NSO News & Information

We hope everyone had a wonderful long weekend. We wanted to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the completion of our first week together at Next Step. It’s been a pleasure to see our students settling in, engaging with their peers, and embracing the start of this academic year.

Our Next Step vision is to create a community of learners who embody the virtues of acceptance, flexibility, individualization, respect, and responsibility.

Our school motto, "Small steps are still progress," serves as a reminder that growth, no matter how incremental, is significant. Each day offers a new opportunity for our students to take steps toward their goals, and we are here to support them every step of the way.

We’re excited about the journey ahead and are committed to supporting each student as they continue to grow and learn. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns, or feedback as we move forward together. Thank you for your continued partnership and for trusting us with your child’s education.

Principal Mr. Spady & Assistant Principal Mrs. Porter

Appropriate use of personal communication devices contributes to the safety and security of students and staff, minimizes risk to personal wellbeing and disruption to instruction, and protects personal privacy and academic integrity. As such, personal devices are expected to be out of sight during instructional time.

Students may not access a PCD unless given permission by the teacher for a specific educational task or purpose. PCDs shall not be on the student unless the use is for: a diagnosed medical condition; or an identified inclusive-educational need.

In accordance with the new Ministerial Order, there’s been a change to the Division’s internet filtering policy. Effective August 29, Information Technologies (IT) will be implementing social media website blocking on all student devices, including Windows computers, Macs, Chromebooks and iPads.

From a security perspective, the most important function of an exterior door is for protection from the elements and to control entry for building security. Elk Island Public Schools has enacted a Building Security and Door Locking Procedure for the 2024 - 2025 school year.

All exterior doors, including the front entrance doors, will be locked, and opened only for student and visitor access during designated school entry times and special events. Students who arrive when doors are locked, as well as parents/caregivers and visitors, will be welcomed into the office through the main entrance after ringing the doorbell/video-monitored intercom entry system. All visitors must sign in and out of the school and follow the visitor protocol.

The Next Step Entrance is unlocked according to the schedule below.

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Our Student Success team at Next Step is designed to maximize school engagement, increase academic success and enhance social, emotional and physical well-being for students.

Guidance Counselor (all students)

Elli.Hansen@eips.ca email and direct line 7804102952 (educational support and accommodations)

Sherwood Park:

Success Coach for grade 8-11 Jennifer.Martinez@eips.ca email and direct line 7804102948 (student/family strategies & community connections)

Success Coach for grade 12 & R12 Sara.Wood@eips.ca email and direct line 7804102942 (student/family strategies & community connections)

Fort Saskatchewan:

Success Coach for grade 8-12 Janet.Clarkson@eips.ca email and direct line 7804103981 (student/family strategies & community connections)

Vegreville:

Family School Liaison Worker Carlin.Adams@eips.ca email and direct line 7804103989 (student/family strategies & community connections)

At Next Step, we believe that consistent engagement in learning is key to academic success. Students who do not actively participate in their course for a period of 30 days will be withdrawn from the course. Should a student wish to reengage, they will be required to meet with our Student Success team to discuss their commitment and develop a plan to ensure future success. As we say at Next Step Outreach, "small steps are still progress," and we are here to support every step of your journey. This policy ensures students remain committed to their learning, while also providing them with the necessary support to reengage effectively.

As we embark on another exciting school year, we are thrilled to invite you to our "Meet the Teacher" event on September 17th from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. This will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with your child's teacher, explore their learning environment, and discuss how we can work together to support their journey.

At Next Step Outreach, we believe that "small steps are still progress," and every interaction strengthens our community and helps our students grow. We look forward to seeing you there!

Sept 2 Labour Day- No School

Sept 4 Early Dismissal 2:10 p.m. (Staff Meeting)

Sept 17 Meet the Teacher 3-5 p.m.

Sept 27 Orange Shirt Day activities

Sept 30 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation- No School

Oct 2 Early Dismissal 2:10 p.m. (Staff Meeting)

Oct 4 Professional Learning Day- No School

Oct 5 World Teachers’ Day

Oct 10 World Mental Health Day

Oct 14 Thanksgiving- No School

Oct 16 Parent Teacher Conferences 5-7:30pm (FSO)

Oct 17 Parent Teacher Conferences 5-7:30pm (SPO & VGO)

Oct 19 University of Alberta Open House

Oct 22 Virtual School Advisory Council 5pm

Oct 26 NAIT Open House Info

Oct 26 Concordia University Open House

Nov 2 MacEwan Open House

Save the Date for Open House 2024!

Come explore campus and discover everything the U of A has to offer.

Date: Saturday, October 19

Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Location: The Butterdome (Free onsite parking available.)

https://www.ualberta.ca/en/admissions/events/open-house/index.html

Open House is a chance to join us on campus to experience the hands-on, technology-based learning environment that prepares NAIT students for meaningful careers. NAIT Open House 2024 is on Saturday, October 26th. We hope to see you there to learn about all of our programs, tour our main campus and connect with instructors and advisors.

In the meantime, please feel free to attend one of our info sessions or lab tours, or take our virtual campus tour.

Join us October 26, 2024

We’re excited to welcome you to our campus where you’ll meet current students, staff, and faculty and find out what makes Concordia University of Edmonton great!

In-Person event: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

• 7128 Ada Blvd. Edmonton AB. Hole Academic Centre Entrance
• Parking is free on campus!
• Check in to be entered in to win a tuition credit prize

Is MacEwan the right place for you? Open House is your chance to find out. Come and explore our degree, diploma and certificate programs, tour campus and ask questions about academics, campus life, career paths and more.

Did you miss Open House?

Don’t worry—there are still plenty of ways to connect with us and visit our campus:

• Reach out to our Academic Advising Centre
• Take a virtual campus tour
• Connect with us on social media #macewanu

See you on Saturday, November 2! https://www.macewan.ca/future-students/open-house/

The EIPS Correction and Verification Form is available online through your PowerSchool Parent Portal—at the top of the left-hand menu. Use the form to access and update your child’s records information—including address, parent and guardian information, emergency contacts and medical information. Reviewing the form and submitting updates ensures the school has the most up-to-date information regarding your child.

When reviewing the form, pay close attention to all listed phone numbers, email addresses and emergency contact information. Also, if you recently moved, now is the time to ensure the Division has your updated address. Throughout the year, the Division and school use the listed information to communicate with families about important information, including updates, the latest news and events. Review and update the form by Sept. 25, 2024

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.

The Division, and Next Step are committed to ensuring all members of the school community are provided with welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments that respect diversity and foster a sense of belonging. EIPS encourages all students, staff and families to review the procedures to understand and practice the conduct expected throughout the Division.

Students, parents, and caregivers can access our campus locations during the following times:

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.

Email: nextstep@eips.ca
Website: eipsnextstep.ca
Phone: 7804641899
Twitter: @eipsnextstep