NOVEMBER 2024

ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE

It is hard to believe Fall Break is already here and the colder weather is approaching. Please help us remind our students to dress appropriately for the weather.

At ÉCKS, we are focused on supporting our School Goal of improving literacy skills across all grade levels. To ensure that every student receives the support they need, we’ve built dedicated intervention time into our timetable, allowing for targeted instruction of literacy strategies. We’ve also increased access to resources, ensuring our teachers and students have the tools they need to succeed. In addition, our Literacy Lead Teacher is leading monthly professional development sessions for staff, helping to strengthen our collective teaching practices and enhance student outcomes in reading and writing.

As we look back on the fall, we are also proud to celebrate the successful conclusion of our volleyball season. All of our teams showed incredible growth—not only in their athletic skills but also in their sportsmanship. Congratulations to our players for their hard work and dedication throughout the season!

With Remembrance Day just around the corner, our school will be hosting a special assembly this Friday to honor and reflect on this important occasion.

We’d like to take a moment to thank our Leadership Group for their outstanding contributions to our school community. Their initiatives—such as Concessions, Boo Bash, Art Club, Chess Club, and more—are helping to foster a vibrant, engaging school environment where students are actively involved. It’s exciting to see our students taking initiative and becoming engaged members of our school community.

In this month's newsletter, we’ve also included highlights from our recent Cell Phone Policy Survey. We will continue to seek feedback from our community as we progress through the year. One positive trend we’ve already observed is the increased engagement during recess, with students enjoying more interactive games and outdoor activities. Additionally, we’ve seen a significant decrease in issues related to photo/video consent and social media, which is a positive step in promoting a respectful and positive school culture.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to create an environment where all our students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Warm regards,

The School Administration Team

Andrea Gutmann - agutmann@brsd.ab.ca

Donna Elaschuk - delaschuk@brsd.ab.ca

Sabrina Heydorn - sheydorn@brsd.ab.ca

Please join us at the next...

PRINCIPAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

7pm

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

CELL PHONE SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Over 80% of our staff and parents feel our Personal Device Policy is going Very Well to Excellent
• Staff, Students, and Parents agree that students are more focused during instructional time
• Staff, Students, and Parents agree that we are seeing less online issues throughout the school day

In response to feedback, we are committed to continuing our efforts to enhance communication between parents, students, and the school, ensuring that everyone stays informed about after-school plans, events, and sports activities. Please continue to watch for future poll questions and surveys as we continue to work together to help support our school community.

POWERSCHOOL PARENT PORTAL

Please take a few minutes to log into the PowerSchool Parent Portal to view your child’s most up-to-date grades and comments. Our Real-Time Reporting system allows you to stay connected to your child’s learning progress throughout the year, providing insights into their achievements and areas for growth. By regularly checking PowerSchool, you can support your child’s learning journey and celebrate their progress together. Thank you for partnering with us to foster a positive and collaborative learning experience.

For more information and instructions for parents regarding PowerSchool please go to our website under Families } PowerSchool Parent Instructions & Information.

*NEW* CASA CLASSROOM COMING TO BRSD

In partnership with the Government of Alberta, community partners and school divisions, CASA Mental Health has committed to delivering mental health care in classrooms. CASA Classrooms address the need for services closer to students by bridging a child’s mental health and school needs. In CASA Classrooms, students receive individual and group therapy, psychiatric care, medication and schooling according to individual student needs.

This February, a new CASA Classroom will open at Daysland School in the Battle River School Division, available to students in grades 7-10 through an application process.

A mental health team and a teacher will work together to support students during their regular school day. For more information, contact your school administrator or visit the CASA Mental Health Website. CASA also hosts information sessions on the first Tuesday and last Thursday of each month; information on these sessions is also available on the website.

Monday, November 11 - Friday, November 15, 2024

NO SCHOOL (Fall Break)

Friday, December 6, 2024

NO SCHOOL (Staff Meetings)

Friday, December 20, 2024

Last day of classes prior to Winter Break

Monday, December 23, 2024 - Friday, January 3, 2025

NO SCHOOL (Winter Break)

Monday, January 6, 2025

School Resumes (Post Winter Break)

ATTENDANCE

Being "on time" for class is directly linked to student academic success.

Our doors open at 8:30am for students. A complete bell schedule can be found on our website under About } Bell Schedule.

ATTENDANCE IS TAKEN FOR EVERY PERIOD THROUGHOUT THE DAY

This is new for some of our students. Please remind your student the importance of being on time to each individual class. Students that are not present more than half of a period are marked absent for that block. Guardians will receive phone communication once in the morning if their student has been marked absent for the start of the day. Guardians may view their students attendance breakdown on PowerSchool.

ABSENT OR LATE STUDENTS

Please inform the office if your student will be absent by either calling (780) 672-7785 , emailing cksgenvm@brsd.ab.ca or filling out the form on our website under Contacts.

Students must check-in at the office if they are late and must check-out at the office if they are leaving early for the day.

CLASSROOM DISRUPTIONS - SCHOOL DAY PICK-UPS

We are kindly asking parents to respect class time. With close to 500 students in our building we attempt to keep class time interruptions minimal. We understand that emergencies can happen and you may be required to pick-up your child with short or no notice, we will kindly assist you. However, please contact the office with advanced notification when possible when needing to pick up your student early or provide a phone message. We thank you in advance for your assistance in keeping classroom disruptions low.

PHONE NUMBERS

PARKING LOT

We kindly request that parents and guardians refrain from entering the staff parking lot unless they need to visit the school. We attempt to keep the parking lot clear for accessibility reasons and our Handivan. Thank you for your assistance in keeping our school safe!

RYCOR

ÉCKS is a fully digital school. All payments and field trip forms must be completed online.

Options fees will be uploaded beginning next week.

To create or access your Rycor account go to the link below or go to the ÉCKS website. At the bottom of the home screen click on the large red button titled “Online Payments & Ordering”.

Use the "create account" option.

Once you have created an account, you will need to add your child as a student. You will use their student number which can be found on PowerSchool or an Alberta Report Card.

Once your student is attached, you will click on their name to access the fees. Fees you wish to pay need to be added to cart. Check out and make the payment. You may make a partial payment on the payment screen. Edit the amount, and proceed.

Permission Forms - An email will be sent out if it is just a permission form, with the Rycor link, identifying which icon to use, and the details of the field trip (who, where, when, etc). Please pay attention to the deadline! This will also be how you are notified if there is a fee associated with the activity.

Access the form and the fee by clicking on the appropriate icon on the bottom of your student's page. This will open the form. Fill in the 3 fields that are blank and hit “submit” in the bottom right corner of the form. This will put the form in the cart. Once the form is in the cart, you will need to submit it again by clicking on the "confirm" button on the checkout page of your cart. Without this step, the form has not been submitted. If you have successfully submitted the form, you will be able to see it in the completed form sections in your account.

Please note that if there is a fee with the form, the fee has to be submitted and the form has to be completed (signed) and confirmed before your child will be registered for the trip.

Also please note that the forms can have an expiration date. This is so that we can pay for tickets, plan transportation, arrange subs for students not attending, etc.

Ordering - Hot Lunch must be ordered through Rycor. Email reminders are not sent out for these. Please read the school newsletters and have your child pay attention to morning announcements for deadlines.

Deadlines - THE FORM WILL DISAPPEAR AFTER THE DEADLINE AND YOU WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO SUBMIT THE PERMISSION FORM, ORDER HOT LUNCH OR PAY THE FEE.

RESPONSIBILITY OF STUDENTS

Cutlery and water bottles are not provided in our school.

Please be sure your student brings whatever they require to have a successful day!

We also ask that your student please dress for the weather.

At some point during the school day every student goes outside.

COUGAR MARKET

The ÉCKS Cougar Market will be taking place on Thursday, November 7 during lunch and from 4pm-6pm during PTIs. Vendors will be donating a portion of their proceeds to the Hope Mission.

CONCESSION

Thursday, November 21 - Grade 8 Concession

The corresponding grade is welcome to to join in the commons area during both parts of lunch. There will be a concession selling items like cup of noodles, milk, chips, pizza pops, etc.

HOT LUNCH

Thursday, November 28 - Boston Pizza Hot Lunch

(For those that pre-ordered prior to 9am on November 21 on their Rycor account.)

VOLLEYBALL

Our final grade 6 game is on November 6 at OLMP from 4:15 - 5:15. Parents must pick up their child as a bus will ONLY be dropping the players off. We are very proud as a school to be including so many of our student athletes. Great work Cougars!

BASKETBALL

Our grade 7 & 8 boys tryouts start on November 6 Grade 7 & 8 girls tryouts will occur during the week of November 18 - 21. Students need to watch the morning announcements for exact dates. Sign up sheets will be posted on the Phys. Ed. bulletin board by the gym.

The Grade 6 program will start on November 25.

Go Cougars Go!

ÉCKS Chorus

The choir meets at noon on Wednesdays. Students will be singing the selection “A Soldier’s Cry” at our Remembrance assembly on November 8. Grade 6-7 choristers are asked to wear black dress pants and a plain coloured shirt. (no logos).

Grade 8 students will be wearing their band uniforms, as the band is also performing at the assembly.

A huge thanks to Mrs. Van Hyfte for assisting with the choir, and to Mrs. Carolyn Olson for her piano accompaniment.

Dec. 17: The choir will be performing Christmas carols for the Probus Club meeting at The Norsemen Inn, followed by an afternoon concert for a senior home in Camrose. (location TBA). We will be going for a pizza lunch in between the two concerts. More news to follow!

ÉCKS Jazz Band

The Jazz Band currently practices at noon hours on Tuesday and Thursdays. We have approximately 25 students in the group. Our first event for the year will be a field trip to Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton to see their Big Band Jazz group in concert. This will take place on Thursday December 5. We have secured free tickets, so the only cost will be a $10 bus fee. Students will also need money for a fast food supper before the concert.

ÉCKS Music Parent Association

Our Annual General Meeting was held on September 25. We had a good turnout, and we have filled our executive positions. This year, our executive consists of:

President: Jason Silbernagel

Vice president: Michelle Broekhuizen

Secretary: Chelsey Isbister

Treasurer: Crystal Clinton

Committee members: Delaney Caouette, Jen Chornohos, Danica Tobin.

The Music Parent Association is an active group that helps Mr. Bailey offer a quality music program, and allows our students to participate in many activities through advocacy, fundraising and trip planning.

In addition to school newsletter and emails, we have a Music Parent web page (see link below). We also have a Facebook page. ECKS Music Parents Association

Grade 7/8 Band Shirts

Our Junior High band members have been fitted for their band shirts, which we use as uniforms for concerts and festivals. The shirts are on order, and will be here before our first concert in December. These are good quality polo type shirts, with an ECKS Band logo. Any grade 8 band students who are new this year, and all grade 7 band students will need a shirt. The cost for these shirts is approximately $27. Invoices will be sent out when the shirts arrive. (Grade 6 band members do not require the band shirts)

Fundraising

1. VIP meats: Our annual VIP meats fundraising sales campaign wrapped up on october 28, and looks to be a huge success. Thanks to all who supported the music program by purchasing meat items.

1. Our next fundraiser for the band program is our annual pre Christmas cookie dough fundraiser. Information will follow soon.

• Note: All fundraising money goes to the Music Parent association, which in turn supports our various programs and travel opportunities.

BAND DATES FOR THE YEAR!

Please note these dates and make every effort to attend all events. Band is like a team, and we need all of our members to be present for concerts, festivals, etc.

Friday, November 8, 2024

Remembrance Day Assembly at ÉCKS (Grade 8 band)

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

ÉCKS Band Concert (all groups)

January 29 & 30, 2025

Grade 7 Band Camp at Camp Nakamun

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Grade 6 Symphony field trip to Edmonton

Friday, February 21, 2025 (Tentative)

Jazz Band retreat

April 7-11, 2025

Camrose Music Festival Week (performance days TBA)

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Grade 7 Band at Red Deer Provincials

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Grade 8 Band at Provincial Band Festival in Red Deer

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Grade 8 Honour Band at Provincial Festival in Red Deer

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Final Concert (all groups) at Lougheed Centre

June 4-7, 2025

Grade 8 Band Tour to Banff and Jasper

Please feel free to contact Mr. Bailey at bbailey@brsd.ab.ca

if you have any music related questions.

LOST & FOUND

Our Lost & Found is overflowing AGAIN!! Please remind your student to check for lost items as all items will be donated prior to Fall Break.

PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS

In-person at ÉCKS

Thursday, November 7, 2024

4pm - 8:30 pm

Please use this School Interview Booking Link https://schoolinterviews.ca/code/pt56b to book your in person interview. Each appointment is 10 minutes in length. The smooth running of our event relies on all parents keeping to their 10 minute appointment. Please consider other parents and end on time. If you need more time with a particular teacher of if a teacher is already fully booked, please arrange a separate meeting or phone call.

PLEASE NOTE THE ONLINE BOOKING SITE WILL CLOSE AT 11am on Thursday, November 7. Bookings after this time will need to be made by emailing the teacher directly.

Please check your students PowerSchool Parent Portal for a list of their current teachers, current marks, missing assignments and attendance. Reporting with our school is live via PowerSchool. Paper report cards are no longer mailed home.

Here is the link to the PowerSchool Parent Portal https://brsd.powerschool.com/public/home.html

Instructions for signing into PowerSchool can be found on our website https://ckillam.brsd.ab.ca/families/powerschool-tutorials

Teacher and staff emails can also be found on our website https://ckillam.brsd.ab.ca/about/staff-directory

ASEBP SUPPORT FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

Did you know that ASEBP offers free information for Parents and Guardians?

If you have any questions that haven’t been answered here, please be in touch with us.

We will do our best to continue to provide updates throughout the year and will keep you informed around school related activities. Please continue to check our website at www.ckillam.brsd.ab.ca

and the Battle River School Website at www.brsd.ab.ca.

École Charlie Killam School

4809 - 46 Street

Camrose, AB T4V 1G8

Phone: 780-672-7785

cksgenvm@brsd.ab.ca

"Achieving Success Together! Réussir Ensemble!"