VCHS Prowler

• March- Alberta Francophonie Month
• Week of Inspirational Math
• March 17- EIPS summer school registration opens
• Green Day
• March 18- Parent Teacher Interviews 4-7 PM
• High school transition parent information night @ 6:30 PM
• Parent teacher interview bookings close @ 8 AM
• Country Vs. Country Club theme Day
• March 19- Parent Teacher Interviews 4-7 PM
• March 20- International Francophonie Day
• Golf theme Day
• March 21- No School- School Closure Day
• World Poetry Day
• March 24-28- Spring Break
• March 31-National Indigenous Languages Day
• April 2- Early Dismissal
• April 7- World Health Day
• April 7-11- Education Week
• April 10- Last Day of Quarter 3
• April 11- First Day of Quarter 4
• April 18- Good Friday- No School
• April 21- Easter Monday- No School
• April 22- Earth Day
• April 23- Administrative Professionals' Day
• World Book and Copyright Day
• National French Immersion Day
• April 27-May 4- National Volunteer Week

Be sure to clean out your lockers before the break!

2024-2025 yearbooks are now on sale. Yearbooks can be purchased in the main office, or through your Parent Portal accounts. Yearbooks are on sale for $50.00 each and are expected to arrive in early fall.

Join us for a high school transition information night on Tuesday, March 18 @ 6:30 PM. This meeting pertains to all students currently enrolled in grade 9 and will be transitioning into grade 10 for the 2025-2026 school year. Find out about credits, the difference course streams and everything you need to know to get to graduation.

We're only a few short weeks away from Spring Break. Be sure to start cleaning out your lockers.

Cards can be purchased on your Parent Portal accounts or in the main office.

Driving to school? All student vehicles must be registered and display a student parking pass while using the student parking lot. Register yours today!

check out www.kisport.ca/alberta to learn more and start your application process

See Mr. LaRose for more info!

The Mental Health Capacity Building (MHCB) in Schools Initiative works to promote positive mental health in children, youth, families and support individuals in the community who interact with children and youth. The MHCB initiative is based on research and best practice literature that demonstrates that mental and emotional well being can be developed, nurtured and supported through promotion and prevention efforts.

Alberta Health Services information

MHCB Vegreville

MHCB Coordinator

Carlin Adams is our Family School Liaison Worker (FSLW). She is available to

help support students create positive change through setting goals and planning

strategies, helping connect families with external supports and advocating for

students and families within the school and community. Her office is in our school

library.

Her contact information is:

Office: (780)-410-3989

Recovery Alberta offers free online programming for parents and caregivers of children and youth. Sessions are offered through Zoom. The list of March 2025 sessions is now available.

March 18:

Grad Gown sizing form due

March 31:

Grad/yearbook information form due

May 24:

Grad

Curious about Alberta High School Diploma Requirements

Diploma Requirements:

• 15 credits in senior English
• 15 credits in senior Social Studies
• 10 credits in Math (minimum Math 20-3)
• 10 credits Science (minimum Science 24)
• 3/5 credits in CALM 20
• 3 credits in Physical Education
• 10 other credits at the 30 level
• 38 other credits
• Minimum 100 total credits

Certificate of Achievement Requirements:

• English 20-2 or 30-4
• Social 20-2 or 20-4
• Math 24 or 20-4
• Science 24 or 20-4
• Physical Education 10
• Career and Life Management
• 10 credits Work Experience or RAP or Green Certificate
• Minimum 80 total credits

If you have any concerns regarding your graduation progress, please contact Ms. Sydor for more information.

Diploma Exam result statements are now available through myPass

Students will now need to retrieve their exam results through myPass—a self‑service website for high school students. Result statements for Diploma Exams are now be available exclusively online using myPass. Printed results statements will no longer be mailed.

How to use myPass (youtube.com)

In addition, the Statement of Courses and Marks has been replaced with the Detailed Academic Report (DAR), which is also available exclusively online using myPass.

myPass enables high school students to:

• access their Results Statement;
• view their demographic information;
• view their DAR;
• view their progress toward their diploma or certificate; and
• order and pay for a transcript.

Specific information on how to sign up for myPass will be provided to all students who write diploma examinations.

For more information visit: https://education.alberta.ca/students/transcripts/online.aspx

In 2025-26, Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) will be expanding its Collegiate Pathways programming to provide more opportunities for more students across the Division. Opportunities are available for students entering or returning to Grade 12 in the fall. For students entering grades 10 or 11 next year, the available information will help with course planning throughout senior high.

Learn more about Collegiate Pathways

Planning for Grade 12

Course planning for grades 10 and 11

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.

· 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.

Related Information:

EIPS Four-Year Education Plan: 2022-26

EIPS Three-Year Capital Plan: 2025-28

EIPS is seeking two volunteer community members to serve on its Audit Committee. The Audit Committee reports to the Board of Trustees and is comprised of three elected trustees and two volunteers residing within EIPS boundaries. This opportunity provides valuable experience in the financial oversight of one of Alberta’s largest school divisions with an operating budget of approximately $210 million. The committee keeps EIPS accountable for every dollar spent to enhance student success. The closing date for this opportunity is March 7, 2025. For more information and to apply, visit the EIPS website.

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.

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. Grades 4, 7 and 10 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.

Registration for EIPS Summer School is now open. The program, organized through Next Step, offers more than 40 senior high courses. Students can earn credits, upgrade marks, lighten workloads or finish pre-requisite courses.

Courses include: Open to EIPS students entering grades 10-12 next fall, and students in their Grade 12 year.

· Core senior high courses

· Career and Life Management (CALM)

· Physical Education

· Land-Based Learning

· Work Experience and the Registered Apprenticeship Program

· Workplace Safety

Plus, choose from a variety of complementary courses—offered online.

Learn more about EIPS Summer School 2025—including 2025 course offerings, registration, important dates and more.

Summer School 2025 registration will open at 8 a.m. on March 17. Classes will take place in person and electronically, and families will register directly online via PowerSchool parent portal.

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

Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) has updated EIPS Administrative Procedure 146: Social Media, as per the new legislation from the provincial government. The procedure includes rules for using personal devices at school and banned social media platforms. Learn more

The next municipal election is on Oct. 20, 2025—an important component of this is the election of school trustees. Trustees are elected representatives who are knowledgeable about the communities they serve, and are accountable to students, families, staff and community members of a school division. Once sworn in, these individuals work diligently to promote and advocate for a strong public education system. Learn more

Have you recently moved or has your contact information changed since the start of the year? Vegreville Composite encourages families to review the information the Division has on file to ensure it’s up to date. Using the Student Information Update available through the PowerSchool Parent Portal, families can review the current information on file for each student—including addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, parent and guardian information, emergency contacts, medical details and other related information—and submit any updates needed.

Reviewing and updating the form ensures the school and Division have the most up-to-date information regarding your child. Updates completed by December 10 are especially helpful as the Division prepares for 2025-26 registration processes beginning in the new year.

NOTE: Only submit updates for the changes that have already taken place. If you’re moving later this school year, you’ll submit the necessary updates to your information through the Student Information Update after you’ve moved.

If you have questions about the form or any trouble with your Parent Portal account, contact the school office at 780-632-9807.

Want reminders and news about EIPS? You can now follow the Division on Instagram @elkislandpublicschools. Stay in the know about what’s going on, from divisionwide celebrations to reminders about important dates and deadlines. You can also connect with EIPS on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and the EIPS website.

Interested in school-specific updates? Follow Vegreville Composite on instagram: @vegcomp, Facebook: Vegreville Composite High School or vegcomp.ca

VCHS and the Division use the SchoolMessenger platform for communicating with families—through both phone and email. Be sure to add communications@eips.ca and general.vjs@eips.ca to your safe sender list to avoid having important messages funneled into your junk mail folder.

You can directly manage your phone and email subscription preferences through SchoolMessenger. Simply log in to your account—or create one if you don’t already have one—and select the message types you’d like to receive to each phone number and email address on file.

The easiest way to stay connected is to download the SchoolMessenger app. Get the latest updates direct to your mobile device and enable push notifications to never miss a message. Families can also check back on past messages—for up to 30 days—directly in the app rather than searching to find an old message buried in your inbox. Download the SchoolMessenger app from the App Store or Google Play today.

With the winter season in full effect, we have a few reminders for families:

· Ensure students have clothing appropriate for expected weather conditions.

· If weather conditions are bad enough to impact student transportation, Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) advises families directly, as well as posting on social media and eips.ca as early as possible.

· Decisions regarding bus cancellations are guided by an EIPS administrative procedure that states, “school bus service may be suspended…when there is a forecast or current temperature of -40 C, including wind chill factor, in one or more regions.”

· Other reasons for suspending or delaying school bus services include adverse weather and poor road conditions.

· When school bus services are suspended, schools remain open to students.

For more information, contact EIPS Student Transportation at 780-417-8151.

The student transportation routing and planning software used by the Division is getting an app update! The new My Ride K-12 app, which is replacing Ride 360, helps families stay up to date on your child’s bus schedules, route times and scans.

For more information, visit www.eips.ca/transportation/apps. If you have any questions, contact Student Transportation at st@eips.ca or 780-417-8151

As per Alberta Health guidelines, staff, students, contractors and visitors who have symptoms of respiratory illness or test positive for COVID-19 should stay home until:

• symptoms have improved;
• they feel well enough to resume normal activities; and
• they have been fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications.

High school students can register to participate in The Educational Partnership Foundation’s (TEPF’s) Summer Trades Camps by submitting a cover letter and resume to careerpathways@eips.ca. Successful candidates will explore trades while working in partnership with EIPS Career Pathway’s Off-Campus Education Program. To find details on specific trades, visit the TEPF website.

Click here to sign up for Dual Credit

Career Pathways

Career Pathways Information Board

Career Pathways student Opportunity Board

Email: General.VJS@eips.ca
Website: www.vegcomp.ca
Location: Vegreville, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-632-3341
Facebook: facebook.com/vegcomp