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 Access to Information Act (ATIA) 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 (i.e., 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.

Photography and Video Disclaimer for Public Events

When student information is used by the school or Division for purposes beyond educational programming and student safety, the appropriate ATIA Consent Form must be obtained.

Protection of Personal Information

PWPSD is obligated under the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) to protect personal information from unauthorized collection, use and disclosure. Personal information, as defined in the PIPA, is any recorded information about an identifiable individual. PIPA 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 the ATIA 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 ATIA. 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 the ATIA. If information is withheld, and the explanation for why it was not accessible is unsatisfactory, you can apply for access under the ATIA.

Submit a Formal Access to Information Request

Download the Access to Information Request Form and submit your completed form by mail or in-person with the applicable fee to Peace Wapiti Public School Division. PWPSD has 30 days to respond to Access to Information requests, although this deadline may be extended in some cases.

Please send completed request forms to:

Peace Wapiti Public School Division

Attention: ATI 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 the ATIA. 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 the ATIA 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: An ATI request is a last resort measure to acquire information. Please use traditional avenues when making requests before resorting to a formal ATI request.

Student Record Request

Out-of-Division Schools or Authorities Requesting Student Records

Effective immediately, all Official Student Records leaving Peace Wapiti Public School Division will be available electronically in the Alberta Provincial Approach to Student Information (PASI).

School Jurisdictions within Alberta

If the Official Student Record has not been uploaded to PASI, please contact the school and ask them to upload the Official Student Record documents.

School Jurisdictions outside Alberta

Alberta Student Link is a self-service website for out-of-province schools and authorities to request access to a student's digital record. The Alberta Student Link website provides the ability to track the request and approved transfer of a student's digital record.

For instructions on how to use Alberta Student Link click here.

PWPSD Information

Collection and Use of Personal Information by Peace Wapiti Schools

Peace Wapiti Public School Division Policies

Helpful Links

Access to Information Act

Request to Correct Personal Information (PDF)

Personal Information Protection Act

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta

Student Record Regulation

Education Act