John D’Or Prairie School has 425 students registered from K4 to grade 12. There is a staff of 60 people working in numerous positions within the school. Our school has undergone many renovations with more still happening. We are very excited to have an additional eight classrooms to help accommodate our growing population. We also have a new spacious lunchroom and beautiful library. Our classrooms and bathrooms have all been renovated and updated. We are looking forward to seeing our new Cree room, which will be in the center of the school and will reflect the beauty of the Cree culture.
Cree Culture Program
Maintaining and growing Cree Culture is extremely important to our school and the community. We have four full-time Cree instructors, which allows us to offer many opportunities for both in school and on the land Cree instruction. Our students benefit from daily Cree instruction. They also have the opportunity to spend time on the land, learning many Cree customs and ways of knowing. Our students participate in fall, winter and spring camps.
Curriculum
Teachers at John D’Or Prairie School follow the Alberta Curriculum in all subject areas. Our High School graduates are granted their diplomas by the Department of Education, and therefore must meet the guidelines and standards set by the Department. We also follow the Teaching Quality Standards set forth by the Department of Education.
Literacy
The school offers a variety of programs to help enhance the academic learning of its students. Our K4- grade 3 students receive Jolly Phonics programming as well as a Balanced Literacy program. These programs allow our students to work at their current reading level and help to build their comprehension and confidence.
The students in grades 4-9 receive reading training with the use of System 44 and Read 180. These are reading intervention programs to support those who need extra help and support those who excel in their reading abilities by allowing them to work at an accelerated pace.
Math
Our students are using the math program, Math Makes Sense, which correlates closely with the Alberta Curriculum. The students in grades K-9 have the use of Mathletics, an online program to help supplement the curriculum and give them extra practice to improve their skills. Our students also benefit from the use of a wide variety of math manipulatives to support hands on learning.
Industrial Arts
Our grade 7-9 students receive Industrial Arts every day. They complete a number of projects and learn how to use the various pieces of equipment in the shop classroom safely.
John D’Or Prairie School also has a Registered Apprenticeship Program. This program allows students to earn hours towards a trade while earning wages. Our students also have the opportunity to learn about different trades such as small engines, welding, carpentry, and automotive training.
Physical Education
Our students have formal physical education classes twice a week but also have many opportunities to participate in extra-curricular sports. Our gym is also made available every morning for our students to be physically active.
High School
Our High School students are offered all of the core courses necessary to graduate. We also offer a number of courses that meet different interest levels. Courses such as drama, robotics, foods, philosophy, world religions, aboriginal art, art, music, welding, finance, marketing, forestry, outdoor education, workplace, agriculture and other subjects that our students request. The school also offers courses in the area of Knowledge and Employability. Our school has a High School Success Coach and a High School Career Counsellor who help our students select their courses, help keep them on track to be successful, and support the students as they explore future plans.
Special Education
The students in grades 1-6 who require extra support or enrichment are given the opportunity to work with Special Education teachers. We also have a school readiness teacher to help those students who may have missed kindergarten and require some catch up. We also have a speech and language program. This program helps the students in lower elementary who may be having difficulty forming sounds and words. We have extra academic support available for our 7-12 students. This allows the students an opportunity to work in a small group setting to build their skills.
Technology
John D’Or Prairie School is a very technology forward school. Our students have the use of SMART board technology, Chrome books, iPads, 3D printing capabilities and robotics. Our students are learning computer aided design and other various technology programs.
Wellness Counsellor
We are very pleased to have a mental wellness counsellor on site. The counsellor works with individual students, but also works with the classes on increasing awareness of mental wellness.
Extra-Curricular
We are very happy to have an excellent extra-curricular program. We have active sports teams in basketball, volleyball, floor hockey, cross country running and badminton. We also offer a dance program, an arts and crafts program, yoga, chess club, drama, gaming club and other activities that meet the different interests of our students.
We are very proud of our students and our staff.
Feel free to drop in any time.
School Contact:
Ida Iron – Principal
Email: idai@lrrbe.com
Serena Maharaj – Vice Principal
Email: serenam@lrrbe.com
School Phone Number: 780.759.3772
School Fax Number: 780.759.3890
Address: P.O Box 120, John D’Or Prairie, AB T0H 3X0