The February 23rd regular board meeting was held at R.F. Staples Secondary School in Westlock. Thank you to the staff and students for welcoming the school board into your building for the day.
2022-2023 School Year Calendars
Alberta Education mandates a minimum number of instructional hours for all students – 950 for elementary and junior high school students, and 1,000 hours for high school students.
This requirement, along with bus scheduling, means that some schools have longer days than others. These schools have longer days or more instructional hours than are required, and therefore have the option of developing alternate school year calendars. These calendars designate specific days as “alternate days” in which students and staff do not attend. Alternate days vary by school depending on start and end times, and community-specific events.
Because each school’s calendar is different, they must be individually approved by the board. At their February 23rd meeting, trustees reviewed and approved the 2022-2023 alternate school calendars.The approved calendars will be posted on the division and school websites.
Locally Developed Courses
Schools or school divisions have the option to create their own courses to respond to student interests or local needs. These courses must be approved by Alberta Education, but once approved other schools or school divisions can apply to access these courses for their own students.
Pembina Hills has historically accessed a series of courses developed by the Calgary School Division in subject areas as Film and Media Art, System Scaffolding, Musical Theatre, and Social Literacy. The permission to use these courses must be renewed on a three-year basis, and the request to use these courses must be approved by the board.
The board considered and authorized the renewal of the courses acquired from the Calgary School Division.
Check out the board meeting agenda and minutes for more information.
View a recording of the meeting here.
The next school board meeting will be held at the division’s regional office on March 16, 2022 starting at 9:00 a.m.