NSO Weekly News

Families of all current students—except Grade 12 students—must complete the process to confirm the school their child plans to attend in the 2024-25. Returning student registration closes February 21. For more information, contact the school office at 780-464-1899 (SPO) or 780-992-0101 (FSO).

We hope everyone had a wonderful long weekend. Tuesday is instructional day #11 of 83 for semester 2 or 13% complete. Reminder the EIPS Returning Student Registration process closes on Wednesday, Feb 21. If you have not had a chance to request a Random Access Code to complete the Alberta Assurance Review you still have time. See below.

We appreciate the opportunity to engage, interact, and support all families. Our Next Step vision is to create a community of learners who embody the virtues of acceptance, flexibility, individualization, respect, and responsibility. We are excited you are part of our alternative learning environment. Have a great week! #gogreen Mr. B. Spady Principal & Mrs. K. Porter Assistant Principal

High School students are required to check in and meet with their instructor(s) weekly. It is recommended that multiple check ins occur each week to ensure successful completion of academic course work. Students not adhering to the weekly check in schedule or failing to engage in the learning process will be removed from their course.

February 21 EIPS Returning Student Registration CLOSES

February 26-29 Kindness Week

February 27 School Advisory Council 6 p.m. Join HERE

February 28 Pink Shirt Day

March 1 Professional Learning Day- No School

March 5 SAFRON student presentations

March 6 Early dismissal (2:15 p.m.)

March 7 SPO Grad Portraits

March 8 FSO Grad Portraits & International Women's Day

March 11 Commonwealth Day & SAFRON student presentations

March 14 Pi Day activities

March 15 Summer School Registration opens

March 16 NorQuest College Open House norquest.ca/OpenHouse

March 17 St. Patrick's Day

March 19 Parent Teacher Student Conferences (FSO)

March 20 Parent Teacher Student Conferences (SPO)

March 21 World Poetry Day

March 22-April 1 Spring Break No School

Students are completing the survey online at school and participation is voluntary and anonymous. Parents and guardians are also asked to take a survey online. Alberta Education has mailed families information about the survey directly. The survey deadline is March 1, 2024.

Parents that wish to participate in the survey may contact us to request a RAC be generated. Advise parents to contact directly at EDC.SystemAssurance@gov.ab.ca with the following information:

1. Name of school (Next Step Sherwood Park or Fort Saskatchewan)
2. Name of school authority (Elk Island Public)
3. Grade of student

Parents do not need to provide any personal information about their child such as name, date of birth, or ASN.

Our next hybrid meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 27 at the Sherwood Park campus. We hope you can join us in-person or virtually. Meeting starts at 6 p.m. Regular attendance is not required. Please check out our school calendar and NSO Weekly News for scheduled School Advisory Council Meetings. Virtual link: Join HERE

Remaining meetings: April 23, May 28

The Alberta Innovates High School Youth Researcher Summer Program (HYRS) offers paid, six week summer research experiences for Grade 11 students in health and medical sciences, including priority areas in digital or data driven health research, commercialization, and health system transformation. In addition to gaining first-hand research experience, HYRS students also participate in a range of skill development and career exploration activities. This program is ideal for students who have an interest in science and health, and are looking to explore careers in health research and innovation. Information on student application requirements available at www.uab.ca/hyrs. Deadline March 15

Join us for Open House on March 16! Tour our campus, attend info sessions, meet instructors, learn about student services, & more. BONUS: No application fee for domestic students applying to Spring & Fall 2024 programs during the event! Register at http://norquest.ca/OpenHouse

Cannabis: Get to know more about cannabis and explore the effects that early use of cannabis products can have on a young person’s life, then have a conversation with your child.

https://www.drugfreekidscanada.org/drug-spotlights/cannabis/

Health Education and Learning Website: www.ahs.ca/heal is a resource aimed at providing families easily accessible, reliable information about common minor illness and injuries in children. This resource offers general information about the causes, symptoms and home management options for common minor illnesses and injuries, and when to seek medical care.

Parent Support Hub: is safe virtual space for parents, guardians and families to get guidance and support. This free service is available 24/7 for anyone who is concerned about the use of substances by a young person in their life.

https://www.drugfreekidscanada.org/support/supporthub/

Vaping: Vaping’s popularity among youth has grown significantly over the past five years – and there is a lot of concern that this increase may have a negative impact on the overall health of young people. https://www.drugfreekidscanada.org/issues/vaping/

Teaching Sexual Health: For up to date, evidence based information and strategies for parents to deliver effective sexual health education https://teachingsexualhealth.ca/

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.

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
Twitter: @eipsnextstep