

NSO Weekly News
April 8-13, 2024
Sherwood Park - Fort Saskatchewan - Vegreville
We hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Monday is instructional day #37 of 83 or 45% of the semester complete. Quarterly diploma exams continue this week. If you have questions regarding registration for next year please reach out.
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.
Upcoming events
April 8 Social 30-1/2 Diploma Part A (Quarterly completion)
April 9 Vimy Ridge Day & RAP Information Session 6:30 p.m. @ARD
April 10 CAREERS IN ICT FAIR 5-7PM Lillian Osborne High School
April 11 Math 30-1/2 Diploma (Quarterly completion) @BFH
April 12 ELA 30-1/2 Diploma Part B (Quarterly completion)
April 12 Superintendent School Visit 8:45 a.m. @SPO
April 13 Young Authors’ Conference Young Authors’ Conference
April 14-20 National Volunteer Week
April 15-19 Education Week
April 15 Social 30-1/2 Diploma Part B & Bio 30 Diploma @BFH (Quarterly)
April 16 Chemistry 30 & Science 30 Diploma (Quarterly) @BFH
April 17 Physics 30 Diploma (Quarterly) @BFH
April 18 Quarter 4 starts
April 22 Earth Day
April 23 School Advisory Council 6 p.m. Virtual link: Join HERE
April 24 Administrative Professionals’ Day
April 24 Parent Teacher Student Conferences (SPO) 5-7:30 p.m.
April 25 Parent Teacher Student Conferences (FSO) 5-7:30 p.m.
May 1 Early dismissal 2:10 p.m.
May 3 Professional Learning Day- No school
May 5 Red Dress Day honours the memories of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls
May 6-11 Mental Health Week
May 12 Mother's Day
May 13 ELA 9 Provincial Achievement Test Part A
May 14 Moosehide Campaign Walk
May 16-17 School Closure
May 20 Victoria Day - No School
School Advisory Council
Our last hybrid meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23 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. Tentative agenda is below. Virtual link: Join HERE
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
Parent Resources
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/
Our Vision
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.
Hours of Operation
Students, parents, and caregivers can access our campus locations during the following times:
Monday 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.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.
Next Step Outreach
Email: nextstep@eips.ca
Website: eipsnextstep.ca
Phone: 7804641899
Twitter: @eipsnextstep