The Bears' Blog...October 9

Thank you to all the students, staff and parents who have helped make the start of this year so positive. The enthusiasm and energy shown by all is truly inspiring. We have been blessed with amazing weather all month and hope it continues for October. Our students are well on their way learning all the great new things they need to learn this year and our teachers are all excited to be back. We have already completed a number of activities at the school including Meet the Teacher Night, School Advisory Council Meeting, the Terry Fox Run and Read In week. We enjoyed meeting many of you at these special events and look forward to working with you to further your child’s future educational goals.

With the fall season coming upon us so quickly, here are a few little reminders to help us provide the best care we can for your children.

• Please be sure your child has warm clothing before they leave for school.
• Please make sure your child has a pair of indoor and outdoor shoes.

Our Parent Teacher conferences are coming up on November 1 and 2. This is a great time of the year where we can come together and share insights to help your child be as successful as possible. At Pine Street Elementary we believe that parents, student, and teachers are partners working together collaboratively for the benefit of our student’s success and positive futures.

Have a super October and remember to enjoy the fall with all its colorful changes. Thank you for your continued support in helping us make Pine Street Elementary a school of Dignity and Respect.

All families are encouraged to contact the school if they have any questions, concerns and/or suggestions. We appreciate your input.

As part of Elk Island Public Schools’ (EIPS) ongoing efforts to enhance the literacy and numeracy of students in all grade levels, the Division is once again administering the Star Early Literacy, Star Reading and Star Math assessment tools in the 2023-24 school year. These tools focus on literacy and numeracy, are digitally based and offer an opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning. The goal: To provide timely information to teachers, help enhance classroom instruction and identify student learning needs.

Three times a year, EIPS students in Grade 1 complete the Star Early Literacy assessment and students in grades 2-12 complete the Star Reading assessment. Both assessments are administered electronically and take about 20 minutes. Students in grades 2 through 10 also complete the Star Math, a mathematic screening tool. It, too, is administered electronically and takes about 30 minutes for students to complete. The results offer teachers a clearer picture of a student’s learning needs and help determine if subsequent instructional planning is required. NOTE: Semester students complete the Star Math twice, at the start and end of the course.

In addition to the Star assessments, Alberta Education now mandates all students in grades 1-3 complete additional literacy and numeracy assessments. Students in Grade 2 and Grade 3 complete these provincial assessments in September. Grade 1 students will complete the assessments in January 2023.

The scores of the assessments aren’t used toward a student’s grade, and there is no need to study ahead of time. The tools simply provide the teacher with information to better understand where each student is in terms of reading comprehension and mathematic ability. If, after analyzing the results, it’s determined a student can benefit from extra support, the teacher will contact the family to discuss possible support strategies.

For more information about the Division’s Star and MIPI assessment tools, contact EIPS Supports for Students at 780-464-3477.

School pictures were taken September 27 & 28. Pictures will be ready to view late October.

Go to mylifetouch.ca and use your child's Alberta Student Number (ASN)
ASN's can be found on on the Parent Portal by clicking on school fees.

If you need assistance ordering photos, please call Lifetouch customer service at 1-866-457-8212 or lifetouch.com/support-ca

Our school picture re-take day is scheduled for the morning of October 25

Pay School Fees Online!

School fee information for the 2023-24 school year is now posted on the PowerSchool Parent Portal. All fees are due within 30 days of being posted. To access your fee information, simply log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal and go to “Student Fees.” There you can view your fees and pay them online.

Don’t forget to also log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal regularly throughout the year. Fees are often added to your child’s account to cover the cost of various school activities such as field trips, class projects, extracurricular activities fees and more.

If circumstances exist where you are unable to pay your fees, you can apply to have certain fees waived by submitting an Application for a Waiver of Fees. The application deadline is December 15, 2023.

For more information about school fees, waivers and payment deadlines, visit www.eips.ca/schools/fees or www.pinestreet.ca Alternatively speak with, Mrs. Lisa Waselenkoff, Business Manager at Pine Street Elementary at 780-467-2246 ext 6315.

• Thank you Yukon Jack and Constable Kelly for coming to read to our students during Read In Week!
• Thank you families for sending in your receipts from the Wye Road Save-on-Foods! What an amazing way to fundraise for our school!

Monday, October 9 -Thanksgiving holiday (school closed)

Thursday, October 12 - School Advisory Council Meeting 6p.m.

Sunday, October 15 - Last day to order hot lunch

October 15-21 - School bus safety week

Tuesday, October 17 - School photo retakes

Friday, October 20 -Hot Lunch 11:32 am

Friday, October 27 - Halloween family dance

✳️ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK BEFORE October 31 and save 10%
Tuesday, October 31 - Theme day - wear your Halloween costumes!

Wednesday, November 1 - Early Dismissal 2:15 p.m.

• Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences 3:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Friday, November 3 - Remembrance Day Ceremony

November 6-11 - School closed for Fall Break

Alberta Health Services hosts a variety of virtual caregiver information sessions throughout the year focused on ways to support students’ mental health. The sessions are free and geared toward parents, caregivers, teachers and community members who want to learn more about challenges impacting children and adolescents. Session topics include anxiety, ADHD, depression, self-harm, technology, teens and teaching leadership skills, communication, resiliency and more.

October 2023 Newsletter

The mouse is so small it must be humble in the presence of all other creatures. Mouse never imposes its will onto other creatures (Solomon, 2011).

This humility can also be taught by the wolf. The expression of this humility is shown through the consideration of others before ourselves. The Wolf becomes the teacher of this lesson. He bows his head in the presence of others out of deference, and once it has hunted, will not take of the food until it can be shared with the pack. His lack of arrogance and respect for his community is a hard lesson but is important to create a place where we all belong.