Westboro Weekly Newsletter

December 9: Métis Kitchen Party

Looking ahead:

December 16: Deadline to apply for waiver of fees

December 18: PLACE Field Trip to Cloverbar

December 18: Grade 3K and 4L to the Muttart

December 19: Christmas Sweater Day/Wear Green or Red to school

December 20: Kindergarten in class

December 20: PJ Day

December 23 - January 3: Christmas Break

This year’s Christmas concert was nothing short of extraordinary, and it is all thanks to the incredible efforts of our talented Fine Arts teacher, Mrs. Richard as well as all of the staff that helped along the way! Her dedication and passion for music shone through every note, every song, and every heartfelt performance by our students.

Mrs. Richard worked tirelessly with our students to prepare a performance that captured the spirit of the season. The hard work and countless hours of rehearsal paid off in a concert that left the audience full of holiday cheer.

We would also like to extend our gratitude to the students who participated. Your enthusiasm and commitment were evident on stage, and you made your families and the entire school community proud. Thank you for sharing your talents with us and making this concert so special!

This holiday season, our school is embracing the spirit of giving with a special tradition: The Mitten Tree. Located in the school lobby we hope to have the tree adorned with mittens and gloves donated by our wonderful school community.

The Mitten Tree is more than just a festive decoration; it’s a symbol of kindness and care. All donations collected will be distributed to the local organization, A Safe Place, to help ensure everyone stays warm during the chilly winter months.

How You Can Help:

We invite students, parents/guardians, and staff to contribute by donating new mittens and gloves. Simply bring your items to school and hang them on the tree. Donations will be accepted through Friday, December 20, 2024 at noon.

Let’s work together to fill our Mitten Tree and spread warmth, one mitten at a time. Thank you for helping us make a difference!

Patrol Team recognizes four more great team members! All four of these responsible volunteers are dependable and conscientious AND they showed up for shifts during our coldest month so far! Congratulations and Thank You to Bennet and Tanner, Quinn and Alisha who are our Patrollers of the Month for November!

You can do one activity per day or pick and choose ones that you want to do as a family as you
countdown to the holidays.

Day 1: Cozy Read-Aloud Day: Snuggle up under blankets or in front of a fire and read a favourite book aloud. Discuss the story, characters, and lessons learned.

Day 2: Word Hunt Adventure: Go on a word hunt around your home or neighborhood. Look for words on signs, labels, and in books. You could create a challenge or theme - such as words that start with a certain sound or words that have a prefix or suffix.

Day 3: DIY Storybook Creation: Create your own storybook. You could do one as a family or have each create their own. Illustrate your story and read the story aloud.

Day 4: Letter Writing Extravaganza: Write letters to friends, family, pen pals, or Santa. Practice writing skills and how to put an address on an envelope.

Day 5: Poetry Cafe: Perform original poems or read favourite poems from books. Create a cozy cafe environment with hot chocolate and snacks.

Day 6: Board Game Night: Play board games that involve reading and following instructions.

Day 7: Movie Night: Watch your favourite holiday movie. Have a discussion about characters, plot, and lessons learned.

Day 8: Cookbook Challenge: Choose a recipe from a cookbook and cook it together. Take turns reading the instructions and following the steps.

Day 9: Library Day: Visit your local library to check out their programing and borrow books, magazines, or audiobooks.

Day 10: Audiobook Adventures: Turn on a family- friendly audiobook or podcast. Talk about the stories and ideas you hear.

Day 11: Puppet Theatre: Work together to create a script or find one online. Perform it as a family -
puppets are optional, but fun to create!

Day 12: New Years Resolutions: Write out your goals for the upcoming year. Encourage older children to write out a plan for achieving their goal.

It is crucial to prioritize the safety of our students by driving responsibly in school zones. These areas are busy with young pedestrians, patrollers and parents/guardians dropping off or picking up their students. A moment of carelessness behind the wheel can lead to tragic consequences.

Here are some reminders to help keep everyone safe:

1. Obey the Speed Limit

The speed limit in school zones is reduced to 30 km/hr to protect students and staff. Pay close attention to posted signs and adjust your speed accordingly.

2. Avoid U-Turns

Making U-turns near schools is not only illegal in many areas but also dangerous. This maneuver can confuse other drivers and put students at risk, especially those crossing the street.

3. Watch for Students

Children are often unpredictable. They may dart out into the street without warning or cross outside of designated areas. Stay vigilant, especially during school start and dismissal times.

4. Follow Crossing Guard Instructions

Our patrollers are there to ensure everyone’s safety. Always stop when directed and give them the space they need to do their job.

5. Minimize Distractions

Distractions can slow your reaction time and lead to accidents, particularly in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic. Please minimize distractions and focus on your driving.

By taking these simple precautions, we can create a safer environment for our children. Let’s work together to ensure that every student arrives at school and home safely.

If circumstances exist where you’re unable to pay school or transportation fees, you can apply to have fees waived by submitting an Application for a Waiver of Fees. The application deadline is Dec. 16, 2024.

If you’re new to the Division, the deadline is the latter of Dec. 16, 2024, or 45 days after registration. To access your fee information, simply log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal and go to “Student Fees.” There you can view your fees and pay them online using Visa or MasterCard. All fees are due within 30 days of being posted.

Don’t forget to also log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal regularly throughout the year. Fees are often added to your child’s account to cover the cost of various school activities such as field trips, class projects, extracurricular activities and more.

For more information about school fees, waivers and payment deadlines, visit www.eips.ca/schools/fees and https://www.westboroelementary.ca/about/fees Alternatively, contact Billie Jean Mepham at Westboro Elementary at 780-467-7751.

Have you recently moved or has your contact information changed since the start of the year? Westboro Elementary 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 780-467-7751.

The First Nations, Métis and Inuit education team is hosting a Métis Kitchen Party for all EIPS First Nations, Métis and Inuit families and their allies. The evening will include food, fiddles, dancing and activities—featuring music by Brianna Lizotte and Ethan Graves. All ages welcome. Learn more

Date: December, 9, 2024

Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 p.m.

Location: Salisbury Composite High

RSVP by December 6

CALLS is a non-profit society in Strathcona County and Fort Saskatchewan. We offer free and low cost learning to adults. We focus on literacy, foundational learning, and English language learning.

Check out our classes at http://whatdidyoulearntoday.ca/ Funded by Alberta Innovation and Advanced Education

Alberta Health Services is proud to offer FREE online programming to caregivers of school-age children and youth as well as adults in the community who want to learn more about addiction and mental health topics.

Sessions are offered online through the Zoom conferencing application. A link to access the online session will be sent by email to those who have registered for the session.

Do you know someone who may be interested in part-time, flexible work as a substitute educational assistant or substitute teacher in the specialty areas of French Immersion or CTS/CTF? Elk Island Public Schools is hiring. Spread the word!

Substitute teaching and non-teaching staff are critical to filling planning and unexpected vacancies when Division staff are away. Substitutes are needed to fill various positions at all school locations until the end of the school year. Upcoming application deadlines are December 12 and 13. If you know someone who’d be great in this role, encourage them to apply today.

The holidays are here, and with it comes a range of social and financial obligations. If you're feeling stressed, overwhelmed or anxious about the upcoming holidays; you’re not alone. The County’s Solutions Navigation team is here to listen and help you navigate holiday stress this year. Solutions Navigations will work with you to identify challenges, connect you to the right supports and services, including the County's Counselling team, and help you to build a plan based on your strengths this holiday season.

The County's Solutions Navigation team is also here year-round to help you navigate all life's challenges. Support is FREE and available for people of all ages and situations. Walk in or call in to receive same-day support with:

Untangling complex situations and figuring out next steps.

Accessing financial and housing information and supports.

Applying for subsidies.

Filling out forms and applications.

Connection to counselling.

And more!

Learn more: https://ow.ly/rlfZ50Qezik

Registration for winter swimming lessons opens on Tuesday, December 10 at 7 a.m.

Registration for all other programs opens on Thursday, December 12 at 7 a.m.

View courses online and find RecOnline instructions in advance at strathcona.ca/registration.

Questions? Contact the Recreation Administration Office at 780-467-2211.

Office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 pm
*Registration day hours: 7 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 pm

The CPKC Holiday Train will be bringing holiday cheer to Josephburg this December with musical performances by Magic! and Sofia Camara in support of the Strathcona Food Bank. More information here.

Event details

Date: Thursday, December 12, 2024

• 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Holiday activities at the Moyer Recreation Centre, including free hot chocolate courtesy of the Josephburg Agricultural Society, snow painting and roving performers.
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• 5:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
  • CPKC Holiday Train Performances by Magic! and Sofia Camara. The performance will take place behind Moyer Recreation Complex on the train tracks starting at 5:15 p.m.

Join us at the Emerald Hills Regional Park (4501 Emerald Drive, Sherwood Park) for a FREE Everybody Gets to Play Winter Play Day on December 18!

Play Days provide children with FREE and active play opportunities. This winter Play Day will include:

• Wagon rides
• Hot chocolate
• Skating
• Snow play
• and more!

Thank you to this year's winter Play Day sponsor Shignanski Construction Inc.

In case of inclement weather, the event may be cancelled. Check our website and social media the day of the event.

Learn more:
https://www.strathcona.ca/.../festivals-and.../play-days/