Prairie Rose School Division
Prairie Rose School Division services the rural population in Southern Alberta, with approximately 3,300 students from kindergarten to grade 12. They partner with post-secondary education institutions, local businesses, parents, and faculty members to provide a unique learning experience by offering programs and academies that complement academic studies.
Reagan Weeks is the Chief Superintendent and highlighted four niche programs that Prairie Rose School Division offers to Bow Island students:
1. South Alberta Fire & Rescue
Senator Gershaw School | Grade 11-12
Led in partnership with the Town of Bow Island, The Bow Island Fire Hall supports this program with firefighters mentoring students in Grades 11 and 12. The skills, certifications and resume building components are at the forefront of the program, as well as developing leadership skills and resiliency. Students are able to give back and serve the community in a manner that not only advantages all other citizens but themselves throughout the learning process.
“Once you’ve had that success and sense of pride, it translates to all other pursued endeavors. When you can do a water rescue and more, there is a real sense of accomplishment. Students walk taller, because they’re proud to have mastered something like this,” says Reagan Weeks, Chief Superintendent, Prairie Rose School Division
“South Alberta Fire & Rescue allows students to spend time around role models who are physically and mentally healthy and strong. It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to earn credits while doing something impactful and meaningful.”
2. South Alberta Trades Academy
Senator Gershaw School | Grade 10-12
The South Alberta Trades Academy is a three year journey students take to eventually graduate with their Year 1 hours and bookwork completed. The program is in partnership with the Medicine Hat College, where students are introduced in Grade 9 to nine different trades. In Grade 11, they focus on one cluster of trades, for example pipe trades. In Grade 12, they choose the trade they’re interested in pursuing, and they’ll graduate with their pre-employments.
“First students work on theory, and then they attend labs at Medicine Hat College. The intent is to expose all the trades to the students so they have a sense of what they look like. There are so many trades out there that are seeking workers, so this partnership is key in tying together theory and hands-on work,” says Reagan Weeks, Chief Superintendent, Prairie Rose School Division.
3. Senator Gershaw Greenhouse Program
Senator Gershaw School | School Project
This all hands on deck program provides the opportunity for all grades and all class-types to participate in building a greenhouse and growing fresh vegetables in Bow Island. Different from an academy, this program is more of a well-rounded school project. For example, the Shops class builds containers that are used throughout the process. The Senator Gershaw Greenhouse Program partnered with the University of Alberta to help with the overall design, such as ensuring optimal water filtration systems. The food is used for a variety of purposes, from selling the fresh produce to preparing it to serve and feed graduation classes for their celebration dinners.
“It’s very well designed and incredible how much food is grown in the greenhouse year after year. The project allows for all students to have a deep involvement in how to grow their food. Being rural, the key part is that a lot of families have expertise in agriculture and this program builds and strengthens the skills students may already have,” says Reagan Weeks, Chief Superintendent, Prairie Rose School Division.
4. Mavericks School of Baseball
The purpose of these programs is to find ways to leverage interest that invites students to be excited in what they’re learning. Bow Island has seen a real resurgence for baseball in their community. Prairie Rose School Division recognized this and partnered with skilled staff members and the Medicine Hat Mavericks to offer a niche sport program to their students.
“In this program, students will learn the basics of baseball and polish their skill set in the sport. What comes with that is leadership development, understanding various components of sportsmanship, learning to work with a team, and focusing on a skillset,” says Reagan Weeks, Chief Superintendent, Prairie Rose School Division.
Prairie Rose School Division recognizes they are the key educators for children in the region and seek to be responsive to parents’ desires and wishes for their children. They scanned Bow Island and noticed the tremendous fire department, its incredible ability to grow food and more. They work to bring more connections to career prospects for students and support them in building a strong foundation for themselves for after graduation.
“We look to take advantage of the skill sets in the community and bring that into the classroom. We need community members expertise and commitment to make this work, and Bow Island is a community where people respond in spades. They are invested in schools and are willing to put in the time for students,” says Reagan Weeks, Chief Superintendent, Prairie Rose School Division.
