
NEWS FROM THE DEN
MARCH 2025

Message from Administration 📣
March brings lots of exciting changes! The snow is beginning to melt and the sun is shining and we are really enjoying this drastic shift in weather.
As the weather changes, we want to remind families that it can be wet outside. Packing extra socks/pants is not a bad idea, as students often come in wet or muddy after recess. If possible students can wear splash pants and rain boots as the snow continues to melt.
Leading into spring break, Mrs. O'Neill will continue working in the office to support us until our new assistant principal Ms. Kokotailo joins us after the break. We look forward to her joining our coyote pack!
We are so blessed to work in such a wonderful school community. Thank you all for your kind words, friendly smiles and support. We are so grateful!
📣 SHOUT-OUTS 📣
French Immersion Team
Amazing job organizing Carnaval!
Carnaval Volunteers
Helped make our outdoor event such a success!
Basketball Coaches
Chelsea Orlecki
Kamry Low
Li Ayuen
It’s Survey Season!
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.
Alberta Education Assurance Survey
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. Grade 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.
Coyote Values in Action
Value of the Month for March: Collaboration
Working together helps us achieve more and fosters a strong sense of community. Through collaboration, students develop essential life skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, which will serve them well beyond the classroom.
Key Message: Collaboration is about teamwork, communication, and supporting one another. It helps us learn how to listen, share ideas, and work towards common goals. Whether in the classroom, on the playground, or at home, working together strengthens relationships and builds confidence in our children.
Family Activity: We encourage you to organize a family project that promotes collaboration! Here are a few ideas:
Cook a meal together – Assign different tasks to each family member and discuss how each contribution helps complete the meal.
Build something as a team – Whether it’s a puzzle, a fort, or a simple craft, working together fosters a sense of shared accomplishment.
Plan a family outing – Have each person take on a role in organizing the event, such as choosing the location, preparing supplies, or creating a schedule.
After the activity, take a moment to reflect as a family on how collaboration played a role in the project’s success.
Get Involved: Talk to your child about their collaborative experiences at school. Each class will be building a collaboration chain for students to see how working together creates strong bonds. Ask your child how they work with their classmates, what challenges they face, and what they enjoy about working with others. Encourage them to participate in group activities and highlight the value of teamwork in everyday life.
By reinforcing collaboration at home and in school, we can help our children develop the skills they need to thrive in any environment. Let’s work together to strengthen our collaborative spirit!
Thank you for your continued support.
Kindergarten Registration is Now Open!
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 Heritage Hills Elementary’s kindergarten program is available at https://www.heritagehillselementary.ca/
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. 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.
Update to EIPS Administrative Procedure 146: Social Media
Watch for Thin Ice
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 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, 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
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