Weekly Update Newsletter

Thank you to all our K-6 families who came out to our Math Night yesterday evening. We had a full house! We hope you enjoyed yourselves and were able to pick up a couple of math games you can practice with at home. Next week is Teachers' Convention. There are no classes on Thursday or Friday.

Have a wonderful weekend!

February

Feb 3 - Gr. 9 Immunizations

Feb 9 & 10 - North Central Teacher's Convention - No School

Feb 13 - Saffron Presentations 71/72/91/93

Feb 14 - Valentine's Day and Saffron Presentations 92/94

Feb 13 - Feb 17 - LLR Book Fair

Feb 15 & 16 - Parent Teacher Interviews (Booking Information to Follow)

Feb 16 - Saffron Presentations 73/74

Feb 17 - Saffron Presentations 81, 82 and 83

Feb 20 - Family Day - No School

Feb 21 - School Council Meeting @ 6:30 PM

Feb 22 - Gr. 9 Field Trip- Citadel Theatre, Saffron Presentations 71/73, Field Trip Running Room Games

Feb 23 - Saffron Presentations 74/82/91/94, Wisest Conference

Feb 27 - Hot Lunch Nitza's

Feb 28 - Saffron Presentations 81/83

March

Mar 1 - Early Dismissal 2:10 pm (Western Day), Saffron Presentations 72

Mar 2 - Saffron Presentations 92/93

Mar. 3 - PL Day No School

Mar. 8 - Saffron Presentations 73/74

Mar. 9 - Saffron Presentations 81

Thanks to a new grant from Alberta Education, Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) is launching a new pilot project that has the potential to make a real difference for students throughout the Division. EIPS received a mental health grant from the province of Alberta to address student emotional wellness challenges. EIPS is using the funds to pilot a new Mental Health in Schools initiative by setting up support classrooms in every junior high school across the Division. The pilot project is expected to run through the end of June 2024.

As a result of the new provincial grant, we are excited to be opening a Junior High Reset Room at Lakeland Ridge. The Junior High Reset Room is a space where grade 7, 8, and 9 students can come when they feel overwhelmed to focus on what they’re experiencing at the moment—all under the supervision of an EIPS teacher who’s trained in mental health literacy and supported by the Division’s counseling team.

Mrs. Cohn and Mrs. Hale will be the teachers working in the room. They visited our junior high classes this week to introduce the Junior High Reset Room to our students. Please speak with your junior high child about the room. We encourage students to talk to their teacher if they feel this is a place that would benefit their learning needs.

More information will be shared with families as we launch the new space in our school over the next few weeks. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Cohn, Mrs. Hale, or the school office at 780-416-9018.

Elk Island Public Schools’ (EIPS) returning student registration process is now open. All returning students must complete the online Returning Student Registration Form to confirm their enrolment in a school for the upcoming 2023-24 school year. Additionally, students who want to attend a non-designated school need to make that request through the returning student registration process—acceptance is based on available space. All returning EIPS students are required to complete the form by Feb. 28, 2023.

To access the Returning Student Registration Form, simply log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

If you don’t have a PowerSchool Parent Portal account, you do need to set one up. For help see: Create a PowerSchool Parent Portal account

For more information contact the school directly.

RELATED INFORMATION:
Returning Student Registration Process
Frequently Asked Questions
EIPS School Boundary Maps
Closed Boundaries 2023-24
Find my designated school
Applying to a non-designated school

Is your child turning five on or before Dec. 31, 2023? If so, it’s now time to register for kindergarten. To register, simply complete the online registration form at eips.ca/kindergarten.

To help families prepare, Elk Island Public Schools has put together an online EIPS Kindergarten Tool kit to make the transition as smooth as possible. The kit includes information on registration, important dates, programming options, what to expect, eligibility, how to find your designated school, transportation and more.

Additional information regarding Lakeland Ridge’s kindergarten program is available at https://www.lakelandridge.ca/.

AirDrop allows Apple users to transmit files, which are typically photos, from one user to another. Depending on your phone settings, people do not have to be in your contact list to receive images. AirDrop uses a combination of both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi so your iPhone, iPad, or Mac just need to be within 30 feet of another person to receive a file.

We have noticed a recent increase in AirDrop activities at the school and ask families to review Lakeland Ridge’s Personal Communication Device policy.

Should you wish to secure and protect your phone, here’s how to turn off AirDrop or configure it so you only get drops from people you know.

1. Open settings on your iPhone

2. Choose “General”

3. Tap “AirDrop”

4. Change the setting from “Everyone” to “Contacts Only” or “Receiving Off”

Log in to your parent portal, choose the student, click on fees, and under the 'Due Now' tab you will see all the shows available.

Click on the preferred show and fill in all fields. Ensure you click on "add ticket to cart" and "I read the terms". Then proceed to your cart to complete the payment process.

The list of show times and cast are available on our website under Programs. https://www.lakelandridge.ca/.../drama-matilda-the-musical

Maximum of 10 tickets per show per student

$10 per ticket

All tickets are general seating

Seating is limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 1 & 2 SHOW WEEK SCHEDULE

Tuesday, March 14

5:30pm - Cast Bolton HSM

7:30pm - Cast Sharpay HSM2

Wednesday, March 15

5:30pm - Cast Ryan HSM2

7:30pm - Cast Darbus HSM

Thursday, March 16

5:30pm - Cast Darbus HSM

7:30pm - Cast Ryan HSM2

Friday, March 17

5:30pm - Cast Sharpay HSM2

7:30pm - Cast Bolton HSM

Attention Cast and Crew - High School Musical hoodies are on sale now!

Log into your parent portal, select fees and add it to your cart and complete the payment process!

In addition to the Division-level information, each EIPS senior high school is hosting an open house in February. The open houses provide opportunities for Grade 9 students and families to meet staff, tour the school, learn about the curriculum, gain insight about specific programming available and so much more. Refer to the event calendar on each school website for details in the coming weeks.

• Ardrossan Junior Senior High – February 13 at 6-8 p.m.
• Bev Facey Community High – February 16 at 6-8 p.m.
• Fort Saskatchewan High – February 16 at 6:30 p.m.
• Lamont High – February 8 at 6-8 p.m.
• Next Step Fort Saskatchewan – February 15 at 6-7:30 p.m.
• Next Step Sherwood Park – February 16 at 6-7:30 p.m.
• Next Step Vegreville – February 13 at 6-7:30 p.m.
• Salisbury Composite High – February 15 at 6 p.m.
• Strathcona Christian Academy Secondary – February 6 at 6:30 p.m.
• Vegreville Composite High – February 13 at 6-7:30 p.m.

Additional information about planning for senior high is available at eips.ca/registration/senior-high.

Two EIPS programs focus on enriching academics for students—the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme and the Advanced Placement (AP) program. Both are offered to students in grades 10-12. “If you’re a high-achieving student, an academic program is for you,” says Jonathan Ho, a Grade 12 student at Salisbury Composite High. “The material is challenging, and the teachers are great—the best part is having a community of peers who think alike.”

Delivered at Salisbury Composite High, the IB programme is an academically and creatively challenging course of studies for students. IB is an excellent choice for those who are seeking a heightened level of preparation for post-secondary education and beyond.

“IB gives students the opportunity to be creative,” says Brad Duxbury, an IB chemistry teacher at Salisbury Composite High. “In my class, they get to design and carry out their own experiments rather than following the cookbook—there’s a big difference between having an idea in your head and making it happen in the lab. We also cover a few topics in IB that the Alberta program doesn’t.”

Meanwhile, the AP program is currently offered at Bev Facey Community High. AP is an internationally recognized and academically rigorous program that allows high school students to receive credit and advanced placement at every English-speaking university within Canada and nearly all colleges and universities in the United States. AP can be used for admissions, credit or both in 450 institutions across 75 other countries and regions around the world.

New and returning students may apply to the IB or AP program during the registration process beginning February 1.

Lakeland Ridge and the Division use the SchoolMessenger platform to communicate with families—through both phone and email. Be sure to add communications@eips.ca and amy.desaulniers@eips.ca and sherry.janke@eips.ca to your safe sender list to avoid having important messages funneled into your junk mail folder.

The easiest way to stay connected is to download the SchoolMessenger app. Get the latest updates from both the Division and your child’s school direct to your mobile device and enable push notifications to never miss a message. Families can also check back on past messages—for up to 30 days—directly in the app rather than searching to find an old message buried in their inbox. Download the SchoolMessenger app from the App Store or Google Play today.

January 2023

Upcoming Events and Important Dates

ASBA Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Awards | Deadline: Feb. 3, 2023
Submissions are now open for the 2023 Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Awards! Nomination packages in both English and French are available online. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 3, 2023. Hosted by the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA), these awards celebrate exceptional First Nations, Métis and Inuit students, nominated by members of their education communities, based on their exemplary leadership, courage and commitment to their cultures and educational paths. Last year, ASBA received over 200 unique nomination letters and submissions from across the province. Students may be nominated by other students, teachers, principals, superintendents, education directors, trustees, school staff, Elders or a member of the education community. Watch past student recipients speak about why these awards are so special. If you’re interested in having your child nominated, connect with your school’s administration or Mrs. Rice to begin the process.

Family Gatherings | February, April and June
The First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education team will be hosting family gatherings again, but we’ll be in person this year. Gatherings are a time in the evening when we can meet together to share, learn and connect. All family members are welcome and dinner will be provided at all gatherings. More details and registration will be shared with families closer to each event, but for planning purposes, the dates are as follows:

• Thursday, February 16 from 6 to 8 p.m.

• Explore the Indigenous Peoples’ Giant Floor Map (hosted at James Mowat Elementary, Fort Saskatchewan)

• Thursday, April 20 from 6 to 8 p.m.

• Art with Métis knowledge holder Connie Kuhlhavy (hosted at EIPS Central Services, Sherwood Park)

• Thursday, June 8 from 6 to 8 p.m.

• Land-based Learning (hosted at EIPS Central Services land-based learning space, Sherwood Park)

Cultural Programs | Late Winter and Spring
The First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education team is busy working with Elders and knowledge holders to plan a variety of cultural learning experiences for students and families. More details will be shared as plans are finalized, but know there are many exciting opportunities coming soon!

Direct Student Support

Study Help for Métis students Rupertsland Institute has secured access to Alberta ExamBank for K-12 Métis students to test their understanding through online practice. Métis students can sign up for the RECC Room to find the login for their MNA Region. Questions? Contact education@rupertsland.org.

Resources of Interest

Beautiful Michif Album

Métis singer/songwriter/actress Andrea Menard recently released her latest album, Anskoonamakew lii Shansoon, meaning Giveaway Songs. The collection of 10 songs are sung in and translated into the different languages and dialects of Michif people and are a way for Andrea to help share and preserve the Michif language. The songs can be streamed from a variety of platforms. A short video, the album and the lyric sheets are available on her website. Did you know: EIPS teacher Shelly Grauman’s daughter, Tai Amy Grauman, is a Métis playwright, and a song from one of her plays is included in the collection? Amazing talent!

At-home Supports for Métis Youth and Families

Are you a citizen of the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA)? The MNA Children and Family Services team offers a variety of supports, programs and resources at no cost to citizens.

Opportunity for Youth in the Fort Saskatchewan Area

The Indigenous Society of Fort Saskatchewan is offering powwow teaching for youth in the community.
Wednesdays, Jan. 25 to June 14, 2023
6 to 7:30 p.m.
No classes March 29 or May 10
Location: TBD

Spaces are available for 25 girls and 25 boys. There will be a performance during the MMIWG2S Gathering at Legacy Park on May 5. Register by emailing isfortsask@yahoo.com.

Winter Land Learning at Métis Crossing

Whether you and your kids are outdoor enthusiasts or like to keep busy and warm indoors, one thing is true, Metis Crossing has it all. Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, skating rink and so much more! Enjoy our signature, locally sourced barista coffee at the Bistro in the Lodge or indulge in Métis-inspired lunches at the Cultural Gathering Centre. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 780-656-2229 or visit metiscrossing.com.

Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society: Community Round Dance | February 4

The Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society and Women Building Futures will host an Honouring the Community Round Dance on February 4.
Saturday, February 4
Alberta Aviation Museum
2 to 10 p.m.
Facebook event
Event poster
The event will be hosted by MC Elmer Rattlesnake and feature stickman Rocky Morin. For more information, contact the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society at 780-481-3451, extension 0.

Local Cultural Workshops

Elders and knowledge holders are busy preparing courses for the community, offered through Michif Cultural Connections in St Albert. On February 10, knowledge holder and bead artist Connie Kulhavy will offer a class on beaded hearts. Visit the Michif Cultural Connections Facebook page for all upcoming events, workshops and gatherings and for details on how to register.

Metis ALIVE in Beaumont offers a wide variety of wonderful cultural workshops with local Elders and knowledge holders. The next course, sewing traditional mittens with Elder Joyce Beaver, takes place February 11. Visit the Metis ALIVE Facebook page for more details.

Looking for engaging ways to incorporate math at home? This website has interactive activities that you can do at home (or in the classroom). https://mathathome.mathlearningcenter.org/ You can pick the grade and concept and work your way through the different math activities!

Want to know when things are happening? We have an athletics calendar on the LLR school website. https://www.lakelandridge.ca/athletics/athletics-calendar. Please visit often as our Athletics staff will update as often as they can. Please feel free to contact Mr. Fisher (our Athletics Director) if you have any questions or require more information.

• Wellness Together is free mental health and substance use support for people in Canada and Canadians abroad
• https://www.wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA
  
• Hope For Wellness is free mental health and substance use support available 24/7 to all Indigenous people of Canada.
• https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/

Attendance (Please specify if absence is due to Illness or Parent Excused)

Office Hours

Bell Schedule

Email: general.llr@eips.ca
Website: https://www.lakelandridge.ca/
Location: 101 Crimson Drive, Sherwood Park, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-416-9018
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lakeland-Ridge-School-1490402014609661
Twitter: @LakelandRidge