GYPSD news

Nov. 15 meeting

Trustees approved the final draft of the Combined 2017-2020 Three Year Education Plan/ 20162017 Annual Education Review Report. The draft was presented for preliminary approval pending the addition of audited financial information. The final document will be available on the division’s website by November 30.

An overview of the projected budget for the 2017-18 school year noted a smaller deficit than originally planned thanks in part to a significantly higher than anticipated (over 16 per cent) student enrolment in kindergarten programs throughout the division, and overall decreased expenditures.

Citing socio-economic factors and the resulting departure of many families from GYPSD communities especially in the Edson, Hinton and Grande Cache areas, last year’s graduation rates were slightly lower than the provincial averages. However, our FNMI students’ graduation rates continue to be significantly higher than the province: from 14.4 per cent higher for completion of high school within three years up to 19per cent higher for five years.

Learning Services provided a detailed report on the 259 Grade 9 students who participated in the ‘Take Our Kids to Work Day’ on November 1. Parent comments included “I wish we had this when I was in Grade 9”; students noted ““I now have a better idea of what I would do if I got this job”, and businesses were pleased to see “our local students taking interest in local businesses and careers”. Looks like another successful venture into the world of work for GYPSD students.

Trustees Fate, Karpluk, and Zaporosky will be working with Superintendent Lewis to develop an agenda for next year’s board planning seminar. The board has an annual planning seminar for the purpose of studying policy, building effective teams, generative governance, and other identified topics of need.