Pembina Hills Students Experience Life-Changing Land-Based Learning Camp

Nineteen Pembina Hills students and seven staff members participated in a transformative land-based learning camp from June 3-5, 2025, designed specifically to support Indigenous student success and cultural connection.

Deputy Superintendent Raime Drake presented details of the impactful program to the school board, highlighting how the three-day experience successfully met its ambitious goals of deepening cultural connections, fostering environmental stewardship, developing practical skills, enhancing leadership and teamwork, and encouraging reflection on identity and well-being.

The camp brought together students from Swan Hills, Barrhead Composite, Outreach programs – Barrhead & Westlock, and RF Staples, creating new relationships across the division while honouring Indigenous ways of knowing through the principles of kishkayhta – learning and knowing.

“This deeply impactful experience left all participants with an appreciation for their unique identity, and a recognition of the knowledge and teachings they bring to the community,” Drake reported to the board.

The program was built on four foundational pillars: Relationship, Respect, Reciprocity, and Storytelling & Oral Tradition. Students engaged in traditional activities, including smudging ceremonies, sharing moose stew and bannock, plant walks to identify traditional medicines, trapping demonstrations, and participating in talking circles and reflection sessions.

All participants earned high school credits in Environmental Stewardship, First Aid, and Land-Based Learning, with students completing Standard First Aid Training with CPR before the camp began. The holistic, student-centred approach emphasized learning from Elders and Knowledge Holders while fostering connections to place and community.

Superintendent Cooper expressed his gratitude to Mrs. Drake for her leadership in organizing the event, noting that it represented “a culmination and celebration of what we can do for Indigenous students” through the division’s partnerships and relationships with community groups. This work is a direct result of the Métis Education Services Agreement that the division has with Rupertsland Institute.

The success of this year’s camp has already inspired planning for next year’s program, which will incorporate bison teachings, continuing the division’s commitment to Indigenous education and cultural preservation.

The land-based learning camp reflects Pembina Hills’ ongoing dedication to providing meaningful, culturally responsive educational experiences that honour Indigenous knowledge systems while preparing students for future success.

READ MORE: Board meeting agenda and minutes

Next School Board Meeting
Friday, August 22, 2025
Division Office
9:30 a.m.

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The agreement, which runs from September 1, 2024, through August 31, 2028, was reached through constructive negotiations that prioritized the needs of students, staff, and the broader school community. While many CUPE units across the province experienced work disruptions earlier this year, both parties worked diligently to avoid any interruption to educational services.

“This agreement reflects our shared commitment to providing stable, quality services for our students,” said David Truckey, Board Chair. “By working collaboratively with our CUPE partners, we’ve been able to reach a fair agreement that recognizes the valuable contributions of our support staff.”

The collective agreement includes competitive salary increases that provide meaningful support for CUPE members:

• Effective September 1, 2024: 3% salary increase
• Effective September 1, 2025: 3% or $1.25 per hour increase, whichever is greater
• Effective September 1, 2026: 3% salary increase
• Effective September 1, 2027: 3% or $1.25 per hour increase, whichever is greater

The agreement also incorporates important improvements to working conditions, including enhanced sick leave provisions for new staff and various housekeeping items that will improve day-to-day operations.

“CUPE members are essential to the success of our schools and students,” said Brett Cooper, Superintendent. “This agreement recognizes their dedication and provides the stability and support they deserve.”

Both parties express their appreciation for the professional and respectful manner in which negotiations were conducted, and look forward to continuing their positive working relationship under the new agreement.

The agreement was ratified by the Pembina Hills Board of Trustees at a special board meeting on June 10, 2025.

READ MORE: Board meeting agendas and minutes

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Pembina Hills School Division Board Approves Comprehensive Three-Year Education Plan

Deputy Superintendent of Education Services Raime Drake presented the Three-Year Education Plan for 2025-2028, setting the direction for educational priorities for all schools in the division. The plan, developed through extensive community engagement, considers input from students, parents, staff, and municipal partners, and focuses on three strategic priorities designed to improve outcomes for all learners across the division.

• Priority 1: Strengthening Student-Staff Relationships
  Recognizing that positive relationships are the foundation for student resilience, confidence, and mental well-being, the division is implementing comprehensive strategies to ensure every student feels connected to at least one adult in their school. Key initiatives include expanding student voice opportunities through regular meetings between the Superintendent, Trustees, and student groups, deepening trauma-informed practices, and revisiting mental health literacy programming aligned with new curricula.
  
  The division is also focusing on successful transitions from grade to grade, school to school, and from school to work through improved team meeting structures, enhanced collaboration between high schools and outreach schools, and expanded off-campus learning opportunities. A dedicated CAREERS Lead Teacher continues connecting students with skilled trades and technology opportunities through job placements, summer career camps, and career fairs developed in collaboration with municipal and industry partners.

• Priority 2: Advancing Literacy and Numeracy Excellence
  The division has developed grade-specific strategies that build foundational skills from Early Learning through Grade 12, with Early Learning and Kindergarten focusing on play-based interactions, grades 1-6 implementing new curricula with emphasis on connecting reading, writing, and speaking skills, and grades 7-9 developing disciplinary literacy across all subjects. Teachers use multiple assessment tools and writing samples to track progress and collaborative meetings, with the ambitious goal of students showing over one year’s growth in literacy skills annually.
  
  High school students develop sophisticated text analysis skills, learning to annotate and summarize from multiple sources while creating new meaning through in-depth analysis. The emphasis on vocabulary, reading strategies, problem-solving, and real-world applications across all grade levels prepares students for post-secondary success and career readiness, with teachers collaborating on common assessments and preparing for the new Mathematics and Social Studies curricula implementation.

• Priority 3: Supporting Staff Through Collaborative Culture
  Central to this priority is ensuring all students have access to clearly articulated learning intentions and success criteria, with teachers learning to provide descriptive feedback and support students in self-assessment. Principals serve as instructional leaders through collaborative inquiry and ‘learning walks’, gathering evidence of learning and facilitating consistent expectations across the division through the PHSD Assessment Framework.
  
  The division maintains school-based Inclusive Education Lead teachers who co-plan and co-teach, ensuring students access a continuum of support services. Professional learning continues building on the PHSD Assessment Framework, with recent focus on developing clear learning intentions from curricular outcomes and next steps involving co-constructed success criteria that engage students in understanding what learning looks like.

Indigenous Education Commitment

The division demonstrates its commitment to reconciliation through comprehensive Indigenous education initiatives guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. The Indigenous Education Team, supported by an Advisory Committee and two First Nations, Métis, and Indigenous liaisons, works alongside school-based Indigenous Education Lead Teachers at each school.

The formal partnership with Rupertsland Institute and the Métis Nation of Alberta, established through a Métis Education Services Agreement signed in June 2024, includes the creation of the mâmawapôwin learning space, meaning “coming together.” The August 2024 flag-raising ceremony featuring Elder Judy Letendre Hilbert and Métis singer Sarah Wolfe symbolized this commitment to authentic Indigenous education across all schools.

Capital Infrastructure Investments

The division’s three-year capital plan, approved in March 2025, identifies three priority schools requiring over $32 million in upgrades: Barrhead Elementary School ($12.3 million for partial modernization of the 1983 core section), Westlock Elementary School ($7.7 million for partial modernization with 50% of components needing replacement), and Swan Hills School ($12.8 million for right-sizing and full modernization with potential demolition of the 1964 section).

A major success story is Barrhead Composite High School, which has moved from design to construction phase with its $55.3 million modernization and right-sizing project delivering a facility with 820-student capacity, representing a significant milestone in providing quality educational facilities for the region.

Community Engagement and Stakeholder Satisfaction

The plan’s development reflects comprehensive stakeholder engagement, with annual satisfaction surveys revealing strong public confidence: 

• 88.41% satisfaction with safe and welcoming environments
• 87.04% with leadership
• 91.13% with instruction and assessment
• 92.40% overall satisfaction with education quality

Community engagement extends to regular meetings with MLAs, municipalities, and local agencies, with Trustee representatives serving on five community-based committees.

School Councils play vital roles in education planning, with all schools except Colony Schools, Outreaches, and Vista Virtual School having elected councils involved in planning processes. The division publishes comprehensive results online, with principals presenting school data to their respective councils each fall, ensuring transparency and community involvement in educational decision-making.

See the full 2025-2028 PHSD Education Plan.

School Board Approves 2025-2026 Budget

Budget Stays Balanced Despite Reduction in Funding

The Board of Trustees also approved the 2025-2026 school budget at its May 21, 2025 meeting. The 2025-2026 budget year presents financial challenges with government funding being reduced by $2.7 million as compared to last year’s budget. The division is transitioning from years of utilizing operating reserves to balance budgets, with these resources now exhausted, requiring further prudent financial management. Enrolment projections suggest stability compared to 2024-2025 levels, though refined forecasting methodology creates budget pressure as most funding is calculated per student.

The total budget for 2025-2026 is $66.1 million, compared to $70.4 million in 2024-2025. Most of this revenue (about $63.4 million) comes from the Alberta government, while most spending (about $48 million) is on staff costs.

Inflation continues to challenge operations with rising costs for staffing, transportation, utilities, and materials, while core operational funding remains unchanged. Despite targeted increases to smaller grant envelopes from Alberta Education, the division must implement necessary adjustments to align expenditures with available resources while maintaining service quality.

Highlights from the 2025-2026 budget

• School Operations: Parents can be reassured that no schools will be closed or opened next year. School operations will remain mostly the same as this year.
• Staffing: Given that staffing costs make up 75% of the division’s overall spending, any meaningful budget change will impact staffing levels.
  • The division will reduce teaching positions by 13.71 full-time positions within community schools, which is about a 7% decrease. This means some classes may be slightly larger, but the division will work to keep the impact on students as small as possible.
  • Support Staff: Educational Assistants and other support staff in community schools will see their hours reduced by a total of approximately 15,867 hours. This equals roughly 8 full-time positions, or about an 8% reduction.
• Teacher salaries will increase slightly due to regular step increases and benefit changes. The average increase is about $735 per teacher per year.  
• Some fees for families will return or increase:
  • A new technology fee has been introduced for all students in grades 1 to 12.
  • Activity and extra-curricular fees will continue, and some Career Technology Foundations/Career Technology Studies courses will see supply fees where the course content exceeds the curriculum requirements.

Recognizing the strategic priority of student-staff relationships, the division tried to keep these reductions as small as possible while balancing the budget.

Student Numbers

Enrollment at community schools is expected to stay fairly steady, with small changes at individual schools. Vista Virtual School continues to serve a large number of students, with up to 6,000  students taking online classes.

Changes to Support Services & Teacher Training

Most programs will continue as usual, but there will be some adjustments to support services to provide more targeted interactions with students:

• Student Services: There will be fewer psychologists, speech therapists, and student and family advocates available
• Counselling: Some schools will have Success Coaches instead of teacher-counsellors
• Professional Development: Teacher training will focus on the most important areas, like reading and curriculum

Looking Ahead

Secretary Treasurer Heather Nanninga, “While we face funding challenges, we remain committed to providing quality education for all our students. We’ve worked hard to minimize the impact on classrooms while keeping our budget balanced.”

The budget takes effect on September 1, 2025, at the start of the new school year.

See the budget overview and the detailed budget report for more information.

READ MORE: Board meeting agenda and minutes

Next School Board Meeting
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Division Office
9:30 a.m.

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Board Receives Transportation Assurance Report

The division’s Transportation Department shared its annual Transportation Assurance Report this month, highlighting successes and challenges in getting students safely to and from school.

By the Numbers

This year, 2,672 students are registered to ride buses daily, up slightly from last year’s 2,630 students. The average distance between students’ homes and their schools is 16.49 kilometres, a small decrease from last year’s 16.98 kilometres.

About 15.5% of students spend more than one hour on the bus for each one-way trip, which is an improvement from 17.2% last year. The average ride time remains steady at 38 minutes.

Safety is a Priority

The Transportation Department reported several safety initiatives:

• All buses completed evacuation drills twice yearly – a back door drill in fall and a split door drill in spring.
• The “Meet the Bus” program helped introduce new kindergarten students to bus riding.
• The “Safely on Board” program provided bus safety training for students in kindergarten and grades 1, 2, and 4.

Recruitment and Training

Driver recruitment remains a focus for the department. One of their efforts to attract new drivers includes showing recruitment videos at the local theatre. So far this school year, they’ve trained 16 new drivers with 10 more currently in training.

The department also highlighted their apprenticeship program through CAREERS Next Generation, noting that both apprentice students are graduating in June and plan to stay with the transportation team.

Challenges on the Road

Drivers typically face challenges with bad weather or finding spare drivers to cover illnesses; however, they are still facing significant challenges with motorists illegally passing stopped buses. The report noted 80 “red flashing light infractions” between August 2024 and mid-April 2025, where vehicles passed buses while their red lights were flashing and stop arms were extended, known as “fly-bys”.

In further efforts by the division to combat the issue, LED stop signs have been installed on buses, which have led to a 64% overall decrease in infractions and an 87% reduction on two-lane roads; and a “fly-by awareness video” is in the works that will feature local peace officers and bus drivers as part of a campaign to bring awareness to the issue.

In-Town Transportation Funding Distance Requirements Changes

Local families with elementary school children will see changes to in-town school bus transportation policies next year. At the April 16, 2025 meeting, the Board of Trustees approved updates to their transportation funding rules affecting hundreds of students.

What’s changing?

Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, the distance criteria for in-town ECS to Grade 6 students to qualify for transportation funding will increase to 1.6 kilometres. This is a change from the current criteria of 1.0 kilometres.

“This is a provincial funding change that affects school divisions across Alberta,” explained Shantelle Haitel, Director of Transportation. “While the change officially begins next year, the province is offering some transition money if we want to delay until 2026-2027.”

Transition Funding for 2025-2026

There are 349 Pembina Hills elementary students in Barrhead, Swan Hills and Westlock that live between 1.0 and 1.6 kilometres from their schools. Of these students, 224 currently ride the bus.

Under the new provincial rules, these students would no longer be funded for transportation and would be required to pay a fee. However, at the April 16, 2025 board meeting, trustees passed a motion to continue providing transportation at no cost to these students for the 2025-2026 school year only, thanks to special transition funding from the province.

What will change for 2026-2027?

Parents should be aware that starting in 2026-2027, a fee will apply to ECS-Grade 6 students who live less than 1.6 kilometres from school to access bus service.

The division recommends that families start planning now for these upcoming changes. “While we understand these changes may create challenges for some families, the transition year gives everyone time to prepare,” Secretary Treasurer Heather Nanninga said. “We’re working to maintain service levels while adapting to new provincial funding guidelines.”

Families with questions about their specific situation should contact the Transportation Department at 780.674.8510 or troffice@pembinahills.ca for more information.

Fee Changes for Unfunded Students

Students who do not qualify for transportation funding can still use bus services if there is space available, but they must pay a fee. The In-Town fee will increase from $100 to $200 per student starting in 2025-2026. Kindergarten students will pay a reduced fee of $100.

Capacity Challenges

The school division continues to face challenges with bus capacity. When transportation funding rules changed in 2023, busing service demand increased dramatically across the province. There are consistently more students who apply for busing service than there is space available and when buses fill up, the division must prioritize seating for funded students. This can sometimes mean changing bus routes to accommodate new students or revoking bus service for fee-paying students from routes.

READ MORE: Board meeting agenda and minutes

Next School Board Meeting
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Division Office
9:30 a.m.

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2025-2028 Education Plan Priorities Approved

The Pembina Hills School Division Board has officially approved the strategic priorities that will guide the division’s educational direction through 2028. After reviewing achievement data, staff observations and community input, the Board has endorsed a continued focus on three key areas.

• Student-Staff Relationships: Recognizing that positive connections form the foundation for student resilience and well-being, the division will continue with initiatives that include professional learning on relationship-based approaches to education and continued funding for Student & Family Advocates and Success Coaches.
• Literacy and Numeracy: Literacy and Numeracy remain critical priorities, with tailored approaches for different grade levels. Early learners will build skills through play-based interactions, while older students will develop more advanced reading, writing, and mathematical abilities through daily practice and application.
• Support for Staff: Support for Staff focuses on continuing to create collaborative environments that enable effective teaching. This includes professional development for principals as learning leaders and implementation of the division’s Assessment Framework with clear learning intentions and success criteria.

“These priorities align with Alberta Education’s requirements while addressing our local needs,” noted Superintendent Cooper. “By maintaining this focused approach, we can ensure our resources and efforts have the greatest impact on student success.”

The Division will continue to monitor progress through various metrics including survey data, student achievement results and graduation rates as the plan is implemented across all schools.

Board Approves 2025-2028 Capital Plan 

The Pembina Hills School Division has unveiled its 2025-2028 Capital Plan, proposing significant upgrades to three schools across the division. However, the completion of these projects hinges entirely on securing provincial funding.

Funding Crucial for Implementation

The school board approved the three-project plan during its March 19 meeting, prioritizing the schools with the most critical infrastructure needs. The division will now submit these proposals to the provincial government for financial consideration.

“These infrastructure investments represent essential improvements to our learning environments,” Secretary-Treasurer Nanninga explained. “While we’ve identified these priorities based on comprehensive assessments, we recognize that provincial funding will determine whether these projects move forward.“

École Barrhead Elementary School Leads Priority List

Topping the division’s priority list is École Barrhead Elementary School, which currently operates at 73% capacity with 650 students in a facility designed for 885. The partial modernization carries an estimated price tag of $12.3 million.

The proposed upgrades focus primarily on the school’s 1983 core section and include:

• Replacement of outdated mechanical systems and air distribution
• Installation of new digital controls and boiler systems
• Comprehensive electrical upgrades including LED lighting
• Modernization of classrooms with new flooring, cabinets, and wall finishes
• Exterior improvements including new roofing and parking lot upgrades

Westlock Elementary School Designated Second Priority

Westlock Elementary School, which currently operates at 66% capacity with approximately 480 students in a building designed for 723, ranks second on the division’s priority list. The partial modernization is projected to cost $7.7 million.

The renovation plan includes:

• Electrical system overhauls with new fire alarm systems
• Classroom modernizations featuring new flooring and millwork
• Creation of flexible student gathering spaces
• Exterior improvements including new windows, doors, and metal cladding
• Gymnasium enhancements with improved lighting and acoustics

Swan Hills School Requires Most Extensive Renovations

The final priority project is Swan Hills School, which currently operates at just 40% capacity with approximately 234 students in a facility built for 580. The most comprehensive project of the three, this right-sizing and full modernization comes with an estimated $12.8 million price tag.

The extensive renovation plan includes:

• Strategic downsizing to increase facility utilization rates
• Complete replacement of mechanical and heating systems
• Comprehensive electrical upgrades
• Modernization of all learning spaces
• Structural improvements to the gymnasium and common areas

The school division administration remains hopeful that provincial officials will recognize the critical nature of these infrastructure investments. If approved, the projects would significantly enhance the learning environment for more than 1,300 students across the three communities.

READ MORE: Board meeting agenda and minutes

Next School Board Meeting
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Division Office
9:30 a.m.

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Early Learning Program coming to Fort Assiniboine School

Pembina Hills School Division operates inclusive Early Learning programs (also known as Pre-Kindergarten) focused on 3- and 4-year-old children and provides opportunities for early intervention. Guided by certificated teachers and other professionals, Early Learning students receive specific skill instruction in a small, play-based learning setting that supports all developmental domains for pre-K students including social-emotional, cognitive, physical, language, creativity and self-care skills.

At its February 19, 2025 meeting, the Board approved the creation of a new Early Learning program operating at Fort Assiniboine School.  Fort Assiniboine School was the only school in the division that did not already have an Early Learning program and program staff are excited to welcome these young learners into the school.

For more information, please see earlylearning.pembinahills.ca, or contact el.main@pembinahills.ca.

Board Approves 2025-2026 Alternate School Year Calendars 

Pembina Hills adopts a Division Calendar as a starting point for all schools. This Division calendar establishes first and last days for students and dates for fall, winter and spring breaks. The minimum number of instructional hours mandated by Alberta Education and other operational and scheduling considerations mean some schools start their days earlier and end later or they operate year-round (Vista Virtual School). Therefore, schools have the option of developing an alternate school year calendar that must be approved individually by the board. 

At the February 19, 2025 meeting, the board reviewed alternate calendars for Barrhead Composite High School, Barrhead & Westlock Outreach Schools, Busby School, Dunstable School, Eleanor Hall School, Fort Assiniboine School, Neerlandia Public Christian School, Pembina North Community School, Pibroch and Sunny Bend Colony Schools, R.F. Staples Secondary School and Swan Hills School. These calendars were all approved and are published on the respective school websites and the division website.

Locally Developed Courses

Locally Developed Courses (LDCs) are developed, acquired and authorized by school authorities to provide students with unique opportunities to explore a range of interests in subject areas that complement provincial programs of study.  

At the February 19, 2025 meeting, the board authorized the continued offering of Forensic Studies 35; a five-credit course that allows students to study scientific concepts and technologies related to solving crime.  This course can be offered by any school in Alberta and has historically been very popular with Pembina Hills students.

The board also authorized the division to offer a series of courses acquired from another school division: the Elder Chronicles series (Beading, Smudging and Tipi Making) and Traditional Land-Based Learning.  These courses will enhance programming opportunities for Pembina Hills students – particularly those who will be engaged in the upcoming Land Based Learning Camp in June.

READ MORE: Board meeting agenda and minutes

Next School Board Meeting
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Division Office
9:30 a.m.

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Board pushes Fort Assiniboine School Junior High enrolment review to fall of 2025

At the December 18, 2024 meeting, the board revisited the 2024-2025 Grade Configuration and School Closures Report first presented at the November 27 board meeting. The report indicates that the junior high school enrolments at Fort Assiniboine School have met the criteria to trigger a review. The board has opted to take a “wait-and-see” approach with no major changes expected to the program for the 2025-2026 school year. The board will reassess enrolment levels and trends again in the fall of 2025.

Board Approves 2025-2026 School Year Calendar 

Each December, the board carefully reviews and considers various options for the division’s upcoming school year calendar. This process involves a comprehensive review of several considerations, including compliance with provincial legislation regarding the number of instructional hours that students receive, alignment with provincial examination schedules, collective agreements, statutory holidays, feedback collected from parents, staff and school councils and, most importantly, the best ways to meet the educational needs of our students and staff.

For the 2025-2026 school year, the board selected a calendar with the first day of school on August 27, a Fall Break in November, a Spring Break aligned with Easter and the last student day on June 24. 

In the coming months, each school with an alternate calendar will develop their calendar for the 2025-2026 school year.

Getting Ready for Election 2025

School board trustees are elected on a four-year term with a fixed election date.  For 2025, election day will be October 20 and the nomination period opens on January 1. 

At the December 18, 2024 meeting, the board addressed several key election preparation requirements including the appointment of the returning officers, procedures for advanced voting and elector assistance at home, clarifying eligibility for institutional votes including staff participation and passing Bylaw 07-2024 A Bylaw to Require Criminal Record Checks for Trustee Nominations.  

To download the nomination form or for more information, see the Alberta School Board Elections Guide. More election information will soon be available on the division website.

READ MORE: Board meeting agenda and minutes

Next School Board Meeting
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Division Office
9:30 a.m.

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Approval of Annual Education Results Report (AERR)

School divisions are required to publish annual reports on performance measures, including surveys and student achievement.  

The results discussed in the 2023-2024 report include an assessment of the division’s assurance results in student growth and achievement, teaching and leading, learning supports and governance. In each of these areas, Pembina Hills’ results were evaluated over a three-year period, as well as compared to Provincial results. The division continues to measure well in citizenship but has opportunities for growth in scoring on provincial testing.

The Annual Education Results Report is available on the Pembina Hills website.

Fort Assiniboine School Junior High enrollment triggers viability review

Each year, the Superintendent applies the school closure and grade reconfiguration criteria (Policy 15) to all division schools and notifies the Board of any schools that meet these criteria.

At the November 27, 2024 Board meeting, trustees received the 2024-2025 Grade Configuration and School Closures Report that indicates that the junior high school enrolments at Fort Assiniboine School have met the criteria to trigger a review. The outcome of this review could include: adopting a “wait-and-see” approach to monitor enrolment trends going forward or changing the grades offered at Fort Assiniboine School.

Trustees passed a motion to revisit the report at the December 18, 2024 board meeting.

Approval of Audited Financial Statements

All publicly funded organizations in Alberta are required to publish annual financial statements which are audited by a professional accountant. The Board approved the financial statements for Pembina Hills School Division for the year ended August 31, 2024 and received a report from the division’s auditor.  

Pembina Hills ended the fiscal year with a deficit from operations of $2.3 million. While the deficit was budgeted at $1.15 million, lower-than-expected enrolment adjustments saw total Government of Alberta grant revenue come in $1.5 million less than planned.  While operating reserves were sufficient to cover this shortfall, these reserves have now been largely depleted.

The annual audited financial statements are available on the Pembina Hills website.

Transportation Safety Advocacy

To date, the 2024-2025 school year has seen a record number of “fly-bys” for the division’s bus fleet. Fly-bys occur when a vehicle illegally passes a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and stop sign extended putting student safety at risk.  

The board discussed this important issue and the related safety measures already in place, including the installation of extended stop arms on buses, external bus camera setups and operating procedures to teach students to be as safe as possible. However, fly-bys are the result of driver behaviour which is beyond the control of the division.

The board has decided to formally advocate for an education program to educate and remind drivers of their obligations to stop when red lights are flashing and of their role in ensuring student safety. 

READ MORE: Board meeting agenda and minutes

Next School Board Meeting
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Division Office
9:30 a.m.

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Board approves new policy – A Place for All, Policy 30

Pembina Hills has always prided itself on providing a safe and caring environment for all students. The belief that every student and staff member within the Division has the right to learn and work in spaces that promote equality, dignity and respect has been a key priority for the organization. At its October 30, 2024 meeting, the Board of Trustees approved a new policy, A Place for All – Policy 30.  

“We believe that diversity strengthens our communities and that everyone deserves a supportive environment to realize their fullest potential. By fostering a culture of respect, empathy and understanding, we can create schools where all individuals feel valued and have equitable opportunities to thrive and succeed.” ~ Chair David Truckey

Drawing from important legislative frameworks including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Human Rights Act, the Alberta Human Rights Act, and the Education Act, this policy stresses that every person within the Pembina Hills community must be protected from harassment, discrimination, violence and any threats while engaging in school-related activities.

This policy stresses that every member of each school community plays a part in ensuring that no one is targeted based on race, religion, culture and language, colour, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical characteristics, neurodiversity, age, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, income source, family status, self-identification or sexual orientation.

Trustees look forward to discussing this new policy with School Councils in the coming months.

Communications Assurance Report

Pembina Hills is committed to enhancing communication with parents and guardians through various digital tools. Online platforms, like PowerSchool, streamline important tasks such as registration, consent forms and payment processing.

School Messenger has also proven effective for promptly sharing updates with families via email, phone, and text messages. Additionally, a new absence-reporting tool, SafeArrival, has been launched at most community schools, enabling parents to report student absences easily and securely online or through a dedicated phone number.

READ MORE: Board meeting agenda and minutes

Next School Board Meeting
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Division Office
9:30 a.m.

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Approved in Principle:  Barrhead  Composite High School Portrait Photography trip to Vancouver

Pembina Hills students gain enormous benefits from participating in a wide range of field trips and longer excursions. These trips are a chance for students to apply their knowledge outside of their classrooms and gain real-world experience applying their new skills.

For out-of-province or out-of-country trips, planning and logistics are very important considerations, so teachers are required to get the Board’s Approval in Principle in order to complete their planning.

At its October 2, 2024 meeting, the Board approved – in principle – a trip to Vancouver for the Barrhead Composite High School Portrait Photography students in May 2025. The Board is looking forward to seeing the results of this trip!

Trustees enhance approach to community engagement

The Board of Trustees has spent a great deal of thoughtful consideration over its elected term as to how to best engage with our communities and schools. In addition to being a requirement under the Education Act, the board understands that an engaged community creates a better educational system and ultimately benefits students.

To better support trustees’ involvement within the Division’s schools and communities, the Board approved several changes to the 2024-2025 Work Plan and to Policy 07-10 – Trustee Compensation, Memberships & Conference Attendance. Our trustees are looking forward to attending more school-based events, celebrations and ceremonies!

READ MORE: Board meeting agenda and minutes

Next School Board Meeting
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Division Office
9:30 a.m.

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