NSO Weekly News

We hope everyone had a wonderful Spring Break and Easter weekend spent with family and friends! Tuesday is instructional day #33 of 83 or 40% of the semester complete. Reminder that Wednesday is early dismissal at 2:10 p.m., please adjust schedules accordingly. Quarter 3 Diploma exams run April 5-17.

We appreciate the opportunity to engage, interact, and support all families. Our Next Step vision is to create a community of learners who embody the virtues of acceptance, flexibility, individualization, respect, and responsibility. We are excited you are part of our alternative learning environment. Have a great week! #gogreen Mr. B. Spady Principal & Mrs. K. Porter Assistant Principal

High School students are required to check in and meet with their instructor(s) weekly. It is recommended that multiple check ins occur each week to ensure successful completion of academic course work. Students not adhering to the weekly check in schedule or failing to engage in the learning process will be removed from their course.

April 2 World Autism Awareness Day

April 3 Early dismissal 2:10 p.m.

April 5 ELA 30-1/2 Diploma Part A (Quarterly completion)

April 7 World Health Day

April 8 Social 30-1/2 Diploma Part A (Quarterly completion)

April 9 Vimy Ridge Day & RAP Information Session 6:30 p.m. @ARD

April 10 CAREERS IN ICT FAIR 5-7PM Lillian Osborne High School

April 11 Math 30-1/2 Diploma (Quarterly completion) @BFH

April 12 ELA 30-1/2 Diploma Part B (Quarterly completion)

April 12 Superintendent School Visit 8:45 a.m. @SPO

April 13 Young Authors’ Conference

April 15 Social 30-1/2 Diploma Part B & Bio 30 Diploma @BFH ((Quarterly)

April 16 Chemistry 30 & Science 30 Diploma (Quarterly) @BFH

April 17 Physics 30 Diploma (Quarterly) @BFH

April 18 Quarter 4 starts

April 21-27 National Volunteer Week

April 22 Earth Day

April 23 School Advisory Council 6 p.m. Virtual link: Join HERE

April 24 Parent Teacher Student Conferences (SPO) 5-7:30 p.m.

April 25 Parent Teacher Student Conferences (FSO) 5-7:30 p.m.

May 1 Early dismissal 2:10 p.m.

May 3 Professional Learning Day- No school

May 5 Red Dress Day honours the memories of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls

May 6-11 Mental Health Week

May 12 Mother's Day

May 13 ELA 9 Provincial Achievement Test Part A

May 14 Moosehide Campaign Walk

May 16-17 School Closure

May 20 Victoria Day - No School

Registration for EIPS Summer School is open. The program, organized through Next Step, offers more than 40 senior high courses. Students can earn credits, upgrade marks, lighten workloads or finish pre-requisite courses.

Courses include:
Open to EIPS students entering grades 10 to 12 next fall, and students in their Grade 12 year.

· English Language Arts 10-1, 20-1, 20-2, 30-1 and 30-2

· Social Studies 10-1, 20-1, 20-2, 30-1 and 30-2

· Mathematics 10-3, 10C, 20-1, 20-2, 20-3, 30-1 and 30-2

· Science 10, 14, 24 and 30

· Biology 20 and 30

· Chemistry 20 and 30

· Physics 20 and 30

· Physical Education 10

· Traditional Land-based Learning 25

· Aboriginal Studies 10, 20, and 30

· Career and Life Management (CALM 20)

· Foundations in Industry Workplace Safety

· Work Experience and RAP

Plus, choose from a variety of complementary courses—offered online.

Learn more about EIPS Summer School 2024—including 2024 course offerings, registration, important dates and more.

Our last hybrid meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23 at the Sherwood Park campus. We hope you can join us in-person or virtually. Meeting starts at 6 p.m. Regular attendance is not required. Please check out our school calendar and NSO Weekly News for scheduled School Advisory Council Meetings. Tentative agenda is below. Virtual link: Join HERE

The Strathcona County Family Resource Network Spring Program Schedule is now available. There are lots of great programs coming up, several parent education sessions as well as some fun Family Days like the Earth Day Event and International Mud Day Event (both of those are drop in). View the link here for programming. Contact amanda.labonte@strathcona.ca at Family and Community Services for information.

Cannabis: Get to know more about cannabis and explore the effects that early use of cannabis products can have on a young person’s life, then have a conversation with your child.

https://www.drugfreekidscanada.org/drug-spotlights/cannabis/

Health Education and Learning Website: www.ahs.ca/heal is a resource aimed at providing families easily accessible, reliable information about common minor illness and injuries in children. This resource offers general information about the causes, symptoms and home management options for common minor illnesses and injuries, and when to seek medical care.

Parent Support Hub: is safe virtual space for parents, guardians and families to get guidance and support. This free service is available 24/7 for anyone who is concerned about the use of substances by a young person in their life.

https://www.drugfreekidscanada.org/support/supporthub/

Vaping: Vaping’s popularity among youth has grown significantly over the past five years – and there is a lot of concern that this increase may have a negative impact on the overall health of young people. https://www.drugfreekidscanada.org/issues/vaping/

Teaching Sexual Health: For up to date, evidence based information and strategies for parents to deliver effective sexual health education https://teachingsexualhealth.ca/

Next Step envisions itself as not just an educational institution, but a vibrant community of learners deeply committed to virtues that go beyond the classroom. Here's a brief overview of the core values that make up the vision:

Acceptance- We strive for a diverse and inclusive environment where every student, parent, caregiver, and staff member feels accepted, irrespective of their background, beliefs, or circumstances. We believe that learning is most effective when everyone feels like they belong.

Flexibility- Understanding that each learner is unique, we aim to offer flexible learning and a range of teaching methodologies to cater to individual needs. Whether through elective courses, extracurricular activities, or personalized learning paths, flexibility is at the heart of our educational approach.

Individualization- Building on the concept of flexibility, we focus on personalized education. Our staff are committed to identifying each student’s strengths, and areas for growth, allowing for a more tailored educational experience while maintaining a high academic standard. This individual attention ensures that every student is equipped with the tools they need to succeed both academically and personally.

Respect- In our community, respect is mutual. Staff, students, caregivers, and parents are encouraged to show respect for each other's ideas, feelings, and contributions. We believe that open dialogue, grounded in respect, fosters a rich learning environment where complex issues can be discussed and dissected.

Responsibility- While our staff are committed to providing the best educational experience possible, we also encourage students, caregivers and parents to take responsibility for their learning journey. This includes active participation in school activities, regular communication with staff, and a commitment to personal and academic growth.

For parents, caregivers, and families, becoming a part of the Next Step community means joining a network committed to these virtues. Together, we work toward providing an educational experience that values the uniqueness of each student, respects the input of each community member, and prepares learners for a future full of possibilities.

Students, parents, and caregivers can access our campus locations during the following times:

Tuesday 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Wednesday 8:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Thursday 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Friday 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Email: nextstep@eips.ca
Website: eipsnextstep.ca
Phone: 7804641899
Twitter: @eipsnextstep