NSO News & Information

We hope this communication finds you refreshed and recharged after the November break! Whether you spent the week catching up on rest, enjoying family time, or diving into hobbies, we hope it was meaningful for everyone. As of November 18 we are at instructional day #49 of 84 or 58% of the way through Semester 1.

As we step back into the school routine, we want to remind you of our motto here at Next Step Outreach: "Small steps are still progress." Each day, no matter how small the effort may feel, is an opportunity to grow, learn, and move closer to your goals. Looking ahead, we’re excited about the upcoming months and the opportunities they hold. Let’s embrace them with enthusiasm, determination, and a mindset of progress. Remember, we’re here to support you every step of the way!

High School students are reminded they need to be checking in with their teachers every week. Please 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. B. Spady, Assistant Principal's Mrs. K. Porter & Mrs. D. Bennett

Our next hybrid meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19 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. Virtual link: Join HERE

Future dates: November 19, January 28, March 11, April 29

Nov 18-22 Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week

Nov 18 Quarter (Term) 2 starts

Nov 19 School Advisory Council 5pm (hybrid) in person at Sherwood Park & virtual link Join HERE

Nov 20 National Child Day & Vegreville and Mundare Indigenous Family and Community Evening

Nov 20 National Public Alerting System Test Alert across Alberta at 1:55 p.m.

Nov 25 Next Step EIPS Accountability Assurance Review 1-4 p.m.

Nov 26 Parent Teacher Student Conferences 5-7:30pm (SPO & VGO) Conference Sign Up link

Nov 27 Parent Teacher Student Conferences 5-7:30pm (FSO) Conference Sign Up link

Nov 28 USA Thanksgiving

Dec 4 Early dismissal 2:10 p.m.

Dec 11 Anniversary of the Statue of Westminster

Dec 12 Fort Saskatchewan campus Christmas Lunch

Dec 20 Last day before Christmas break

Dec 21 Winter Solstice

Jan 6 Classes resume

Jan 8 Early dismissal 2:10 p.m.

Jan 11-12 Diploma Exam Prep Session #1 (ELA, SS, Math)

Jan 13 EIPS High School Information Session 6-7:30 p.m.

Jan 14 ELA 30-1/2 Part A Diploma

Jan 15 Social 30-1/2 Part A Diploma

Jan 15 FSO Open House 6-7:30 p.m.

Jan 17 Math 30-1/2 Diploma

Jan 17 Last Instructional day

Jan 18-19 Diploma Exam Prep Session #2 (Bio, Chem, Physics)

Jan 20 ELA 30-1/2 Part B Diploma

Jan 20 Fort Family Night 6 p.m.

Jan 21 Social 30-1/2 Part B Diploma

Jan 22 Biology Diploma

Jan 22 SPO Open House 6-7:30 p.m.

Jan 23 Chemistry Diploma

Jan 24 Physics Diploma

Jan 24 Bell Let's Talk Day

Join the EIPS First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education team for an evening of learning and connection. Enjoy soup and bannock from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., followed by art with Métis Knowledge Keeper Connie Kulhavy and Giant Floor Map teachings from the Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada. The event is free and all are welcome to attend.

Wednesday, November 20 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at A.L. Horton Elementary, Gymnasium. Please RSVP by November 18

November 20 is the 35th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This year’s theme, #8MillionEmpowered, highlights our collective goal to empower all 8 million kids in Canada by defending their rights and ensuring they have the support to thrive. Children and youth are not merely future dreamers, but present-day innovators, leaders and changemakers. They are setting the stage for a brighter, more inclusive Canada with compassion, courage and conviction. Empowered young people can make a difference now, not just someday.

National Child Day is a time to honour Canada’s commitment to children’s rights, as part of the global World Children’s Day movement. Last year, nearly 40,000 students and 250+ schools participated, making it the largest youth event in Canadian history. National Child Day

Parent Teacher Student Conferences are scheduled for November 26-27. You will need to sign up in advance via the booking tab on the eipsnextstep.ca website or Conference Sign Up link after November break.

• Sherwood Park (SPO) or Vegreville (VGO) -join us Tuesday, November 26 from 5-7:30 p.m. in-person or by phone to speak with teachers.
• Fort Saskatchewan (FSO) -join us Wednesday, November 27 from 5-7:30 p.m. in-person or by phone to speak with teachers.

Conversations regarding student support, academic progress or required check ins can happens at any time. Please feel free to reach out to staff throughout the semester should questions or concerns arise.

Registration for the January 2025 Diploma Exam Prep courses is open. These courses prepare students to write their Grade 12 diploma examinations. Courses run for one or two weekend days and will take place at Salisbury Composite High in Sherwood Park. Students can only register for one session each weekend. The cost is $125 per course—except Science 30 at $75. Registration closes on January 8 for English language arts (ELA), social studies and math sessions. Registration for science sessions closes on January 15. For more information, contact nextstep@eips.ca or call 780-464-1899.

• January 11 and 12: ELA 30-1, Social Studies 30-1, Math 30-1 and Math 30-2
• January 18 and 19: Biology 30, Chemistry 30 and Physics 30
• January 25: Science 30

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) Kevin.MacKinnon@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)

Kickstand Connect is a virtual walk-in clinic exclusive for young Albertans aged 12 to 25. Parental consent is not required for ages 14 and up. Free mental health and substance use counselling, peer support, employment services and register for free workshops and support groups!

https://mykickstand.ca/

• Tip: Use the Activities List Organizer to streamline the process.
• Check Deadlines: Many major university awards have early deadlines.
• Find Resources: Register on scholarship platforms. These allow you to create a profile with specific parameters that meet your needs.

Tip: Look at these platform websites for expert advice on How to Find and Win Scholarships.

o Scholartree

o Scholarships Canada

o Yconic

Scholarships to investigate:

• Ayn Rand Essay Contests
• Amount: up to $10,000
• Criteria: See website
• Link: Ayn Rand Essay Contests
• Dates: Multiple dates
• TD Scholarships for Community Leadership
• Amount: up to $70,000 over 4 years
• Criteria: Demonstrated community leadership
• Link: TD Scholarships for Community Leadership
• Josephburg Ag Society Scholarships (Local)
• Amount: 4 awards of $1,500
• Criteria: Parents must be members of Josephburg Ag Society given first priority, academic achievement, community involvement
• Link: Josephburg Ag Society Scholarships
• Elk Island Local No. 28 Scholarship Application Form (Local)
• Amount: Varied
• Criteria: Child of an Elk Island Teacher accepted to the Faculty of Education in an accredited institution, high level of achievement
• Link: Information provided by Local No. 28 ATA
• School nomination
• Fort Sask Lions Club - The Lions Legacy Scholarship (Local)
• Amount: $1,000
• Criteria: Satisfy entrance requirements at post-secondary institution, demonstrate leadership (letter), letters of recommendation, transcript of marks
• Link: Fort Sask Lions Club - The Lions Legacy Scholarship
• Edmonton Community Foundation
• Amount: Up to $10,000
• Criteria: See website for multiple scholarships
• Link: Edmonton Community Foundation
• Strike Western Canadian Scholarship
• Amount: $2,000
• Criteria: Promotion of inclusion, open to all students living in Western Canada
• Link: Strike Western Canadian Scholarship
• RBC Future Launch Scholarship for Indigenous Youth
• Amount: Up to $10,000
• Criteria: Indigenous youth, satisfy entrance requirements at eligible post-secondary institutions, requiring financial assistance, maintain full course load
• Link: RBC Future Launch Scholarship for Indigenous Youth
• Softball Alberta Scholarships
• Amount: $500+
• Criteria: Various criteria; student athletes going on to postsecondary education
• Link: Softball Alberta Scholarships
• Pipeline Contractors Association of Canada Student Award Program
• Criteria: Applicant must be a son, daughter, or ward of a person whose principal income is derived from the pipeline construction industry, proof of full-time enrollment in a program leading to a diploma or degree
• Link: Pipeline Contractors Association of Canada Student Award Program
• Alberta Blue Cross Scholarship
• Amount: $750-$1,000
• Criteria: Member of a First Nation or band, or have Inuit, Métis or Indian status, residents of Alberta for the past 12 months, have not received this scholarship before
• Link: Alberta Blue Cross Scholarship
• RBC Royal Bank Scholarships
• Criteria: Please see website for multiple opportunities
• Link: RBC Royal Bank Scholarships
• John Hasselfield Endowment Foundation
• Amount: $400
• Criteria: Student presently enrolled in an Alberta public school, provide written essay, letter of reference from a non-family adult, Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Link: John Hasselfield Endowment Foundation

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.

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
Twitter: @eipsnextstep