Mission Statement
Swarming with energy in the pursuit of greatness
History
Prairie Dale School opened its doors in September / 2011, as part of the GVSD Plan to relieve the overcrowded conditions at Southwood and Emerado Centennial schools. Previously, in 2006, Southwood School’s catchment was temporarily re-defined and grades 7 & 8 students began attending classes at Emerado. With the new school announcement in 2009 and ground-breaking in spring of 2010, excitement began to build in Schanzenfeld that one day soon the grades 7 & 8 programming would return, this time in a new 65,000 sq. ft middle school – grades 4 – 8. A “name the school” contest was held and the Board selected Prairie Dale. Students at Southwood were given a chance to “name the mascot/sports brand” and the Stingers was the chosen name/emblem.
Vision
Right from the start, we knew that PDS had to be about more than just the new spaces to work and learn in. PDS had to be about enduring elements of teaching and learning – culture, vision, relationships and greatness. Our vision has always been to “swarm with energy in the pursuit of greatness” – as a teacher and as a student. This meant teaching in Professional Learning Teams under the umbrella of the Learning Community.
Our goal has always been “80” – that we impact students in such a profound way that at least 80% of our students attain an 80% or greater degree of learning relative to the curricula’s essential outcomes. This would translate nicely to report cards and Manitoba middle years assessments as well. Thus far, PDS students have attained a “66/80” in ELA and a “72/80” in Mathematics. The staff have teamed together to raise up a high standard and do the hard work to help each student reaching it!
Together, the staff are experiencing the satisfaction of a collaborative & effective career well-lived, and the students are the direct beneficiaries of this excellence!