Photo courtesy of Red Deer Public Schools.
Red Deer Public Schools (RDPS) is welcoming 11,200 students and 1,200 staff back on Sept. 3, for the 2024/2025 school year.
This year, RDPS is welcoming 32 new teachers, who are stepping into roles left by retirements, leaves of absence, and resignations, and 10 educators who are embarking on their teaching careers.
Since August, staff have been preparing classrooms and schools for a year of teaching, learning, and inspiring students.
“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.”
To begin the new school year, RDPS unveiled new priorities, which include student growth and achievement, teaching and leading, learning supports, and governance, local, and societal context.
“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.”
Later in the fall, the RDPS Board of Trustees will launch a community engagement initiative focused on budget priorities for the division. Through the engagement, stakeholders will explore how budget allocation changes impact the division. The initiative is expected to provide insights into the priorities of students, staff, families, and the community.
“Engaging with our communities is vital to the work of the Board of Trustees,” said Nicole Buchanan, Board Chair. “We are eager to gather feedback through our upcoming community engagement efforts, and to respond thoughtfully to the input we receive.”
Buchanan expressed her excitement for the new school year.
“As we embark on the 2024/2025 school year, we look forward to the opportunities it will bring,” she said. “Our board is committed to supporting our students, staff, and families every step of the way, and we are excited to see the growth and achievements that will come from our collective efforts.”
**With information provided by Red Deer Public Schools.
