AJS Weekly Bison Tracks

• February 5 - 12:30 p.m. - Grade 6 Band Visit - Ecole Parc
• February 7, 2:16 p.m. - Early Dismissal
• February 7 - EIPS Ribbon Skirt-Shirt Day
• February 8 & 9 - Teachers' Convention - No School for Students
• February 8 - Returning Student Registration Begins
• February 12-16 - Grad Photos
• February 12 & 13, 11:37 a.m. - Student Council Valentine's Day Charity Card/Crush Can Sales
• February 13, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - AJS Open House
• February 14, 11:37 a.m. - Student Council Valentine's Day Charity Prize Wheel Game
• February 14 - Student Council Valentine's Day Charity Card/Crush Can Delivery
• February 15, 8:45 a.m. - NAIT Next In Trades - NAIT Main Campus
• February 17 - Random Acts of Kindness Day
• February 19 - Family Day - No School
• February 20, 6:30 p.m. - AJS Quebec Trip Parent & Student Meeting

Once again, Alberta Education is surveying teachers, students and families through its annual Alberta Education Assurance (AEA) Survey. The survey gathers feedback on the quality of education provided by school authorities and their schools, which they then use to help understand how they’re doing and plan for the future.

Throughout February, Grades 7 to 12 students at Ardrossan Jr. Sr. High School are completing the survey online at the school. Student participation is voluntary and completely anonymous. Students are assigned a random username and password to ensure survey responses aren’t linked to any individual student. The survey doesn’t take long to complete and is done within the school day during regular class time.

Additionally, parents and guardians of students in these grades are also asked to take a survey online. Alberta Education has mailed families information about the survey directly. As with the student and teacher survey, it’s anonymous and asks questions about your school experiences. If you have a child in these grades, we encourage you to participate. The survey deadline is March 1, 2024.

Results from the AEA Survey are provided to Elk Island Public Schools each spring. The Division then uses the data to inform its four-year education plan, school education plans and strategies for continuous improvement. Each fall, the results are also shared with EIPS families and school communities in the Division’s Annual Education Results Report.

RELATED INFORMATION
AEA Survey: Information for parents and guardians
AEA Survey
Assurance and Accountability: Alberta’s K-12 education system

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

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

Every year, Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) publishes an Annual Education Results Report, which outlines the Division’s Four-Year Education Plan, opportunities for growth and how it’s supporting students to achieve the best possible outcomes. Read through the most recent EIPS Annual Education Results Report 2022-23 and discover how EIPS fosters learning environments for all students to learn, grow and thrive—and why it matters.

February Spotlight: Student Growth and Success

· Early Learning: Ensuring early learners reach developmental milestones

· Culture of Literacy: Dive deep into the data and learn how students are developing strong literacy skills

· Math Matters: Enhancing reasoning, understanding and achievement through numeracy-rich classrooms

· Boosting Educational Outcomes: Discover how EIPS supports the growth and achievement of students who self-identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit

· Beyond High School: Supports and strategies that are creating real-life career pathways for learners

RELATED INFORMATION
EIPS Four-Year Education Plan: 2022-26
EIPS Three-Year Capital Plan: 2024-27

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

Mark your calendars! Registration for EIPS Summer School opens March 15. For more information, see the Summer School page on Next Step’s website.

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

• February 2 & 3 - Sr. Varsity Mens and Womens Basketball Bison Thunder Classic Tournament
  
• February 2 & 3 - Jr. Varsity Mens Basketball Strathmore Tournament
• February 5, 4:00 p.m. - Jr. Jr. Boys Basketball @ FRH
• February 5, 5:15 p.m. - Jr. Jr. Girls Basketball @ FRH
• February 6, 4:00 p.m. - Jr. Sr. Boys Basketball vs SWH
• February 6, 5:15 p.m. - Jr. Sr. Girls Basketball vs SWH
• February 6, 5:30 p.m. - Jr. Varsity Mens Basketball @ J Percy Page
• February 7, 4:00 p.m. - Jr. Jr. Boys Basketball @ OLPH
• February 7, 5:15 p.m. - Jr. Jr. Girls Basketball @ OLPH
• February 7, 5:00 p.m. - Sr. Varsity Mens Basketball vs Memorial
• February 7, 6:30 p.m. - Sr. Varsity Womens Basketball vs Memorial
• February 12, 5:00 p.m. - Sr. Varsity Womens Basketball vs St. Oscar Romero
• February 12, 6:30 p.m. - Sr. Varsity Mens Basketball vs St. Oscar Romero
• February 13, 4:00 p.m. - Jr. Sr. Boys Basketball vs LLR
• February 13, 5:15 p.m. - Jr. Sr. Girls Basketball vs LLR
• February 13, 6:30 p.m. - Jr. Varsity Mens Basketball @ Queen Elizabeth
• February 14, 5:00 p.m. - Sr. Varsity Mens Basketball @ Dr. Anne Anderson
• February 14, 6:30 p.m. - Sr. Varsity Womens Basketball @ Dr. Anne Anderson
• February 15, 4:00 p.m. - Jr. Jr. Girls Basketball vs LLR
• February 15, 5:15 p.m. - Jr. Jr. Boys Basketball vs LLR
• February 15, 5:30 p.m. - Jr. Varsity Mens Basketball vs St. Albert

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

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