The marks are in for the 2011/2012 year and it looks like divisions in the area are ahead of the curve.
    In Prairie Land Regional Division (PLRD), students met or exceeded the provincial average in Language Arts 3, Math 3 and 6, Science 6, Social Studies 6, Biology 30, English 30-2, and Social 30-2. The division met or surpassed the provincial average at the acceptable standard in Language Arts 6, Science 9, and Social Studies 30-1.
    “One thing we were really happy with was the level of participation. In many instances, we’re in the mid to high 90’s. It means we run inclusive environments, where students who may have some struggles can continue to take part and learn with their peers,” said Wes Neumeier, superintendent of PLRD.
    Areas identified for improvement are achievement at the standard of excellence, Chemistry 30, and Math 30 Pure. Professional development is being offered to teachers so they may better teach and test to the curriculum.
    Overall, the provincial achievement test results were down for PLRD. However, Morrin and Delia Schools boast high numbers.
    “Morrin School results have actually been going up over the past few years, for both the achievement test and satisfaction surveys. Delia, for awhile now, has posted strong results and a strong indication of satisfaction around the culture of the school. It’s one of our highest performing schools,” said Neumeier.
    In Golden Hills School Division, a trend of increasing provincial achievement test results has been observed,
    “Overall, we’re pleased with our continued improvement in all the Grade 3, 6, and 9 provincial test results. We continue to have an upward trend,” said Bevan Daverne, superintendent of Golden Hills School Division.
    Golden Hills met or exceeded the provincial standard of excellence in Biology 30, Chemistry 30, Math 30, and Physics 30.
    At the elementary level, the number of students achieving the standard of excellence increased over the previous year in six of the ten achievement tests.
    The biggest factor, according to Daverne, has been changing how teachers teach their students.
    “Our classrooms operate very differently than how they did ten, or even five years ago. We’re following a model that looks more at assessment of learning, with more of an inquiry approach in the classroom and more students engaged in what’s going on,” said Daverne.
    Christ the Redeemer School Division also boasted strong results this year. In terms of the provincial average, on the pass rate and the standard of excellence, Christ the Redeemer was higher in ten out of ten provincial exams.
    For diploma exams, Christ the Redeemer beat the acceptable standard in all nine exams, and the standard of excellence in eight out of nine tests.
    “We had a great year. We’ve come to expect that kind of performance. We have hard working teachers and good students,” said Scott Morrison, associate superintendent with Christ the Redeemer.
    The division isn’t resting on their laurels. They’ve implemented two new programs designed to help adolescents who are delayed readers and english language learners.
    “In the area of pass rate, you want to make sure no students are left behind. We have three programs, two which are new, targeted to help students that are delayed readers,” said Morrison.
    For more about the provincial achievement test results, visit www.plrd.ab.ca, www.ghsd75.ca, or www.redeemer.ab.ca.

    While youngsters have hardly made a dent in the Halloween candy, The Salvation Army is already looking forward to the busy Christmas season.
    While hymns ring out about Christmas being “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” for many the reality is much different. In fact the reality is many struggle every day, let alone during the holidays, and in reality many are our neighbours.
    The Salvation Army is anticipating a busy Christmas season, and demand continues to be strong for its services, Coming out the summer, the food bank demand was down from the same time last year, however, it has still not returned to the pre-recession numbers of 2009.
To meet the needs of residents over the Christmas season and the coming year, The Salvation Army is beginning its campaign, and that campaign begins with a belly full of spaghetti.
    The Annual Spaghetti Eating Contest is slated for Monday, November 5 at Boston Pizza. This is the seventh annual event and has proven a great partnership between the two, as well as the many participants and supporting sponsors.
    The Salvation Army’s Kettle Campaign begins on Friday, November 16 as the Dragons take on the Calgary Canucks. This campaign is important to the Salvation Army Community Services and the funds collected stay in the community to support local needs.
    Making the campaign a success takes the service of volunteers. The campaign is 22 days and there will be kettles at the Drumheller Co-op, Extra Foods, and Freson Bros. IGA and Wal-Mart. These will be open 11:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m. most days, and volunteers are needed to man each kettle. Shifts are about two hours in length and any service is appreciated.
    To volunteer to man a kettle, call 403-823-2215.
    Another momentous volunteer effort that has become a tradition is the annual community food drive This is slated for November 29. Watch for details in future issues of The Drumheller Mail.