interviewed over the telephone. She was thrilled to learn she had been ... âI'm thrilled to be able to voice my opinio
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8611A – 108 Street, Grande Prairie, Alberta T8V-4C5 Central Office: (780) 532-8133 Fax: (780) 532-4234 www.pwsd76.ab.ca
Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 11, 2013
PWSD student selected to Alberta Education Student Advisory Council Kaitlynn Douglas, a Grade 10 student at Beaverlodge Regional High School, has been selected as a member of the Minister of Education’s Student Advisory Council. As a member of the council, she will meet with the Minister four times throughout the 2013-2014 school year and will help to plan and facilitate the annual Speak Out conference – a student engagement initiative designed to help youth share their experiences and ideas with Alberta Education. Miss Douglas’s interest in the council was sparked when she attended the Speak Out conference held in Edmonton in April, 2013. Following a written application process, fifty applicants were shortlisted and interviewed over the telephone. She was thrilled to learn she had been selected to the 24-member Student Advisory Council which is made up of representation from each of Alberta’s six school zones. Members provide student perspectives on how to improve the education system in Alberta, and act as ambassadors within their schools and communities, rallying other students to get involved and share their opinions. During their term, council members regularly share their opinions as guest bloggers on the Speak Out web site. Students are invited to register to participate in online discussion topics and weekly polls. “While rural students may not have the opportunity to be a part of as many engagement activities as a student in Edmonton or Calgary, I wanted to get involved in helping them realize they still have a voice in education. It’s really incredible to be a part of the major changes that are coming in the education system. Also, knowing what’s going on around the province is great. Even though we’re all learning from the same systems, there are many differences,” says Miss Douglas. “I'm thrilled to be able to voice my opinions on our education system, and of course I'm excited to represent my area on the 2013-2014 council. During my term, I hope to address issues such as the lack of interaction among older and younger students, and how schools with smaller student populations seem to miss out on opportunities such as art or music programs. I also believe our education system needs to be geared to all styles of learning, and I would like to see the new curriculum address that. I'm so grateful for this opportunity and look forward to making a difference across the province,” adds Miss Douglas. The first Student Advisory Council was formed in 2009. This year’s group held their initial meeting in September, 2013, and will reconvene in Edmonton in January to begin planning for the 2014 Speak Out conference. Council membership is not limited to a single year; experienced alumni are encouraged to reapply and act as mentors to new members. Miss Douglas says she hopes to continue as part of the council for the remainder of her high school career, and as a chaperone after graduation, eventually becoming a coordinator. For more information on the council, visit http://www.speakout.alberta.ca. Photo Caption: Kaitlynn Douglas, a Grade 10 student at Beaverlodge Regional High School, has been selected as a member of the Minister of Education’s Student Advisory Council. Photo courtesy of Alberta Education. -30For more information contact: Angela Sears, Communications Officer (780) 357-5224 -orSheldon Rowe, Superintendent (780) 831-3070 Peace Wapiti Public School Division No. 76 provides service to approximately 5,500 students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 in 32 schools, including seven Hutterite schools and an outreach and online school located in Spirit River. High School programs are operated in eight schools – Spirit River Regional Academy, Beaverlodge Regional High School, Eaglesham School, Ridgevalley School, Savanna School, Sexsmith Secondary School, Peace Wapiti Academy and Peace Academy of Virtual Education (PAVE). The Board also operates an institutional school serving students with severe needs in Northern Alberta. Visit us online at www.pwsd76.ab.ca.
