Westboro Weekly Newsletter

October 18-25: Westboro Elementary Food Drive for the Strathcona County Food Bank

October 21 - 24: Scholastic Book Fair

October 21-25: Bus Safety Week

October 21: Parent/Student/Teacher Conference Bookings close at 3 p.m.

October 23: Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences

October 24: Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences

October 24: Picture retake day

Looking ahead:

November 6: Early Dismissal - Students will be dismissed at 2:12 p.m.

November 8: Remembrance Day Ceremony at Westboro

November 11: Remembrance Day

November 11-15: November Break - No school for students or staff

November 19: School Council Meeting

November 26: Grade 2 and 3 field trip to Salisbury Composite High Theatre

November 29: Report Cards available for viewing

Student Parent Teacher Conferences will take place on October 23 and 24 (4 - 7 p.m.)

Note: Kindergarten conferences are on October 24 only.

Bookings open Tuesday, October 15 at 8:30 a.m. and close Monday, October 21, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.

Go to https://www.schoolinterviews.ca/code and follow these simple instruction.

1. Enter code: ugz8m

2. Enter your details.

3. Select the teachers you wish to see.

4. Select the appointment times that suit your family best.

When you click FINISH, your interview timetable will be emailed to you automatically.

If you do not receive your email immediately – check your junk mail folder.

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Get ready! The Scholastic Book Fair is coming our way (YAY!). Choosing their own books empowers kids and inspires them on their journey to becoming lifelong readers. AND—as always—every purchase at the Fair benefits our school.

Here’s what you need to know about the Fair, which will take place from October 21st to October 24th at the Westboro library. Students will be able to make purchases during their library period. The book fair will also be open for purchases during parent/student/teacher conferences on Wednesday and Thursday.

Visit the Scholastic Book Fair website to look through the digital flyer https://bookfairs.scholastic.ca/bf/westboroelemschool or watch some book trailers found here https://www2.scholastic.ca/bookfairs/book-trailers/.

The countdown to more Book joy is on! Catch you at the Fair!

Happy reading,

Mrs. White

Library Technician

Schools throughout Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) are celebrating School Bus Safety Week from October 21-25. The theme: ‘Bus Rule – Be Clever, Dress for the Weather,’ which focuses on how students should dress appropriately for weather conditions—especially when taking the bus. Throughout the week, various activities are planned, including information sessions, bus-safety lesson plans and bus-evacuation drills.

For more information, visit EIPS Student Transportation or contact 780-417-8151.

Our School Council and Parents' Society is looking to fill the role of Treasurer. The time commitment for this position is approximately 1 hour per month plus 1 School Council Meeting per month. The Treasurer plays a key role in budgeting, tracking funds, and ensuring our council remains financially transparent.

If you’re interested or would like more information, please reach out to us at westboroparents@gmail.com.

Westboro has several fundraisers that are ongoing year round! Please see the information below to learn how you can participate!

Skip The Depot

Mabel's Labels

Last week we had our “Ribbon Club” meeting as named by our students. It will be a time where our self-identified Indigenous students can come together to participate in activities that allow them to grow together and extend their learning of their cultures. These meetings will happen twice a month on Fridays after lunch for about 30 minutes. On occasion students will have the opportunity to invite a friend to join them. Since we won’t always know which friend(s) they will choose, please contact Mrs. Richard at courtney.richard@eips.ca or Mrs. Prouse at tracey.prouse@eips.ca only if you do not want your child to take part. We always want to respect our families and the choices they make for their children, understanding these can be for a variety of reasons.

We have also been spending time since the beginning of this year diving deeper into our Westboro land acknowledgement in our morning announcements. We are excited we were also able to print posters of our land acknowledgement for each classroom and an extra-large one to put up at the front of our school. Our land acknowledgement was written several years ago by our grade 6 students at the time and we are proud of all the work and learning that went into creating something meaningful for our school.

Alberta Health Services offers free online programming for parents and caregivers of children and youth. Sessions are offered through Zoom. The list of October 2024 sessions is now available.

Help your child use technology responsibly and safely, and in ways that promote their overall well-being. Here are some practical things you can do. Learn more here.

Allies are settlers (non-Indigenous people) who help others understand the harms of colonization and its impacts on Indigenous communities. Let’s explore tips for teaching kids about Indigenous allyship.. Learn more here.

Vaping rates have surged among young people recently. In this edition, we’ll answer common questions about vaping and offer tips for fact-based, meaningful conversations with kids. Learn more here.

The Haunted Halloween Skate is back again this year with 'fa-boo-lous' free activities for the whole family!

Join us at the Ardrossan Recreation Complex on October 27. Don't forget to wear your costume!

1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the MacMillan Team Arena:

• Free skate

12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Aspen Room:

• Free hot chocolate (while supplies last)
• Haunted house
• Halloween-themed activities and more!

“Basic needs are the foundation of safety and well-being. When energy is taken up trying to meet basic needs, like income and housing, people are not able to achieve other things.”

Having food to eat, a place to live, clothing, bus fare or a vehicle, health care, funds for utilities, taxes, and school costs, as well as participating in community life has become more challenging than in the past. We’re working with our community partners to address this challenge and create a community where we can all thrive.

Learn more about Community Safety and Well-being in Strathcona County: https://www.strathcona.ca/commun.../community-programs/cswb/

Working together to make a difference:

Brittany Lane Housing Co-op, Habitat for Humanity Edmonton, Northern Alberta Cooperative Housing Association - NACHA, Robin Hood Association, Heartland Housing Foundation, Sherwood Care, Sherwood Park & District Chamber of Commerce, Strathcona Food Bank, Winder Inclusive Communities Service - WICS, Family and Community Services, and Strathcona County Transit

Need support now?

Speak with one of our Solutions Navigators at 780-464-4044 or walk-in. Hours and information here: https://www.strathcona.ca/.../well-being-and.../navigation/

“The amount of youth mental health concerns is astounding. I hope they’ll be able to get the support they need.”

Our community has voiced concerns about mental health and addiction. We’re working with our community partners to address this challenge for people of all ages and create a community where we can all thrive.

Learn more about Community Safety and Well-being in Strathcona County: https://www.strathcona.ca/commun.../community-programs/cswb/

Working together to make a difference:

Elk Island Catholic Schools Division, Elk Island Public Schools, Parents Empowering Parents PEP Society, Sherwood Park - Strathcona County Primary Care Network, Sherwood Care, Saffron Centre, and Family and Community Services.

Need support now?

Speak with one of our Solutions Navigators at 780-464-4044 or walk-in. Hours and information here: https://www.strathcona.ca/.../well-being-and.../navigation/

Have fun this fall break with a recreation or culture camp!

Fall break camps are hosted from November 12 to 15. Pre- and post-care is available for select camps. Don’t miss your spot – sign up today:

• Jr. Science at Kinsmen Leisure Centre (5Y–7Y): https://ow.ly/5m8G50TJRvN
• Simple Science at Kinsmen Leisure Centre (3.5Y-5Y): https://ow.ly/h3P850TJRvP *Note: this is a half-day camp
• Camp Creative at Gallery@501 (6Y–12Y): https://ow.ly/7iSn50TJRRx
• Movie Stars Behind the Lens at Festival Place (8Y-12Y): https://ow.ly/EgL750TJRQW
• Just Imagine at Festival Place (5Y-12Y): https://ow.ly/MYz950TJRQV
• Fall Break Camp at Millennium Place (6Y–7Y): https://ow.ly/C2Wx50TJRvH
• Fall Break Camp at Millennium Place (8Y–12Y): https://ow.ly/1y1K50TJRvM
• Wilderness Centre Fabulous Fall Break Camp (6Y-12Y): https://ow.ly/FnqQ50TJRvQ