NSO News & Information

Hey all, what a week it has been! Last week was filled with kindness, connection, and resilience as we embraced Random Acts of Kindness Week, Valentine’s Day, and our first full five-day week of Semester 2.

It was inspiring to see students and staff uplifting one another with small but meaningful acts of kindness. Whether it was a simple smile, a thoughtful note, or a helping hand, these gestures reminded us that "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." – Aesop.

Valentine’s Day added an extra layer of warmth to the week, bringing moments of appreciation and friendship. And, as we adjusted to the rhythm of a full school week, we want to commend our students for their dedication and perseverance. Small steps—each day, each week—lead to great progress!

Thank you for your ongoing support in making Next Step a community of kindness, growth, and encouragement. -Principal Mr. B. Spady, Assistant Principal's Mrs. K. Porter & Mrs. D. Bennett

Alberta Education has released January Diploma Exam marks, and your Detailed Academic Reports have been updated to reflect your final grades for Semester 1. Please check your MyPass account to review your results.

If you have any questions or need support, reach out to your teachers or our Student Success team. Remember, "small steps are still progress"—no matter your results, keep moving forward!

Sherwood Park: Sara.Wood@eips.ca email and direct line 7804102942

Fort Saskatchewan: Janet.Clarkson@eips.ca email and direct line 7804103981

Vegreville: Carlin.Adams@eips.ca email and direct line 7804103989

The Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) returning student registration process for 2025-26 takes place Feb. 10-24. Through the online permission clicks form, all families will confirm the school and program their child will attend next year or advise the Division if they aren’t returning. For students who want to attend a non-designated school next year, these requests must be submitted through the returning student registration process—acceptance is based on available space.

Feb 18 Semester 1 Diploma Marks released

Feb 24 EIPS Returning Student Registration CLOSES

Feb 26 Pink Shirt Day

Feb 28 Annual EIPS Round Dance 5:30 p.m. at BFH

Mar 1 Augustana campus (UofA) Exploration Days Registration

Mar 5 Early dismissal 2:10 p.m.

Mar 6 Concordia University of Edmonton Open House Information

Mar 7 Professional Learning Day-No School

Mar 8 International Women's Day

Mar 9 Daylight Savings Time starts

Mar 10 Commonwealth Day

Mar 11 School Council 5 p.m.

Mar 11 Grad Student & Parent Virtual meeting 6 p.m.

Mar 12 Jr High SAFRON Presentation

Mar 14 Pi Day

Mar 17 Parent Teacher Student Conferences (FSO)

Mar 18 Parent Teacher Student Conferences (SPO/VGO)

Mar 21 Spring Break starts

Mar 21 World Poetry Day

Mar 22 The King's University Spring Open House 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Mar 31 Classes resume

Apr 2 Early dismissal 2:10 p.m.

Apr 3 Quarter 3 ELA 30-1/2 Part A Diploma

Apr 4 Quarter 3 Social 30-1/2 Part A Diploma

Apr 7 Quarter 3 Math 30-1/2 Diploma

Apr 7 World Health Day

Apr 8 Quarter 3 ELA 30-1/2 Part B Diploma

Apr 9 Quarter 3 Social 30-1/2 Part A Diploma

Apr 9 Vimy Ridge Day

Apr 10 Quarter 3 Chemistry 30 & Biology 30 Diploma

Apr 11 Quarter 3 Physics 30 & Science 30 Diploma

Apr 15 Graduation Portraits Sherwood Park

Apr 16 Graduation Portraits Fort Saskatchewan

Apr 18 Good Friday-No School

There will be a virtual Grad informational meeting for parents and students on March 11 at 6 p.m. At this time we will review all things related to graduation (important dates, grad portraits, ceremony times, grad gown pick up, etc.) Virtual link: https://meet.google.com/poq-tdfs-qjo

• Grad portraits are scheduled for April 15 (SPO) & April 16 (FSO)
• Graduation ceremony is Friday, June 6 2:30 p.m. at Shell Theatre (DOW Centre) Fort Saskatchewan

FCSS, The Bridge and MacEwan University School of Business are excited to be able to offer a free tax clinic for youth ages 16 - 24 years of age on March 10th and 11th in the evening, if you know of youth who need help preparing and filing their simple personal taxes please send them our way.

Individuals can drop in or to guarantee a spot they can register here: https://forms.fortsask.ca/FCSS/Workshops , it is first come first serve.

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.

Our next hybrid meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11 at 5 p.m.. We hope you can join us! Meeting starts at 5 p.m. Regular attendance is not required. Please check out our school calendar and NSO News & Information for scheduled School Advisory Council Meetings. Tentative agenda will be added below. Future dates: March 11, April 29

Apprenticeship credentials -Journeyman Certificate

You receive a Journeyman Certificate when you complete an apprenticeship program. You earn a Journeyman Certificate after you complete:

• a specific number of on-the-job training hours provided by an employer
• technical training with an approved technical training provider
• industry examinations

An apprenticeship program lasts 1 to 4 years, depending on the trade. You may also be able to use your certificate to work in other provinces. Read about apprenticeships and industry training.

Undergraduate credentials

Certificate- Certificates offer short-term learning that prepares you for work in specific occupations. Certificates can:

• take one year or less of full-time study to complete
• need some high school studies for admission
• sometimes be transferred as earned credit or used for admission to a diploma program

Diploma- Prepare you to work in a particular field or group of occupations, and

• take up to 2 years of full-time study
• may need high school completion or specific grades and subjects for admission (except in universities)

Bachelor’s degree- Bachelor’s degrees provide theoretical or academic learning:

• usually 4 years of full-time study, though program length can vary by program and post-secondary institution
• programs longer than 4 years often include co-op education or work study
• admission requirements vary by program, though are usually high school graduates with specific grades and subjects
• can lead to direct access to graduate studies

Bachelor's degree programs in Alberta are approved by the Minister responsible for advanced education (except for degrees in divinity).

Post-diploma or post-baccalaureate certificate

Some institutions offer certificate programs that require a completed diploma or degree for admission. These programs:

• vary in length
• are generally focused on increasing specialized skills

For example, some programs ask for an undergraduate degree and some work experience.

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.

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)

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

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.

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. All exterior 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 after ringing the doorbell/video-monitored intercom entry system. All visitors must sign in and out of the school and follow the visitor protocol.

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
X: @eipsnextstep