Have You 'Herd'?

Email: kn@spschools.org
Website: https://kino.spschools.org/
Location: 40 Woodlands Road, St. Albert, AB, Canada
Phone: (780)459-3114
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KinosayoElementary
Twitter: @kinosayoelementary

• Tuesday, Dec. 19: 4O + 56R Holiday Assembly (10:20am)
• Thursday, Dec. 21: 5B + 6B + Kino Choir Holiday Assembly (11:30am)
• Friday, Dec. 22: Pancakes + PJs (twonie donation appreciated for the pancakes!)
  Kindergarten's Pancakes + PJs will be on Thursday, Dec. 21st.

• Friday, Dec. 22: Early Dismissal (12:20pm, Grades 1-6) + No School (Kindergarten)
• Dec. 23 - Jan. 07: No School (winter break)
• Monday, Jan. 08: Classes resume
  
• Wednesday, Jan. 10: Early Dismissal (12:20pm, Grades 1-6) + No School (Kindergarten)
• Monday, Jan. 15: School Council + KPA Meeting (7:00pm)
• Tuesday, Jan. 23: Parent Information Session ~ Internet Safety (see below for details)
  

We are excited to announce that as part of our month of giving this year, Kino will be hosting a series of small assembly performances that will showcase each of our classes. These assemblies will be 30-45 minutes each and are spread throughout the month. They will each start with a short performance and conclude with a school sing-a-long of winter- and holiday-themed music for all to enjoy. We would love to have parents join us in appreciating the hard work that our kiddos have put into their music so far this year!

Welcoming the season with our Merry, Merry, Merry, Month of Giving at Kinosayo school!

We have two remaining campaigns we are supporting for the month of December (with areas for each collection at the front of the school):

• St Albert Beavers Scouts: Toasty toes, toques, and mittens - Collecting these items until December 18th.
• Basically Babies - Collecting new or gently used baby items (0-24 months): Sleepers, snow suits, socks, girls tights, bath towels, hard toys.
  

Communicating with parents and other caretakers is an important and sometimes challenging aspect of SOGI-inclusive education. When parents feel informed and engaged, they can be powerful allies who help broaden the conversation about diversity and inclusion beyond the walls of the school environment. When parents feel left in the dark, fear and frustration can drive pushback that becomes difficult to navigate.

SOGI 1 2 3 wants to support your conversations with parents and caretakers, and we’re excited to announce the release of our Parents’ Guide to SOGI in Schools. The guide is written to be easy to read from beginning to end, but each page can also be printed off and shared with people as stand-alone handouts on the topics:

1. What is SOGI?
2. Conversations at school
3. Conversations at home
4. Common myths, and
5. A curated list of additional resources.

We’ll continue to update and adapt it over time, so please let us know if you have any feedback on the current iteration.

You can download the Parents’ Guide to SOGI in Schools here.

Ruby and Sadie were caught in the hallway helping a friend get ready for recess!

The next Hot Lunch is December 21st! (As usual, orders must be placed by the previous Saturday.)

Hot lunch will offered each Thursday of the week, throughout the school year. Parents please log onto the Healthy Hunger website (www.healthyhunger.ca), where you may view the available options for your child(ren). Here you are able to select the date, class room and food/drink choices you want for your child. Payment is made online at this time.

Did you know that money raised from this program is given back to the school, helping to enrich our kiddo’s school experience? If you have any questions or comments, or would like to volunteer, please email Kasia at kasiamiller.kawshaw@gmail.com. Fun Lunch is driven by volunteers from the Kinosayo Parent Association.

Presented by RCMP Sgt. Kerry Shima, Supervisor of the Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) in Edmonton.

The internet plays an integral role in everyone’s lives, and when it comes to youth, their social lives exist largely in cyberspace. Over the course of the past four years and through the Global Pandemic, Alberta has experienced a significant increase in cases of child exploitation on the internet. With more users online than ever before, and new apps and software being developed every day, it can be difficult for parents and teachers to keep on top of the latest trending platform. Advancements in technology are exciting and helpful, but it opens an ever-growing gap between the levels of digital literacy between youths and busy adults.

The Northern Alberta Internet Child Exploitation Unit investigates incidents of child luring, sextortion, possession, transmission, and the making of child pornography as well as internet-related voyeurism involving youth. This presentation will focus on education, prevention, and putting parents and teachers in a position to protect their children from online sexual exploitation. The presenters will discuss the role of ICE in Alberta, Sextortion, sharing of intimate images, current online applications and internet platforms, and additional resources which are available to parents so they will be able to better support healthy and productive online experiences for their children and teens.

Where: Paul Kane High School

When: Tuesday, January 23, 2024 (6:30 - 8:30pm)

Who: Parents of St Albert Public Schools

Ensure your voice is heard by contributing your perspectives through Alberta’s Budget 2024 Consultation. This feedback is crucial for setting financial priorities and will influence the government's focus on balancing the budget, addressing growth, affordability, and advocating for Albertans.

The public can participate through an online survey and join telephone town halls with Finance Minister Nate Horner. Additionally, businesses and organizations can submit their suggestions via an online portal.

The consultation process, including the survey and town halls, is open until Jan. 19, 2024, with town halls scheduled for Dec. 11 and 12.