Tansi
Wolf Creek Public Schools aligns with the Ministry of Education’s focus on improving student engagement and achievement among First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students in the areas of academics with a specific focus on literacy to close the gap for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students in student achievement, retention in school, graduation rates, and advancement to postsecondary studies.
The First Nations, Métis, and Inuit portfolio is housed in Inclusive Learning Services and as a division supports developing a holistic understanding of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures, worldviews, histories, and current realities. Schools that embody effective principles and practices of inclusion coordinate and unify education programs and supports in order to ensure that all students belong and can learn effectively. This approach fosters relationships that welcome, nurture and honor individual student’s stories and cultures and encourage the blending of both culture and curriculum to strengthen the learning for all students.
Wolf Creek Public Schools is committed to collaboration with students,staff, district office staff, interagency partners, Maskwacis First Nations community members, Métis and Inuit organizations, and stakeholders to develop strategies, resources, programs and initiatives that support student success in and out of school.
Maskwacis Student Intake Process
There are a limited number of seats available for students who are registering cross-boundary to attend schools in Wolf Creek Public Schools. Each school in Ponoka has a limited number of seats available, which will be filled through a collaborative intake process. This process allows us to work as a committee to determine if a student is eligible to attend WCPS, and to determine how we can best support the transition and appropriate placement.
Factors that impact acceptance are:
Available space, classroom make up, programming options, and staffing.
Existing students:
- Returning students will be given priority; however, they must be registered by June 15th.
- A review of student acceptance for returning students will only be reviewed if there are concerns in any of the following areas: safety issues at the school, chronic attendance issues, lack of parental/guardian support and partnership, on-going discipline issues, and unpaid school fees.
- School fees must be paid before the start of each school year for non-resident students. If fee payment is a barrier, the family must meet with Administration to make alternate arrangements regarding fee payment.
New Students:
- Must complete a registration package, which is available at the bottom of this page or at the school. These packages can be picked up from April–June.
- Once the applications are submitted, there will be a committee, consisting of representation from all three schools and WCPS District Office, who will review the applications. After the committee makes their decision, parents will be notified.
- The Application Review Process will include gathering information on the following:
- The committee contacting the student’s previous school regarding academic and school history.
- Required additional learning supports.
- Safety: gang involvement, violence, drugs, or drug dealing.
- Academic success is not a determining factor in the application process. Indicators such as effort, attendance, ethical behavior, and attitude are all taken into consideration.
Acceptance
- After the committee has completed the selection process, parents and students will be notified.
- Notification will indicate acceptance, and outline any conditions, such as, attendance, fees, parent involvement etc.
- Students who are accepted will be required to complete a reading screen and an intake interview. This will allow us to best support the student as they transition into WCPS.
- WCPS is NOT responsible for transporting cross-boundary students. The families must make those arrangements with Hobbema Transport.
Click here to begin your application
If you have any questions, please contact the Administration at the school where your child is interested in attending.
Parent Information for First Nation, Metis, and Inuit Families
Wolf Creek Public Schools is committed to collaboration with parents, students,staff, interagency partners, Maskwacis First Nations community members, Métis and Inuit organizations, and stakeholders to develop strategies, resources, programs and initiatives that support student success in and out of school.
Student Information
Awards, Scholarships and Bursaries
The following Awards, Scholarships and Bursaries are available to First Nation, Metis and Inuit students. Please contact Shelagh Hagemann for additional information and support for accessing these opportunities.
Awards
- The Alberta Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards provides an opportunity to recognize the achievements of Aboriginal youth and share their successes with others from across the Province. There are eight categories and two Aboriginal youth will be selected from each.
- The "Lead Your Way" National Aboriginal Role Model Program celebrates the accomplishments of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Youth aged 13 to 30. "Lead Your Way" inspires Aboriginal youth to strive to reach their goals.
- ConocoPhillips Canada presents awards annually to Aboriginal students who demonstrate hard work and dedication in pursuit of higher learning. Efforts can include upgrading their secondary education or entering a post-secondary program. Awards are granted on a yearly basis and may be used to cover portions of tuition, books or living expenses.
- Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Canada Website
- Aboriginal Learning Link
- Alberta Government
- Alberta Health Career Bursary
- Alberta Blue Cross Scholarships
- Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS)
- Belcourt Brosseau Métis Awards
- Canada Post Aboriginal Education Incentive Award
- McGill Student Information First People's House Métis Endowment Fund
- Shell Canada
- University of Alberta - Aboriginal Student Services
- NAIT - scholarshhttp://www.eco.ca/training/aboriginal-environmental-training/ips and bursaries for aboriginal students enrolled in full-time, part-time and apprenticeship programs.
- TransAlta - offers a number of bursaries for Aboriginal students. Applications for the upcoming school year are now available.
- Indspire - The Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries and Scholarship Awards can provide you with the financial security that can assist you in completing your educational goals.
- TD Scholarships for Community Leadership - designed to recognize the achievements of youth who are making a difference and help them realize their educational goals.
- MacEwan University
- ATCO Pipelines - aimed at supporting Aboriginal students from First Nations and Métis communities in close proximity to our facilities.
- Horatio Alger Association of Canada - 20 scholarships of $5,000 each year to full-time students in Alberta with financial need.
- Windspeaker Aboriginal Scholarship Guide
Teacher Resources
Alberta Education in partnership with the ATA and other provincial organizations have designed Teacher Quality Standards and Leadership Quality Standards.
“The revision of this resource, the Teaching Quality Standard (TQS) and the complementary development of a School Leader Standard(SLS) (principal, vice-principal) and subsequent School Authority Leader Standard (superintendent, associate superintendent) will heighten public assurance about the quality of education in Alberta and emphasize our shared commitment to develop the conditions necessary for optimal student learning for every student in every Alberta school.” (Teaching Quality and School Leader Standards - Alberta School Councils' Association. (n.d.). Retrieved September 12, 2016)
In the Teaching Quality Standards document there are specific standards regarding the professional practice expectations for meeting the needs of First Nations, Metis and Inuit students.
The following resources from various sources provide teachers with support for meeting the Teaching Quality Standards.
Resources
- Land Acknowledgement
- Treaty 6 Traditional Land Acknowledgement
- Assembly of First Nations
- Accessing Elder Support Across the Division
- Walking Together
- Our Words, Our Ways: Teaching First Nations, Metis and Inuit Learners
- Empowering the Spirit
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
- Nitohtahwin
- ATA FNMI Resource Page
- Provincial FNMI Professional Learning Project
- Education is our Buffalo - ATA
- FNMI Collaborative Framework: Building Relationships
- FNMI Literacy and Numeracy Promising Practices
- Moving Forward: Implementing FNMI Collaborative Frameworks
- Our Way is a Valid Way - Educator Resource
- Four Directions Teachings
- Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
- National Aboriginal Day - AANDC
- Aboriginal Day Live (APTN)
- First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Professional Learning
- Literacy Seed
- Incorporating Indigenous Practices Into Your Classroom Kit
- Indigenous Arts & Stories Competition
- Indigenous Peoples - Historica Canada
- Cree Language Materials
- Online Cree Dictionary
- National Screen Institute - I'm Not the Indian You Had in Mind
- First Nations Films
- APTN.ca