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VCHS Prowler
April 15-19
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
- April 14-20: National Volunteer Week
- April 15-19: Education Week
- April 18: Grade 7 & 8 Mental Health Field Trip
- Junior High Information Night @ 6-7:30 PM
- April 22: Registration opens for Diploma Prep Courses
- April 25: Off-Campus Education information session 6-7 PM in the library
- May 1: Early Dismissal
- May 3: PD Day- No school
- May 4: Highway Clean up
- May 16-17: School Closure Days
- May 20: Victoria Day- No school
- May 24: Grad Rehearsal @ 9 AM
- May 25: Graduation Ceremony @ 1 PM
Who said it? Shakespeare or Swift?
Stop by the library and see Ms. Vadnais to grab your contest sheet, then tune into our social media stories each day and answer the poll: Who said it? Shakespeare or Swift? The poll results will be posted on the library board each day. Finally, fill in your forms and submit to Ms. Vadnais in the library on April 18 to be entered into the draw. The student(s) with the most correct answers will win. Winner(s) will be announced on April 23. "'Good Hap!"
Jr. High Open House
Off-Campus Education Information Session
Want to learn more about Off-Campus education- Specifically, for the Vegreville area? Join us for an information night on April 25 from 6-7PM in the library.
Highway Clean Up
Has your contact information recently changed?
Have you recently moved or has your contact information changed? Vegreville Composite 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 780-632-3341
School Messenger
VCHS and the Division use the SchoolMessenger platform for communicating with families—through both phone and email. Be sure to add communications@eips.ca and general.vjs@eips.ca to your safe sender list to avoid having important messages funneled into your junk mail folder.
You can directly manage your phone and email subscription preferences through SchoolMessenger. Simply log in to your account—or create one if you don’t already have one—and select the message types you’d like to receive to each phone number and email address on file.
The easiest way to stay connected is to download the SchoolMessenger app. Get the latest updates direct to your mobile device and enable push notifications to never miss a message. Families can also check back on past messages—for up to 30 days—directly in the app rather than searching to find an old message buried in your inbox. Download the SchoolMessenger app from the App Store or Google Play today.
2023-2024 Yearbooks
Athletics
check out www.kisport.ca/alberta to learn more and start your application process
Cafeteria
MHCB News
Monday Mental Health Minute
FCSS recently updated their helplines, if you know someone struggling check out all the great local and virtual resources.
Family School Liaison Worker (FSLW)
Carlin Adams is our Family School Liaison Worker (FSLW). She is available to
help support students create positive change through setting goals and planning
strategies, helping connect families with external supports and advocating for
students and families within the school and community. Her office is in our school
library.
Her contact information is:
Office (780) 410-3989 Cell (780) 920-2594 Email carlin.adams@eips.caTransferring Credits on School Fees
Grad News
Diploma Exam Prep registration opens April 22
Courses are designed for preparing students to write their Grade 12 diploma exams. The material presented is based on a 12-hour schedule over a weekend. Courses will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a half-hour break for lunch. Courses will be offered at Salisbury Composite High School (20 Festival Way) in Sherwood Park. Students can only register for one review course each weekend. Cost is $125 per course, $75 for Science 30. Register at https://www.eipsnextstep.ca/
June 1/2 (ELA 30-1 & Social 30-1)
June 8/9 (ELA 30-1 & Social 30-1)
June 15/16 Math 30-1/2, Biology 30, Chemistry 30
June 22/23 Physics 30
June 22 Science 30
For questions reach out to nextstep@eips.ca or 780-992-0101.
MC College Open House
Graduation Fees
Graduation fees have now been posted to your student accounts. Log in to your parent portal to pay yours today.
*School fees must be in good standing to participate in the Graduation ceremony*
Important Dates
Graduation Rehearsal:
Friday, May 24th @ 9AM
Graduation Ceremony:
Saturday, May 25th @ 1 PM
Diploma Exam Results
Diploma Exam result statements are now available through myPass
Students will now need to retrieve their exam results through myPass—a self‑service website for high school students. Result statements for Diploma Exams are now be available exclusively online using myPass. Printed results statements will no longer be mailed.
How to use myPass (youtube.com)
In addition, the Statement of Courses and Marks has been replaced with the Detailed Academic Report (DAR), which is also available exclusively online using myPass.
myPass enables high school students to:
- access their Results Statement;
- view their demographic information;
- view their DAR;
- view their progress toward their diploma or certificate; and
- order and pay for a transcript.
Specific information on how to sign up for myPass will be provided to all students who write diploma examinations.
For more information visit: https://education.alberta.ca/students/transcripts/online.aspx
Grad Requirements
Curious about Alberta High School Diploma Requirements
Diploma Requirements:
- 15 credits in senior English
- 15 credits in senior Social Studies
- 10 credits in Math (minimum Math 20-3)
- 10 credits Science (minimum Science 24)
- 3/5 credits in CALM 20
- 3 credits in Physical Education
- 10 other credits at the 30 level
- 38 other credits
- Minimum 100 total credits
Certificate of Achievement Requirements:
- English 20-2 or 30-4
- Social 20-2 or 20-4
- Math 24 or 20-4
- Science 24 or 20-4
- Physical Education 10
- Career and Life Management
- 10 credits Work Experience or RAP or Green Certificate
- Minimum 80 total credits
If you have any concerns regarding your graduation progress, please contact Ms. Sydor for more information.
EIPS News
First Nations, Métis and Inuit
Join Elder Mary SkyBlue Morin, Métisse Cultural Knowledge Holder and Language Carrier, in learning northern Michif. This is a weekly class taught online every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. from April 4 to June 13.
If you’re interested in joining this opportunity with the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education team, register through this form. NOTE: All staff, students and families are welcome to attend and learn together virtually. No experience is necessary.
Monthly Newsletter
Your First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Education Team are excited to present our *new* team newsletter.
This newsletter will be updated at the end of each month to ensure our families are updated with our divisional initiatives.
Junior High Information Nights: Running April and May
Junior high schools across EIPS are hosting information nights for all Grade 6 students and their families—taking place in April and May. Make sure to attend to learn everything you need to know about the junior high programs at your child’s school. Those who attend will also have a chance to:
· meet the teachers;
· tour the school and classrooms;
· learn about the upcoming curriculum; and
· ask questions.
For specific dates and times, see: EIPS Junior High Information Sessions 2024
Student Transportation
Download the new My Ride K-12 app
The student transportation routing and planning software used by the Division is getting an app update! The new My Ride K-12 app, which is replacing Ride 360, helps families stay up to date on your child’s bus schedules, route times and scans. Download My Ride K-12 from the App Store or Google Play by April 30.
For more information, visit www.eips.ca/transportation/apps. If you have any questions, contact Student Transportation at st@eips.ca or 780-417-8151
EIPS annual education results report
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 this year’s 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.
April Spotlight: enhancing public education through effective engagement
· Rules of Engagement: Using a collaborative approach to improve student achievement and success
· Driving change: Strengthening public education through Board advocacy
RELATED INFORMATION
A big THANK YOU to EIPS Volunteers
National Volunteer Week takes place April 14-20. On behalf of the Board of Trustees at Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS), I want to extend my most heartfelt thanks to all EIPS volunteers. Every time you’ve contributed, whether it was helping on a class field trip or planning a school event for families to enjoy, you were there at a moment when we needed you. Students needed you, staff needed you, the community needed you—and you answered the call. These are moments that matter and are ones that make a difference in a student’s experience at their school.
So, thank you again for being there. Without you, EIPS would not be what it is today, and schools wouldn’t be able to do all the wonderful things they do. This National Volunteer Week, I encourage everyone to celebrate the hundreds of volunteers and thousands of hours put into supporting student growth and achievement at schools across the Division.
Cathy Allen Chair,
EIPS Board of Trustees
Did you know?
Alberta Reserves are accumulated surplus funds that may be designated to a school, department or priority. The Board of Trustees approves the transfer of funds to and from reserves and has a yearly plan on how those reserves are used—to the benefit of students. EIPS identifies high-demand areas and uses its operating reserves for initiatives like student learning, new curriculum work, consultant support, mental health initiatives, technology upgrades, public-health best practices and other one-time projects. Operating reserves are also used to furnish and equip new schools and classrooms. With its capital reserves, EIPS replaces ageing equipment, purchases technology, modernizes and expands student learning spaces, and funds emergent capital needs.
Learn more:
EIPS Summer School: Register Now!
EIPS Summer School July 2-26
Registration for EIPS Summer School is now 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.
Enhancing literacy and numeracy
As part of Elk Island Public Schools’ (EIPS) ongoing efforts to enhance the literacy and numeracy of students in all grade levels, the Division is once again administering the Star Early Literacy, Star Reading and Star Math assessment tools in the 2023-24 school year. These tools focus on literacy and numeracy, are digitally based and offer an opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning. The goal: To provide timely information to teachers, help enhance classroom instruction and identify student learning needs.
Three times a year, EIPS students in Grade 1 complete the Star Early Literacy assessment and students in grades 2-12 complete the Star Reading assessment. Both assessments are administered electronically and take about 20 minutes. Students in grades 2 through 10 also complete the Star Math, a mathematic screening tool. It, too, is administered electronically and takes about 30 minutes for students to complete. The results offer teachers a clearer picture of a student’s learning needs and help determine if subsequent instructional planning is required. NOTE: Semester students complete the Star Math twice, at the start and end of the course.
In addition to the Star assessments, Alberta Education now mandates all students in grades 1-3 complete additional literacy and numeracy assessments. Students in Grade 2 and Grade 3 complete these provincial assessments in September. Grade 1 students will complete the assessments in January 2023.
The scores of the assessments aren’t used toward a student’s grade, and there is no need to study ahead of time. The tools simply provide the teacher with information to better understand where each student is in terms of reading comprehension and mathematic ability. If, after analyzing the results, it’s determined a student can benefit from extra support, the teacher will contact the family to discuss possible support strategies.
For more information about the Division’s Star and MIPI assessment tools, contact EIPS Supports for Students at 780-464-3477.
Respiratory Illness Guidance
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.
As per Alberta Health guidelines, staff, students, contractors and visitors who have symptoms of respiratory Illness or test positive for COVID, should stay home until:
· 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.
Pay School Fees Online!
School fee information for the 2023-24 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.
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.
If circumstances exist where you’re unable to pay your fees, you can apply to have certain fees waived by submitting an Application for a Waiver of Fees. The application deadline is Dec. 15, 2023.
For more information about school fees, waivers and payment deadlines, visit www.eips.ca/schools/fees, Alternatively, contact Marie Andruchow, Business Manager at Vegreville Composite High school at 780-632-3341.
Dual Credit Course Deadlines
Dual credit course details (including dates and times, delivery method, and descriptions) are available on the website: https://www.eips.ca/programs-services/career-pathways/dual-credit-pathways
Students will need to “Explore the Courses” to view the handbook. The handbook has all of the up-to-date information on which courses are available in S1 and in S2.
Interested students will need to fill out the application form BEFORE the deadline for each program. Each program has unique deadlines.
Caregiver Series: April Sessions
Alberta Health Services offers free online programming for parents and caregivers of children and youth. Sessions are offered through Zoom. Upcoming topics include understanding autism, parenting teens in the 21st century, and supporting children and youth with ADHD. The list of April 2024 sessions is now available.
Career Pathways
EIPS students in our rural communities have an exciting Dual Credit opportunity to partner with NorQuest College and St. Joseph Hospital to participate in an Introduction to Health Care Aide! Students will receive six 30-level high school credits, and six post-secondary credits upon the completion. Students will participate in virtual instruction once per week in the following two courses, as well as spend one day in the learning in the lab at the hospital:
These courses will give students a good idea of what it’s like to work as an HCA and more in-depth understanding of the body and health, which is great knowledge to have for student looking to explore something in the health field.
Students who participate in the Introduction to Health Care Aide program will be able to continue to complete their HCA certification with the adult cohort starting in Vegreville in the fall (or transfer their credits to another HCA program), will become eligible to apply for a bursary to cover the remainder of the cost of the program, AND apply to be accepted into a Work Integrated Learning program at the hospital where they will receive on the job training and a wage!
EIPS covers the student tuition, and generally has students purchase their own textbook (~$200). If the price of the textbook is a barrier for you engaging in this opportunity, please reach out to the school.
Check out the latest news from Career Pathways.
Let's talk Careers Competition
In this competition, students will explore career and post-secondary resources through a 10-question daily quiz activity. During the competition dates, the points students, teachers, parents and caregivers earn from answering questions all contribute to the school’s ranking. Higher ranks mean unlocking bursaries and prizes on the leaderboard. Competition dates include:
- Spring: April 15 – May 24, 2024
For more information and to sign up, see the Chatter High website.
High School Apprenticeship Scholarship Program
Community Corner
School Fundraisers
Vegreville Composite High School
Email: General.VJS@eips.ca
Website: www.vegcomp.ca
Location: Vegreville, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-632-3341
Facebook: facebook.com/vegcomp