Prairie Rose Possibilities - The Podcast
By Prairie Rose Possibilties
Prairie Rose Possibilities - The PodcastDec 06, 2022
5.05 Senator Gershaw Greenhouse & Gardens
5.04 PMAS Community Learning
Join principal Simon Moreton as we discuss how the PMAS (Prairie Mennonite Alternative School) Prairie Rose Possibility Project brings new cultural, trades and educational experiences to students from low-German-speaking Mennonite families.
Listen to earlier updates at 4.04 and Episode 3.02, Episode 2.07 and Episode 1.02
5.03 Irvine Agriculture Discovery Center (ADC)
Located near the Alberta -Saskatchewan border, Irvine is our K- to grade 9 Prairie Rose school with a farm on the edge of the playground. Listen in as the project co-ordinator Nichole Neubauer updates us on all of the exciting aspects of this farm. In the spring and summer, this site is alive with livestock, buzzing with bees, and growing all sorts of fruits and vegetables in the garden and greenhouse. During the fall and winter, students participate in agriculture industry option courses that occur at places like the John Deere dealership or the local feedlot. And beyond that, the ADC is involved in creating agriculture-based learning activities for students in near-by Medicine Hat and beyond to Southern Alberta.
Listen in to previous episodes at 1.10 and 2.14, 3.09 and 4.11.
5.02 Jenner School - Community Options
Jenner School is located an hour north-west of Medicine Hat and is one of our smallest schools with 28 students from K-9.
Principal Kirby Stensrud gives an update about how the Prairie Rose Possibilities project benefits her Junior High students - all 6 of them- and tells us about the project that will be the ultimate community contribution and collaboration for 2024.
Listen to earlier updates at episodes 1.01, 2.04, 3.01 and 4.10
5.01 IF Cox - TNT Options
IF Cox is a JK-3 School of almost 300 students in Redcliff, Alberta. They have one of our new Prairie Rose Possibility Projects called TNT, which stands for Try New Things.
4.12 Agriculture in the North
South Central High School Biology expert Sarah Hagens tells us about the popular "Know & Grow" option which is seeding important horticulture skills for students as part of the Quad-School project around Agriculture in the northern part of our district.
Agriculture in the North is a project that encourages collaboration in agricultural endeavours between our four north schools: Oyen Public School, South Central High School, Warren Peers School and New Brigden School.
4.11 Irvine Agriculture Discovery Center (ADC)
Our ADC farm champion and spokesperson Nichole Neubauer tells us about exciting community partnerships and opportunities for students to build skills in leadership, communication, collaboration and critical thinking. The huge new vermicomposting system is now up and running and Nichole tells us how students from K-9 are able to contribute to this project.
Located along the Trans Canada highway, Irvine is a K-9 school with 325 students.
Listen in to previous episodes at 1.10 and 2.14 and 3.09.
4.10 Jenner - Junior High Options
We chat with principal Kirby Stensrud as she updates us on the exciting options and trades courses that Junior High students are able to experience. Jenner School is a rural Alberta K-9 school with fewer than 30 students; their Prairie Rose Possibility includes providing diverse learning opportunities for “electives”.
Listen to earlier updates at episodes 1.01 and 2.04 and 3.01.
4.09 Senator Gershaw - Greenhouse Plus
The Senator Gersahw Greenhouse is one of our longest-running Prairie Rose Possibility projects. Spread between two neighbouring schools in Bow Island, Principal Scott Angle outlines many of the growing opportunities in the past and new pilot project opportunities into the future.
4.08 Seven Persons School - Outdoor Leadership
Seven Persons School is offering a somewhat different version of Outdoor learning this year with an increased focus on Leadership for these grade 7 and 8 students. Listen in as lead teacher Lynnette Copeland gives us some of the highlights of their year - from camping to community gardens.
Located about 20 minutes west of Medicine Hat on Highway #3, Seven Persons is a K-9 school with about 260 students.
4.07 REIN -Rodeo & Equine in the North
REIN (Rodeo & Equine in the North) has students from 4 Prairie Rose Schools: Warren Peers School, Oyen Public School, South Central High School and New Brigden School
A group of equine-loving students in the North of Prairie Rose come together every Tuesday afternoon for several hours of riding and learning about horsemanship. School principal and REIN leader Lora Fletcher-Wilson comes to us live from the Crossroads Arena floor as we chat about the improvement these students have made.
4.06 Ralston School - Learning from the Land
Listen in as we check in with, Jocelyn Encinas, one of the Ralston teachers involved in Ralston School’s Learning from the Land project as she tells about all sorts of ways that Learning from the Land fits into curriculums and makes for memorable field trips.
Ralston is a K-9 School with 85 students. Most students are visiting Alberta and Canada for a few years as their parents serve at Canadian Forces Base Suffield or British Army Training Unit Suffield.
4.05 Foremost FARM
4.04 PMAS Options in the Community
Join principal Simon Moreton as we discuss how the PMAS (Prairie Mennonite Alternative School) Prairie Rose Possibility Project brings new cultural, trades and educational experiences to students from low-German-speaking Mennonite families. As a result of these opportunities, higher percentages of students are continuing on to high school.
Listen to earlier updates at Episode 3.02, Episode 2.07 and Episode 1.02.
4.03 Warren Peers School - Archery
Teacher leader and coach, Jaime Didychuk, talks about archery as a growing sport, especially in Alberta schools with small populations. Listen in as she tells us how archery is growing in Southern Alberta and how students are fine-tuning their skills in this life-long activity.
4.02 Seven Persons School - Academy of Fine Arts
Listen in as teachers in the Seven Persons Academy of the Fine Arts update us on this opportunity for grade 4-6 students to take a deep dive and explore the Visual and Performing Arts. Teachers Mrs. Drew (Drama) and Mrs. Molin (Music) review some of the great performance opportunities students have had this year, and how they have grown in their confidence and skill as performers.
4.01 Warren Peers - Maker Space
Season 4 of Prairie Rose Possibilities starts with Warren Peers School Maker Space teacher leader Kirsten McCurdy. We talk about some of the achievements in the Maker Space realm this school year and how the maker mindset is impacting learning in other subjects.
Listen to earlier Warren Peers MakerSpace updates at 1.13 and 2.01 and 3.04.
3.13 - Senator Gershaw Farms/Greenhouse
3.12 Foremost FARM Garden Project
Salsa. Watermelon. Hydroponics.
Listen in as Foremost principal Corey Steeves outlines successes, iterations and future goals of the Foremost FARM (Foremost Agriculture Resource Model) project. Foremost is our only K-12 school in Prairie Rose School District and is the furthest south geographically in our vast school district.
3.11 Warren Peers Archery
3.10 -REIN - Rodeo & Equine in the North
Learn more about REIN - Rodeo and Equine in the North from school principal and rodeo alumni Lora Fletcher-Wilson as she updates us on one of three Prairie Rose Possibilities projects that involve horses.
This Prairie Rose Possibilities Project operates in conjunction with four schools: Warren Peers School from Acadia Valley,AB; Oyen Public School and South Central High School from Oyen, AB; and New Brigden School.
3.09 Irvine - Agriculture Discovery Center
Learn from project lead Nichole Neubauer about how the Irvine Agriculture Discovery Center is using the cold winter months to expand programming around agricultural career opportunities, farm safety, community connections and more accessible curriculum connections.
Irvine School is a K-9 school with approximately 360 students. Is is located just minutes from the Saskatchewan border along the Trans Canada Highway.
3.08 Foremost Rodeo Academy
Listen in as Foremost teacher and Rodeo Academy facilitator Michelle Cowie tells about the genesis of the Rodeo Academy and some of the exciting big next steps as it shifts from Club to Academy.
Foremost is the only K-12 school in Prairie Rose and has approximately 150 students.
3.07 Agriculture in the North
Drones. Worms, Chicks. Greenhouses. Careers…
Listen in as principal Jason Duchscherer fills us in on exciting developments with the Quad-School project around Agriculture in the northern part of our district..
Schools that contribute to this project include Oyen Public School and South Central High School; New Brigden School; and Warren Peers School in Acadia Valley.
3.06 Irvine School - Equine Interaction Program
Program Lead, Linda Kraft, from Irvine School’s Equine Interaction program gives an update on a significant shift that has happened in the project for this school year.
Irvine School is a K-9 School located in a town along the Trans Canada Highway - about 15 minutes from the Saskatchewan border
3.05 Ralston School - Learning From the Land
Listen in as we check in with, Lisa Dixon, one of the Ralston teachers involved in Ralston School’s Learning from the Land project as she tells about specific cross-curricular learning opportunities that she is connecting to Science “wetlands curriculum”... in the middle of the prairies!
Ralston School is a K-9 school located just off the Trans Canada Highway about 45 kilometres west of Medicine Hat. The majority of the students at this school are from military families who serve at the British Army Training base nearby.
3.04 Warren Peers School Maker Space
We chat with Warren Peers School Maker Space teacher leader Kirsten McCurdy and discuss the importance of cultivating cognitive flexibility, as shown in the 4 goals of this Makerspace: flexibility, persistence, communication & craftsmanship. Lots of updates about how this program has grown since last year.
Warren Peers is a K-9 school located in Acadia Valley, Alberta with approximately 45 students in triple-graded classes.
3.03 Seven Persons School - Academy of Fine Arts
Listen in as teachers in the Seven Persons Academy of the Fine Arts update us on this opportunity for grade 4-6 students to take a deep dive and explore the Visual and Performing Arts.
Seven Persons is a K-9 School located in Southern Alberta along Highway #3.
3.02 PMAS Options in the Community
Join principal Simon Moreton as we discuss how the PMAS Prairie Rose Possibility Project brings new cultural, trades and educational experiences to students from low-German-speaking Mennonite families.
Prairie Mennonite Alternative School is the only Prairie Rose School located within Medicine Hat City Limits; its population is made up of students from low-German-speaking Mennonite families, many who are new to Canada.
Listen to previous project updates at Episode 2.07 and Episode 1.02.
3.01 Jenner - Outdoor Electives & Skills
We’re excited to kick off Season 3 by talking to principal Kirby Stensrud as she updates us on the exciting options and trade courses that Junior High students are able to experience.
Jenner School is a rural Alberta K-9 school with fewer than 30 students; their Prairie Rose Possibility includes providing diverse learning opportunities for “electives”.
2.16 -Seven Persons School Outward Bound
Listen in as Lynnette Copeland, Junior High teacher at Seven Persons School (K-9) talks about a Prairie Possibilities project that features a partnership with Outward Bound to teach students the resiliency that comes with surviving in nature.
Students Ryder and Justin tell us about some of the skills they’ve learned and the challenges they’ve overcome.
2.15 -Foremost Rodeo Club
Listen in as Foremost School (K-12) principal, Corey Steeves gives an update on one of two Prairie Rose Possibilities projects at Foremost School: the Foremost Rodeo Club.
Foremost is a Prairie Rose K-12 public school in Southern Alberta with about 150 students.
2.14 -Irvine Agriculture Discovery Center
Farmer Nichole takes us through some of the exciting things happening as the animals move into Irvine School's Agriculture Discovery for the first time this spring and as the garden is established with trees and watering systems. This episode will include updates on other aspects and learning curves during the first year of this ambitious Prairie Rose Possibilities Project.
2.13 Irvine Equine Interaction Program
The Irvine Equine Interaction Program is one element of the Irvine School Equine Program. Listen in as Education Assistant Keri Gold tells about her experience with students in the program. We hear a student perspective from Hayden who went from reluctant to willing participant.
Irvine School is a K-9 School in Prairie Rose with approximately 350 students. Listen to the first episode about the Equine Program at Episode 1.16
2.12 Oyen Junior Badgers Baseball
Listen in as Sarah Hagens tells how the new Junior Badgers school baseball program fits with other programs. Dyson & Kailyn fill us in on the value of being able to practice their favourite sport at school.
Listen to the first chat about Junior Badgers Baseball in Episode 1.08.
2.11 -Warren Peers School - Archery
Lead teacher Jaime Didychuk provides an update on the recent tournament successes of our district’s only archery team and students Mackenzie, Reese, and AJ add their thoughts about competing as archers.
2.09 - Prairie Rose Art Institute
Listen in as lead teacher Kameko Ballantyne tells us what the multi-site Jr/Sr High Art Institute is currently working on and what exciting things are coming up. We will learn how the students are growing in their peer critique and hear from a South Central High School art student, Maddie.
Listen to their first installment at episode 1.9.
2.10 Seven Persons - Academy of Fine Arts
Seven Persons Academy of the Fine Arts is geared for grades 4 to 6 students as they get to learn deeply in music, art and drama. The three lead teachers in the Academy tell us what exciting things they are working on and some shifts they have made along the way.
Students Jack, Ben and Nixon give us their take on learning in the Academy of Fine Arts.
Listen to their first podcast in episode 1.12.
2.08 Foremost School - FARM Garden project
Mrs. WIlliams is the Foremost Garden expert. She leads us into the F.A.R.M. plans for spring. Students Daina and Vaera explain some of the student roles in the garden project.
Listen to their first installment at episode 1.3.
2.07 -Prairie Mennonite - Options in the Community
Prairie Mennonite Alternative School is a grade 1-9 school whose students are all German speaking from Mennonite families that have come to Canada from Mexico. These families are often very traditional and so this Prairie Rose Possibility Project is pleased to be able to offer them experiences both on and off-campus that they would not yet have experienced in Canada.
One of the teachers, Mrs. Forbes, tells us about how the students helped choose the classes, and we get to hear from Nicholas, Nellie, Evan and Aaron about their favourite experiences.
Listen to the first installment 1.02 here.
2.06 -Senator Gershaw-Prairie Rose Possibilites - Senator Gershaw Farms/Greenhouse
Senator Gershaw is a grade 4-12 school in the community of Bow Island in Southern Alberta. A few years ago they built a fabulous greenhouse that sits between the school and the prairies. They are now using their greenhouse as part of their Prairie Rose Possibilities project.
Listen in as lead teacher Cory Schiebelbein gives us an overview of this new year in the greenhouse. Students Chance and Linden tell us some of the technical things that they are learning about )and a favourite vegetable!)
Listen to their first installment at episode 1.6.
2.05 - Ralston School - Learning from the Land
Ralston School is a rural Alberta K-9 school but the majority of attendees are British students whose parents serve at British Army Training Unit Suffield. These visiting families are often shocked at the wide-open “nothingness” that seems to surround their community.
Ralston’s Prairie Rose Possibility is to help both international and local families discover the surprising diversity and opportunities that exist on the Prairies and learn from Indigenous perspectives as well.
Listen in as teacher Wade Carrier tells how he is infusing “Learning from the Land” into all the courses he teaches. Student Poppy will compare Southern Alberta to her home in the UK and she and Parker will tell about one of their most impactful experiences in Learning from the Land.
Check out their initial installment in episode 1.7.
2.04 - Jenner - Outdoor Skills & Electives
Jenner School is a rural Alberta K-9 school with fewer than 30 students; their Prairie Rose Possibility includes providing diverse learning options opportunities and building a beautiful outdoor space. Listen in as teacher Kris Attfield tells about his own learning in the elective courses he has led in Jenner's Prairie Possibilities Project.
Students Parker and Korban will tell us their favourite, most surprising, and most challenging things that they’ve learned.
Check out their initial story in episode 1.1.
2.03 REIN - Kick off to Rodeo & Equine in the North
Listen to Warren Peers principal and REIN Lead Instructor, Lora Fletcher-Wilson as she tells us about the first few weeks of REIN- Rodeo & Equine in the North -which, like the Oyen Agriculture Project involves students at all four of our northern schools.
Students Evy, Rhett and Cade tell us what they have been learning so far.
Listen to their first installment at episode 1.11.
2.02 - Always Growing in the North -Prairie Rose Possibilites
This mid-year episode takes us to the Agriculture project in our Northern schools, this time at Oyen Public School. Mrs. Senkiw is the “worm boss” and she and students Paxton and Kaeyden will update us on how their worm farm is coming along.
Listen to their first installment at episode 1.5.
2.01 -Warren Peers School Prairie Possibilties - Makerspace
We’re excited to kick off Season 2 by talking about things we’ve learned in our Prairie Rose Possibilities, sometimes the hard way. This episode takes us to the Warren Peers Makerspace Project in Acadian Valley, where we talk with lead teacher Mrs. McCurdy and makers Tristen and Corban.
Listen to their first installment at episode 1.13.
1.1 -Jenner Prairie Rose Posibilites- Outdoor/Skills
Listen in as Jenner School (K-9) principal Kirby Stensrud gives an overview of Jenner's Prairie Possibilities Project- providing diverse learning options opportunities for a small rural community & building a beautiful outdoor space.
1.16 - Irvine School- Prairie Possibilities -Equine Program
Join project co-ordinator Linda Kraft as she tells us about two separate equestrian-focused programs that are available for students in grades 7-9 at Irvine School, a K-9 school in Alberta, located just of the Trans-Canada Highway not too far from the Saskatchewan border.
1.15 -Seven Persons School -Prairie Possibilities - Outward Bound
Listen in as Lynnette Copeland, Junior High teacher at Seven Persons School (K-9) talks about a new year-long options course for grades 7-9. This Prairie Possibilities project features a partnership with Outward Bound to teach students the resiliency that comes with surviving in nature.
1.14 - Warren Peers School - Prairie Possibilities - Archery Project
Join Jaime Didychuk, the instructor and project lead of the Prairie Rose Possibilities Archery Project at Warren Peers School, a K-9 school in Acadia Valley, Alberta.
In this program, all junior high students spend 2 hours a week learning to become archers, thanks to funding from Prairie Rose and the local Rod & Gun Club.