Red Deer Public welcomes students back to school, shares new priorities

Aug 30, 2024 | 1:41 PM

Red Deer Public Schools (RDPS) is welcoming 11,200 students back to school on September 3, and staff have been busy setting their classrooms staged since August 26.

In addition to its students, 32 new teachers will be welcomed into the fold as they fill roles created by retirements, leaves of absence, and resignations. RDPS is also adding 21 new classified staff members to its employee roster this year.

Last year, the district welcomed 10,997 students and saw a similar number of new hires.

“We are committed to ensuring that every student in Red Deer Public has a successful school year, and reaches their full potential,” said Chad Erickson, superintendent. “Our top priority is to deliver excellence in teaching and learning in every classroom, while encouraging students to explore their passions. Red Deer Public Schools offers opportunities for all students, and we will continue to focus on improving wherever we can by working together.”

For the 2024-2025 school year, the division has launched new priorities that officials say align with the Alberta Education Assurance Domain. Approved by the board, the new priorities include student growth and achievement; teaching and leading; learning supports; and governance and local and societal context.

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“While literacy and numeracy, equity and student success and completion have been our core priorities, and will continue to be foundations in the classroom, these new focus areas will broaden our approach and enable us to better meet the needs of our students, staff, families, and community,” said Erickson. “These priorities will also guide how we allocate our budget to support the areas that matter most.”

This fall, the board of trustees are expected to launch a community engagement initiative focused on budget priorities for RDPS. Through an interactive exercise, stakeholders will have an opportunity to explore how changes to budget allocations impact the division’s overall financial picture.

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by rdnewsNOW Staff

Red Deer Public welcomes students back to school, shares new priorities

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