Counsellor's Corner

Dear Families,

As we reach the end of another fantastic school year, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate our students' achievements. It has been a year of growth, learning, incredible accomplishments, and many memorable moments. Our students have shown kindness, creativity and a strong sense of community and there is so much to celebrate!

Here are just a few highlights:

• Academic Achievement - Our students have shown remarkable progress in their academic pursuits. We have seen improvements in reading levels, math skills and overall academic performance.
• Social-Emotional Growth - Our students have worked especially hard on developing essential skills such as empathy, compassion and regulation this school year. Many students have shown remarkable progress in building positive relationships and managing their emotions.
• Music and Arts - Our students' creativity has shone brightly through various art projects and musical performances this year. The performances and art showcased at special events throughout the school year was a testament to their hard work and talent.
  
• Sports - Our athletes have had an impressive year, demonstrating teamwork, sportsmanship, and dedication during intramurals, volleyball and basketball tournaments and running club. Congratulations to all for their commitment and achievements.

• Brain Awareness and Mindfulness - Students have learned a lot about how their brain works and fun techniques to stay calm and focused. It is exciting to see these strategies in use in the classroom and our general school community.
• Circle Time - Our classes participated in seven community-building circles throughout the school year. During this time, they worked on developing active listening skills and showing respect to all those within the circle, allowing each individual to be heard and honoured.
• Connection to Land Club - Our First Nations, Metis and Inuit students gathered weekly to grow in culture and community together. During their time together, they cared for Mother Earth, planted our school garden, and engaged in community service around FSE.
• Lunch Leaders - Our grade five and six students have been excellent role models for their younger peers, fostering a supportive and inclusive school environment.

Looking ahead, we are excited about the upcoming school year and the new programs and initiatives we will be introducing. Our focus will continue to be on creating a nurturing environment where every student can thrive.

Wishing you a safe, happy, and restful summer!

Warm regards,

Sarah

Summer Tips

Summer is a wonderful time for relaxation and fun, but it’s also an opportunity to continue supporting your child’s development.

Here are some tips and resources to consider:

• Maintain a Routine - While summer schedules can be more flexible, maintaining some structure can help children feel secure. Consistent bedtimes and meal times are key.
• Encourage Reading - Ensure your child has access to books and content that interest them. The summer reading program and other programming at the Fort Saskatchewan Public Library can keep your child engaged and help prevent the summer slide.
• Stay Active - Physical activity is crucial for both mental and physical health. Family walks, bike rides, or visits to the park can be great ways to stay active together.
• Foster Creativity - Provide opportunities for creative activities such as drawing, painting, and crafting.
• Practice Mindfulness - Encourage your child to practice mindfulness techniques they’ve learned at school. Apps like Headspace for Kids and Smiling Mind offer guided sessions as well.

June 3-7 - Pride Week

June 5 - Early Dismissal & Elements Day

June 7 - Track Day

June 11 - Kinder B Field Trip to the Fort Saskatchewan Library

June 12 - Kinder A Field Trip to the Fort Saskatchewan Library

June 12 - 4C Field Trip to Fort Lanes

June 13 - 3M Field Trip to Jurassic Forest

June 13 - 5FB Field Trip to Fort Lanes

June 14 - Track Rainout Day

June 18 - Kinder B Field Trip to The Makery

June 19 - Grade Six Social Studies PAT

June 19 - Kinder A Field Trip to The Makery

June 20 - Grade Six Science PAT

June 20 - 4C Field Trip to Fort Heritage Precinct

June 21 - National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 21 - FSE Talent Show at 1:00 p.m.

June 25 - 6B Field Trip to Birch Bay Ranch

June 26 - Last Day of Classes, Progress Reports Available

June 26 - Grade Six Farewell at 1:00 p.m.

Don't miss out on our daily news and upcoming events!

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Summer is right around the corner! If you’re looking for ways to keep your kids reading throughout the summer, check out your local library. They run great programming, will help find books that are just right, and they run contests to help your child earn prizes for their reading. If your child has just finished grade 1, Strathcona County Library has a special gift for them.

Check out these great ideas to help your children stay engaged in literacy throughout the summer:

• Family Literacy First
• Scholastic Ultimate Summer Reading Guide
• Summer Reading Adventures
• Family Literacy Party Ideas

As we head into the summer break, we wish you and your family a fun and relaxing time! To

keep your child engaged with numeracy over the summer, consider incorporating some math

into everyday activities. Playing board games that involve counting or strategy, like Monopoly or

Yahtzee, can be a great way to practice math skills while having fun.

Enjoy the sunshine, relaxation, and exploration that summer brings!

Alberta Health Services offers free online programming for parents and caregivers who support children and youth, as well as sessions for adults looking to support their own wellness. These virtual sessions are live and interactive with an aim to increase awareness and reduce the stigma around addiction and mental health, to provide participants with evidence-based information, and to offer strategies that promote health and resilience.

Click here for more information and to register.

Featured Session: Test Anxiety & Strategies for Success

Does your teen prepare for exams only to freeze up during the test? Test and performance anxiety are very common among students. This session will help teens learn how to succeed despite their anxiety and help caregivers support their teens to reduce test anxiety.

Date: Monday, June 3

Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Audience: Caregivers and Youth in Grade 7-12

Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen by Michelle Icard

The fourteen essential conversations to have with your tween and early teenager to prepare them for the emotional, physical, and social challenges ahead, including scripts and advice to keep the communication going and stay connected during this critical developmental window.

Trying to convince a middle schooler to listen to you can be exasperating. Indeed, it can feel like the best option is not to talk! But keeping kids safe - and prepared for all the times when you can't be the angel on their shoulder - is about having the right conversations at the right time. From a brain growth and emotional readiness perspective, there is no better time for this than their tween years, right up to when they enter high school.

Distilling Michelle Icard's decades of experience working with families, Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen focuses on big, thorny topics such as friendship, sexuality, impulsivity, and technology, as well as unexpected conversations about creativity, hygiene, money, privilege, and contributing to the family. Icard outlines a simple, memorable, and family-tested formula for the best approach to these essential talks, the BRIEF Model: Begin peacefully, Relate to your child, Interview to collect information, Echo what you're hearing, and give Feedback. With wit and compassion, she also helps you get over the most common hurdles in talking to tweens, including:

• What phrases invite connection and which irritate kids or scare them off
• The best places, times, and situations in which to initiate talks
• How to keep kids interested, open, and engaged in conversation
• How to exit these chats in a way that keeps kids wanting more

City of Fort Saskatchewan

Community Calendar

Events and Festivals

Fort Saskatchewan Public Library

Daily Programs and Events

BGC

The Bridge

FCSS

Families First

Fort Saskatchewan Public Library

• AHS Virtual Mental Health Resources
• Community Resources - 211
• Crisis Text Line - Text CONNECT to 741741
• Family Violence – Find Supports – 780-310-1818
• Income Support – 1-866-644-5135
• Kids Help Phone – 1-800-668-6868 or Text CONNECT to 686868
• Mental Health Helpline - 1-877-303-2642
• Talk Suicide Canada - Call 1-833-456-4566 or Text 45645