January Weekly Update #16

Monday, January 13 - Jersey/Hat Day

Wednesday, January 15 - Hot Dog Wednesday **Volunteers Needed!**

Friday, January 17 - PALS Caregiver Session @Vegreville Library 10am

Friday, January 17 - Subway Hot Lunch ( if purchased)

If you could help out with this volunteering opportunity, please contact Connie Bay at 780.632.3113. The requirement is for about an hour or two around 10am and involves cooking and wrapping hot dogs.

We require help on the following dates:

January 15

February 12, 19 and 26

March 5, 12, 19

Volunteer Form linked here.

Thank you in advance and your time is greatly appreciated. These programs are made possible by the generosity of volunteers. 🙂

Thank you to everyone that attended this past Friday's Parent Hot Lunch! It was so wonderful to see everyone. Hope to see you again soon 😊

Starting in January, we will be inviting parents to join their children for all hot lunches at school. You can attend one or all of them. Please note, this does not include Hot Dog Wednesdays, but only the hot lunches typically held on Fridays. Parents can either pre-order hot lunch through the school along with their child’s order or bring their own food. Siblings are also welcome to eat together. This will take place in the classrooms during the lunch period from 12:22 to 12:52. Doors will open 10 minutes before and siblings are welcome to eat together with a parent present.

If you haven’t already, please complete your volunteer confidentiality agreement and remember to sign in at the office when you arrive. You can fill out the Volunteer Agreement [here].

At the School Council Meeting on January 30, 2025, we will be discussing school fees. A copy of the current fee schedule is posted on our school website or find it here. Please note that this meeting will be virtual only and the link will be available on the January 26 Newsletter.

We will be asking for input on the following school fees:

• a. Noon supervision
• b. Field trips and associated fees previously categorized as non-curricular travel (e.g. ski trips, swimming lessons)
• c. Extracurricular activities

Some questions we would like feedback on:

• a. The school subsidizes part of the cost of noon supervision. We are looking at increasing the cost of noon supervision from $70.00 to $72.00 for next year. Is this reasonable?
• b. Currently, each class goes on two to three field trips per year at a cost of $45.00 per class. Should we increase the amount of field trips knowing this would also add a significant cost increase to the fee? Should we lower the fee and the number of field trips? If we keep it status quo, with the costs of busing and activities increasing, is it reasonable to raise the field trip amount to $47.00?
• c. We currently have swimming lessons for Grade 3 and skiing for grades 4 and 5. We are looking at adding swimming lessons for Grade 2 and skiing for Grade 6 for next year. We are also hoping to add curling for grades 4 to 6. This would be at an extra cost for these grades. Are these activities things that we would like as a school community?

If you are unable to attend the meeting, any input regarding school fees can be sent to principal.alh@eips.ca

Monday, January 20 - Farm Safety Presentations

Wednesday, January 22 - Skating (Gr. 4 - 6)

Thursday, January 23 - Skating (Gr. 1-3); Backwards Day

Monday, January 27 - Family Literacy Day

Wednesday, January 29 - No School for Students - Professional Learning Day

Thursday, January 30 - School Council and Friends of ALH Meeting ONLINE ONLY

February 1 - Kindergarten and New Student Registration opens for 2025-26

Monday, February 3 - Rapunzel by Alberta Musical Theatre Company

Tuesday, February 4 - Open House from 1:00 - 4:00 pm; School Spirit Wear Day

Wednesday, February 5 - Early Dismissal and Hot Dog Wednesday (if purchased)

Thursday, February 6 - No School - Teacher's Convention

Friday, February 7 - No School - Teacher's Convention

Monday, February 10 - Returning Student Registration for 2025-26 opens

March 3-10 - Wendy Brook Festival

This allows you to personalize communications from the school and district and view the last 30 days of SchoolMessenger messages. Sign Up here

If you need to make changes to your contact information or student information, please log into your Parent Portal and under Navigation you will find a form titled Year-Round Update.

Registration

Opening: January 14, 2025

Closing: February 14, 2025

For more information please visit wendybrookmusicfestival.com

Show your school pride!

Spread the cheer with spirit wear this Holiday! Whether it's for yourself, your family or friends, make this holiday extra special!

Entripy Spirit Wear

This link will be available throughout the entire school year. Order yours for our upcoming school spirit days in February!

Seasonal illnesses such as colds, flu, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), and stomach bugs (norovirus) are common during the fall and winter months. These illnesses spread easily in close-contact environments like homes and schools, especially among children.

Common Symptoms

• Colds: Runny nose, sore throat, mild cough, and congestion.
• Flu: Fever, chills, muscle aches, fatigue, and a more severe cough.
• RSV: Sneezing, wheezing, difficulty breathing (most serious for infants and older adults).
• Stomach bugs: Vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Prevention Tips

1. Hygiene Practices:

   • Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
   • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, not hands.
   • Avoid touching the face, especially eyes, nose, and mouth.

2. Disinfection:

   • Regularly clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces (doorknobs, toys, desks).
   • Use EPA-approved disinfectants effective against viruses.

3. Healthy Habits:

   • Encourage adequate sleep, a balanced diet, and regular physical activity to boost immunity.
   • Stay hydrated and avoid sharing utensils or water bottles.

4. Sick Protocols:

   • Keep sick individuals home from school or work to prevent spreading illness.
   • Follow school or daycare policies for when children can return after illness (e.g., fever-free for 24 hours without medication).

5. Ventilation:

   • Improve airflow in indoor spaces by opening windows or using air purifiers when possible.

By practicing these measures, families and schools can reduce the spread of seasonal illnesses and keep communities healthier.