Good News Items
- Board Chair Karen Packard congratulated Jaera Anderson from Ecole Plamondon School on receiving an Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Award from the Alberta School Boards' Association. Anderson was one of 12 outstanding Indigenous students recognized for their leadership, courage and dedication to their cultures and educational journeys.
- Board Chair Karen Packard thanked the Public School Boards' Association of Alberta for hosting an MLA Engagement event that was attended by the Minister of Education and local MLA Scott Cyr.
- Nicole Garner, Communications and Public Relations Manager, presented the Board with good news highlights from school's across the division. The full presentation is available on the NLPS website: Good News - April 30, 2025.
2025 Edwin Parr Nominee
The Board welcomed Stacy Sartain from H.E. Bourgoin School to the meeting and congratulated her on being selected as the Board's nominee for this year's Edwin Parr Teacher Award. The award recognizes outstanding first-year teachers who demonstrate excellence in the Teaching Quality Standard. Stacy was selected by the Board due to her ability to create strong connections with students and their families, her empowerment of Indigenous students and students with disabilities, and creating a safe and caring learning environment for students.
LINK: Board of Trustees selects Stacy Sartain as Edwin Parr Teacher Award nominee
2024 Friends of Education Award
The Board welcomed Clayton Bellamy, Lise Fielding, Louise Bellamy and Brent Mattice from the Clayton Bellamy Foundation for the Performing Arts and presented them with a 2024 Friends of Education Award. Over the last few years, they have rallied the community to fundraise and construct the Strathcona Performing Arts Centre in the former gymnasium at Bonnyville Centralized High School, creating a new home for the arts in Bonnyville and a new venue for BCHS students to showcase their talents.
LINK: 2024 Friends of Education Award: Clayton Bellamy Foundation for the Arts
Communications and Recognition Committee
The Board will be recognizing 25 students from 11 different schools with Impact, Resilience, and Seven Teachings awards later this year.
The Board is partnering with the ATA Local #15 to host the New Teacher Induction and Retirement Recognition event on Friday, May 2 in Glendon. A total of nine retirees are being recognized this year.
Advocacy Committee
The Board approved two advocacy letters be sent by the Board Chair. One will be sent to Minister of Energy and Minerals and MLA for Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche Brian Jean asking for support for the acceleration of construction approval for the replacement school for Vera M. Welsh Elementary School in Lac La Biche. The second letter will go to the new federal Minister of Indigenous Services once they are appointed to advocate for approval of the division's Jordan's Principle application and share concerns about the program and process.
Transportation Committee
The Board discussed upcoming changes to distance limits for students who ride the bus. Alberta Education changed the limit from 2.4 kilometres to 1.0 kilometres for students in Kindergarten to Grade 6 two years ago. Earlier this year, it announced that the limit would be changing again, this time to 1.6 kilometres. Once this change comes into effect, students who were previously funded to ride the bus but are within 1.6 kilometres of their designated school will no longer be funded. The Board is concerned about the confusion and inconvenience for parents that has been created with the changes.
Division Priorities
The Board agreed to continue to move forward with the two division priorities identified in its Education Plan last year after extensive consultation with students, staff, and parents. Those priorities are improving student achievement with a focus on literacy and numeracy for K-6 students and a focus on learning pathways for grades 7-12 students, and continuing to support the mental wellbeing of students.
Bill 51 - The Education Amendment Act
The Board reviewed Bill 51, The Education Amendment Act, announced by the provincial government and discussed some of the ways the Act would impact the school division.