérard Facilities

The Board had a discussion on the status of the St. Patrick replacement school project and the current St. Gérard facility.

  

3. By-Election for Ward 3

A By-Election is being held in Ward 3 Fairview and the surrounding area. The deadline for candidates to submit nominations is noon December 13, 2021.

 

Our Board Meeting can be viewed here:  https://www.gpcsd.ca/apps/pages/BoardMeetingVideos

 

Celebrating our Faith

 
1. Sacrament Preparation

Over 300 students across grades 2, 3 and 6 registered for Sacramental Preparation for 2022. Teachers who are new to those grades will receive Professional Development around the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation.

 

2. Bible Celebrations

All grade four students will receive the gift of a bible. These bibles are presented to students at a local bible celebration.

 

3. Advent and Christmas Celebrations

Schools will be offering virtual Christmas concerts and Advent Celebration throughout the month of December.

 

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Board Meeting Highlights

 

1. New Board Chair and Vice Chair Elected

Our new Board Chair is Russ Snoble and our new Vice-Chair is Michelle Boisvert. Congratulations!

 

2. Remembrance Day Ceremonies

Our Board Chair Russ Snoble will represent our district at the Grande Prairie Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11th. All schools will acknowledge Remembrance Day in a variety of ways.

 

3. Education Assurance Report

We are proud of our Catholic schools! Our latest report from Alberta Education shows that stakeholder satisfaction remains high, particularly in areas such as Student Engagement, Citizenship, Education Quality, Safe and Caring Environments, Access to Supports, and Parental Involvement.

 

Our Board Meeting can be viewed here:  https://www.gpcsd.ca/apps/pages/BoardMeetingVideos

 

Celebrating our Faith

Catholic Education Sunday is Nov 7th. This year’s theme is Rebuild, Restore, Renew Together. Catholic Education Sunday is an annual event that serves to celebrate the importance and critical role that our Catholic schools play in the province of Alberta. Our trustees will be attending mass in each of the local parishes. We welcome you to join us!

 

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