Education

Red Deer Schools Celebrating Family Literacy Day Today! (Jan 27)

Published

8 years ago

3 minute read

Written by Sheldon Spackman / Photos & Video by Lindsay Wiebe

It’s Family Literacy Day today and many of Red Deer’s schools are marking the occasion with various types of events that encourage reading and literacy. Among them, Fairview Elementary School in Red Deer’s Riverside Meadows neighbourhood.

Red Deer Public School officials say the whole school will be experiencing just how much fun using Literacy skills can be. Students will be taking part in the #readfor15rdpl challenge event. Every student will be partaking in 9 fun and inspiring Literacy Based Activities. Also the young, old and everyone between who are at the school that day will simultaneously read their favorite book for 15 minutes in the gym to celebrate Canada’s 150 birthday through the #readfor15rdpl challenge.

Principal Kim Walker says Fairview Elementary is also one of only four schools in the Red Deer Public School District to be piloting a School Literacy Coach this school year. Walker talks about the literacy events at the school and the importance of reading in this interview:

Elsewhere in the Red Deer Catholic Regional School District, several schools are also celebrating Family Literacy Day. Events and activities include:

École Our Lady of the Rosary School – Author Shane Hitchcock will visit the school at 2:00 p.m. to read to the entire school community.

Holy Trinity Catholic School –Students are encouraged to dress as their favourite book character. “Celebrity” readers will be at the school starting at 9:00 a.m., and at 2: 30 p.m., parents are invited to read with their child in the hallways.
St. Elizabeth Seton School– Families are invited to join their child and the school community for a picnic lunch, and are encouraged to bring their favourite books.
St. Francis of Assisi Middle School– Grade 6 students will blog as part of their book club on this date.
St. Martin de Porres School– The school is inviting families to the Family and Friends Literacy Hour (2:30-3:30 p.m.), in which families can come to the school and share in an hour of reading and writing with their children. Students can take some of that time to showcase their career writing that we have been working on as a school and of course, share in a good book together. For the two weeks leading up to this day, the school provided students with mystery book clues over morning announcements. Students entered guesses throughout the day and once student won a book each day, up until January 27.
St. Patrick’s Community School– Reading buddies will get together throughout the day for activities and reading time.

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Education

Our sweetest success yet: Smile Cookie Campaign breaks record

Published on June 11, 2025

Red Deer Public Schools

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

Published on June 10, 2025

Red Deer Public Schools

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.