NSO News & Information

We hope everyone had a good start to September! Monday, Sept. 16 is instructional day #12 of 84. High School students are reminded they need to be checking in with their teachers every week.

We look forward to seeing you at Meet The Teacher this week. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns, or feedback as we move forward together. Thank you for your continued partnership and for trusting us with your child’s education.

Principal Mr. B. Spady & Assistant Principal Mrs. K. Porter

Attached is the Next Step Every Child Matters design for our Orange Shirt Day activities on September 27. This design was specifically created for Next Step by Haida Nation artist Michael Bellis. His father is a Residential School survivor from British Columbia. Michael volunteered to create the artwork and share his story as we honour the survivors of the residential school system. The Haida carving on display at SPO Mike created two years ago.

In Haida tradition the eagle symbolizes strength, focus and is the most powerful of all birds. The eagle feather brings good luck and honour when gifted and worn. The Every Child Matters artwork titled ‘Resilience’ is a deconstructed Haida formline design with a mother eagle preserving its juvenile eagle. For more Haida artwork from Michael please visit https://michaelbellis.com/

We are thrilled to invite you to our "Meet the Teacher" event on Tuesday, September 17 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. This will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with your child's teacher, explore their learning environment, and discuss how we can work together to support their journey. It is designed as a drop in event as there is no formal program.

Our Student Success team at Next Step is designed to maximize school engagement, increase academic success and enhance social, emotional and physical well-being for students.

Guidance Counselor (all students)

Elli.Hansen@eips.ca email and direct line 7804102952 (educational support and accommodations)

Sherwood Park:

Success Coach for grade 8-11 Jennifer.Martinez@eips.ca email and direct line 7804102948 (student/family strategies & community connections)

Success Coach for grade 12 & R12 Sara.Wood@eips.ca email and direct line 7804102942 (student/family strategies & community connections)

Fort Saskatchewan:

Success Coach for grade 8-12 Janet.Clarkson@eips.ca email and direct line 7804103981 (student/family strategies & community connections)

Vegreville:

Family School Liaison Worker Carlin.Adams@eips.ca email and direct line 7804103989 (student/family strategies & community connections)

Appropriate use of personal communication devices contributes to the safety and security of students and staff, minimizes risk to personal wellbeing and disruption to instruction, and protects personal privacy and academic integrity. As such, personal devices are expected to be out of sight during instructional time.

Students may not access a PCD unless given permission by the teacher for a specific educational task or purpose. PCDs shall not be on the student unless the use is for: a diagnosed medical condition; or an identified inclusive-educational need.

Sept 17 Meet the Teacher 3-5 p.m.

Sept 24 Fort Indigenous Family Night 6 p.m.

Sept 27 Orange Shirt Day activities

Sept 30 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation- No School

Oct 2 Early Dismissal 2:10 p.m. (Staff Meeting)

Oct 4 Professional Learning Day- No School

Oct 4-5 Olds College Open House

Oct 5 World Teachers’ Day

Oct 7-11: Read In Week

Oct 10 World Mental Health Day

Oct 14 Thanksgiving- No School

Oct 16 Parent Teacher Conferences 5-7:30pm (FSO)

Oct 17 Parent Teacher Conferences 5-7:30pm (SPO & VGO)

Oct 18-19 Lakeland College Open House

Oct 19 University of Alberta Open House

Oct 19 The King's University Open House

Oct 22 Virtual School Advisory Council 5pm

Oct 26 NAIT Open House Info

Oct 26 Concordia University Open House

Oct 26 Red Deer Polytechnic Open House

Nov 2 MacEwan Open House

Our Next Step vision is to create a community of learners who embody the virtues of acceptance, flexibility, individualization, respect, and responsibility.

School motto, "Small steps are still progress," serves as a reminder that growth, no matter how incremental, is significant. Each day offers a new opportunity for our students to take steps toward their goals, and we are here to support them every step of the way.

At Next Step, we believe that consistent engagement in learning is key to academic success. Students who do not actively participate in their course for a period of 30 days will be withdrawn from the course. Should a student wish to reengage, they will be required to meet with our Student Success team to discuss their commitment and develop a plan to ensure future success. As we say at Next Step Outreach, "small steps are still progress," and we are here to support every step of your journey. This policy ensures students remain committed to their learning, while also providing them with the necessary support to reengage effectively.

From a security perspective, the most important function of an exterior door is for protection from the elements and to control entry for building security. All exterior doors will be locked, and opened only for student and visitor access during designated school entry times and special events. Students who arrive when doors are locked, as well as parents/caregivers and visitors, will be welcomed into the office after ringing the doorbell/video-monitored intercom entry system. All visitors must sign in and out of the school and follow the visitor protocol.

The Next Step Entrance is unlocked according to the schedule below.

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Explore the campus, meet faculty and discover the wide range of programs offered — and take advantage of free applications! Join us to discover why Olds College of Agriculture & Technology could be your perfect fit – mark your calendar and get ready for a day of exploration and inspiration! School groups are invited on Friday, October 4. Individuals are encouraged to attend on Saturday, October 5.

October 4 & 5, 2024 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Olds College Campus

https://www.oldscollege.ca/news-events/events/open-house.html

Save the Date for Open House 2024!

Come explore campus and discover everything the U of A has to offer.

Date: Saturday, October 19 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Location: The Butterdome (Free onsite parking available.)

https://www.ualberta.ca/en/admissions/events/open-house/index.html

October 19, 2024 (10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)

We are thrilled to welcome everyone back to campus on Oct 18 and 19 for Open House 2024.

Our two-day event is jam-packed with tours and interactive activities where you can learn about Lakeland and get your questions answered. Activities start at 9 am and run until 3 pm both days on both our Lloydminster and Vermilion campuses.

Among the activities:

• apply for free - available for in-person visitors and for the next academic year. Not available for apprenticeship programs.
• talk with current students, instructors and academic advisors
• tour one or both campuses and see residences, labs, and unique student-led learning spaces
• earn Lakeland swag and prizes

https://www.lakelandcollege.ca/future-students/open-house.aspx

Open House is a chance to join us on campus to experience the hands-on, technology-based learning environment that prepares NAIT students for meaningful careers. NAIT Open House 2024 is on Saturday, October 26th. We hope to see you there to learn about all of our programs, tour our main campus and connect with instructors and advisors.

In the meantime, please feel free to attend one of our info sessions or lab tours, or take our virtual campus tour.

Join us October 26, 2024

We’re excited to welcome you to our campus where you’ll meet current students, staff, and faculty and find out what makes Concordia University of Edmonton great!

In-Person event: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

• 7128 Ada Blvd. Edmonton AB. Hole Academic Centre Entrance
• Parking is free on campus!
• Check in to be entered in to win a tuition credit prize

Saturday, Oct 26 | 9:00 am - 1:00 pm at the RDP Main Campus. Red Deer Polytechnic offers programs that will challenge, inspire and prepare you for your future. Join us on October 26 to learn more about our programs and discover the wide array of available student services. If you're graduating high school or looking at different career options, you won't want to miss this event!

Speak to the experts - Come equipped with questions to interact with faculty representing all programs offered at RDP

Attend a demonstration - Check out booths, classrooms and labs offering demonstrations of what you can learn and do to make the most of your talents at RDP

Learn about services - Interact with staff to learn more about the services RDP offers to students including, health and wellness, food services, bookstore, funding, awards and even employment opportunities with RDP

Apply to attend for free during the event

Is MacEwan the right place for you? Open House is your chance to find out. Come and explore our degree, diploma and certificate programs, tour campus and ask questions about academics, campus life, career paths and more.

Did you miss Open House?

Don’t worry—there are still plenty of ways to connect with us and visit our campus:

• Reach out to our Academic Advising Centre
• Take a virtual campus tour
• Connect with us on social media #macewanu

See you on Saturday, November 2! https://www.macewan.ca/future-students/open-house/

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. Review and update the form by Sept. 25, 2024

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.

The Division, and Next Step are committed to ensuring all members of the school community are provided with welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments that respect diversity and foster a sense of belonging. EIPS encourages all students, staff and families to review the procedures to understand and practice the conduct expected throughout the Division.

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