AJS Weekly Bison Tracks

The EXTENDED deadline to order your yearbook for this year (2025) is on April 17, 2025. Only yearbooks that are paid for before the deadline will be ordered. So don't miss out on securing your yearbook!

Yearbooks can be ordered through your Parent PowerSchool account in the Student Fees options. You can add it to your cart and pay online (same as student fees). Only books that are paid for will be ordered. They do not stay in your cart unpaid.

• April 11, 7:00 p.m. - Jazz Night - Ticketed Event
• April 11 & 12 - Jr. Jr. Buffalo Cup Tournament
• April 14 - Diploma Prep Registration Open (Parent Portal)
• April 17 - DEADLINE TO ORDER 2024-25 YEARBOOKS (Parent Portal)
• April 18 & 21 - No School
• April 22 - First Day Back (Day 1)
• April 22, 6:00 p.m. - RAP and Collegiate Pathways Information Session
• April 23 to 25, 11:37 a.m. - Student Council Talent Show Auditions
• April 29, 4:30 p.m. - AJS Drama - Grade 9 Comedy Show
• May 2 - No School - PD Day
• May 7, 2:16 p.m. - Early Dismissal
• May 7 & 8, 11:37 p.m. - Student Council Event - AJS Talent Show
• May 8, 6:00 p.m. - Mother's Day Plant Potting Event
• May 12, 6:00 p.m. - CPF Meeting
• May 12, 6:30 p.m - School Council Meeting

AJS Student Council is hosting a Mother's Day Event:

Plant Potting!

Date: May 8, 2025

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

"Join us on May 8 at 6:00 p.m. to celebrate you Mom with family and friends. Enjoy snacks while planting flowers and herbs together."

There are limited number of spots available. Sign up ASAP to secure your spot!

Looking to know more about career-focused education programming? The Career Pathways team at Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) is hosting a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) and Collegiate Pathways information session. All students in grades 9-12 and their families are invited to attend one of these sessions to learn more about the programs. For those unable to attend, a recap of the session will be available on eips.ca.

Event details:

Date: April 22, 2025

Time: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Location: Ardrossan Junior Senior High

53129 Range Rd. 222, Ardrossan

Date: April 29, 2025

Time: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Location: Fort Saskatchewan High

10002 97 Ave., Fort Saskatchewan

Courses are designed for preparing students to write their Grade 12 diploma exams. The material presented is based on a 12-hour schedule over a weekend. Courses will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a half-hour break for lunch. Courses will be offered at Salisbury Composite High School (20 Festival Way) in Sherwood Park. Students can only register for one review course each weekend. Cost is $125 per course, $75 for Science 30 (1 day session). Registration will close on May 29 for English and Social Studies Session 1 and June 5 Session 2, June 12 for Math and Biology and June 19 for and Chemistry, Physics and Science. Students/families will register via PowerSchool Parent Portal.

More information at https://www.eipsnextstep.ca/diploma-prep

May 31-June 1 (ELA 30-1 & Social 30-1)

June 7-8 (ELA 30-1 & Social 30-1)

June 14-15 Math 30-1/2, Biology 30,

June 21 Science 30

June 21-22 Chemistry 30 Physics 30

If you have questions regarding Diploma Exam Prep sessions, please reach out to nextstep@eips.ca or 780-464-1899

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.

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

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

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.

The myBlueprint Education Planner is a student-friendly, interactive education and career/life planning resource that allows Gr. 7-12 students to reflect on their learning, showcase their growth, and share their achievements. Want to learn more? Watch the introduction video tutorials to learn how to create a parent account to be able to access your student's account at myBlueprint.ca/support/videos. When you are ready to create a parent account, access our district's landing page to get started.

Diana Balbar is an active community volunteer and has improved rural living with her efforts and as a 12 year-program ARAS has named a $1000 scholarship after her which is an award given annually to a deserving youth who exemplifies volunteerism in the community. This scholarship has been awarded in the past to community youth in Strathcona County who have shared their time with ARAS doing events and other engagements in the community.

Please find more information here on the ARAS website Gallery 3 — Ardrossan Recreation & Agricultural Society: Click Here

Visit Ardrossan Athletics for game and practice schedules.

Please check the Athletics Website for Spring Camps dates on the Football page.

AJS Cafeteria is now offering breakfast items for sale in the mornings starting at 8:15 a.m. for staff and students to purchase.

Check out the menu below!

Alberta Health Services hosts a variety of virtual caregiver information sessions throughout the year focused on ways to support students’ mental health. The sessions are free and geared toward parents, caregivers, teachers and community members who want to learn more about challenges impacting children and adolescents. Session topics include anxiety, ADHD, depression, self-harm, technology, teens and teaching leadership skills, communication, resiliency and more. Visit Caregiver Education to see the monthly caregiver sessions.

Email: general.ajs@eips.ca
Website: https://www.ardrossan.ca/
Location: Ardrossan Junior Senior High School, Range Road 222, Ardrossan, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-922-2228