Eagle's Eye

Although many staff are present, there is no formal supervision for students after 3:45 p.m. and it is expected that students vacate the building by this time. Lingering/loitering in an unsupervised environment presents safety concerns for students, teachers, and custodial staff. Students who are waiting for a school-sanctioned event -- i.e., a sports practice, math help, etc -- can remain at the school at their parents' discretion and should leave the premises when these events are done. Students who are attending an evening event at the church or the school must leave the building as well and return to the appropriate place for the event when it begins. For any questions or concerns with this policy, please contact school administration.

Teachers schedule assessments very intentionally and students are expected to write exams in the designated exam-writing space/time. However, students are sometimes absent on exam-writing days, and there can be many reasons for this. Fortunately, SCS is rolling out a new opportunity for catching up on missed assessments without the risk of missing class time. So, in an effort to maximize instructional time, students who miss in-class assessments will be expected to write those assessments after school as soon as possible, typically the day after the absence (or, the day of, if possible). This will not impact students who utilize accommodations for exam-writing.

In short, an exam writing space is now available after school, every day of the week! This will occur each school day in Room 212 from 3:40 – 5:10. Late/missed exams will not be written during class time, unless arranged with administration. At a teacher's discretion, smaller assessments/quizzes may be written at lunch in the office or at another time deemed appropriate.

The goal of this shift is to increase student learning and achievement. The research is very clear: when a student misses class time, their achievement suffers. This can also have an impact on the learning environment at large – teachers may want to go over or reference past exams in their lessons and cannot do this when students haven’t written them. Providing after-school assessment-writing prevents students from missing valuable class time to catch up on missed tests and quizzes.

These changes will take effect on Monday, March 10, 2025.

SCA Performing Arts is proud to present Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! It is a new musical that has never been performed in our community before! A fresh version of Willy Wonka filled with classic songs from the original, PLUS fresh songs with modern references, exciting dances, vibrant sets, props and costumes! Our 57 grade 8-12 students are thrilled to present you with a world of pure imagination!

Tickets and Information Here: https://www.scasecondary.ca/sca-performing-arts/current-season

Visit https://schoolorders.solaro.com/3395 to order study guides for students!

Access the SCS student life handbook: https://www.scasecondary.ca/students/scs-student-life-handbook

Please let your teacher(s) or the office know if you are traveling outside of Canada and require access to your Brightspace. Regularly, Brightspace isn't accessible when you are outside of Canada, so we need to request access from EIPS for the duration of your travels.

On behalf of the Strathcona Christian Academy Secondary School Council, thank you for helping us recognize our amazing staff for the wonderful work they do.

If there is staff member you'd like to recognize, please fill out this Google form.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Do you know a person at school that is great and deserves to be recognized? Nominate them for a 10/10! We want to hear all the good things that are happening around our school.

All these awesome stories will be shared on The Board and some may win a free meal at the Eagle's Nest!

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.

April Spotlight: cultivating high-quality learning environments and experiences

· Raising the Bar: Evidence-based practices that are enhancing teaching and learning in EIPS

· Power of Kindness: Creating welcoming, inclusive, respectful and safe learning environments in schools

· Building Blocks: How effective planning, management and infrastructure are supporting learning

RELATED INFORMATION
EIPS Four-Year Education Plan: 2022-26
EIPS Three-Year Capital Plan: 2025-28

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

Mark your calendars! Registration for EIPS Summer School opens March 17. For more information, see the Summer School page on Next Step’s website

National Volunteer Week takes place April 27 to May 4. On behalf of the Board of Trustees at Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS), I want to say a giant thank you to all EIPS volunteers. This year’s theme is Volunteers Make Waves, and that’s certainly true in our Division. No matter whether you’ve chaperoned a field trip, helped out at a hot lunch day or provided support in a classroom—every time you’ve stepped in a school—you’ve made a ripple effect that washes over your community. These waves of positivity, hard work and dedication build up and make a momentous impact on a student’s experience at school.

So, thank you again for being a part of our ocean at EIPS. The waves you’ve made—and will continue to create—all contribute to our collective goals of ensuring learning and working environments sustain student learning and amplifying the importance of public education in our province. This National Volunteer Week, I encourage everyone to celebrate the hundreds of volunteers and thousands of hours put into supporting student growth and achievement at schools across the Division.

Cathy Allen
Chair, EIPS Board of Trustees

EIPS prepares a budget in the spring based on projected enrolment, funding, estimated costs and Board of Trustees budget priorities. Before the Division can finalize its budget for the next school year, we need to wait for the provincial government to provide the funding manual for school authorities and EIPS’ funding profile. This year’s funding manual is expected to be released in early April and the funding profile should be available mid-March. EIPS plans to publish its spring budget in May. Learn more

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.

Through Dual Credit opportunities, students can earn college/university credits from a Post-Secondary institution and high school credits in select programs. These opportunities are in partnership with Elk Island Public Schools Division, Lakeland College, Portage College, Norquest College, Olds College, and Alberta Education.

Dual credit helps students to:

- get started on a Post-Secondary education while still in high school
- save money on Post-Secondary tuition costs (through the Dual Credit Framework, high school students do not pay post-secondary tuition fees (other than the cost of textbooks)
- potentially earn credits in high school and a Post-Secondary Institution at the same time
gain experience to succeed academically in a Post-Secondary environment

Students will be responsible for purchasing all textbooks and required resources materials (ie: robotics kit). These costs are set by the Post-Secondary Institution and indicated in the course descriptions. Information about purchasing the required materials will be provided to students once they have been accepted into the course.

Note: due to the independent nature of dual credit programming, students should be self-directed learners.

For more information about dual credit, reach out to Mrs. Matheson (dion.matheson@eips.ca)

Did you know that students at SCS have access to spiritual, academic and social-emotional support every day at school? Student Services is located on the second floor of the school in room 203. Mrs. Matheson, the school counsellor, and Campus Pastors Kiara, Jamie and Luke are available, and students are encouraged to pop in to see them. However, sometimes students may not feel comfortable popping by and would prefer to book an appointment. In order to make this process easier, SCS Student Services is launching their new Student Support Form. Students can scan this QR code or use the URL to open up a google form where they can request an appointment with someone from student services. It is important to note that the form is screened by the entire student services team (including Mrs. Meints) and the form is NOT a place to report an emergency as it does not get screened 24/7. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to anyone from student services!

Help us make 100 Banana Bread loaves for a few of our incredible ministry partners; Youth Unlimited and We Care this April!

Drop off ingredients in your hope room over the month of April and out team will take care of the rest!

Thanks in advance for your support!

Beginning on February 4th a Girls Bible study will be held on Tuesdays at lunch in legato. All are welcome to join! Meet in front of the school office at the beginning of lunch.

NEW BEGINNING SEMESTER 2: All guys grade 7-12 are invited to join this weekly Bible Study!

Join us every Wednesday from 11:45-12:25 in the SPAC Legato (coffee shop) for a men’s Bible study led by grade 12 students and supported by our campus pastor team. This group is open to all guys, grades 7-12. Our hope and prayer with this group is that everyone, no matter where they are at on their faith journey, knows that they belong here, as we challenge, encourage, and pray with one another.

If you have any questions or want more information, reach out to Pastor Luke.

Attention Graduates! 🎓
Edge Imaging will be at Strathcona Christian Secondary Academy on April 15, 2025, and April 16, 2025 for graduation photos!

📸 Don’t miss your chance to be featured in the class composite and leave your legacy in the school hallways for years to come.

✅ Book your appointment now using your school code: NTM at bookmygrad.ca.
🎥 Not sure what to expect from your grad sitting? Check out this helpful video: What to Expect on Grad Photo

These bookings will be available to any students wishing for retakes, or who did not have pictures done at the first session.

Parents of 2025 Grads - If you haven’t already, please follow the 2025 Parent Grad Committee on one of our social media channels:

Facebook: SCA 2025 After Grad Party

Instagram: scagradparents2025

The Parent Grad Committee is getting ready to send out an information letter by email to 2025 grad parents.

Please help the committee connect with you, by sending your preferred email address to:

scagradparents2025@gmail.com

• Monday, April 7th (Day 2)

  • Taco in a bag

  Tuesday, April 8 (Day 1)

  • Pulled Pork or Brisket in a Poutine

  Wednesday, April 9 (Day 2)

  • Grilled Cheese or BLT sandwich with Soup

  Thursday, April 10 (Day 1)

  • Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl or Butter Chicken with Naan

  Friday, April 11 (Day 2)

  • Bacon Beast Burger and Fries

• April 10-11: Grade 10 Retreat
• April 14: Easter Chapel 11:10 AM- Parents are welcome!

• April 14: Band Concert
• April 14: Highschool Art Show
• April 15-16: Grad Photo Retakes
• April 16: Parent Grad Meeting
• April 18- Good Friday No School
• April 21- Easter Monday No School

The Sherwood Park Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Career Fair April 11 from 10:00 am-5:00 pm. This is a great opportunity for students to visit businesses at their booth and hand in a resume if they are interested in applying for a part-time position. See attached flyer for more information.

The JFR program is an incredible summer employment opportunity for high school students in Alberta, as well as post-secondary students or graduates from across the country (and beyond). JFR is a provincially run program under the Ministry of Forestry and Parks. We have up to 9 crews stationed in the 10 different forest areas across the province. Each crew consists of a Crew Leader, Sub Leader, and 6 Crew Members. Our crews live on an Alberta Wildfire base, and every day they take part in a wide variety of hands-on work projects and educational opportunities. For a general overview of the JFR Program, check out the 6 W's of JFR

SPAC Youth has weekly gatherings, and we would love to have you join:

Senior High (Grade 9-12)

Tuesday | 7pm

Junior High (Grade 7-8)

Wednesday | 7pm

We’d love to have you join

Follow us on Instagram - @spacyth for more details.

We hope to see you there.

Please remember that our building does not open for students before 8:20AM. Students who arrive earlier will need to wait outside until the doors open.

In the afternoon, we kindly ask that parents pick up their children before 3:35PM. After 3:35PM, students are kindly asked to wait outside for their transportation.