The Bears' Blog... January 5, 2025

Happy New Year! I hope everyone enjoyed the winter break. I cannot wait to see the enthusiasm and energy of everyone on our first day back Monday, January 6. Hard to believe it is already a new year. December was a very busy month tying up lessons and curriculum as well as the Strathcona Food Bank drive where we collected a huge amount of donations, way to go Pine Street! We can’t forget the amazing Christmas concert at Park Church as well, that was a great night too. Students have continued to focus on their studies and exhibit excellent behavior throughout the school. Students took that last week before the break to finish up their current lessons and curriculum topics and are moving ahead with new concepts now that they are back at in school for the New Year.

As the cold weather descends upon us, please be reminded that we do go outside for recess most of the time following the district’s Inclement Weather policy AP 131. So, when it gets below -22 (including the wind chill) we remain inside for recess and lunch hour breaks but if it is warmer than that we are outside.

Here are a few little reminders to help us provide the best care we can for your children.

• Please be sure your child has warm clothing before they leave for school.
• Students should have a toque and mittens/gloves with them
• It is also a great idea for students to have snow pants as students may head outside for daily physical education as well.
• Please make sure your child has a pair of indoor and outdoor shoes.

Have a super month and thank you for your continued support.

When we work together, Great things happen!

Head to www.healthyhunger.ca to order hot lunch for the rest of the year. Click here for instructions.

The HOT LUNCH site closes the Sunday before each hot lunch.

If your child has food allergies, please contact the vendor directly to make sure you are comfortable with the food choices for your child BEFORE ordering.

If you have questions or would like to arrange to pick up lunch for an absent student, please email pinestreethotlunch@gmail.com.

Hot lunch relies on parent volunteers, if you can spare time that day, please make sure to click on the volunteer box when ordering. We cannot run this program without your help, and we enjoy meeting other Pine Street Parents. If you have any other questions, comments, or concerns, please contact us at pinestreethotlunch@gmail.com.

Pine Street students and staff collected 740 pounds of non-perishable food for the Strathcona County Food bank!

We do not permit students to walk to or from the transfer site as we don’t want a student to miss the bus or have anything happen to them throughout the walk, especially now that it’s gotten so cold. Thank you for discussing this important message from Student Transportation with your children.

Dear Pine Street school families,

Under Alberta Education’s School Fee Regulation, schools must consult with parents prior to setting school fees for the upcoming school year.

Our next school council meeting will be taking place on January 16, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. During that time, I’ll be sharing information about our current fee structure, posing specific questions about priorities, and asking you to provide your feedback as we plan for the next school year. While many of these activities and services enhance students’ educational experience, we want to ensure these fees aren’t cost prohibitive for families.

Specifically, we will be asking for input on the following:

· Noon hour supervision

· Field trips and associated fees

· Extracurricular activities

· Non-curricular goods and services (for example, agendas)

I understand not all families will be available to attend the meeting but it’s still important we get as much input from the school community as possible. Following the meeting, please email Mrs. Waselenkoff in the school office with questions/comments lisa.waselenkoff@eips.ca

School administration will use feedback provided to help determine fees for next year, which will then be shared at the March school council meeting, posted to our website and shared via link through email.

I look forward to hearing from you in January.

Sincerely,

Tracey Arbuthnott, D.LE, B.Sc., B.Ed., M. Ed.

Principal
Pine Street Elementary

Wednesday, January 8 - Early Dismissal 2:15 p.m.

Thursday, January 16 - School Advisory Council Meeting and School Fee Consultation 6 p.m.

Wednesday, January 22 - Special performance of Rapunzel 9:30 a.m.

Sunday, January 26 - Last day to order hot lunch for January 31!

Monday, January 27 - Family Literacy Day

Wednesday, January 29 -Professional Learning Day

Friday, January 31 - Hot lunch 11:32 p.m.

• Theme Day! Comfy cozy day
• Movie Night!

February 3 & 4 - Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences

Wednesday, February 5 - Early Dismissal 2:15 p.m. (no PALS or Kinder Quest)

Thursday, February 6 - Teachers' Convention (school closed)

Friday, February 7 - Teachers' Convention (school closed)

Year at a Glance Calendar

Digital Well-Being: For Parents and Caregivers of Youth Ages 9 - 14 years

Thursday, January 30, 2025, 6 – 7:30pm

If your child misses just two days a month for any reason for ten of their school years, they’ll have missed the equivalent of one entire year of school. Students who frequently miss school, even as early as kindergarten, are also more likely to have di­fficulty in school, at post-secondary and in their career. As every family has unique circumstances, EIPS uses a multi-tiered approach to re-engage students with chronic absenteeism. In addition, the Division promotes strategies to support and encourage regular attendance for all students. If you’re concerned about consistent student attendance for your child or youth, contact the school for support. An informative video is also available.

With the winter season in full effect, we have a few reminders for families:

· Ensure students have clothing appropriate for expected weather conditions.

· If weather conditions are bad enough to impact student transportation, Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) advises families directly, as well as posting on social media and eips.ca as early as possible.

· Decisions regarding bus cancellations are guided by an EIPS administrative procedure that states, “school bus service may be suspended…when there is a forecast or current temperature of -40 C, including wind chill factor, in one or more regions.”

· Other reasons for suspending or delaying school bus services include adverse weather and poor road conditions.

· When school bus services are suspended, schools remain open to students.

For more information, contact EIPS Student Transportation at 780-417-8151.