Summer Edition - 2011 - Prairie Valley School Division

IN TOUCH Volume
With Prairie Valley School Division
3, Issue 3
Summer 2011
Prairie
Valley
Students
Celebrate
The Arts
J
ocelyn Henry’s face
brightened when she
was asked about what
it was like working
with hip-hop artist
Bishopp Cardoza.
Improv
students
perform
at the Gala.
“I felt privileged ... I learned about
different styles of hip-hop and rap,” the
Kennedy student said after spending the
day working with Cardoza at one of six
workshops during Prairie Valley School
Division’s Celebration of the Arts event
held on May 17, 2011 in Wolseley. “I
learned what lyrics should be put in rap
songs and how to put lyrics into a beat.”
The Celebration of the Arts is a new
initiative by Prairie Valley School
Division to enhance opportunities for
students with an interest in the arts. During
day-time workshops, students worked with
professional artists and then celebrated
what they learned during a gala evening
event at the Wolseley Opera House.
“It was a day to create,” said Arts
Education, Social Studies and Culture
Consultant Tara Prystay Thiessen. “We
wanted an opportunity for students to
experience the arts in a unique way under
the guidance of a professional artist and
to work with students from around the
School Division. What we got was an
experience of a lifetime.”
Prystay Thiessen added there have been
plenty of positive comments about the
event, especially from students who
enjoyed the chance to learn from artists.
“The students had an amazing day. Not
only did they have the opportunity to
work with professional artists, but they
were genuinely excited about the new
friendships they had made with students
from other schools. These connections
are why events like this are so significant.
Students will hold on to these memories
forever,” Prystay Thiessen said.
The Celebration of the Arts is part of
a commitment by Prairie Valley School
Division to enhance learning opportunities
for all Division students and to offer
improved arts education opportunities.
There are many opportunities that
students are able to participate in, such as
ArtsSmarts projects, Missoula Children’s
Theatre, music festivals and author visits.
The division encourages schools to make
the arts a focus and will continue to
provide these types of opportunities to all
of its students.
Cardoza had a glowing assessment of
the Celebration of the Arts concept and
the opportunity to mentor Prairie Valley
students.
“The biggest thing personally for me is
how much they have grown (during the
workshop),’’ said Cardoza, who was one
of six guest artists who worked with about
80 Prairie Valley students in dance, drama,
visual arts and song.
“They were getting pretty excited when
they heard themselves.”
Three of Cardoza’s students showed off
their skills during the gala portion of the
event, performing a rap song that they had
written earlier in the day.
“I was trying to get them to write about
what they see,” he said. “War, the street,
what they see on TV and (write lyrics) that
are very personal.”

Lots to Celebrate
Arts
Whether it was the Kelliher
School production of
Pinnochio (shown above), or
the wonderful performances
by students at various band
and music festivals or the
many great pieces of visual art
created by students, this has
been a very good year for the
arts at Prairie Valley School
Division.
Athletics
Provincial championships
in volleyball and basketball
were just two of many
accomplishments by Prairie
Valley students this year. Our
students also won provincial
sportsmanship awards in
volleyball and curling. These
awards are special because
they recognize how well our
students conduct themselves.
Citizenship
Students at schools across
the School Division show
how much they care about
others through events such
as Japan Relief fund-raisers
at Montmartre and Fort
Qu’Appelle Elementary. Many
events were aimed at helping
children in need, including
the Neonatal Unit at Regina
General Hospital.
Graduates
Graduation ceremonies have
been taking place across the
School Division throughout
May and June. These special
gatherings allow students,
parents, staff and members of
their communities to celebrate
the many accomplishments of
Prairie Valley students as they
complete their K-Grade 12
education.
Literacy
Promoting reading and
improving literacy are very
important at Prairie Valley.
This year’s DEAR Challenge
produced record reading
numbers and many other
successful reading and literacy
events were held throughout
the year, including Pilot Butte’s
breakfast and books program
(shown above).
Programs
Prairie Valley School Division
prides itself on its innovative
programming, whether it is a
wildlife management course
(shown above), or the new
robotics course at Greenall
High School, or the many
courses now being shared
between schools through the
Division’s very successful
magnet program concept.
To learn more about these and other interesting stories about achievement at

at Prairie Valley
Engagement
The Student Senate and
the First Nations and Métis
Student Senate, held in
February, demonstrated quite
clearly that students care
about what is happening in
their schools. They engaged
in meaningful and thoughtful
dialogue with members of the
Board of Education at both of
these gatherings.
Facilities
Two major school renewal
projects are set to begin
this summer as part of the
Division’s capital renewal
plans. Plans include building
brand new elementary wings
at Vibank Regional School
and Kipling School. Other
projects include upgrading
classrooms and playgrounds
and improving Division Office.
First Nations
Prairie Valley initiatives
to improve educational
opportunities for First
Nations and Métis students
are impressive, whether they
include books on First Nations
culture, projects that profile
positive community role
models, or courses that provide
students with opportunities to
learn native languages.
Skills
Students from Prairie Valley
School Division excelled at a
number of skills competitions
held during the year. One
of our students won a
provincial Skills Canada
cooking competition while
others showed their abilities
at everything from photo
competitions to cardboard box
boat events to spelling bees.
Staff
Prairie Valley staff are
committed to providing the
best possible education for
School Division students.
Many enhance their skills by
participating in professional
development opportunities,
such as these teachers who
earlier this year attended a
workshop on parliamentary
democracy.
Special Events
Events such as the Job Fair
at Bert Fox High School
and the Student Leadership
Conference at Indian Head
High School provide Prairie
Valley School Division students
with meaningful opportunities
to expand to their knowledge
about career choices and to
learn more about becoming our
leaders of tomorrow.
Prairie Valley School Division, visit www.pvsd.ca and click on Celebration Items.

As summer approaches,
I would like to share with
you some of the many
accomplishments that took
place during the 2010-2011
school year at Prairie Valley
School Division.
This has been a year of
tremendous accomplishments
by our students and our staff.
I am very proud of all of
their efforts, whether it is the
dedication of our staff or the
commitment of our students to
academic excellence.
We have moved forward on
many fronts this school year to
improve learning opportunities
for Prairie Valley students
and to enhance the delivery
of education in the School
Division, as outlined in our
Strategic Plan 2010-2013.
As a Board, we are committed
to meeting with, and learning
from, community stakeholders.
This past year, trustees met
with members of the public,
students, parents, staff, our
Ed Geall
Greetings from Board of Education Chair
First Nations and Métis
partners and others.
Formal public engagements
included the Student Senate,
the First Nations and Métis
Student Senate, our Annual
Meeting of Electors, and
meetings
with School
Community
Councils.
This has also
been a rewarding
year in terms
of our efforts in
improving our
facilities.
Construction on major capital
projects at Kipling School
and Vibank Regional School
will begin this summer, as
will other projects that will
improve our classrooms and
playgrounds at many of our
schools.
In closing, I want to wish
you all a safe and enjoyable
summer and I look forward to
seeing you in the fall.
Greetings from the Director of Education
Each spring, I have the
privilege of attending high
school graduations across
Prairie Valley School Division.
I very much enjoy these
special occasions, especially
the opportunity to meet
graduating students as they
are honoured for their many
accomplishments.
I am especially proud of our
efforts, as educators, in helping
these young people make the
transition from high school to
adulthood.
At Prairie Valley, we strive
to provide students with the
best education possible. To
do that in a large, rural-based
School Division, we need to be
innovative and creative.
An excellent example of that
this year was the introduction
of the magnet school concept,
which, through sharing school
resources, is giving students
access to a wider range of
courses.
Another new initiative, this
A Look at What’s New for 2011-2012
Some exciting new programming opportunities
are being implemented at
Prairie Valley School Division starting
this fall.
Prairie Valley is always looking to add innovate
programming that benefits students.
Among the new programs set to begin
this fall is French immersion at White City
School. Classes will be offered at the Kindergarten,
Grade 1 and Grade 2 levels for the
2011-2012 school year and then expanded to
higher grade levels annually as the program
grows.
Prairie Valley plans to enhance
its magnet programming.
Ben Grebinski
one designed to enrich arts
education, was our very
successful Celebration of the
Arts event.
We are also working very
hard to improve educational
opportunities for our First
Nations and
Métis students.
Initiatives such as
the positive role
models project
at Balcarres
Community
School and our
commitment to
increase First
Nations language instruction
will make a difference in their
lives.
I am especially proud of our
staff who give so much to help
our students achieve success. I
am also proud of our students
who are always so grateful for
what Prairie Valley staff do to
help them.
Thank you and have great
summer holiday.
Prairie Valley is also expanding its First
Nations language options, including offering
classes in Cree at some schools. Offering
First Nations language programming is part
of a commitment by Prairie Valley School
Division to improve educational opportunities
for First Nations and Métis students.
There will also be enhancements to Practical
and Applied Arts programs.
As well, Prairie Valley is planning to enhance
the magnet school concept, an initiative
that has schools share programs in order
to provide students with more course options.
Calendar of Events
Regular Board Meeting
June 21
Division Office
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Last day of classes
June 28
School Staff returns
to school
August 30
All students return
to school
September 6
have a safe and happy summer holiday
Prairie Valley School Division serves approximately 8,000
students in 38 schools throughout southeast Saskatchewan.
In support of the vision “Leadership in Learning and Life”,
the Division strives to ensure a high-quality education that
provides students with the tools to reach and exceed their
potential.
Published by Prairie Valley School Division
P.O. Box 1937 ● 3080 Albert Street North ● Regina SK ● S4P 3E1
Phone (306) 949-3366
Fax (306) 543-1771
www.pvsd.ca
Toll Free 1-877-266-1666