PRSD board hears report on division’s wellness plan

By Tim Kalinowski on February 14, 2018.

tkalinowski@medicinehatnews.com @MHNTimKal

PRSD assistant superintendent Reagan Weekes presented to the board Tuesday her report on the school division’s ongoing three-year wellness plan.

Weekes highlighted a few notable instances of student engagement in their own learning and wellness in local schools.

One which stuck out from her report was how students at IF Cox in Redcliff were feeling engaged with their school-administered nutrition program.

“They are serving about 230 students daily for lunch,” explained Weekes, “and in between 30-40 in their breakfast program … The school has created a job program so students in Grade 3 can fill out an application, make a resume and have a job interview to take on one of the serving roles or one of the food prep. roles.”

According to Weekes, competition is fierce for these coveted helper roles, and the staff are using this to help prepare students for future job hunting.

“And sometimes other students are included in the interview process so they can see this process from both sides of the table,” added Weekes. “It is considered quite an accomplishment to be accepted for these jobs and many of those eventually chosen have gone through the interview process prior.”

Weekes also reported CONNECT training will now be offered in Redcliff and 40 Mile as of Feb. 28. Acadia Valley, Oyen and New Brigden will also have a rotating CONNECT night starting in April. Irvine will also receive the program later in the spring.

“The program helps to build attachments between families, and helps them address trauma issues and provides supports, overall, to families,” said Weekes. “We have a number of individuals signed up already … so it is clearly a program which is in high demand. We believe this is a really wonderful opportunity for rural communities who wouldn’t have access to this training otherwise.”

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