Education
Province says it’s time to plan for a new middle school in Red Deer

From Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools
New Middle School in Red Deer
Following Alberta Education s 2019-2020 capital projects announcement today Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools looks forward to building a new middle school in Red Deer.
We are grateful for this announcement, as our school division is in desperate need for this school. Currently, our middle schools in Red Deer are over capacity, with St. Thomas Aquinas Middle School being the highest at 137% utilization rate.
The division is seeing continued growth each school year. We are now at 10,483 students as of October 2019. This is an increase of 162 students, which equates to 1.7% growth.
We would like to thank Honourable Minister Adriana LaGrange and Honourable Minister Prasad Panda for this important investment in our division and community. We look forward to working with Alberta Education and Infrastructure ” said Board Chair, Anne Marie Watson at Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools.
“We are grateful for this announcement, as our middle schools are currently over capacity. We are happy that Alberta Education and Infrastructure are addressing this need. We look forward to working with the City of Red Deer on a school site and hope to start working on the design process soon,” said Superintendent, Paul Mason at Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools.
Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools serves over 10,480 students in 21 schools in Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, Rocky Mountain House, Innisfail, Blackfalds and Olds. It also supports the learning of over 600 students in a Home Education Program. The Division is committed to serving children and parents with a complete offering of learning opportunities delivered within the context of Catholic teachings and within the means of the Division.
Education
Our sweetest success yet: Smile Cookie Campaign breaks record

Just when we thought our smiles couldn’t get any bigger – they did! And we have the Red Deer community to thank for their overwhelming support.
We are so excited to share the total from the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign this past spring…and it’s very impressive. In fact, it’s an all-time record, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
Over the long-week campaign held April 28-May 4, Red Deerians indulged in a lot of cookies – $80,773 worth! These funds will go directly to helping struggling readers become readers of potential through Reading College, a project of The Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools.
Reading College, held each July, provides students with identified reading gaps an incredible summer experience that builds their skills, confidence, and love for reading. Students leave the program with stronger reading and writing abilities, and a solid foundation for success in school and life. Now in its 14th year, 1,000 students have graduated from Reading College.
“We continue to be amazed by the generosity of our community and the partnership with Tim Hortons,” said Kristine Plastow, Board Chair for The Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools. “These dollars directly impact kids who need extra support to become confident readers. The difference this program makes is life-changing.”
Tanya Doucette, Tim Hortons Restaurant Owner in Red Deer, said it’s incredible to see what can happen when a community comes together. The simple act of purchasing a cookie by so many amazing guests, makes a huge difference for young students right here in Red Deer.
“This record-breaking year shows how much our guests care. We are so pleased to support Reading College and help give students the tools they need to thrive,” she said.
Red Deer
Red Deer Student honoured with Chief Youth Courage Award

When you meet Brayden Chenier, a Grade 8 student at GH Dawe School, it’s clear why he’s been chosen to represent youth across Alberta. Brayden is the proud recipient of the Integrated School Support Program Provincial (ISSP) Chief Youth Courage Award, presented by the Calgary Police Youth Foundation, in recognition of his resilience, leadership and commitment to his community.
The award celebrates students who demonstrate courage and dedication to becoming a responsible and caring citizen, especially within a diverse school and community, and was presented earlier this spring at the Calgary Police Awards Gala. As part of the honour, Brayden will now serve as a youth ambassador, helping to raise awareness about child and youth crime prevention, education, and intervention programs across the province.
“It’s pretty surreal that I will be all over the province for a year,” said Brayden. “I am looking forward to helping out in the community.”
Brayden has been part of the ISSP program through GH Dawe School since 2023 and has benefited greatly from the support offered.
With the support of the mental health professional, Brayden has been able to successfully navigate a variety of challenges in his life including coming to terms with his disability and navigating a tragic loss in his life.
Born with clubfoot, Brayden has never let his physical disability stand in his way. He is an avid athlete in a number of sports including hockey, basketball, golf, track, volleyball and soccer. His goal is working towards becoming an athlete in the Paralympics.
Brayden was nominated by GH Dawe School Counsellor Amy Johansson, who described him as a compassionate, kind, hardworking, and honest person who is driven and motivated to be his very best at all that he attempts.
She added that within the GH Dawe School community, Brayden is a highly respected citizen by all students and staff. “He is highly committed to sports connected to our school, as well as sports outside of our school community. Brayden works diligently at his academics. And is so very helpful and caring, always. Brayden works to overcome a list of things that he will not allow to hold him back.”
GH Dawe School is part of Alberta’s Integrated School Support Program – a child wellness initiative aimed at improving academic performance and the overall well-being of students. The program supports schools like GH Dawe with services to meet the diverse needs of students and families.
As he takes on his role as a provincial ambassador, Brayden continues to be a role model for his peers and a reminder of the power of perseverance and community support.
-
Crime1 day ago
How Chinese State-Linked Networks Replaced the Medellín Model with Global Logistics and Political Protection
-
Aristotle Foundation1 day ago
We need an immigration policy that will serve all Canadians
-
Addictions1 day ago
New RCMP program steering opioid addicted towards treatment and recovery
-
Business23 hours ago
Natural gas pipeline ownership spreads across 36 First Nations in B.C.
-
Courageous Discourse21 hours ago
Healthcare Blockbuster – RFK Jr removes all 17 members of CDC Vaccine Advisory Panel!
-
Business3 hours ago
EU investigates major pornographic site over failure to protect children
-
Health17 hours ago
RFK Jr. purges CDC vaccine panel, citing decades of ‘skewed science’
-
Censorship Industrial Complex20 hours ago
Alberta senator wants to revive lapsed Trudeau internet censorship bill