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Red Deer Public Schools-2
Here are some of the events happening in the Red Deer Public School District between now and the end of the month.

MONDAY, APRIL 3
EVENT: SPELL-A-THON
School: Joseph Welsh Elementary
Time: Daily
Location: Various around School
Details: Joseph Welsh, in conjunction with the School
Council, is holding a Spell-A-Thon. Students will collect
pledges for doing their best on the Spell-A-Thon test. Anyone
wanting to contribute to the Spell-A-Thon is invited to call the
school. All funds raised are for school activities.
Contact: Rafaela Marques at 403-346-6377

MONDAY, APRIL 3
EVENT: WEAR BLUE FOR AUTISM AWARENESS
School: West Park Elementary
Time: All Day
Location: Various around School
Details: Staff and students will be wearing blue to support
Autism Awareness Day (Apr. 2) and the month of April.
Contact: Brianne Lindsay at 403-343-1838
MONDAY, APRIL 3 – FRIDAY, APRIL 7
EVENT: AUTISM AWARENESS WEEK
School: Hunting Hills High
Time: Daily
Location: Various around School
Details: Students will be working to help educate and
provide opportunities to learn about the autism spectrum
Contact: Jonathan Davies at 403-342-6655

TUESDAY, APRIL 4
EVENT: MAKERSPACE OPEN HOUSE
School: Mountview Elementary
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: Mountview – Makerspace Room 4
Details: Open house focused on STEM development (3D
modelling, coding, etc.)
Contact: Jeff Plackner at 403-346-5765

TUESDAY, APRIL 4
EVENT: FRENCH IMMERSION AND INTERNATIONAL
BACCALAUREATE INFO NIGHT
School: Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High
Time: FRIM: 6:30 pm; IB: 7:00 pm
Location: School Cafeteria
Details: : The information night is for the parents and
students (currently in Grade 8 French Immersion) that are
interested in continuing in the LTCHS French Immersion
and/or International Baccalaureate programs.
Contact: Dania Hill (FRIM) at 403-347-1171, ext. 1305
Dave Smith (IB) at 403-347-1171, ext. 2104

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5
EVENT: FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL
CHOIR PERFORMANCE
School: Joseph Welsh Elementary
Time: 9:30 am
Location: Sunnybrook United Church
Details: Students in grades 3-5 from the Joseph Welsh
School Choir will be participating in the Red Deer
Festival of the Performing Arts. The choir has prepared
two pieces. Family and friends are welcome to attend the
performance.
Contact: Alison Veldkamp at 403-346-6377

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5
EVENT: ADVANCED PLACEMENT INFORMATION
NIGHT
School: Hunting Hills High
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: School Gathering Area
Details: Parent information night for our AP program.
Contact: Sue Merry at 403-342-6655

THURSDAY, APRIL 6
EVENT: RED DEER COLLEGE PERFORMING
FRIENDS IN TIME PLAY
School: Mountview Elementary
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: School Gymnasium
Details: RDC students will be performing a play about
friendship for all of our grade 4 students.
Contact: Diane Roberts at 403-346-5765

SATURDAY, APRIL 8
EVENT: GRAD TIGHT N’ BRIGHT BOWLING
School: Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Heritage Bowling
Details: An enjoyable evening of bowling and socializing
for the 2017 Grads.
Contact: Lisa Olesen at 403-347-1171

TUESDAY, APRIL 11
EVENT: GRADE 8 ORIENTATION PARENT
INFORMATION NIGHT
School: Hunting Hills High
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: School Gathering Area
Details: Information will be shared with parents and
students to help transition new students to grade 9.
Contact: Trevor Pikkert at 403-342-6655

TUESDAY, APRIL 11
EVENT: THURBER IDOL
School: Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Memorial Centre
Details: The 14th Annual Thurber Idol features some of
the most talented students. This year’s talent includes 13
varied and impressive acts from singers to dancers, and
musicians who have been chosen from many acts that
auditioned. Tickets are $13 and are available in advance
(Apr. 6-11) at the Student Leadership Exec Offi ce during
lunch times and remaining tickets will be available at the
door.
Contact: Alan Towne at 403-347-1171, ext. 1305

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12
EVENT: KNOW A THON WRAP UP PIE IN THE FACE
School: Mattie McCullough Elementary
Time: 1:30 pm
Location: School Gymnasium
Details: Our top classes raised over $1500 each for our
Access For All playground and won the opportunity to
hit the admin in the face with a pie. Our know-a-Thon
raised over $13,700.00 for our park with phase 1 being
installed this summer.
Contact: Lisa Spicer at 403-343-8958

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12
EVENT: RED DEER PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD
MEETING
Time: 1:00 pm
Location: Central Service Offi ce, Board Room
Details: Regular school board meeting.
Contact: Cyndi Ramsfi eld at 403-342-3713
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12
EVENT: SPRING FLING
School: Hunting Hills High
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: School Gymnasium
Details: Midsummer Night’s Dream themed dance.
Contact: Jonathan Davies at 403-342-6655
To visit the Red Deer Public Schools website CLICK HERE

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Education

Our Kids Are Struggling To Read. Phonics Is The Easy Fix

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From the Frontier Centre for Public Policy

By Michael Zwaagstra

One Manitoba school division is proving phonics works

If students don’t learn how to read in school, not much else that happens there is going to matter.

This might be a harsh way of putting it, but it’s the truth. Being unable to read makes it nearly impossible to function in society. Reading is foundational to everything, even mathematics.

That’s why Canadians across the country should be paying attention to what’s happening in Manitoba’s Evergreen School Division. Located in the Interlake region, including communities like Gimli, Arborg and Winnipeg Beach, Evergreen has completely overhauled its approach to reading instruction—and the early results are promising.

Instead of continuing with costly and ineffective methods like Reading Recovery and balanced literacy, Evergreen has adopted a structured literacy approach, putting phonics back at the centre of reading instruction.

Direct and explicit phonics instruction teaches students how to sound out the letters in words. Rather than guessing words from pictures or context, children are taught to decode the language itself. It’s simple, evidence-based, and long overdue.

In just one year, Evergreen schools saw measurable gains. A research firm evaluating the program found that five per cent more kindergarten to Grade 6 students were reading at grade level than the previous year. For a single year of change, that’s a significant improvement.

This should not be surprising. The science behind phonics instruction has been clear for decades. In the 1960s, Dr. Jeanne Chall, director of the Harvard Reading Laboratory, conducted extensive research into reading methods and concluded that systematic phonics instruction produces the strongest results.

Today, this evidence-based method is often referred to as the “science of reading” because the evidence overwhelmingly supports its effectiveness. While debates continue in many areas of education, this one is largely settled. Students need to be explicitly taught how to read using phonics—and the earlier, the better.

Yet Evergreen stands nearly alone. Manitoba’s Department of Education does not mandate phonics in its public schools. In fact, it largely avoids taking a stance on the issue at all. This silence is a disservice to students—and it’s a missed opportunity for genuine reform.

At the recent Manitoba School Boards Association convention, Evergreen trustees succeeded in passing an emergency motion calling on the association to lobby education faculties to ensure that new teachers are trained in systematic phonics instruction. It’s a critical first step—and one that should be replicated in every province.

It’s a travesty that the most effective reading method isn’t even taught in many teacher education programs. If new teachers aren’t trained in phonics, they’ll struggle to teach their students how to read—and the cycle of failure will continue.

Imagine what could happen if every province implemented structured literacy from the start of Grade 1. Students would become strong readers earlier, be better equipped for all other subjects, and experience greater success throughout school. Early literacy is a foundation for lifelong learning.

Evergreen School Division deserves credit for following the evidence and prioritizing real results over educational trends. But it shouldn’t be alone in this.

If provinces across Canada want to raise literacy rates and give every child a fair shot at academic success, they need to follow Evergreen’s lead—and they need to do it now.

All students deserve to learn how to read.

Michael Zwaagstra is a public high school teacher and a senior fellow at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy.

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Alberta

Province pumping $100 million into Collegiates and Dual-Credit hands-on learning programs

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Alberta’s government is helping students discover their skills and interests today, to help them find careers for tomorrow.

If passed, Budget 2025 will provide more than $100 million over three years for school boards to grow career education programs, including funding for more collegiate and dual-credit programs across Alberta.

“We are working to set students up for success by strengthening job-focused education. This money is helping schools partner with businesses, universities and colleges to create programs that will help students hit the ground running after they graduate.”

Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education

Career education helps students gain credits towards graduation while earning hands-on experience in fields like the trades, computer programming, health care, agriculture, culinary arts and more. These career education programs support a strong economy by helping students learn the skills they need to get in-demand jobs.

Collegiate schools

Collegiate schools work with businesses, universities and colleges to offer classes that give students pathways to education and careers in the job of their choice. There are 12 collegiate schools in Alberta, offering many different types of programming for grades 7-12, including aviation, graphic design, trades and more.

If passed, Budget 2025 provides more than $21 million to school boards to help fund special classrooms like carpentry workshops, film and media rooms, science laboratories, heavy equipment simulators and aircraft hangars. Another $6 million is being invested to support the start-up costs for new collegiate schools.

Dual-credit programs

Budget 2025, if passed, also provides $4.6 million in 2025/26 to start new or improve existing dual-credit programs. In partnership with universities and colleges, dual-credit programs give students a head start on rewarding careers by allowing them to earn high-school and post-secondary credits at the same time. Of the $4.6 million, $550,000 is being provided by Alberta Seniors, Community and Social Services for new and improved dual-credit health care aide programs.

“Health care aides play a critical role in ensuring Albertans receive the continuing care services they need to maintain their health, independence and quality of life. Our investments into career pathways for health care aides will provide opportunities for young Albertans to develop the skills they need to build a rewarding career in Alberta’s continuing care workforce.”

Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services

Another $1.4 million is being invested to support students participating in off-campus career education programs through CAREERS. This non-profit connects students to jobs in high-demand fields, such as the trades, technology, health, forestry and agriculture.

“Investments in collegiate and dual-credit programming are significant for Calgary Catholic as they further strengthen our collegiate and dual-credit programming. This programming will open opportunities for our students and help them to realize their full potential.”

Shannon Cook, chair, Calgary Catholic School District

“Before Fusion Collegiate, I felt lost and wasn’t really sure what to do after high school. Thanks to its career-focused learning and the opportunities through Fusion and The Educational Partnership Foundation, I’m now working as a first-year apprentice plumber with Mr. Rooter. The hands-on trades training, high school credits, safety certifications, and real-world skills I picked up completely changed my life. I’m excited about where my career is headed and really thankful for the support that helped me get here.”

Francis Mazieta, student, Fusion Collegiate

Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta communities with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on the economy.

Quick facts

  • If passed, Budget 2025 invests $102.4 million over three years to provide sustainable, predictable career education funding, and to increase access to career education for Alberta students.
    • This includes $8.4 million over 2026-27 and 2027-28 to raise awareness among students and families of career education programs and pathways available to Alberta students.
  • Career education in Alberta includes career and technology courses, Career and Life Management (CALM), dual-credit courses, collegiate schools, apprenticeships and off-campus education programming.
  • Since 2013, more than 95,000 high school students participated in at least one dualcredit course.
  • In spring 2025, Alberta Education will engage with education partners on best practices to bring more career education opportunities to students.
    • Since 2022, education partners and almost 5,000 Albertans have provided their feedback on career education and workforce needs.

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