Welcome to the 2012-2013 School Year!

It is exciting to once again be returning to Aspen Grove! Our family has enjoyed a lovely summer spending a large amount of time in the mountains as well as completing work around the house, but I am looking forward to the start of a new school year!

As I know we have many new families to welcome to our school this year - some background on my experience is pertinent to share. I have been with the Grande Prairie Public School District since 2000 and have taught grades 6 through grade 9. I spent three years as vice principal at Alexander Forbes Edge School and last year was my first year as principal at Aspen Grove. In the education world, I received my B.A. in English and B.Ed. through the University of Lethbridge. Further to that I completed my Masters in Education with a focus on Leadership in 2008 also through the University of Lethbridge. It is my belief that ongoing learning and study is crucial as a leader and to that end, I am involved in a number of professional organizations within the province.

With three school aged children in our family, I greatly appreciate the importance of ensuring that school is a safe and energizing place to be. We have a wonderfully committed team of professionals who daily model their own commitment to learning and exploring with your children. I welcome each student and their family to our school, for after all, it is this partnership of family and school working together that makes our community fabulous. If you are a new parent to Aspen Grove, please be sure to consider attending our School Council meetings or volunteering for the many wonderful events that they support.

This is our first year as a K - 5 school and we look forward to continuing our partnerships with Montrose Junior High School in working with students at a variety of grade levels including the grade 6 students. As a staff, we are continuing our professional development in the areas of providing multiple levels of support to students in all areas, expanding the types and format of learning, as well as continuing our excellence in literacy and numeracy instruction.

If you're new to Grande Prairie and are looking for a school- come talk to me or to my administrative partner, Miss Jill Burgess. We look forward to continuing to build the strong community partnerships already in place. Remember, at Aspen Grove we're "Always Learning and Learning ALL Ways!"

Mrs. Joanne Pitman