Collection and Use of Personal Information
Peace Wapiti Public School Division (PWPSD) collects the personal information of students and parents for educational purposes and to protect the safety of students and staff.
The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act strives to balance the public's right to know and the individual's right to privacy, as these rights relate to information held by PWPSD. The Act ensures an individual's right to access their personal information while providing for access to other records held by the Division and includes strict standards that the Division must follow for the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information.
Note: Photographs or videos of students attending or participating in school activities (e.g., sports events, concerts, cultural programs, clubs, field trips, graduation or other ceremonies) that are open to the general public may be taken by the public-at-large, including the media, without consent. PWPSD cannot control or prevent the further distribution or use of these photographs, videos, or other personal information.
When student information is used by the school or Division for purposes beyond educational programming and student safety, the appropriate FOIP Consent Form must be obtained.
Protection of Privacy
PWPSD is obligated under the FOIP Act to protect personal information from unauthorized collection, use and disclosure. Personal information, as defined in the FOIP Act, is any recorded information about an identifiable individual. FOIP requires that reasonable measures and safeguards be maintained by PWPSD to ensure that personal information is secure and access is restricted on a "need to know" basis only.
Access to Information
The access provisions under FOIP apply to all records for which PWPSD has custody or control. This includes material that is written, photographed, recorded or stored in any manner. Documents may be in hard-copy, electronic, digital, audio or visual formats. It also includes records that can be created from existing data in a computer system or any electronic device. Some records are excluded from FOIP. Some examples of excluded records are questions to be used in an examination or test and personal or constituency records of elected School Board Trustees.
Contact the appropriate school or department directly to request routinely available information. In most cases, the school or department can provide the information requested as long as it does not compromise personal privacy and other restrictions or limitations within FOIP. If information is withheld, and the explanation for why it was not accessible is unsatisfactory, you can apply for access under FOIP. The PWPSD FOIP Coordinator can assist in completing the Request for Access to Information form.
Please send completed request forms to:
Peace Wapiti Public School Division
Attention: FOIP Coordinator
8611A 108 Street
Grande Prairie, AB T8V 4C5
(780) 532-8133
A $25 application fee is required when requesting information other than your own personal information under FOIP. Depending on the nature of the request, additional fees may apply. You will be notified of the fee estimate prior to the application being processed if applicable. If the requested information is not released, you will be informed which exceptions under FOIP apply.
If you are dissatisfied with PWPSD's response to the request, you have the right to ask for a review by Alberta's Information and Privacy Commissioner.
Note: FOIP is a last resort measure to acquire information. Please use traditional avenues when making requests before resorting to a formal FOIP request.