NSO News & Information

As of Monday, May 26 there are only 17 Instructional Days left in semester 2.

We are down to the last three weeks of classes! Our final instructional day is Tuesday, June 17, and before that, we’ll be celebrating one of the most important milestones in a student’s journey — Graduation on June 6 at the DOW Centre in Fort Saskatchewan. The countdown is officially on!

This time of year brings a whirlwind of emotion — excitement, reflection, and anticipation. Whether you're preparing for exams, finalizing projects, or getting ready to walk across that graduation stage, we want every student to know: we are proud of you. Every effort, every late night, every small step has brought you closer to your goals.

As our school motto reminds us, “Small steps are still progress.” Now is the time to keep taking those steps. Let’s stay focused, show up strong, and support one another as we cross the finish line of this school year. Thank you for your continued support, encouragement, and belief in your children. We couldn’t do this without you.

To our graduates: Your big moment is less than 11 days away. We can’t wait to cheer you on as you turn the page to your next chapter. You’ve earned this celebration, and more. Let’s make these final weeks count!

-Principal Mr. B. Spady, Assistant Principal's Mrs. D. Bennett, Mrs. K. Porter & Mr. C. Martin

As we approach this exciting milestone, here are a few important reminders for our Graduation Ceremony on Thursday, June 6.

Grad Gown Pickup- Graduation gowns are available for pickup the week of May 26 from your individual campus location. Each graduate will receive, A gown, Cap, Tassel, Sash. Please note: Only the gown is to be returned after the ceremony.

Graduation Day Details- Doors Open: 1:45 PM, Ceremony Starts: 2:30 PM. Seating: First-come, first-served. You must have a ticket to attend!

We are so proud of each of our graduates and look forward to celebrating this special achievement together! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

• Sherwood Park – Sara Wood (sara.wood@eips.ca) Success Coach
• Sherwood Park – D’Anne Bennett (danne.bennett@eips.ca) Assistant Principal
• Fort Saskatchewan – Janet Clarkson (janet.clarkson@eips.ca) Success Coach
• Vegreville – Carlin Adams (carlin.adams@eips.ca) Family School Liaison Worker
• Fort Saskatchewan & Vegreville – Krista Porter (krista.porter@eips.ca) Assistant Principal

Courses are designed for preparing students to write their Grade 12 diploma exams. Courses will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Salisbury Composite High School. Cost is $125 per course, $75 for Science 30 (1 day session). Families register via the PowerSchool Parent Portal. If you have questions, reach out to nextstep@eips.ca or 780-464-1899.

May 31-June 1 (ELA 30-1 & Social 30-1)

June 7-8 (ELA 30-1 & Social 30-1)

June 14-15 Math 30-1/2, Biology 30,

June 21 Science 30

June 21-22 Chemistry 30 Physics 30

May 28 Red Shirt Day

May 29 Grade 9 ELA PAT Part A

May 31-June 1 Diploma Exam Prep (ELA 30-1/SS 30-1) Register

June 2-6 EIPS Pride Week

June 4 Early dismissal 2:10 p.m.

June 6 Graduation Ceremony 2:30 p.m. DOW Centre Fort Saskatchewan

June 7-8 Diploma Exam Prep (ELA 30-1/SS 30-1) Register

June 7 MaKami College OPEN HOUSE 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

June 11 ELA 30-1/2 Part A Diploma

June 12 Social 30-1/2 Part A Diploma

June 12 Grade 9 PAT ELA Part B

June 13 Grade 9 PAT Math Part A

June 13 Grade 9 Farewell Salisbury Theatre 4:15 p.m.

June 14-15 Diploma Exam Prep (Math 30-1/2, Bio 30) Register

June 15 Father's Day

June 17 Math 30-1/2 Diploma

June 17 Grade 9 PAT Math Part B

June 17 Last Instructional Day- Grade 10-12

June 18 ELA 30-1/2 Part B Diploma

June 18 Grade 9 PAT Social Studies

June 19 Social 30-1/2 Part B Diploma

June 19 Grade 9 PAT Science

June 20 Biology 30 Diploma

June 21-22 Diploma Exam Prep (Chemistry 30, Physics 30, Science 30) Register

June 21 National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 23 Chemistry 30 Diploma

June 24 Physics 30 Diploma

June 25 Science 30 Diploma & last day of semester

June 26 Last Operational Day

July 7-31 Summer School

Spring has started out as a very dry season and unfortunately, we’re seeing grassfires in nearby areas. Although we haven’t had fires close to the school to date, circumstances can shift quickly and we need to be prepared to deal with the situation should it arise. We understand parents and caregivers have concerns about students’ health and wellbeing due to the unpredictability of wildfires, and I wanted to reach out to let you know about the contingency plans we have in place.

• To keep air quality at healthy levels, air intake system is adjusted as needed to avoid bringing smoke into the building. When the air quality is poor outside, school administrators will initiate a “shelter in place” and keep students and staff indoors during the school day.
• School administrators monitor the situation through emergency alerts and information from Alberta Fire and other agencies. If we receive word the school community may be at risk due to proximity to the fire, the school will evacuate students and staff to a safe location.
• Next Step, like all EIPS schools, has a detailed evacuation plan to follow should emergency officials inform us that we must leave. If that happens, EIPS will contact you directly via both phone and email on its emergency channel.
• Staff and students will be transported via bus and taken to an emergency evacuation centre located a safe distance away, where a controlled release of students to their parents and caregivers will take place.
• IMPORTANT: If you receive notice the school is evacuating, DO NOT come to the school to try and pick up your child. During an evacuation, staff must focus on ensuring all students are accounted for and safely on buses—they cannot manage the release of students from the school at the same time. Additional traffic and people coming to the school could also jeopardize the effectiveness of the evacuation and compromise the overall safety of the school community.
• EIPS will keep parents informed of developments as they occur, including where the emergency evacuation centre is located and what the process for controlled student release will be. As well, there will be door signage at the school to direct parents and caregivers to the location of the evacuation site.

Our Student Success team at Next Step is designed to maximize school engagement, increase academic success and enhance social, emotional and physical well-being for students.

Sherwood Park: Success Coach for grade 8-11 kevin.mackinnon@eips.ca email and direct line 7804102948 (student/family strategies & community connections) & Success Coach for grade 12 & R12 Sara.Wood@eips.ca email and direct line 7804102942 (student/family strategies & community connections)

Fort Saskatchewan: Success Coach for grade 8-12 Janet.Clarkson@eips.ca email and direct line 7804103981 (student/family strategies & community connections)

Vegreville: Family School Liaison Worker Carlin.Adams@eips.ca email and direct line 7804103989 (student/family strategies & community connections)

Guidance Counselor: email Elli.Hansen@eips.ca and direct line 7804102952 (educational support and accommodations)

Please be advised to follow all designated parking signs at the front of the school and at Festival Place. These lots are patrolled by Strathcona County Bylaw Enforcement, and you could be subject to a ticket if parked illegally. Students are welcome to park in the front of the school and in Festival Place during the school day. At times, Festival Place will be closed to students during the dance festival season. We strive to communicate these changes as they arise. As responsible drivers, the onus is up to you to drive and park responsibly.

At Next Step, we believe that consistent engagement in learning is key to academic success. Students who do not actively participate in their course for a period of 30 days will be withdrawn from the course. Should a student wish to reengage, they will be required to meet with our Student Success team to discuss their commitment and develop a plan to ensure future success. As we say at Next Step Outreach, "small steps are still progress," and we are here to support every step of your journey. This policy ensures students remain committed to their learning, while also providing them with the necessary support to reengage effectively.

Appropriate use of personal communication devices contributes to the safety and security of students and staff, minimizes risk to personal wellbeing and disruption to instruction, and protects personal privacy and academic integrity. As such, personal devices are expected to be out of sight during instructional time.

Students may not access a PCD unless given permission by the teacher for a specific educational task or purpose. PCDs shall not be on the student unless the use is for: a diagnosed medical condition; or an identified inclusive-educational need.

From a security perspective, the most important function of an exterior door is for protection from the elements and to control entry for building security. All exterior doors will be locked, and opened only for student and visitor access during designated school entry times and special events. Students who arrive when doors are locked, as well as parents/caregivers and visitors, will be welcomed into the office after ringing the doorbell/video-monitored intercom entry system. All visitors must sign in and out of the school and follow the visitor protocol.

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.

The Division, and Next Step are committed to ensuring all members of the school community are provided with welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments that respect diversity and foster a sense of belonging. EIPS encourages all students, staff and families to review the procedures to understand and practice the conduct expected throughout the Division.

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
X: @eipsnextstep