The Bears' Blog... April 14-2024

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

Pine Street is committed to creating an allergy-safe and aware environment. In our school, there are students and staff with severe allergies. Children with allergies and their parents will take initial responsibility to avoid exposure to allergens. Vigorous hand washing with soap and water after eating or being in contact with food is a measure which all of us can take. This is the simplest and most effective method to protect people with allergies.

While there are many foods which can cause allergies, peanuts and nut products are a common an potent cause of food allergies. Labelling regarding peanuts/nuts is generally very clear. However, as the children with allergies need to learn to protect themselves, we too play a role in being "allergy aware". Please:

• Check the list of ingredients on items that you send to school.
• Avoid sending products that contain or "may contain" peanuts/nuts to school.
• Avoid sending Wowbutter and other "imitation peanut butters" to school.
• Teach your children to understand this serious situation and encourage them to support their classmates.

Thank you for your support in keeping everyone healthy and safe!

Alberta Reserves are accumulated surplus funds that may be designated to a school, department or priority. The Board of Trustees approves the transfer of funds to and from reserves and has a yearly plan on how those reserves are used—to the benefit of students. EIPS identifies high-demand areas and uses its operating reserves for initiatives like student learning, new curriculum work, consultant support, mental health initiatives, technology upgrades, public-health best practices and other one-time projects. Operating reserves are also used to furnish and equip new schools and classrooms. With its capital reserves, EIPS replaces ageing equipment, purchases technology, modernizes and expands student learning spaces, and funds emergent capital needs.

Learn more:

· Board Policy 2: Role of Board

· Administrative Procedure 501: Financial Management

April 15 - 19 - Education Week. An opportunity to advocate for public education.

Tuesday, April 16 - FR Haythorne Open House 5-6:30 p.m.

• Sherwood Heights Open House 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 17 - Gr.1 Kelly Museum Visit 12:45-2:45 p.m.
Thursday, April 18 - Gr. 1 Moncrieff Museum Visit 12:45 - 2:45 p.m.

Sunday, April 21 - Last day to order hot lunch for April 26

Monday, April 22 - Earth day

Wednesday, April 24 - Performance by Elk Island Junior Choir and the Pine Street Spring Choir at 12:40 p.m.

Friday, April 26 - Hot lunch

• Theme day - Jersey Day!

Saturday, April 27 - Gr. 5 & 6 Badminton Tournament at SCA

Monday, April 29 - Kindergarten Info Session for parents & guardians 4:30 -5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 1 - Early Dismissal 2:15 p.m.

• Hat's On! For Mental Health

Friday, May 3 - School closed for professional learning day

Sunday, May 5 - Last day to order hot lunch for May 10

Monday, May 6 - Gr. 4 field trip to Eco Station 8:45 a.m.

• KA field trip to Safety City 10a.m.

Tuesday, May 7- KB field trip to Safety City 10a.m.

• Gr. 3 Field trip to the Winspear

Thursday, May 9 - Elk Island Invitational Relay 4p.m. at Strathcona Athletic Park
Friday, May 10 - Hot Lunch

• Grade 1 Field Trip - Arbor Day 11:50 - 2:50

The Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast communities centred around ocean and river fishing; in the interior of British Columbia, hunting and gathering and river fishing. In both of these areas, salmon was of chief importance. For the people of the plains, bison hunting was the primary activity. In the subarctic forest, other species such as the moose were more important. For peoples near the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River, shifting agriculture was practised, including the raising of maize, beans, and squash.

Today, Indigenous people work in a variety of occupations and live outside their ancestral homes. The traditional cultures of their ancestors, shaped by nature, still exert a strong influence on their culture, from spirituality to political attitudes.