I have never been a runner… Why would I purposely choose to go outside, pick a direction and run. Step after step with my knees screaming, a fire forming in my chest and a mental battle that I cannot win. Just running doesn’t make much sense to me.

The longest a human has ever run without stopping was 560km. That is from our school, to Kelowna without stopping. Or if you want to run on flat ground - our school to Saskatoon. It took Dean Karnazes 80 hours to run this distance. No sleep. No rest. He never stopped moving.

Ultramarathon runners such as Dean Karnazes have to be extremely efficient. They cannot carry any extra weight, their breathing has to be regulated, calorie intake is essential, and they are fixated on their goal. Crossing that line.

The author of the book of Hebrews talks about our life as a long distance race in Hebrews 12:1-2,

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”

The author here is clear that we are all running a race and often it can feel like it is all uphill. It may seem like you have been running for 80 hours non-stop or are carrying a 50 lb bag up an endless hill. We all want to run the race that God has set before us but there are different things that slow us up, weigh us down and try to throw us off the path.

Here in Hebrews, the author shows us that the weight of life and sin that we carry wears us out. Just as Dean Karnazes has to be extremely efficient in what he carries and how he plans, we need to be conscious of what we are carrying. The author also reminds us that we need to set our eyes on Jesus.

If Dean focused on every step that he needed to take and was dreading every minute that passed, he would never accomplish what he did, but he set his eyes on the goal. In the race of life when we have a second wind or when we are barely dragging along, we need to look to Jesus, be reminded of his love for us and trust in his promises.

God has placed you in this life. He is the creator of the race that you are in and He has a plan for you to follow Him and step into everything good thing that he has in store for you. In the next few moments, take time to recognize where you are at in the race. Are you exhausted? Dragging your feet? Absolutely crushing it?

Let's take a few minutes to pray, looking to Jesus and handing any weight or sin that we are carrying over to him so that we can run this race that God has set before us.

Pastor Jamie

Please remind students that belongings should not be left unattended in any spaces, especially the gym change rooms. Each student has been offered a full size locker where they should keep their belongings while in gym or otherwise unattended, however we have found that many students choose not to use them. If students need assistance accessing their lockers, or a reminder of their combination, please have them stop by the office and we would be happy to help!

Parent Teacher Interviews are rapidly approaching and we are so grateful for all the volunteers that are looking to bless our teachers with a hearty meal.

Date of Meal: Monday, November 4th (PLEASE HAVE YOUR DISH AT THE SCHOOL BY 3:30PM)

Volunteers: We would also appreciate 2-3 volunteers to help set up before and clean up after the meal (Times are indicated below)

Please click the link below to access the sign up form!. We are so appreciative of all your help!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C45ABA72EA7FA7-52184746-november#/

Hello Eagle Eye readers! Fall is officially here and slowly but surely, students at SCA have started to settle into the academic mindset. However, school isn’t the only thing that's starting up again–SCA’s student body advocate group has once again sprung into action. TAVO–short for Teens Against Violent Oppression–has begun planning events for the 2024-2025 school year. For any of you who have never heard of TAVO before now, we are a teacher-headed student organization that does its best to take part in change around the world: from farmers' inequity to human trafficking. TAVO’s goal is to give students an opportunity to help others from within their communities and school. We are an official Fair Trade Canada school which means we support farmers being paid a fair wage and ethical supply chains throughout the world. October is 30 years of Fair Trade in Canada, so we will be celebrating with a birthday party on October 23 at lunch. Watch for more details in upcoming newsletters.

Please view and understand the contents contained in this link regarding emergency preparedness and procedures at EIPS schools:

https://www.eips.ca/parents/emergency-preparedness

Thank you.

For the 2024-25 year, the deadline for receiving fee waiver applications is Dec. 16, 2024. Contact families and independent students who may need the help and remind them to apply for a waiver of fees. Information for staff about fee waivers is available on the EIPS Intranet. The application form can be found on the public EIPS website. The only applications that will be accepted after the deadline will be from families new to EIPS.

Grade 12 student applications for most Alberta post-secondary institutions open on October 1 through Apply Alberta (www.applyalberta.ca). Students apply by making a BASIC alberta.ca account (do not choose the verified option) and proceed through the steps indicated on the website. Students should report all their grade 11 courses and marks, as well as their projected marks in their grade 12 courses. Be sure to follow all the steps, including any external sites they are directed to (like the U of A website, Casper testing site, etc.). Note: many institutions follow a ‘rolling admission’ model and offer students on a first qualified, first admitted basis. As a result, students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

For questions about the Apply Alberta system or how to apply, check out the Apply Alberta FAQ section: https://www.applyalberta.ca/help/frequently-asked-questions/

If you are still having difficulty, feel free to contact Mrs. Matheson (dion.matheson@eips.ca).

Hello parents and guardians. Requests for the administration of medication at school must follow the administrative procedure set out by Elk Island Public Schools;

AP 316

.

The school will not provide over the counter medications (pain relief medication, cold remedies etc.). If there is a medication that needs to be administered to a student, the required forms will need to be completed by the parent or guardian and can be found in the administrative procedure. AP 316

Update your PowerSchool information The EIPS Correction and Verification Form is available online through your PowerSchool Parent Portal—at the top of the left-hand menu. Use the form to access and update your child’s records information—including address, parent and guardian information, emergency contacts and medical information. Reviewing the form and submitting updates ensures the school has the most up-to-date information regarding your child.

When reviewing the form, pay close attention to all listed phone numbers, email addresses and emergency contact information. Also, if you recently moved, now is the time to ensure the Division has your updated address. Throughout the year, the Division and school use the listed information to communicate with families about important information, including updates, the latest news and events. PowerSchool Correction and Verification Form Review and update the form by Sept. 25, 2024

If you have questions about the form or your Parent Portal account, contact the school office at 780-464-7127.

Brightspace Parent & Guardian Information

Brightspace Parent & Guardian allows authorized parents/guardians to log in to the Brightspace learning environment to see their child's classroom activity feed; grade items and grade feedback from instructors; upcoming assignments; portfolio evidence; and quizzes. This helps parents/guardians engage with their children about their learning and stay up-to-date on upcoming work.

**If parents have NEVER used Brightspace before, an account will need to be created (video linked below). Parents MUST use the same username that they use to log into the PowerSchool parent portal, otherwise the account will not be linked to the student.**

Create Your Brightspace Parent & Guardian Account

Parent/Guardian Log In (use your PowerSchool Parent Portal user info to login)

Additional helpful links on how to navigate Brightspace.

Video overview of Brightspace Parent & Guardian

Brightspace Parent & Guardian Guide

Brightspace: Parent & Guardian FAQ

Brightspace Parent & Guardian App

Brightspace Parent/Guardian Information Session (Recording)

Access the SCS student life handbook: https://www.scasecondary.ca/students/scs-student-life-handbook

Please fill out this form to register for our My Pass Set-Up sessions that will be hosted by Mrs. Khajavi in The Commons. Grades 11&12 students who plan to attend these sessions must register first by completing this form. Students will need a personal email address that is NOT a school generated account.

Note: Sessions for Grade 10 students will be held in early 2025 as there won't be any credits processed at this time.

What is MyPass? MyPass is an Alberta Education self-service website for students to access and order transcripts, view detailed academic reports, track credits, view diploma exam results and so much more!

DATES: Tuesday, October 15 & Thursday, October 17

TIME: 11:45am

LOCATION: The Commons

Please bring a personal digital device with you, preferably a laptop.

Field Trip Procedure:

Students are expected to have Permission Click field trip forms completed and signed in a timely manner, prior to the day of a field trip. Students who arrive at school on the day of a field trip without consent to attend that field trip will not be permitted to attend. Permission Click forms and reminders are emailed to parents and guardians in advance of field trips. Please ensure your email address with the school is correct.

Through Dual Credit opportunities, students can earn college/university credits from a Post-Secondary institution and high school credits in select programs. These opportunities are in partnership with Elk Island Public Schools Division, Lakeland College, Portage College, Norquest College, Olds College, and Alberta Education.

Dual credit helps students to:

- get started on a Post-Secondary education while still in high school
- save money on Post-Secondary tuition costs (through the Dual Credit Framework, high school students do not pay post-secondary tuition fees (other than the cost of textbooks)
- potentially earn credits in high school and a Post-Secondary Institution at the same time
gain experience to succeed academically in a Post-Secondary environment

Students will be responsible for purchasing all textbooks and required resources materials (ie: robotics kit). These costs are set by the Post-Secondary Institution and indicated in the course descriptions. Information about purchasing the required materials will be provided to students once they have been accepted into the course.

Note: due to the independent nature of dual credit programming, students should be self-directed learners.

For more information about dual credit, reach out to Mrs. Matheson (dion.matheson@eips.ca)

SCHOOL FEES ARE NOW UPLOADED. This includes course fees, volleyball, cross country, and flag football.

Pay school fees online! All fees are due within 30 days of being posted. NOTE: Additional fees may be added throughout the year—for example, at the beginning of each semester, as your child takes part in various activities, or they may be adjusted by changes in selected optional courses in junior and senior high school. If you’re unable to pay your school fees, you can apply to have certain fees waived. The application deadline is Dec. 16, 2024.

For more information, contact Jennifer Gibson at 780-464-7127

Please let your teacher(s) or the office know if you are traveling outside of Canada and require access to your Brightspace. Regularly, Brightspace isn't accessible when you are outside of Canada, so we need to request access from EIPS for the duration of your travels.

Thank you! 😀

Video surveillance at schools and on buses

Did you know each EIPS bus is equipped with video surveillance, and many school sites have video monitoring equipment?

Video surveillance and equipment help:

· ensure the safety of all students, staff, drivers and property; and

· discourage destructive acts.

As needed, EIPS school administration and Student Transportation staff review video recordings, in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act. The recordings assist schools and the Division with monitoring student and driver conduct and may be used as evidence in a disciplinary matter.

For more information about the collection, use and disclosure of personal information, contact the EIPS FOIP Co-ordinator at 780-464-3477

On behalf of the Strathcona Christian Academy Secondary School Council, thank you for helping us recognize our amazing staff for the wonderful work they do.

If there is staff member you'd like to recognize, please fill out this Google form.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Do you know a person at school that is great and deserves to be recognized? Nominate them for a 10/10! We want to hear all the good things that are happening around our school.

All these awesome stories will be shared on The Board and some may win a free meal at the Eagle's Nest!

Click here to nominate someone 😀

We are super excited to launch our partnership with the new Community Kitchen high school course! Over the next year we are looking to support two ministries (to begin with), We Care and Youth Unlimited drop-in centers. Our goal is to provide meals and snacks for over 200 youth/adults each week in the hopes that by meeting the physical need for food, each individual will experience the love of Jesus. Our students will have an opportunity to serve selflessly and express compassion in a tangible way.

The proceeds from the Eagle's nest will go directly to this ministry and every meal you purchase will actually feed double-fold! Thank you in advance for all your support and please continue to pray that God will open even more doors of opportunity for us to serve!

• The Eagle's Nest is open! Each day, Miss Higgs will have a delicious meal ready for purchase. Meals are $6 each or you can purchase a 5-meal punch pass for $25. Cash or cards are accepted.

Monday, October 14

• No School

Tuesday, October 15 (Day 2)

• Lasagna and garlic toast

Wednesday, October 16 (Day 1)

• Grilled Cheese or Philly Cheesesteak with Soup

Thursday, October 17 (Day 2)

• Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl or Butter Chicken with Naan Bread

Friday, October 18 (Day 1)

• Bacon Beast Burger and Smoothie

• October 14- Thanksgiving Day, No School
• October 19- Cross Country Provincials
• October 25- Picture Day
• October 30- Parent Teacher Interviews
• November 4- Parent Teacher Interviews
• November 6- Early Dismissal
• November 8- Remembrance Day Chapel
• November 11-15- November Break No School

The 1st student grad committee meeting will be held on Monday October 21 in the Commons. Anyone wanting to be on this committee should attend and if you cannot make it, please communicate this to Mr. Johnson ahead of time. See the grad Brightspace page for more information!

If you missed the parent grad information meeting, you can find the relevant information in these slides. If you are interested in being on the parent after-grad committee, please email Mr. Johnson by Monday October 14 will expression of interest.

SPAC Youth has weekly gatherings, and we would love to have you join:

Senior High (Grade 9-12)

Tuesday | 7pm

Junior High (Grade 7-8)

Wednesday | 7pm

We’d love to have you join

Follow us on Instagram - @spacyth for more details.

We hope to see you there.

Please remember that our building does not open for students before 8:20AM. Students who arrive earlier will need to wait outside until the doors open.

In the afternoon, we kindly ask that parents pick up their children before 3:35PM. After 3:35PM, students are kindly asked to wait outside for their transportation.