Westboro Weekly Newsletter

December 4: Christmas Concert 6:00 p.m.

December 4: Early Dismissal - Students are dismissed 1 hour early at 2:12 p.m.

December 6: Hot Lunch - Panago

Looking ahead:

December 9: Métis Kitchen Party

December 18: PLACE Field Trip to Cloverbar

December 18: Grade 3K and 4L to the Muttart

December 19: Christmas Sweater Day/Wear Green or Red to school

December 20: PJ Day

December 23 - January 3: Christmas Break

This holiday season, our school is embracing the spirit of giving with a special tradition: The Mitten Tree. Located in the school lobby we hope to have the tree adorned with mittens and gloves donated by our wonderful school community.

The Mitten Tree is more than just a festive decoration; it’s a symbol of kindness and care. All donations collected will be distributed to the local organization, A Safe Place, to help ensure everyone stays warm during the chilly winter months.

How You Can Help:

We invite students, parents/guardians, and staff to contribute by donating new mittens and gloves. Simply bring your items to school and hang them on the tree. Donations will be accepted through Friday, December 20, 2024 at noon.

Let’s work together to fill our Mitten Tree and spread warmth, one mitten at a time. Thank you for helping us make a difference!

It is crucial to prioritize the safety of our students by driving responsibly in school zones. These areas are busy with young pedestrians, patrollers and parents/guardians dropping off or picking up their students. A moment of carelessness behind the wheel can lead to tragic consequences.

Here are some reminders to help keep everyone safe:

1. Obey the Speed Limit

The speed limit in school zones is reduced to 30 km/hr to protect students and staff. Pay close attention to posted signs and adjust your speed accordingly.

2. Avoid U-Turns

Making U-turns near schools is not only illegal in many areas but also dangerous. This maneuver can confuse other drivers and put students at risk, especially those crossing the street.

3. Watch for Students

Children are often unpredictable. They may dart out into the street without warning or cross outside of designated areas. Stay vigilant, especially during school start and dismissal times.

4. Follow Crossing Guard Instructions

Our patrollers are there to ensure everyone’s safety. Always stop when directed and give them the space they need to do their job.

5. Minimize Distractions

Distractions can slow your reaction time and lead to accidents, particularly in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic. Please minimize distractions and focus on your driving.

By taking these simple precautions, we can create a safer environment for our children. Let’s work together to ensure that every student arrives at school and home safely.

Now that the winter months have arrived, many students are arriving at school wearing similar winter boots. While these boots are perfect for keeping feet warm and dry, they can easily get mixed up in busy boot rooms. We recommend labelling your student's boots to prevent mix ups and save time!

How to Label Boots:

• Use Permanent Markers: Write your child’s name or initials on the inside or bottom of each boot.

• Try Waterproof Labels: Purchase durable, adhesive labels designed for clothing and footwear. These stick securely and are resistant to water and wear.

• Get Creative: For younger children, use a unique symbol, such as a star or heart, alongside their name to help them easily identify their boots.

Additional Tips

• Encourage your child to double-check their boots before putting them on.

• Remind them to keep their boots in their designated cubby or storage area at school.

• Consider labeling other winter gear like gloves, hats, and coats to avoid losing them.

Let’s work together to keep our children’s belongings safe and organized. A little effort now can save a lot of time and frustration later!

Thank you for helping us keep our school community running smoothly this winter season.

If circumstances exist where you’re unable to pay school or transportation fees, you can apply to have fees waived by submitting an Application for a Waiver of Fees. The application deadline is Dec. 16, 2024.

If you’re new to the Division, the deadline is the latter of Dec. 16, 2024, or 45 days after registration. To access your fee information, simply log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal and go to “Student Fees.” There you can view your fees and pay them online using Visa or MasterCard. All fees are due within 30 days of being posted.

Don’t forget to also log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal regularly throughout the year. Fees are often added to your child’s account to cover the cost of various school activities such as field trips, class projects, extracurricular activities and more.

For more information about school fees, waivers and payment deadlines, visit www.eips.ca/schools/fees and https://www.westboroelementary.ca/about/fees Alternatively, contact Billie Jean Mepham at Westboro Elementary at 780-467-7751.

Have you recently moved or has your contact information changed since the start of the year? Westboro Elementary encourages families to review the information the Division has on file to ensure it’s up to date. Using the Student Information Update available through the PowerSchool Parent Portal, families can review the current information on file for each student—including addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, parent and guardian information, emergency contacts, medical details and other related information—and submit any updates needed.

Reviewing and updating the form ensures the school and Division have the most up-to-date information regarding your child. Updates completed by December 10 are especially helpful as the Division prepares for 2025-26 registration processes beginning in the new year.

NOTE: Only submit updates for the changes that have already taken place. If you’re moving later this school year, you’ll submit the necessary updates to your information through the Student Information Update after you’ve moved.

If you have questions about the form or any trouble with your Parent Portal account, contact the school office at 780-467-7751.

The First Nations, Métis and Inuit education team is hosting a Métis Kitchen Party for all EIPS First Nations, Métis and Inuit families and their allies. The evening will include food, fiddles, dancing and activities—featuring music by Brianna Lizotte and Ethan Graves. All ages welcome. Learn more

Date: December, 9, 2024

Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 p.m.

Location: Salisbury Composite High

RSVP by December 6

Alberta’s publicly funded systems—public, Catholic and francophone—serve the educational interests of almost 720,000 kindergarten to Grade 12 students across the province. Funding diverted to alternative educational institutions, both for infrastructure and programming, negatively impacts the public system’s ability to provide comprehensive, equitable, accessible and mandated programming for 90 per cent of the province’s students.

Alberta Health Services is proud to offer FREE online programming to caregivers of school-age children and youth as well as adults in the community who want to learn more about addiction and mental health topics.

Sessions are offered online through the Zoom conferencing application. A link to access the online session will be sent by email to those who have registered for the session.

Do you know someone who may be interested in part-time, flexible work as a substitute educational assistant or substitute teacher in the specialty areas of French Immersion or CTS/CTF? Elk Island Public Schools is hiring. Spread the word!

Substitute teaching and non-teaching staff are critical to filling planning and unexpected vacancies when Division staff are away. Substitutes are needed to fill various positions at all school locations until the end of the school year. Upcoming application deadlines are December 12 and 13. If you know someone who’d be great in this role, encourage them to apply today.

The CPKC Holiday Train will be bringing holiday cheer to Josephburg this December with musical performances by Magic! and Sofia Camara in support of the Strathcona Food Bank. More information here.

Event details

Date: Thursday, December 12, 2024

• 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Holiday activities at the Moyer Recreation Centre, including free hot chocolate courtesy of the Josephburg Agricultural Society, snow painting and roving performers.
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• 5:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
  • CPKC Holiday Train Performances by Magic! and Sofia Camara. The performance will take place behind Moyer Recreation Complex on the train tracks starting at 5:15 p.m.

Join us at the Emerald Hills Regional Park (4501 Emerald Drive, Sherwood Park) for a FREE Everybody Gets to Play Winter Play Day on December 18!

Play Days provide children with FREE and active play opportunities. This winter Play Day will include:

• Wagon rides
• Hot chocolate
• Skating
• Snow play
• and more!

Thank you to this year's winter Play Day sponsor Shignanski Construction Inc.

In case of inclement weather, the event may be cancelled. Check our website and social media the day of the event.

Learn more:
https://www.strathcona.ca/.../festivals-and.../play-days/