NSO Weekly News

We hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Reminder clocks 'spring' ahead 1 hour. Monday is instructional day #24 of 83 for semester 2 or 29% complete. Congratulations to Krista Porter who will be headed F.R. Haythorne as Acting Principal for the next few weeks. Welcome Kelly Ferguson who will be our acting Assistant Principal during that time.

We appreciate the opportunity to engage, interact, and support all families. Our Next Step vision is to create a community of learners who embody the virtues of acceptance, flexibility, individualization, respect, and responsibility. We are excited you are part of our alternative learning environment. Have a great week! #gogreen Mr. B. Spady Principal & Mrs. K. Porter Assistant Principal

High School students are required to check in and meet with their instructor(s) weekly. It is recommended that multiple check ins occur each week to ensure successful completion of academic course work. Students not adhering to the weekly check in schedule or failing to engage in the learning process will be removed from their course.

Our first round of Parent Teacher Student Conferences for semester 2 are scheduled for March 19 & 20. You can sign up via the booking tab on the eipsnextstep.ca website or via Conference Sign Up link.

• Fort Saskatchewan campus -join us Tuesday, March 19 in person, virtually or by phone to speak with teachers from 5:00 to 7:30 pm.
• Sherwood Park campus -join us Wednesday, March 20 in person, virtually or by phone to speak with teachers from 5:00 to 7:30 pm.

Our second round of Conferences are scheduled for April 24 & 25. Conversations regarding student support, academic progress or check ins can happens at any time. Please feel free to reach out to staff throughout the semester should questions or concerns arise.

We could really use your help completing the annual EIPS Feedback Survey. We recognize this time of year is very busy, however the data collected from the EIPS survey is paramount in our planning for the future. Ultimately this is our report card! Share your thoughts by completing the 2023-24 EIPS Annual Feedback Survey: For Parents and Caregivers—open March 1-21.

EIPS conducts the survey to gauge its progress toward meeting the goals and priorities outlined in its Four-Year Education Plan. Parents and caregivers are asked a series of questions about their experiences with Next Step and the quality of education being provided. We use the feedback to help guide future planning, decision-making and strategies—all aimed at enhancing student learning and better serving our community.

TAKE THE SURVEY NOW! closes March 21

March 11 Commonwealth Day

March 11 SAFRON student presentations (SPO 9 a.m. & 1 p.m.)

March 11-15 Week of Inspirational Math

March 11-15 Substitute Appreciation Week

March 14 Pi Day activities

March 15 Summer School Registration opens

March 15 EIPS Round Dance & pipe ceremony 6 p.m. @FRH

March 16 NorQuest College Open House norquest.ca/OpenHouse

March 17 St. Patrick's Day

March 19 Parent Teacher Student Conferences (FSO) 5-7:30 p.m. Conference Sign Up

March 20 Parent Teacher Student Conferences (SPO) 5-7:30 p.m. Conference Sign Up

March 21 World Poetry Day

March 22-April 1 Spring Break No School

April 2 World Autism Awareness Day

April 3 Early dismissal 2:15 p.m.

April 5 ELA 30-1/2 Diploma Part A (Quarterly completion)

April 7 World Health Day

April 8 Social 30-1/2 Diploma Part A (Quarterly completion)

April 9 Vimy Ridge Day

Please connect with success coaches (Aley.Kulbaba@eips.ca or Janet.Clarkson@eips.ca) regarding Grad information. See the attached document for details about Next Step’s Graduation 2024. Highlights include:

• Grad Google Form to be done in May (baby and school age photos needed, thank you message written, ticket orders)
• Grad Gown pick up May 31 – June 5, 2024
• Grad Lunch 11:45 a.m. Tuesday June 4, 2024
• Graduation Ceremony at the Shell Theatre, Fort Saskatchewan Thursday June 6, 2024 – Doors open at 1:45 p.m. and the ceremony begins at 2:30 p.m.

On March 11 we will be hosting Saffron Education Team to present age-appropriate education on Internet Safety Essentials- Privacy, Autonomy and Security at 9 a.m. & 1 p.m. Informed by the youth in Saffron’s outreach programs, this presentation highlights the major differences between privacy, autonomy, and security online. Topics covered include privacy settings, location sharing, adding new friends to chat-based apps, chatrooms, cyberbullying, and sexting laws.

For more Information on Youth Violence prevention see https://www.saffroncentre.com/

F.R. Haythorne Junior High staff and students and the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education team will host the second EIPS Round Dance on Friday, March 15. It will take place at the school. The pipe ceremony will begin at 6 p.m., with the Round Dance to begin at around 7 p.m., following proper protocol offered during the ceremony. EIPS Round Dance

NOTE: Everyone is welcome to attend. Before and after the event—with the permission of the Elders and Knowledge Holders—media is allowed.

Join us for Open House on March 16! Tour our campus, attend info sessions, meet instructors, learn about student services, & more. BONUS: No application fee for domestic students applying to Spring & Fall 2024 programs during the event! Register at http://norquest.ca/OpenHouse

Our next hybrid meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 23 at the Sherwood Park campus. We hope you can join us in-person or virtually. Meeting starts at 6 p.m. Regular attendance is not required. Please check out our school calendar and NSO Weekly News for scheduled School Advisory Council Meetings. Tentative agenda is below. Virtual link: Join HERE

Cannabis: Get to know more about cannabis and explore the effects that early use of cannabis products can have on a young person’s life, then have a conversation with your child.

https://www.drugfreekidscanada.org/drug-spotlights/cannabis/

Health Education and Learning Website: www.ahs.ca/heal is a resource aimed at providing families easily accessible, reliable information about common minor illness and injuries in children. This resource offers general information about the causes, symptoms and home management options for common minor illnesses and injuries, and when to seek medical care.

Parent Support Hub: is safe virtual space for parents, guardians and families to get guidance and support. This free service is available 24/7 for anyone who is concerned about the use of substances by a young person in their life.

https://www.drugfreekidscanada.org/support/supporthub/

Vaping: Vaping’s popularity among youth has grown significantly over the past five years – and there is a lot of concern that this increase may have a negative impact on the overall health of young people. https://www.drugfreekidscanada.org/issues/vaping/

Teaching Sexual Health: For up to date, evidence based information and strategies for parents to deliver effective sexual health education https://teachingsexualhealth.ca/

Next Step envisions itself as not just an educational institution, but a vibrant community of learners deeply committed to virtues that go beyond the classroom. Here's a brief overview of the core values that make up the vision:

Acceptance- We strive for a diverse and inclusive environment where every student, parent, caregiver, and staff member feels accepted, irrespective of their background, beliefs, or circumstances. We believe that learning is most effective when everyone feels like they belong.

Flexibility- Understanding that each learner is unique, we aim to offer flexible learning and a range of teaching methodologies to cater to individual needs. Whether through elective courses, extracurricular activities, or personalized learning paths, flexibility is at the heart of our educational approach.

Individualization- Building on the concept of flexibility, we focus on personalized education. Our staff are committed to identifying each student’s strengths, and areas for growth, allowing for a more tailored educational experience while maintaining a high academic standard. This individual attention ensures that every student is equipped with the tools they need to succeed both academically and personally.

Respect- In our community, respect is mutual. Staff, students, caregivers, and parents are encouraged to show respect for each other's ideas, feelings, and contributions. We believe that open dialogue, grounded in respect, fosters a rich learning environment where complex issues can be discussed and dissected.

Responsibility- While our staff are committed to providing the best educational experience possible, we also encourage students, caregivers and parents to take responsibility for their learning journey. This includes active participation in school activities, regular communication with staff, and a commitment to personal and academic growth.

For parents, caregivers, and families, becoming a part of the Next Step community means joining a network committed to these virtues. Together, we work toward providing an educational experience that values the uniqueness of each student, respects the input of each community member, and prepares learners for a future full of possibilities.

Students, parents, and caregivers can access our campus locations during the following times:

Tuesday 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Wednesday 8:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Thursday 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Friday 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Email: nextstep@eips.ca
Website: eipsnextstep.ca
Phone: 7804641899
Twitter: @eipsnextstep