Departments

Facilities and Maintenance Staff

"Dedicated to maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment through quality service"

Alan Kloepper - Manager of Facilities and Maintenance

Phone: (403) 793-6712

JoAnn Wald - Maintenance Assistant

Phone: (403) 793-6713

Bob Clow - Carpenter

Shawn Schuh - Electrician

Dave Mercer - Plumber

Nicole Ferroni - Maintenance Technician

Danny Steel - Maintenance Technician

Zandy Aguilar - Maintenance Technician

Jay Pelisco - Maintenance Technician

Terry Carter - Maintenance Technician

Alcoma School

Rainier, Alberta

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• The original wood frame building, which is the northern part of the facility, was built in 1948. The 1974 addition consisted of a new administration area, washrooms, 2 classrooms, and a new gymnasium. The latest addition in 1978 added 4 classrooms, change and shower rooms, and some storage space. Both of the 1974 and 1978 additions are built of masonry construction.
• The interior finishes of this building are block, drywall, and vinyl covered drywall, all of which are coated with an alkyd base paint.
• The entire school is heated with forced air furnaces. Some classrooms have individual furnaces (shelve-a-duct) and other classrooms are heated by centrally located furnaces which service a number of classrooms. All of the furnaces have been inspected and have had the necessary repairs or alterations made.
• This school has a capacity of 170 student spaces and is 1854 square metres in size. In 2019/2020 there were 55 students enrolled making the Utilization Rate 32%.
• Total Plant Operations and Maintenance Costs for 2019/2020 (Maintenance/Custodial/Utilities) $54.00 per square metre

Bassano School

Bassano, Alberta

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• The original Bassano School was built in 1956. In 1962 four classrooms and two bathrooms were added onto the north side of the original building and finally in 1969 a major addition was added onto the east side of the existing structure. This addition consisted of five classrooms, stage/gymnasium, administration area, and also bathroom and shower facilities. A major modernization started in 2007 with completion in 2009.
• The interior finishes of this school range from drywall to block and brick finishes. These finishes are all covered with an alkyd base paint.
• The school is heated by a hot water boiler and located in the east boiler room and a steam boiler located in the west boiler room. All the heat is provided by radiant fin tubes located on the outside walls of the classrooms.
• This school has a capacity of 542 student spaces and is 5055 square metres in size. In 2019/20 there were 296 students enrolled making the Utilization Rate 55%.
• Total Plant Operations and Maintenance Costs for 2019/2020 (Maintenance/Custodial/Utilities) $52.55 per square metre

Brooks Composite High School

650 - 4th Ave East Brooks, Alberta

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• The original building of this school was constructed in 1965. An industrial art's wing was added onto the northwest corner of the school in 1973. In 1990, an addition to the west side of the school was built to accommodate storage and home economics facilities. In 1991, a kitchen was added onto the west side, an administration area was added onto the south side, and a gymnasium and C.T.S. facilities were added onto the northeast side of the school. Also, at that time, during the 1992 program year, the entire facility was modernized. This construction and modernization was completed in August of 1994.
• The interior of this school has a combination of block, brick, drywall, and fabric finishes all of which are in excellent condition. The building is heated with two, 8 million BTU hot water boilers and the entire facility, with the exception of the gymnasium and C.T.S. areas, are cooled with conventional roof top mounted air conditioners. The metal roof covers the entire facility, meaning that there are no existing areas of conventional built up roofing (tar and gravel) in service.
• The Brooks Composite High School has a capacity of 897 student spaces and takes up an area of 9374 square metres. In 2019/2020 there were 614 students making the Utilization Rate 68%.
• Total Plant Operations and Maintenance Costs for 2019/2020 (Maintenance/Custodial/Utilities) $47.36 per square metre

Brooks Junior High School

124 - 4th Ave. East Brooks, Alberta

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• This school was originally built in 1953. This facility is made of masonry construction with small portions of wood frame construction in the 1959, 1985, and 1972 sections. In a follow up to 1985 construction there was a modernization in 1986 which upgraded the mechanical and electrical of the entire school. In addition to the mechanical and electrical, new glazing and flooring were installed.
• The interior of this school has a combination of drywall, block, and brick finishes, all of which are covered with an alkyd base paint.
• The heating is supplied by a combination of hot water boilers and heat pumps. The heat pumps also provide some cooling but this does not occur throughout the entire structure.
• The building envelope is in excellent condition. All the doors and windows in the school were removed and replaced in 1986. The type of doors and windows installed were of a high standard and provide an excellent weather seal. The capacity of this school is 663 student spaces and is 5563 square metres in size. In 2019/2020 there were 558 students enrolled making the Utilization Rate 84%.
• Total Plant Operations and Maintenance Costs for 2019/2020 (Maintenance/Custodial/Utilties) $57.26 per square metre

Duchess School

Duchess, Alberta

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• This school was originally built in 1956 with additions taking place in 1959, 1966, 1982, 1994, and 1996. The original building and all the additions were made of masonry construction, with the exception of the 1996 addition which is framed construction. A major modernization of this facility started in 2007 with completion in 2009.
• The interior of this school has finishes consisting of block, brick, and drywall. These finishes are covered with alkyd based paint in some areas and acrylic latex paint in other areas.
• The capacity of this school is 474 student spaces and is 4173 square metres in size. In 2019/2020 there were 355 students enrolled making the Utilization Rate 75%.
• Total Plant Operations and Maintenance Costs for 2019/2020 (Maintenance/Custodial/Utilities) $62.51 per square metre

Eastbrook School

417 - 7th Street East Brooks

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• This school was originally built in 1975 with masonry construction. That same year, 6 portable classrooms were added on to the west side of the school. In 1977, 4 more portables were attached to the south side of the building. Then the most recent of 2 portable classrooms were added onto the south side of the building in the fall of 1994.
• The core of this school is heated by means of a central hot water boiler located in the mezzanine adjacent to the gymnasium area. The portable classrooms (12 in total) are heated by individual forced air furnaces in each classroom. They also have individual roof top air conditioning units for each classroom.
• The interior finishes of this school range from brick, block, drywall, and fabric finishes, most of which are covered with an alkyd based paint.
• Modernization of this school took place in 2017
• The capacity of this school is 450 student spaces and is 3599 square metres in size. In 2019/2020 there were 478 students enrolled making the Utilization Rate 106%.
• Total Plant Operations and Maintenance Costs for 2019/2020 (Maintenance/Custodial/Utilities) $67.81 per square metre (High cost due to modernization's in house labour)

Gem School

Gem, Alberta

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• This school was built in 1949 with wood frame construction.
• The interior of this school is finished with hardboard and drywall. The building is heated with a forced air furnace which was replaced in 2000.
• In 1994 the school received a well insulated 2-ply modified roof as well as new windows therefore this building envelope is in very good condition.
• The capacity of this school is 77 student spaces and is 847 square metres in size. In 2019/2020 there were 19 students enrolled making the Utilization Rate 25%.
• Total Plant Operations and Maintenance Costs for 2019/2020 (Maintenance/Custodial/Utilities) $70.43 per square metre

Griffin Park School

805 - 4th Ave. Brooks, Alberta

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• This facility was built in 1979 with masonry construction. Also at that time, 4 portable classrooms were attached to the southeast end of the building. 2 more portables were added onto the existing portables in 1985. In 2006, 6 more portable classrooms were added to the east side of the school.
• The core of this school is heated by a central hot water boiler. The portables (16 in total) have individual forced air furnaces and air conditioning units.
• The capacity of this school is 660 student spaces and is 4599 square metres in size. In 2019/2020 there were 454 students enrolled making the Utilization Rate 69%.
• Total Plant Operations and Maintenance Costs for 2019/2020 (Maintenance/Custodial/Utilities) $47.08 per square metre

Rolling Hills School

Rolling Hills, Alberta

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• This school was built in 1956 of masonry construction. In the summer of 1994 this school underwent some interior and exterior upgrading.
• The exterior of the school had a portion of it stuccoed and it also had all of the exterior windows replaced. The interior of the school received some upgrading when the majority of the classroom flooring was replaced. The corridor flooring was all replaced in 1986.
• The roof is in good condition as it was totally replaced in 1989. The steam boiler (original 1956) was inspected and x-rayed by boiler specialists and found to be in good condition.
• The interior of this school is all block finish painted with an alkyd base paint. The finish throughout the school is in good shape.
• The capacity of this school is 276 student spaces and is 2538 square metres. In 2019/2020 there were 58 students enrolled making the Utilization Rate 21%.
• Total Plant Operations and Maintenance Costs for 2019/2020 (Maintenance/Custodial/Utilities) $43.16 per square metre

Rosemary School

Rosemary, Alberta

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• This facility was built in 1958 of masonry construction. All the interior walls are block and brick finish with alkyd base paint.
• In 1992, all the corridor floor covering was replaced as well as most of the classroom flooring. In 1991, the gymnasium floor was replaced with a new floating maple hardwood floor.
• The heating is supplied to this school through several forced air furnaces. In 1995, through emergency funding, all of the furnaces and/or heat exchangers were replaced in the school. In 2002, the Rosemary School was modernized.
• The capacity of this school is 310 student spaces and is 3066 square metres in size. In 2019/2020 there were 180 students enrolled making the Utilization Rate 58%.
• Total Plant Operations and Maintenance Costs for 2019/2020 (Maintenance/Custodial/Utilities) $53.31 per square metre

Sunrise School

411 - 7th Street East Brooks, Alberta

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• This facility was originally constructed in 1992 and was utilized by the Maintenance Department until 2001. The facility was then refurbished as an Outreach School.
• This school is heated by hot water and forced air.
• Sunrise School has a capacity of 74 student spaces and is 910 square metres in size. In 2019/2020 there were 68 students enrolled making the Utilization Rate 92%.
• Total Plant Operations and Maintenance Costs for 2019/2020 (Maintenance/Custodial/Utilities) $78.04 per square metre

Tilley School

Tilley, Alberta

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• The original wood frame school was built in 1947 and in 1959 a masonry constructed high school was built on to the northeast corner of the original building. In 1992, the entire school structure was modernized which brought all the electrical and mechanical components up to standard.
• This school is heated with two centrally located glycol heaters. This, in conjunction with the roof top mounted ventilation unit, is providing adequate room temperatures in the winter as well as strong ventilation for the warmer days.
• The building envelope is in relatively good condition as all the school's glazing has been replaced since 1989.
• The capacity of this school is 311 student spaces and is 3057 square metres. In 2019/2020 there were 115 students enrolled making the Utilization Rate 37%.
• Total Plant Operations and Maintenance Costs for 2018/2020 (Maintenance/Custodial/Utilities) $46.00 per square metre

Uplands School

Brooks, Alberta

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• Original construction of this P-3 school was 2014
• The capacity of this school is 450 student spaces and is 3868 square metres in size.  In 2019/2020 there were 439 students enrolled making the Utilization Rate 98%.
• Total Plant Operations and Maintenance Costs for 2019/2020 (Maintenance/Custodial/Utilities) $51.21 per square metre

Shane Harahus

Director Of Finance
Phone: (403) 793-6700
Fax: (403) 362-8225

Donna Bobinski

Accounts Payable
Phone: (403) 793-6700 ext 6609
Fax: (403) 362-8225

Rachelle Fiset

Finance
Phone: (403) 793-6700 ext 6625
Fax: (403) 362-8225

Darla Wandler

Payroll
Phone: (403) 793-6700 ext 6705
Fax: (403) 362-8225

Finance Resources

• EFT Customer Information

Payroll Resources

• TD1 2021

Sherry M. Stica 

OH & S Coordinator
Phone: (403) 793-6716
Office Hours: M-F 8:30am-4:30pm

Health and Safety Policy

Grasslands Public Schools is committed to a Health and Safety program that protects our staff, our property, and other workers who enter our property, the general public and the environment. Our commitment to safety is in accordance with standards outlined in the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Legislation. Our objective is to prevent injuries and property damage in all work execution and operations. This will be achieved by creating a work atmosphere in which health and safety is implemented with everyday operations. Employees at every level are responsible and accountable for the schools health and safety performance and will provide leadership for the health and safety program. Employees will be familiar with the requirements of the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Legislation and the Grasslands P.S. Health and Safety Legislation and Grasslands P.S. Health and Safety program as it related to their work processes. This will be achieved by: promoting a work environment based on employee involvement, teamwork, education, training and commitment; promoting the philosophy that safety is a value associated with every priority; recognizing group and individual achievements; treating everyone with dignity and respect; and ensuring all regulatory requirements, specifically the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation and Code, are met in all work execution and operations Grasslands P.S. is responsible for the health and safety of employees by actively encouraging the participation of all employees in the Health and Safety Program. Also, Grasslands P.S. will provide the educational tools required so all employees are aware of their responsibilities and duties under the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulation and Code. Employees are responsible for protecting the health and safety of themselves and their fellow employees by following all policies and procedures, working safely, and improving health and safety measures where possible. Accidental loss can be controlled through good management in combination with staff involvement. Health and Safety is the responsibility of all staff and management. All contractors shall meet the Grasslands P.S. health and safety requirements and all WCB and OH & S applicable acts, regulations and codes.

Joint Work Site Health & Safety Committee

Rhian Schroeder – Associate Superintendent, Business Services 

Sherry Stica – OH & S Coordinator – Central Office 

Sean Beaton – Assistant Superintendent – Central Office 

Alan Kloepper – Manager Facilities & Maintenance – Central Office 

Lynetta Thiessen – Manager Transportation – Central Office 

Debbie Ertmoed – Educational Assistant – Lathom Colony 

Christian Lohmann – CTS Teacher – BCHS 

Cecil Wells – Teacher – Uplands School 

Darla Wandler – Payroll Administrator – Central Office 

Cole Robinson – Service Technician – Transportation Shop 

Terry Carter - Maintenance Technician – Maintenance Shop

Occupational Health & Safety Resources

• Hour Zero
• Public School Works
• Joint Worksite Health and Safety Terms of Reference
• Job Hazard Assessments
• Report an accident
• Hazard and Near-Miss Reporting
• Identification and Management of Concussions
• OHS Code
• Pandemic PPE Procedures
• Pandemic Hazard Assessment
• WCB

Alberta Education - LearnAlberta.ca

Alberta Education - Curriculum Development

AB Ed Curriculum Development Pathways Apr 25 2017 K - 12

Provincial Curriculum Development Information Sheet K - 12 

The Handbook of Language and Literacy Development: A Roadmap for 0 to 60 months

Locally Developed Courses - Approved 2020 2021

Curriculum Resources

• Sample Lesson Plans
• First Steps in Writing Resources
• First Steps in Mathematics

First Nations, Métis and Inuit

Links

First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Curriculum Development

Guiding Voices A Curriculum Development Tool for the Inclusion of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Perspectives Throughout Curriculum

Sixties Scoop Apology

Indigenous Relations - Ministry of Indigenous Relations

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada - National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

Walking Together - First Nations, Metis and Inuit Perspectives in Curriculum

Residential Schools in Canada - Canadian Encyclopedia Information

The Intergenerational Trauma of First Nations still runs Deep - The Globe and Mail article

Teaching Resources - National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

Truth and Reconciliation offers 94 'calls to action' - CBC News - December 15, 2015

Walking Both Sides of an Invisible Border - Poem

Videos

The Establishment of Residential Schools After 1880

We are all Related - Four elders discuss the differences between Canadian Law  and Cree Law

We Were So Far Away - The Inuit Experience of Residential Schools

Indigenous Insights Video Series - Alberta School Boards Association

TC2 - Indigenous Histories

Inquiring into Local and Indigenous Histories

TC2 is pleased to announce the release of twenty-four new teaching and learning materials to support an inquiry into local and Indigenous histories. Developed for grades 1-12 and available in French* and English, these lessons are designed to nurture the student competencies required for historical thinking and inquiry. Each lesson introduces a thinking tool and a related historical thinking concept that can then be used to support curriculum-related learning activities and inquiry projects. Eight of the lessons focus on developing competencies required when inquiring into local Indigenous histories. All lessons include detailed teaching notes, background information, and student learning and assessment materials. This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada. 

Resources 

4 Seasons of Reconciliation

Indigenous Education Recommended Resources - Ruperts Land

Rupertsland Organization for Teaching and Learning has developed some excellent resources to learn about the Metis history in Alberta that is recommended for all educators. Resources are continually being added as they are created and approved in support of educators’ learning and teaching.

Math

Mathematics Kindergarten to Grade 12 Scope and Sequence 2017

The Mathematics Kindergarten to Grade 12 Scope and Sequence (English and French) has been derived from and aligns with the Alberta Program of Studies for Mathematics K–9 (2007, Updated 2016) and the Alberta Program of Studies for Mathematics 10–12 (2008). As this scope and sequence is based on current programs of study, it outlines the progression of concepts in the programs of study and highlights the connections between strands, topics and grades. On the other hand, the scope and sequence for future programs will be aligned with The Guiding Framework for the Design and Development of Kindergarten to Grade 12 Provincial Curriculum (Programs of Study). 

Additional Mathematics Support Resources

A list of Additional Support Resources (English and French) for the K–9 math program of studies was developed to provide further support for the K–9 math program of studies. The most recent additions to the list were added in June 2017.

Elementary Mathematics Professional Learning Opportunities

Elementary teachers and pre-service teachers can access professional learning opportunities (Elementary Mathematics Professional Learning opportunities - EMPL) through the Alberta Regional Professional Development Consortia. These opportunities include a series of instructional and collaborative professional learning experiences that can be accessed anytime, anywhere (English and French). These experiences are designed to enhance teacher understanding of mathematical content and conceptual relationships, formative and summative assessment practice and instructional practices related to student learning.

Math Bursary Program

The Math Bursary Program (English and French) is a new bursary for pre-service and in-service teachers. The goal of the bursary is to provide funding to encourage eligible current and future Alberta K–12 teachers to take a qualifying math pedagogy course. Bursaries in the amount of $1,000 are available to applicants who meet the eligibility criteria. Applicants may qualify for a maximum of two math bursaries ($1000 each).

If you have any questions about the Math Bursary Program, please contact the Math Bursary Program Manager at EDC.mathbursary@gov.ab.ca or 780-427-2045 (toll-free within Alberta by first dialing 310-0000).

Grasslands Support Services Team

Patti Jones - Director of Student Services    403-793-6700

Ruth Tkachyk - Early Learning Coordinator  403-362-8729

Jennifer Roth - Speech Language Pathologist   403-362-8729

Karmen Zich - Speech Language Pathologist  403-362-8729

Kaitee Vegter - Speech Language Pathologist 403-362-8729

Don Chafe - Student Services Consultant  403-362-8729

Heather Craig - Psychologist  403-362-8729

Grasslands Public Schools provide a variety of supports for students and families requiring additional services. 

Services are available for our youngest clients to high school students who are preparing to transition to life after public school.

Services available include Program Unit Funding (PUF) for children aged 3 – 5, assessments and consulting, behavioural consulting and support, counselling, English Language Learning for those new to the english language,  and classroom and specialized supports including speech/language services, and occupational and physical therapies.

• Supports for Parents
• Program information
• Provincial Assessment Information
• Coding - Criteria and Procedures
• Assessment Referrals

Literacy at Grasslands Public Schools

Learning & Innovations Google Site

Google Suite Support

Literacy Resources

• AB Ed. Gr. 3 Literacy Student Learning Assessment (SLA) Practice Questions

Mike Nielsen - Director of Technology

Phone: (403) 793-6701
Office Hours: M-F 8:00am-12:00pm/1:00pm-5:00pm

Carrie Ives - Technology Administrative Assistant

Carrie Anderson - Computer Technician

Technology Resources

• Helpdesk
• Service Catalog
• Technology Manual

Lynetta Thiessen

Transportation Supervisor
Phone: (403) 793-6703

Tracey Sorensen

Transportation Assistant
Phone: (403) 793-6700 ext 6726

Cole Robinson - Acting Head Mechanic

Derek Gibeau - Mechanic

Chuck Seward - Mechanic

David Rempel - Head Mechanic

Transportation Resources

• Bus Routes
• Cold Weather Procedures
• Public Service Announcement
• 2020-2021 Field Trip Form (Administration Use Only)
• 2020-2021 Rural Bus Rider Info
• 2020-2021 Urban Bus Rider Info
• Transportation FAQ's
• FIELD TRIP FORM - OUTSIDE ORGANIZATION 2020-2021

Kathy Irwin

Program Manager
Mental Health Capacity Building In Schools
Grasslands Innovations School Wellness Team

Phone: (403) 793-6700
Fax: (403) 362-8225

Jen Shepherd

Grasslands Health Promotion Facilitator

Phone: (403) 793-6700
Fax: (403) 362-822