Elements' Weekly Update

We are excited for our upcoming Parent-Teacher Interviews, where we look forward to connecting with you and sharing in the celebrations of your child’s achievements so far this year.

These interviews provide an excellent opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, strengths, and goals for the remainder of the term. Together, we can continue to support their learning journey and ensure their success.

Mrs. Pearn and Mrs. Zapesocki

• January 27 - Parent Teacher Interview online bookings close
• January 27 - Family Literacy Day
• January 29 - No School - Professional Learning Day for staff
• January 29 - Parent Teacher Interviews & Book Fair, 4:00 - 7:00pm
• January 30 - Parent Teacher Interviews & Book Fair, 3:30 - 6:30pm
• January 31 - Shelter In Place Drill
• February 1 - Kindergarten Registration Opens

• February 3 – 7 - National School Counsellors Week

• February 5 - Early Dismissal, School Spirit Theme Day
• February 6 & 7 - No School - Teachers Convention
• February 9 - 15 - Random Acts of Kindness Week
• February 10 - Returning Student Registration Opens
• February 19 - School Council/Parent Society Mtg. 5:30

Please join us for our Family Day Assembly. Our grade 1 's have a special performance to share.

The safety of our students is our top priority, and we need your help to ensure that everyone arrives and departs from school safely. We kindly remind all parents and guardians to follow traffic and parking signage around the school.

Please avoid parking or stopping in the bus lane, as this interferes with buses’ ability to safely enter and exit at their designated departure times. Keeping this lane clear is essential for ensuring the safety of students boarding and exiting the buses. It is also important that handicap accessible parking spaces are only used if you have the proper permit.

We appreciate your cooperation in following these guidelines and helping us maintain a safe environment for all students. Thank you for your continued support!

Thank you to all our families who joined us for the second Fort Saskatchewan Indigenous Family evening on January 20. It was an enjoyable evening of story telling, rock painting, and Ring the Stick game! Save the date for our next gathering on Tuesday, May 27.

Don't forget our Parent Teacher Interviews take place on Wednesday, January 29, from 4:00 - 7:00pm, and Thursday, January 30, from 3:30 -6:30 pm. Kindergarten interviews will also be available the afternoon of Thursday, January 30. Appointments for interviews are made online at https://www.fortelem.ca/bookings . The booking site will close on Monday, January 27 at 4:00pm.

Did you know that our School Council/Parent Society plans a variety of Hot Lunch options throughout the year? Upcoming dates are:

• February 14 - Sky High Pizza
• March 14 - The Lunch Lady
• April 4 - Church's Chicken
• May 9 - McDonalds
• June 6 - Friendly Food Company

Orders are due 7 days before the hot lunch date. For more information pleas check out the School Council/Parent Society page on our website.

School Council/Parent Society

Is your child turning five on or before Dec. 31, 2025? If so, it’s almost time to register for kindergarten.

Kindergarten registration for the 2025-26 school year opens on Feb. 1, 2025. 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 Fort Saskatchewan’s kindergarten program is available at https://www.fortelem.ca/programs/kindergarten.

The Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) returning student registration process for 2025-26 takes place Feb. 10-24, 2025. Through the online form, all families will confirm the school and program their child will attend next year or advise the Division if they aren’t returning. For students who want to attend a non-designated school next year, these requests must be submitted through the returning student registration process—acceptance is based on available space.

On February 10, the parent/guardian on file in PowerSchool identified as the Permission Click contact for each pre-kindergarten to Grade 11 student will receive an email through Permission Click with a link to the form. If your family hasn’t received any Permission Click forms this school year, contact the school office so we can investigate any technical issues before registration season.

FCSS offers The Dragonfly Support Group for families looking for connection and support. The Dragonfly Support Group is a monthly group for parents whose children face mental health challenges.

This group is a safe and supportive place for parents and caregivers to:

• share challenges and concerns
• learn and grow as a caregiver, and
• access supports from those who are facing similar struggles.

The next meeting takes place on Monday, January 27 from 6:00 - 7:30pm. Children's programming is available.

To register, please call 780-992-6267.

Learn how to help your teen with the social and technological pressures they face in the world today. Together we will go through research-based ways we can support teens when they are feeling the pressure of their digital lives. Issues addressed include interacting with strangers online, understanding their digital identity, and healthy relationships.

The content of this workshop is geared for parents and caregivers with children between 9-14 years of age.

The presentation is from 6 to 7:30 pm, with an opportunity for Q & A from 7:30 to 8 pm.

Sign Up Here: Digital Well-Being: For Parents and Caregivers of Youth Ages 9 - 14 years, Thursday, January 30, 2025, 6 - 7:30pm - Family and parenting supports | Strathcona County

Under Alberta Education’s School Fee Regulation, schools must consult with parents prior to setting school fees for the upcoming school year. Our initial discussion took place during our parent council meeting on January 15, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. Information about our current fee structure was provided and we are looking for input on our school fees. School administration will use feedback provided to help determine fees for next year, which will then be shared at the February school council meeting, posted to our website and shared via link through email. A survey regarding school fees will be send to families on Monday, January 27.