Elements' Weekly Update

As we step into March, we are enjoying the warmth of the sun, longer days, and the promise of spring just around the corner. As we soak in the extra daylight and the fresh energy this season brings, our school community continues to learn, grow, and celebrate new opportunities.

With the warmer weather, we want to remind families to ensure students are dressed appropriately for outdoor play. While the afternoons have been milder, the mornings are still quite cool, so layering is a great option. Additionally, our playground can become quite slushy this time of year, so it’s always a good idea to send extra socks and pants just in case!

In this week’s update, we’re sharing important information, upcoming events, and ways to get involved. Be sure to check out the latest news, and as always, feel free to reach out with any questions.

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!

Mrs. Pearn and Mrs. Zapesocki

• March 4 – Gr. 5 Blanket Exercise​

• March 5 – Early Dismissal - School Spirit Theme Day

• March 7 - No School - Professional Learning Day​

• March 10-14 – Substitution Appreciation Week

• March 11 - Managing Student Anxiety Parent Session at Lakeland Ridge School​, 6:30pm

• March 14 - Report Cards available online

• March 19 - Parent Council/School Society Mtg. 6:00pm

Once again, we would like to thank all the parents who took the time to complete the Mid-Point and Fee Survey. Your feedback is highly valuable to us, providing essential insights that inform our decision-making and offering important information for us to reflect on and consider.

Last week we shared the results regarding the proposed fees for the 2025-2026 school year. One key detail to highlight is that all lunch supervision fees go directly toward compensating our classified staff who supervise during recess.

Families shared that they enjoy the Elements Weekly Update and find it informative. Some feedback noted that information can be difficult to locate on our website, so we are actively working to improve navigation.

Regarding Parent Council initiatives, 80% of families indicated that hot lunch should occur once a month. Suggestions for hot lunch vendors and future fundraising options have been shared with Parent Council.

To increase attendance at Parent Council meetings, families suggested starting meetings at 6:00 PM, and we have made that change moving forward. We are also exploring babysitting options during meetings and as of January, have already begun offering the option to attend virtually. The meeting link is emailed to families the day before each meeting. Our next meeting occurs March 19 in the library.

For caregiver engagement, families expressed interest in volunteering at the school, receiving updates through emails and newsletters, completing surveys, and assisting with projects or homework.

We appreciate your input and look forward to implementing these improvements to better serve our school community!

Every year in the winter, parents/caregivers of Grade 4, 7, and 10 students receive a letter with a survey and/or a random access code to share information with Alberta Education about the quality of education in your child's school and school division.

Sample survey questions/statements can be found online and include some of the following:

• My child finds school interesting.
• My child is safe at school.
• My child is learning useful literacy skills.
• My child is learning important numeracy skills.
• Music, physical education, art, and drama opportunities are available at my child's school.
• Specialized supports to help my child are available at my child's school.
• My child is learning about Indigenous people and cultures at school.
• I have opportunities to be involved in decisions at my child's school.

Families, your survey responses help us to know where we're doing well and where we need to improve. Survey responses are anonymous and results are shared with the school and the EIPS Board of Trustees each spring.

Families can now order for our next Hot Lunch on Friday, March 14. Hot lunch is from The Lunch Lady which includes a large menu including pancakes, egg bun sandwich, burgers, hot dogs, veggie, halal and gluten free options, wraps, sandwiches, salads, mac & cheese and more. Orders are due 1 week before the hot lunch date.

https://healthyhunger.ca/

As we work to create engaging and enriching indoor recess experiences for our students, we are seeking donations of board games and puzzles to use in classrooms. These activities help foster teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity while providing a fun break during the school day.

If you have any gently used or new board games and puzzles that your family no longer needs, we would greatly appreciate your donations. Items can be sent with your child or dropped off at the school office.

Thank you for your generosity and support!

There are many ways to get involved and support our school community!

Literacy Resource Organization - This includes photocopying, laminating, cutting out laminating and organizing materials. Please email teri.pearn@eips.ca if you would like to help out organizing resources to support literacy instruction.

Library – If you’re interested in helping with book check-ins and reshelving, we’d love your support. Email general.fse@eips.ca

Hot Lunch – We need volunteers on hot lunch days to help organize food items and deliver them to classrooms.

Email fseparentsociety@gmail.com

Check out 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 through Recovery Alberta.

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. Sessions topics include:

Did you know that FSE is a Mental Health Flagship School and is implementing leading edge

strategies to strengthen relationships and manage day-to-day anxiety and worries.

Want to learn more?

You are invited to a discussion and planning hour:

MARCH 11, 2025

Lakeland Ridge School

101 Crimson Drive, Sherwood Park

6:30 TO 7:30 PM

Discussion topics: What can adults do to help children and youth regulate their emotions and behaviour for greater success? How can we use specific relational strategies such as affective statements and family agreements to support brain development, learning and optimal wellbeing?

RSVP here

Childcare provided on site, participants must request when completing the RSVP

Snacks an beverages provided!