KILLAM PUBLIC SCHOOL

Congratulations on a successful first week! Thank you for choosing Killam Public School. We are grateful for all our families.

A lot of information was shared in late May/June through newsletters, school council meetings and on the website. Below you will find a recap of some of the differences you may have noticed.

We are excited for this school year and are doing our best to adapt to current situations. Thank you for your patience as we navigate many different dynamics.

We are excited to invite KPS families to our Back to School/Meet the Teacher Night on Tuesday, September 10, from 4 to 6 p.m. (Please see poster below).

As you are aware, provincial budget cuts resulted in a decrease in school staffing budgets for all BRSD schools. While we have bid a fond farewell to some long-term staff members, Karen Antos in June and Vicki Child in August, we are excited to have the following staff members supporting our students:

Mrs. Freadrich: Kindergarten; Complementary classes* gr. 1-3; Assistant Principal

Mrs. Borgel: Grade 1; Complementary classes* gr. 1 - 6; Junior High Options

Mrs. Brusse Paterson: Grade 2; Complementary classes* gr. 1-3

Mrs. Pedersen: Grade 3 Math, Language Arts, Science

Ms. Gibb: Grade 4/5 Language Arts, Science, Social Studies; Grade 4 Math; Grade 3 Social

Studies; Complementary classes* gr. 4-6

Mr. Bailey: Grade 5 Math; PE and Health 7-9

Ms. K. Armitage: Grade 5/6 Langage Arts, Science, Social Studies; Grade 6 Math; Complementary classes* gr. 4-6

Ms. Nielsen: Grade 7-9 Social Studies, Math; Junior High Options; Grade 9 Homeroom

Mr. Gratrix: Grade 7-9 Language Arts, Science; Junior High Options; Grade 7/8 Homeroom

Mrs. Nelson: Complementary classes* gr. 2-6; Junior High Options; Principal

Our support staff are amazing!:

Mrs. Cox: Library Tuesdays and Thursdays

Mrs. Brodie: Main office

Mrs. G. Armitage: classroom EA (elementary)

Mrs. Hogman: classroom EA (junior high/elementary)

Mrs. Irving: classroom EA (elementary)

Mrs. Walline: classroom EA (elementary)

*Complementary Classes may include gym, music, french, library, art, health

The 24-25 bell schedule is posted on our website. We have moved from a 10 period day (30 min periods) to an 8 period day (39-40 minute periods). The reasoning behind this is to minimize transition times between classes, especially for junior high students, which allows us to maximize instructional time.

On the schedule you will also see "SEL" time. This stands for Social Emotional Learning or 'Kougar Time'. As a staff, we made this decision to add a 'homeroom' time at the end of each day to help our students feel grounded and connected. During this time, students may work on organizational skiils (what homework do I have, what do I need to take home, is my locker clean, etc.), connecting with staff and students in the classroom through a variety of activities, getting teacher assistance on a subject area problem they might be working on, etc. This will continue to develop as the year progresses.

A recent message was sent about the Ministerial Order from the Government of Alberta (Dept. of Education) outlining the use of personal mobile dvices and social media in schools. In response, Battle River School Division has created Administration Procedure 135, Use of Personal Mobile Devices and Social Media in Schools. As a staff, we have defined what this will look like and feel like; there are some changes from previous years, but much of it looks similar to what was already in place.

Please note, BRSD is not responsible for lost or damaged devices. Please encourage your student to keep their device safe by leaving it at home or locking their locker.

Grades K-6: Students should not have personal mobile devices at school. If they do choose to bring such devices, they should be kept in their locker for the entire day.

Grades 7-9: Must keep their devices in their locker/backpack, turned off or silent. If they accidentally bring their device into the classroom, their is a place to put their phones. Grade 7-9 students may use their device at recess, but not during lunch eating time.

Students will be allowed to carry a personal mobile device for health or mdeical purposes based on a medical note and in consultation with the principal.

Gyms/Washrooms: No personal mobile devices are allowed in gym class, changerooms or washrooms.

Students have had an excellent week with this. We understand we are navigating new territory and we appreciate the support of our parent community.

The 2024/25 Student Re-Enrollment & Verification forms (320-1) were sent out in August. Every student and parent/guardian must complete this document prior to September 30, 2024 for your Division account and access to continue to be available to you and your student during the remainder of the school year. This may include student access to ChromeBooks at school. (Included as part of this package is the Technology Acceptable Use Agreement and the FOIP Consent Notice of Activities.)

Please note that the form must be completed on a web browser on a phone, tablet or computer. The PowerSchool App does not have form capability. Your username is your Firstname.Lastname.

Every year we are required to provide Alberta Education with a signed and dated Student Verification form for each of our students. We also use the form to ensure all of the information we have regardingyour child(ren) is correct. This year we have moved to an electronic verification form for this process. In an attempt to streamline our process, the FOIP and Technology Use forms have been incorporated into the Verification form.

Killam Public School is a real-time reporting school. You can access your students' schedule, academic progress and attendance through the PowerSchool Parent Portal and/or the phone app in real-time. Student assessments will be reported digitally on PowerSchool so physical/printed report cards will not be distributed. There is a new feature in the Parent Portal for parents to be able to generate a PDF of a Report Card. To access this new Report Card feature ou must be signed in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal through a web browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.). You cannot view it from the app.

The JH Travel Club is heading to Montreal, Quebec City, and Ottawa from March 22-28, 2025. Anyone in Grades 7-9 who is interested in signing up has until September 20 to do so. Please contact Ms. Nielsen cnielsen@brsd.ab.ca for more information if you are interested.

Please inform the office if your student will be absent by either calling (780) 385-3690 or emailing abrodie@brsd.ab.ca. Students must check-in at the office if they are late and must check out at the office if they are leaving early for the day.

Private Piano Lessons available from Ruth Wallner. For more information call 780-385-2461. Registration Deadline is September 25, 2024.

Cross Country Running and Junior High Volleyball are underway. Information was sent home was sent home by coaches this week. If you have any questions, please contact our Athletic Directer, Mr. Gratrix rgratrix@brsd.ab.ca.

• September 3, 2024 - FIRST DAY OF CLASSES!
• September 10, 2024 - Meet the Teacher/Back to School BBQ - details will be sent out next week
• September 30, 2024 - Truth and Reconciliation Day - School Closed

Please click the contact us link below to tell us what you think. Leave a comment, question or feedback. Your opinion helps!

Every Student, Every Day, A Success

Email: killam-aa@brsd.ab.ca
Website: https://killam.brsd.ab.ca/
Phone: 780-385-3690