Elements' Weekly Update

Mother Nature had surprise in store for us this week! We are hopeful the snow won't stick around for long but it is a great reminder to stay prepared for the ever changing weather here in Alberta. Please be sure your child is dressed for the conditions – mitts, toques, and ski pants are essential as our playground is once again covered in snow!

Here’s hoping the spring weather makes a quick return!

Mrs. Pearn and Mrs. Zapesocki

• March 17 - St. Patrick' Day - Green Theme Day

• March 19 - Caregiver Series: Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being, 5:00 - 5:45pm

• March 19 - School Council/Parent Society Mtg. 6:00pm

• March 20 - School Assembly 11:00am - Everyone welcome!

• March 21 - No School - Spring Break Begins!

• March 21 - 30 - Spring Break

• March 31 - School Resumes

We are in full swing for March Book Madness! Students have been enjoying the new books and voting on their favourites. The winners of Round 1 are:

Wings of an Eagle: Gold Medal Dreams of Billy Mills by Billy Mills, Donna Janell Bowman

Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando by Andrea Wang

Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang

More Than Words by Roz MacLean

The Book That Almost Rhymed by Omar Abed

I Do Not Eat Children by Marcus Cutler

The Yellow Bus by Loren Long

The SpaceMan by Randy Cecil

Be sure to ask your students about the books! Stay tuned for the winners of Round 2!

We are excited to invite you to our March Assembly on Thursday, March 20, where we will come together to celebrate the incredible learning happening in our school. This month, our talented Grade 4 students will be leading the assembly, and they are eager to share their knowledge with us about one of the Elements featured in our logo - Air.

The results from our final round of March Book Madness will also be shared. Finally, we will recognize our Citizens of the Month – students who have demonstrated exceptional character, kindness, and responsibility in their actions. These students exemplify the values we strive to uphold at our school and we are excited to celebrate them!

Every year, Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) publishes an Annual Education Results Report, which outlines the Division’s Four-Year Education Plan, growth opportunities, and how it supports students in achieving the best possible outcomes. Read through this year’s EIPS Annual Education Results Report 2023-24 and discover how EIPS fosters learning environments for all students to learn, grow and thrive—and why it matters.

March Spotlight: Student Growth and Success

• Early Learning: Ensuring early learners reach developmental milestones
• Culture of Literacy: Dive deep into the data and learn how students are developing strong literacy skills
• Math Matters: Enhancing reasoning, understanding and achievement through numeracy-rich classrooms
• Boosting Educational Outcomes: How EIPS supports the growth and achievement of self-identified First Nations, Métis or Inuit students
• Beyond High School: Supports and strategies that are creating real-life career pathways for learners

RELATED INFORMATION:

EIPS Four-Year Education Plan: 2022-26

EIPS Three-Year Capital Plan: 2025-28

Remember, be aware of thin ice this time of year. Depending on changing temperatures, ice can form and melt to varying degrees on outdoor bodies of water. Try to remind your child about the dangers of thin ice, obey all posted signs, take proper care and remain a safe distance from the ice.

For more information about ice safety, visit the Canadian Red Cross.

Did you know?

The colour of ice may be an indication of its strength. Clear blue ice is the strongest. White opaque is half as strong as blue ice. And, grey ice is unsafe—greyness indicates the presence of water.

EIPS Annual Feedback Survey

Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) wants to hear from you. Every year, EIPS conducts a feedback survey to gauge its progress toward meeting the goals and priorities outlined in its Four-Year Education Plan. Collectively, the Division uses the survey feedback to help guide future planning, decision-making and strategies—all aimed at enhancing student learning and better serving the wider community.

Complete the 2024-25 EIPS Annual Feedback Survey: For Parents and Caregivers by March 21.

The Alberta Education Assurance survey gathers feedback on the quality of education provided by school authorities and their schools. Schools and school authorities use this information to understand how they are doing and plan for the future. Grades 4 parents and caregivers have received information directly from the school on how to complete the survey. Complete the Alberta Education Assurance survey by March 21—learn more. For questions or concerns, contact the school.

Is your child turning five on or before Dec. 31, 2025? If so, it’s now time to register for kindergarten. To register, simply complete the online registration form at eips.ca/kindergarten. To help families prepare, Elk Island Public Schools has put together an online EIPS Kindergarten Tool kit to make the transition as smooth as possible. The kit includes information on registration, important dates, programming options, what to expect, eligibility, how to find your designated school, transportation and more.

Additional information regarding Fort Saskatchewan Elementary’s kindergarten program is available at Fort Saskatchewan Elementary.

Pre-kindergarten Programming at EIPS

Is there a preschooler in your life experiencing identified developmental delays or challenges with speech-language—big or small? If so, Elk Island Public School’s Play And Learn at School (PALS) program could help.

Early learning lays the foundation for success in primary grades and beyond. As such, EIPS offers the pre-kindergarten PALS program in five of its elementary school locations—including École Parc Élémentaire. Applications are now open for free speech-language assessments for those interested in registering in the PALS program this fall. The assessment helps determine if PALS is appropriate for your child.

If you know a preschooler, born in 2021 or 2022, who could benefit from pre-kindergarten programming or want to book an assessment, fill out the PALS Program Request Form or call 780-417-8219. For more information, visit eips.ca.

Please join us on Wednesday, March 19 at 6:00 pm for our next School Council/Parent Society Meeting. The School Council/Parent Society meeting is a great way to be involved in your child's education. Learn about what is happening at the school, get updates from our School Trustee - Ralph Sorochan, and find out ways to be involved in the school! All families and caregivers are welcome to attend in person or virtually, a virtual link will be emailed to all families the day before the meeting.

Don't forget to join us before the meeting at 5:00 for the Caregiver Series. This session will provide information to families around teacher instruction around Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Reconciliation.