The following are brief items of interested from the Wolf Creek Public Schools’ (WCPS) board meeting on Feb. 17.
Board budget priorities
The board reviewed the 2021/2022 board budget priorities for any changes and chose to retain its current priorities for the 2022/2023 budget cycle.
Those priorities are:
• Minimize cuts to frontline classroom staff. Classroom teachers and inclusive educational assistants are to remain a priority to support students and must be maintained at the highest level the budget can accommodate.
• Achieve a balanced budget yet ensure there is a balanced approach.
• Ensure our Assurance Plan remains at the forefront in budget deliberations and decisions.
• Seek a balanced emphasis on professional development ensuring district expertise is leveraged.
• Ensure the well being of students and staff remains a high priority.
The Board will begin its budget deliberations on March 17.
ASBA Indigenous Student Awards
The board heard a report that seven nominations for the Alberta School Boards’ Association (ASBA) Indigenous Student Awards have been submitted from within WCPS.
Submissions include students from The Brick Learning Centre, École Secondaire Lacombe Composite High School, Ponoka Elementary School, as well as Clive School.
Stakeholder engagement in relation to Assurance Plan
The board participated and heard a followup report from recent sessions with parents, support staff, and students regarding the annual division Assurance Plan. The information provided through the sessions will be collated and made available for review and discussion in March.
Pink Shirt Day
The Board heard a report on school activities for Pink Shirt Day. Pink Shirt Day was on Feb. 23. Since Wolf Creek students were not in school on Feb. 23, schools celebrated the week before. Celebrating in advance enabled Kindergarten students in rural schools to have the opportunity to take part. Wolf Creek encouraged everyone to practise kindness and wear pink to spread the message to treat everyone with respect and dignity.
WCPS’ Wellness Model of Service
The board received a report from Danica Martin, assistant superintendent - Education Services and Barb Reaney, director of Safe and Caring Schools from Wolf Creek’s Education Services regarding the WCPS’ Wellness Model of Service. The report provided details on divisional studentsupport around safe and caring schools, School Resource Officers, behaviour supports, school social workers, inclusion, community threat and risk assessment partnerships, etc.