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NSO Weekly News
April 29-May 4, 2024
Sherwood Park - Fort Saskatchewan - Vegreville
We hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Monday is instructional day #52 of 83 or 63% of the semester complete. We recently received funds from the Alberta Schools Nutrition Grant to support learning. As such, every Tuesday and Thursday in Fort Saskatchewan and Sherwood Park locations we have planned meal deliveries scheduled for students.
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.
Part Time Job Opportunity with ServiceMaster Clean
ServiceMaster Clean is seeking part-time staff for evening work to clean floors, windows and exterior cleaning. If you have a certain day or days available they can adjust schedule for flexibility. Pay range is $20.00 to $22.00 per hour. You only need to be able to get dropped off at Sherwood Park office location (32 Sioux Road Sherwood Park).
Contact Cara Smith at 587.410.4240 or text 780.886.6834. Positions start right away!
Upcoming events
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 Red Dress Day
May 6 Bus Driver Appreciation DayMay 6-11 Mental Health Week
May 8-9 Skills Canada Alberta Competitions
May 10 Bear Witness DayMay 12 Mother's Day
May 13 ELA 9 Provincial Achievement Test Part A
May 14 Moosehide Campaign Walk
May 16 Moose Hide Campaign Day
May 16-17 School Closure
May 20 Victoria Day - No School
May 29 Red Shirt Day
June 5 Early dismissal 2:10 p.m.
June 6 Next Step Graduation 2:30 p.m. Shell Theatre (DOW Centre)
June 7 Grade 9 Farewell
Diploma Exam Prep registration opens April 22
Courses are designed for preparing students to write their Grade 12 diploma exams. The material presented is based on a 12-hour schedule over a weekend. Courses will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a half-hour break for lunch. Courses will be offered at Salisbury Composite High School (20 Festival Way) in Sherwood Park. Students can only register for one review course each weekend. Cost is $125 per course, $75 for Science 30. Register at https://www.eipsnextstep.ca/
June 1/2 (ELA 30-1 & Social 30-1)
June 8/9 (ELA 30-1 & Social 30-1)
June 15/16 Math 30-1/2, Biology 30, Chemistry 30
June 22/23 Physics 30
June 22 Science 30
For questions reach out to nextstep@eips.ca or 780-992-0101.
Minister’s Youth Council
The Minister’s Youth Council (MYC) consists of about 40 junior and senior high students with diverse interests, identities, backgrounds and perspectives from all regions of Alberta. Students on the council provide their perspectives on a number of education topics.Students are members of the Minister’s Youth Council for a 10-month term that aligns with the school year. During the school year, the council attends three meetings.
Are you in junior or senior high and between the ages of 14 and 19 (as of September 1, 2024)?
Are you able to commit to three weekends during the school year? Meetings will be held either virtually or in Edmonton during the fall, winter and spring. Apply online today to be a part of the Minister’s Youth Council! The deadline for applications is April 30, 2024.
Compassion Connects: Mental Health Week runs May 6-12
Mental Health Week takes place May 6-12. To mark the week, Next Step has a series of activities and lessons planned for students, all centred on Mental Health Week’s theme, “Compassion Connects.” We all have the capacity to be compassionate, and we know that doing so can make an enormous difference.
Collectively, students will learn about community-based mental health care champions, programs and communities while showcasing the importance of securing universal mental health care, what it can look like and how mental health care can be expressed and nurtured, such as within art, music and dance. In addition to school activities, students and staff can also share messages about their personal journey on various social media platforms using the hashtag #CompassionConnects.
For more information:
AHS Addiction & Mental Health Resources
Support is available from AHS Addiction & Mental Health. Resources and services, such as Mental Wellness Moments, Text4Hope or AHS’ mental health online sessions can help you or someone you know. If you need more support, reach out; call the mental health helpline at 1-877-303-2642.
Get Help Now
- Emergency – 911
- Addiction Helpline – 1-866-332-2322
- Mental Health Helpline – 1-877-303-2642
Important Phone/Text Numbers
- Community Resources – 211 Alberta
- Crisis Text Line - Text CONNECT to 741741
- Family Violence – Find Supports – 310-1818
- Health Link – 811
- Income Supports – 1-866-644-5135
- Indian Residential School Survivors and Family, IRSSS – 1-866-925-4419
- Kids Help Phone – 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868
- MyHealth.Alberta.ca: List of Important Numbers
- Physician & Family Support Program - 1-877-767-4637
- Talk Suicide
EIPS Annual Education Results Report
Every year, Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) publishes an Annual Education Results Report, which outlines the Division’s Four-Year Education Plan, opportunities for growth and how it’s supporting students to achieve the best possible outcomes. Read through this year’s EIPS Annual Education Results Report 2022-23 and discover how EIPS fosters learning environments for all students to learn, grow and thrive—and why it matters.
May Spotlight: the EIPS Annual Education Results Report: Overview. Learn about EIPS’:
· mission and belief statements
· Alberta Education Assurance Measures results
· successes and challenges;
· four-year education plan;
· plus, more.
RELATED INFORMATION
EIPS Four-Year Education Plan: 2022-26
EIPS Three-Year Capital Plan: 2025-28
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