Fish and Game Has Awards Night, Social

Some people got close to the exhibits on Saturday night, February 2 as the Provost Fish and Game Association held its annual supper and awards night. A variety of wild game including fish, bear, boar, deer and other dishes were served in Prairie Hall where a silent auction also took place. More in this week's Provost News ©Provost News Photos.

High Schools Experience Low Student Dropout Rates
“The word is Out There” to Complete Grade 12
Schools in this area are reporting low dropout rates of students despite the lure of high wages available to them if they leave before completing Grade 12.

Principal at Provost Public School, Dr. Bob Walker is pleased that his school recently recorded a dropout rate of 3.4 percent, which is low today in Alberta.

He says part of the reason students are not leaving is that there is an expectation from local companies that the students have to have a high school diploma before they are hired. “The odd one has gone out, but I think it’s limited.” He also attributes part of the success to work experience programs that oilfield companies co-operate with.

PPS, says the principal is active with its guidance counseller program and “We push our kids to take 115 credits to walk the stage (100 credits are required in Alberta to graduate).” With students trying to get the extra 15 credits it pretty well guarantees them getting a diploma he says. The higher expectation creates a cushion that can be used in case a course is failed.

The principal of seven schools over the years says some students drop out because of a lack of success in courses. “In oilpatch communities the lure of the high buck has been always something that has taken people away. But some can still drop through the cracks . . . maybe they have not learned to read properly. A lot of credit goes back to special education support in schools.”

It’s also important to see if students are getting the right courses and sometime psychological testing is used to ensure this he adds.

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