The Bears' Blog... October 6-2024

Pine Street Elementary School

Principal's Update

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. Our students are well on their way learning all the great new things they are needing to learn this year and our teachers are all exited to back as well.

We have already completed a number of activities at the school including Meet the Teacher Night, School Advisory Council Meeting, and the Terry Fox Run. 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 October 21 and 22 from 3:30 - 6:30. This is a great time of the year where we can come together and share each other’s 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 and 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.

Tracey Arbuthnott

Principal

Pine Street Elementary

Pay School Fees Online!

School fee information for the 2024-25 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. If you’re unable to pay your school fees, you can apply to have certain fees waived. The application deadline is Dec. 16, 2024.

NOTE: 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.

For more information about school fees, waivers and payment deadlines, visit https://www.pinestreet.ca/about/fees . Alternatively, contact Mrs. Waselenkoff in the Pine Street School office at 780-467-2246 ext. 6315.

School Emergency Guide for Parents & Guardians

October is Women's History Month

Women of Impact in Canada - Canada.ca

Women of Impact in Canada is an online gallery dedicated to women's achievements, featuring profiles of courageous women who have made an impact in politics, the arts and sciences, and countless other fields. By sharing their stories, we can cement their place in history and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

Scholastic Book Fair

The Fall 2024 Book Fair is scheduled for:

Days: October 21 and 22

Time: 3:30 to 6:15

Room 120

Students are welcome to shop during the lunch block as follows:

Monday, October 21 Grade 3

Tuesday, October 22 Grade 4

Wednesday, October 23 Grade 5

Thursday, October 24 Grade 6

If possible, please send one- or two-dollar coins and bills rather than small change.

Student orders will arrive after the fair is closed and will be delivered to your child’s classroom.

Read in week

October 7-11 is read in week at EIPS. The goal of Read In Week is to encourage a lifelong love of reading and enhance literacy awareness involving students, staff, parents, caregivers and community members in reading.
Read In Week 2024 theme: Reading is for everyone

Picture Proofs

A portrait proof sheet will be delivered to the school approximately 10 days after photo day. Parents can order their photo packages online.

School Photography » Edge Imaging

If parents have questions regarding their student photo or their ordered package, please contact Edge Imaging directly.

There will not be an option for cash or cheque payments. Any parents with questions may reach out to our customer care team at customercare@edgeimaging.ca or 1-888-416-3343 or School Photography » Edge Imaging

Lost & Found

The lost and found bins are growing! Please pop by the school to see if anything belongs to your students! Unclaimed items will be donated Friday, November 8.

Terry Fox run a Success!

Thanks to the amazing efforts of students, families and staff, Pine Street Elementary raised $1765.95 for cancer research!

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month in Canada - Get Cyber Safe

Cyber Security Awareness Month (Cyber Month) is an internationally recognized campaign held each October to help the public learn more about the importance of cyber security. The campaign helps Canadians stay secure online by teaching them simple steps to protect themselves and their devices.

getcybersafe.gc.ca

Important Dates

October 7-11 - Read in week

Thursday, October 10 - School Advisory Council Meeting 6p.m.

Monday, October 14 - Thanksgiving Day. School closed

Wednesday, October 16 - Gr. 1 workshop - I Belong

Friday, October 18 - Halloween Family Dance 6-8 p.m.

Sunday, October 20 - last day to order hot lunch for October 25

October 21 & 22 - Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences 3:30-6:30 p.m.

Friday, October 25 - Hot Lunch 11:32

Tuesday, October 29 - Picture re-take day

Grade 6 immunizations

Thursday, October 31- Theme Day! Wear your Halloween costumes!

Tuesday, November 5 - Gr. 6 Students to Alberta Legislature

Wednesday, November 6- early Dismissal 2:15 p.m. (No PALS or Kinder Quest)

Friday, November 8 - Remembrance Day ceremony

November 11 - November 15 - school closed for fall break

Year at a Glance Calendar

No such thing as a bad kid: FREE session for parents & guardians

Most parents may feel puzzled by their children's feelings and behaviours at some point in their parenting journey. Join us for a presentation that helps parents understand what's behind children's behaviours and learn how to support children with emotional and behvioural challenges.

Location: Ardrossan Elementary School

Type of Event: Parent education

Date: Tuesday, November 19 5-6:30 p.m.

REGISTER HERE

Choir

The Remembrance Day Choir practices begin on Wednesday, October 16!

Rehearsals will take place on Wednesdays and Fridays in the music room during lunch recess.

This choir will prepare two choral pieces which will be presented at our Remembrance Day Assembly on Friday, November 8.

If you are in grade 3, 4, 5 or 6, come and add your voice to a message of peace for our world 🎵.

Education Act

Section 58.1 of the Education Act now outlines a parent's ability to have their child excluded, without academic penalty, from instruction, exercises, and the use of instructional materials that deal primarily and explicitly with religion or human sexuality.

This legislation requires that school boards notify parents when students will be receiving instruction that includes subject matter that deals primarily and explicitly with religion or human sexuality, allowing the opportunity for a parent to have their child opt-out. In such cases when a child is exempted from programming under Section 58.1, the child may either:

a) leave the classroom or place where the instruction is taking place or where the instructional material being used for the duration of that part of the instruction; or

b) remain in the classroom or place where the instruction is taking place without taking part in the instruction or use of instructional material.

EIPS expects this legislation should not affect the high-quality of classroom instruction and discussion that are the hallmarks of our education system, nor should it compromise our curriculum or teaching practices.

Student Exemption Form

As per Section 58.1 of the Education Act, parents can complete and submit the Student Exemption Form to exempt their child(ren) from a course or program of studies that includes subject matter dealing primarily and explicitly with religion or human sexuality.

This form can be used for courses such as:

Aboriginal Studies 10 - Theme II: Aboriginal Worldviews → religion
Career and Life Management (CALM) → human sexuality
Career and Technology Studies (CTS) Reproduction & Readiness for Parenting (HCS3050) → human sexuality
Career and Technology Studies (CTS) → Developing Maturity & Independence (HSS1040) → human sexuality
Health (grades 4, 5 and 6) → human sexuality
Health and Life Skills (grades 7, 8 and 9) → human sexuality
Religious Ethics 20 → religion
Religious Meanings 20 → religion
World Religions 30 → religion

School Advisory Council Fundraising