AJS Weekly Bison Tracks

• January 19 - Last day of classes for Sr. High
• January 22, 6:00 p.m. - Canadian Parents for French Meeting-Learning Commons
• January 22, 6:30 p.m. - School Council Meeting-Learning Commons
• January 22 - Grades 10 & 11 Math Exams
• January 22 - Math 30-1 & 30-2 Diploma Exams
• January 23 - Last day of new instruction for Gr. 9 students
• January 23 - Math 81 Part A Exam
• January 23 - Grades 10 & 11 ELA Part B Exams
• January 23 - English Language Arts 30-1 & 30-2 Part B Diploma Exams
• January 24 - Grades 10 & 11 Social Part B Exams
• January 24 - Social Studies 30-1 & 30-2 Part(ie) Diploma Exams
• January 24 - Grade 9 Math Part(ie) PAT Exam
• January 24 - Science 82, 83, and 86 FI Exams
• January 24 - Bio 20 Exam
• January 24 - Science 10 Exam
• January 24 - Grade 9 Math Part(ie)B PAT Exam
• January 25, 6:00 p.m. - Advanced Placement Information Night @ Bev Facey
• January 26 - Chem 30 Diploma Exam
• January 26 - Chem 20 & 20 FI Exam
• January 26 - ELA 82 & 86 - Part B
• January 26 - English 9 PAT - Part B

With the winter season well underway, we want to remind families to dress children appropriately for the weather when getting ready for school or the bus. The weather often changes unexpectedly throughout the day, so please select suitable outerwear and ensure your child is prepared for changing conditions.

If inclement weather conditions occur, Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) will advise families of any bus cancellations or changes to school operations using various communications tools—automated-telephone messages, email, SMS, alerts posted on www.eips.ca and school websites, Twitter, Facebook, local radio stations and notification through both the Bus Status and the Ride 360 apps. Morning bus cancellations are posted on www.eips.ca by 6:30 a.m.

Decisions regarding bus cancellations or changes to school operations are guided by EIPS’ Administrative Procedure 131: Inclement Weather, which states: “school bus service may be suspended … when there is a forecast or current temperature of -40 C including wind chill, in one or more regions.” Other reasons for suspending or delaying school bus services or school-related activities include adverse weather and poor road conditions.

When school bus services are suspended, schools remain open to students. EIPS believes families have the right and responsibility to make choices for their children based on what they feel is safest during times of inclement weather.

For more information, contact EIPS Student Transportation at 780-417-8151.

The Grad Portrait booking site is ready for bookings. Please use the link below or check the grad website or Instagram page for the link to book. Please also be sure to check out the “Session Info” and “Getting Ready” links on the booking site for valuable information as to what to expect, what to wear, and which type of session to choose. There is a booking fee of $30 or $40 depending on the type of session that you choose. Should you require retakes they will occur March 4-6 and additional info regarding retakes will be provided after our initial photo sessions.

Booking Site: https://gradphotos.ca/classes/ardrossan/

• Grad Slideshow photos - Students should be submitting group photos from elementary school, junior high and high school. These can be photos of field trips, birthday parties, athletics, band, drama, etc. Send in any and all memories students have together as a graduating class.
• February 1-7 - Students should come to the office to be measured for their grad gown.
• February 1-16 - Grad song nominations will be accepted.
• February 7-13 - Students should submit their baby photo and their grad quote for the yearbook.
• February 12-16 and March 4-6 - Grad photos will be taken in our theatre lobby. Appointment booking will take place next week. Look for the email, Instagram post and Grad Website update that will come out next week with more information and the link to access the booking system.

More information can be found on our Grad 2024 website or by emailing any of the staff members on our graduation committee:

Trudi Williamson - trudi.williamson@eips.ca

Nadine Stefiuk - nadine.stefiuk@eips.ca

Chrissy Parker-Young - christine.parker-young@eips.ca

Ray Basaraba - raymond.basaraba@eips.ca

Under Alberta Education’s School Fee Regulation, schools must consult with parents prior to setting school fees for the upcoming school year.

Our next school council meeting will be taking place on January 22, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. During that time, we will be sharing information about our current fee structure, posing specific questions about priorities, and asking you to provide your feedback as we plan for the next school year. While many of these activities and services enhance students’ educational experience, we want to ensure these fees aren’t cost prohibitive for families.

Specifically, we will be asking for input on the following:

· Optional courses and associated fees

· Noon hour supervision

· Field trips and associated fees

· Extracurricular activities

· Non-curricular goods and services (for example, student union and yearbooks)

We understand not all families will be available to attend the meeting but it’s still important we get as much input from the school community as possible. Following the meeting, materials will be shared on our website https://www.ardrossan.ca/ for your review, and an email address provided so you can submit a written response.

School administration will use feedback provided to help determine fees for next year, which will then be shared at the March 18th, school council meeting, posted to our website and shared via link through email.

As part of EIPS’ ongoing commitment to maintaining a secure and effective digital learning environment for students, the Division is implementing an important update to its cybersecurity protocols Jan. 19, 2024.

Enhanced Location-based Security for Student Accounts

Starting Jan. 19, 2024, access to student user accounts—used for platforms like PowerSchool, Brightspace and Google—will be limited to within Canada's geographical boundaries. This change is an essential step in strengthening our cyber defenses and ensuring the digital safety of students.

What Does This Mean for You and Your Child?

Location-limited Access: Your child's account will be accessible only when they’re physically located in Canada. This includes all activities related to their schoolwork, such as submitting assignments, accessing study materials or sending EIPS account emails.

Seamless In-country Use: While in Canada, students will experience no change in how they access and use their accounts. The process remains as straightforward and user-friendly as always.

PowerSchool Access for Parents and Caregivers: This change will NOT impact parent and caregiver access to PowerSchool during periods of travel.

Why This Change?

The safety and privacy of students are paramount. This location-based access control is a proactive measure to prevent unauthorized access to students' accounts and protect sensitive information from potential cyber threats.

Questions?

For more information, contact the school office at (780)922-2228.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter. Together, we can ensure a secure and thriving digital learning environment for all students

Is your child considering the Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) Junior High Honours program for the coming school year? The EIPS Junior High Honours program is designed for students in grades 8 and 9 with high achievement in their core courses and who enjoy a challenging academic environment. Students enrolled in Junior High Honours are expected to complete 25 hours of community service in an area of passion and will be automatically enrolled in the “CTF: Enterprise and Innovation” option course. Students must have a minimum 80 per cent average in each of the four core subjects to be eligible to apply to the Junior High Honours program.

On January 15, the parent/guardian identified in PowerSchool as the one to receive forms for all current grades 7 and 8 students will receive direct communication from EIPS outlining the application process for the EIPS Junior High Honours program—including a link to the application form. The email will come from Permission Click at notifications@permissionclick.com. The subject of the email will be “Elk Island Public Schools - John Doe - 2024-25 Junior High Honours Program Application.” Check your spam or junk folder if you, as the parent/guardian responsible for completing forms, don’t receive the email.

Applications for the 2024-25 EIPS Junior High Honours program are due Jan. 26, 2024.

Between February 1 and 2, EIPS will confirm conditional acceptance in the 2024-25 Junior High Honours program—based on a student’s marks as of January 29. Students currently in Honours are conditionally accepted for the 2024-25 Junior High Honours program because they’re enrolled in the program but must also complete the 2024-25 EIPS Junior High Honours Program Application Permission Click form. All applicants must maintain their honours standing on the year-end report card in June to receive final acceptance in the Honours program for the upcoming year.

Have you recently moved or has your contact information changed? Ardrossan Jr Sr High encourages families to review the information the Division has on file to ensure it’s up to date. Using the Student Information Update available through the PowerSchool Parent Portal, families can review the current information on file for each student—including addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, parent and guardian information, emergency contacts, medical details and other related information—and submit any updates needed.

Reviewing and updating the form ensures the school and Division have the most up-to-date information regarding your child. Your review is especially important as the Division prepares for 2024-25 registration processes beginning in the new year.

NOTE: Only submit updates for the changes that have already taken place. If you’re moving later this school year, you’ll submit the necessary updates to your information through the Student Information Update after you’ve moved.

If you have questions about the form or any trouble with your Parent Portal account, contact the school office at 780-922-2228

The health and safety of staff, students and visitors is a top priority. Continue to reinforce the following hygiene habits to protect staff and students from spreading respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.

• Stay home if you’re feeling sick.
• Wash or sanitize your hands often.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces regularly.
• Wear a mask if you get sick or develop symptoms while at school or work.

• symptoms have improved,
• they feel well enough to resume normal activities, and
• they have been fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications.

For anyone who has a respiratory illness or has tested positive for COVID, it is recommended that they wear a mask for a total of 10 days from the onset of symptoms—even if the symptoms have resolved or improved—when in indoor settings with other individuals.

Check out the new and improved athletics website here or click the button above. All information regarding teams, including schedules, tryout dates, games, and forms will be located here.

Basketball

• January 18-20 - Jr. Jr. Boys & Girls - EIAA Tournament (Girls at FR Haythorne/Boys at SCA)
  
• January 23, 4:00 p.m. - Jr. Sr. Boys & Girls Basketball @ SCA
• January 25, 4:00 p.m. - Jr. Jr. Boys and Girls Basketball @ SCA
• January 26 & 27 - Jr. Jr. Boys & Girls Basketball - Lakeland Tournament
• January 26 & 27 - Jr. Sr. Boys & Girls Basketball - Camrose Tournament
• January 29, 4:00 p.m. - Jr. Jr. Boys Basketball vs STT
• January 29, 5:15 p.m. - Jr. Jr. Girls Basketball vs STT
• January 30, 4:00 p.m. - Jr. Sr. Boys Basketball @ FRH
• January 30, 5:15 p.m. - Jr. Sr. Girls Basketball @ FRH
• February 2 & 3 - Sr. Varsity Mens and Womens Basketball Bison Thunder Classic Tournament
• February 2 & 3 - Jr. Varsity Mens Basketball Strathmore Tournament

Empowering diversity and inclusion in the trades

NAIT recognizes that Aboriginal peoples, Black and racialized communities, newcomers, women, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities are underrepresented in the trades.

Next in Trades is a free event series that encourages and empowers people from all backgrounds and abilities to explore careers in the skilled trades industry. As a leading skilled trades training and education provider, NAIT provides training and mentorship to prepare you to succeed in the trades.

Explore your potential and discover a career that works for you in the skilled trades.

Register

Upcoming dates:

Thursday, February 15, 2024, NAIT Main Campus

Youth VIP experience contest open until January 31!

Enter the contest here.

Sign up for County Voice for a chance to choose a VIP County experience with firefighters or police or how about live theatre back stage access or even a VIP tour of our world-class x-country centre or Millennium Place followed by a puck drop at a Crusaders game!

Contest open to local youth between the ages of 14-18, until January 31, 2024. Full contest rules are available here.

Grade 11 Students in Financial Need and Planning on Post Secondary School after High School apply online at https://www.horatioalger.ca/en/scholarships

To apply for the Horatio Alger Association of Canada Scholarship Programs you must have completed your online application by March 15, 2024.

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. Visit Caregiver Education to see the monthly caregiver sessions.

Email: general.ajs@eips.ca
Website: https://www.ardrossan.ca/
Location: Ardrossan Junior Senior High School, Range Road 222, Ardrossan, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-922-2228
Twitter: @ArdrossanJrSr