Fort High's Weekly Bulletin

Mar 7- Professional Learning Day- No school for students

Mar 10, 11, 12- Grad photo retakes (see details below)

Mar 12- Exam Rewrite

Mar 19- Exam Rewrite

Mar 21- School Closure Day

Mar 24-28- Spring Break- No school

*Parents and students please note this will be the only Newsletter sent for March, the weekly Newsletter will resume in April

Attention Graduates! 🎓

Edge Imaging will be at Fort Saskatchewan High March 10, 2025 to March 12, 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: FKG at bookmygrad.ca.

🎥 Not sure what to expect from your grad sitting? Check out this helpful video: What to Expect on Grad Photo Day

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

We are excited to offer exam catch up after school, three Wednesday's a month. The first Wednesday each month is reserved for Staff Meetings, where there will be no exams running. Please be sure your children have arranged transportation should they write past bus departure at 3:20 p.m. and please remind them to bring supplies to complete the exam (e.g. calculator, pencil etc.)

It is expected that students communicate with their teachers to make arrangements.

By Samantha Yent

We have early dismissal every Wednesday at 2:15 pm. Our purpose is to focus on student/staff school initiatives during this time. Please note that the first Wednesday of every month is when busses leave at 2:15 pm, for staff meetings across Elk Island Public Schools. For the other Wednesdays, busses will still arrive at 3:15 pm. Students are expected to use this time to catch up on missed academic work. The early out Wednesdays will start on September 4th.

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact our new principal Aaron Tuckwood at aaron.tuckwood@eips.ca or Rita Lal at rita.lal@eips.ca

We're excited to share great news about our ongoing partnership with Cobs and our Breakfast Program! As many of you may know, we pick up generous donations of baked goods from Cobs each Tuesday night. These deliveries support our Breakfast Program, ensuring students start their day with nutritious and delicious food options.

We are thrilled to announce that Cobs is increasing its level of support for Fort High School through its DoughRaiser program. This initiative is a fantastic way for our school community to receive additional funding. When families mention that they are from Fort High School while making purchases at Cobs, the business will donate 5% of the sales back to our Breakfast Program.

Here's How You Can Participate:

• Visit your local Cobs store.
• Make your purchase.
• Mention that you are a Fort High School supporter at the checkout.

It's a simple way to contribute significantly to a program that benefits many of our students each morning.

We thank Cobs for their generosity and our wonderful school community for your continued support. Together, we can ensure that every student has the best start to their day!

EIPS Annual Feedback Survey

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.

Alberta Education Assurance Survey

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. Grade 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.

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.

March Spotlight: Student Growth and Success

· 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

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

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.

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.

Support Numbers

Contacting 911

Kids Help Phone

Alberta’s Mental Health Help Line

Alberta’s Children and Mental Health Crisis/Mobile Response Team

Crisis Contact Numbers for Strathcona County

Fort Saskatchewan Community Mental Health Supports and Services

Hope for Wellness Help Line for Indigenous Peoples: 1-855-242-3310

Summer Research Program - Save the date!

Do you know any young women, Indigenous, racialized or gender-diverse students in grade 11 who are interested in spending their summer exploring STEM research and careers while also getting paid? The WISEST Summer Research Program runs from July 3 - August 14, 2025.

· Student applications open March 3 - April 2, 2025

Please click the link below to view a spreadsheet of the multiple scholarship opportunities available to students.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1InbVu8D_duNEUw7e8kC667MXWXezbMDfXKoUWlxYkLw/edit?usp=sharing

As part of our ongoing commitment to foster a conducive learning environment, we would like to inform you about the updated Personal Mobile Device (PMD) Plan, effective for the 2024-25 school year.

Key Guidelines Overview:

• PMD Usage During Class Sessions: To maintain a focus on educational activities, all PMDs should remain powered off or on silent and out of sight during class time. Exceptions apply only if a teacher grants permission for a specific educational activity or in cases of documented medical or special learning requirements.
• Non-Instructional Period Use: PMDs may be used during non-instructional times, including before and after school, class breaks, lunch, and spare periods. During spares, usage is permitted in the library and foyer areas.
  
• Restricted Areas: To protect everyone's privacy, PMDs are strictly prohibited in examination settings, change rooms, washrooms, and private counselling areas.
• PMD Storage Recommendations: We strongly suggest leaving your PMDs at home. Should you choose to bring them to school, you are solely responsible for their security and integrity. Fort High and Elk Island Public Schools will not be liable for any loss, theft, or damage.

Understanding the Progressive Discipline for PMD Misuse:

1. First Infraction: This will result in a verbal warning from the teacher and a record of the incident.
2. Second Infraction: The PMD will be confiscated and sent to the office, followed by a notification to the parents/guardians.
3. Third Infraction: This will trigger further disciplinary actions with parental/guardian notification.

Communication with Parents:

We'd like to ask parents to avoid contacting their children via PMDs during school hours. For urgent matters, please get in touch with the school office directly at 780-998-3751, and we will ensure your message is relayed promptly.

Your understanding and adherence to these guidelines are critical in helping us maintain a respectful and distraction-free learning environment. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or need further clarification.