Westboro Weekly Newsletter

December 16: Deadline to apply for waiver of fees

December 18: PLACE Field Trip to Cloverbar

December 18: Grade 3K and 4L to the Muttart

December 19: Christmas Sweater Day/Wear Green or Red to school

December 20: Kindergarten scheduled day

December 20: PJ and Treat Day

December 20: Last day to donate to the Westboro Mitten Tree

December 20: Last day of classes before Christmas Break

Looking ahead:

December 23 - January 3: Christmas Break

January 6: Classes resume

January 8: Early Dismissal

January 14: Parent Council Meeting 6:30 p.m.

January 27: Family Literacy and Numeracy Night 5:30 p.m.

January 28: Grade 5 and 6 Fused Glass Field Trip

January 29: Professional Learning Day: No school for students

As we have many items in our lost and found, we will display them on tables in the hallway near the main doors from Tuesday, December 17 - Thursday December 19. Please ask your student(s) to stop by the tables and take a look or feel free to stop by the school yourself. After Thursday, all unclaimed items will be donated.

This holiday season, our school is embracing the spirit of giving with a special tradition: The Mitten Tree. Located in the school lobby we hope to have the tree adorned with mittens and gloves donated by our wonderful school community.

The Mitten Tree is more than just a festive decoration; it’s a symbol of kindness and care. All donations collected will be distributed to the local organization, A Safe Place, to help ensure everyone stays warm during the chilly winter months.

How You Can Help:

We invite students, parents/guardians, and staff to contribute by donating new mittens and gloves. Simply bring your items to school and hang them on the tree. Donations will be accepted through Friday, December 20, 2024 at noon.

Let’s work together to fill our Mitten Tree and spread warmth, one mitten at a time. Thank you for helping us make a difference!

If circumstances exist where you’re unable to pay school or transportation fees, you can apply to have fees waived by submitting an Application for a Waiver of Fees. The application deadline is Dec. 16, 2024.

If you’re new to the Division, the deadline is the latter of Dec. 16, 2024, or 45 days after registration. To access your fee information, simply log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal and go to “Student Fees.” There you can view your fees and pay them online using Visa or MasterCard. All fees are due within 30 days of being posted.

Don’t forget to also log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal regularly throughout the year. Fees are often added to your child’s account to cover the cost of various school activities such as field trips, class projects, extracurricular activities and more.

For more information about school fees, waivers and payment deadlines, visit www.eips.ca/schools/fees and https://www.westboroelementary.ca/about/fees Alternatively, contact Billie Jean Mepham at Westboro Elementary at 780-467-7751.

CALLS is a non-profit society in Strathcona County and Fort Saskatchewan. We offer free and low cost learning to adults. We focus on literacy, foundational learning, and English language learning.

Check out our classes at http://whatdidyoulearntoday.ca/ Funded by Alberta Innovation and Advanced Education

Alberta Health Services is proud to offer FREE online programming to caregivers of school-age children and youth as well as adults in the community who want to learn more about addiction and mental health topics.

Sessions are offered online through the Zoom conferencing application. A link to access the online session will be sent by email to those who have registered for the session.

You can do one activity per day or pick and choose ones that you want to do as a family as you
countdown to the holidays.

Day 1: Cozy Read-Aloud Day: Snuggle up under blankets or in front of a fire and read a favourite book aloud. Discuss the story, characters, and lessons learned.

Day 2: Word Hunt Adventure: Go on a word hunt around your home or neighborhood. Look for words on signs, labels, and in books. You could create a challenge or theme - such as words that start with a certain sound or words that have a prefix or suffix.

Day 3: DIY Storybook Creation: Create your own storybook. You could do one as a family or have each create their own. Illustrate your story and read the story aloud.

Day 4: Letter Writing Extravaganza: Write letters to friends, family, pen pals, or Santa. Practice writing skills and how to put an address on an envelope.

Day 5: Poetry Cafe: Perform original poems or read favourite poems from books. Create a cozy cafe environment with hot chocolate and snacks.

Day 6: Board Game Night: Play board games that involve reading and following instructions.

Day 7: Movie Night: Watch your favourite holiday movie. Have a discussion about characters, plot, and lessons learned.

Day 8: Cookbook Challenge: Choose a recipe from a cookbook and cook it together. Take turns reading the instructions and following the steps.

Day 9: Library Day: Visit your local library to check out their programing and borrow books, magazines, or audiobooks.

Day 10: Audiobook Adventures: Turn on a family- friendly audiobook or podcast. Talk about the stories and ideas you hear.

Day 11: Puppet Theatre: Work together to create a script or find one online. Perform it as a family -
puppets are optional, but fun to create!

Day 12: New Years Resolutions: Write out your goals for the upcoming year. Encourage older children to write out a plan for achieving their goal.

The holidays are here, and with it comes a range of social and financial obligations. If you're feeling stressed, overwhelmed or anxious about the upcoming holidays; you’re not alone. The County’s Solutions Navigation team is here to listen and help you navigate holiday stress this year. Solutions Navigations will work with you to identify challenges, connect you to the right supports and services, including the County's Counselling team, and help you to build a plan based on your strengths this holiday season.

The County's Solutions Navigation team is also here year-round to help you navigate all life's challenges. Support is FREE and available for people of all ages and situations. Walk in or call in to receive same-day support with:

• Untangling complex situations and figuring out next steps.
• Accessing financial and housing information and supports.
• Applying for subsidies.
• Filling out forms and applications.
• Connection to counselling.

And more!

Learn more: https://ow.ly/rlfZ50Qezik

Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Call at 780-464-4044 or visit Family and Community Services on the second floor of the community centre at 401 Festival Lane to get support with all life's challenges.

Support is FREE and available for people of all ages and situations - whether you are a senior, youth, family or individual.

With Navigation support you can:

• Share your story and receive helpful information along the decision making journey.
• Access financial supports and housing information advocacy.
• Receive help to untangle complicated situations and figure out next steps together.
• Apply for subsidies including reduced transit rates, recreation access, tax rebates and more.
• Obtain support with filling out forms and applications.
• Have a caring individual who will sit beside you to listen, understand and help you to further your goals.

Learn more here.

Our FREE winter program schedule from the Family Resource Network (FRN) is here! Connect with other parents and caregivers, learn new skills and support your child’s healthy development.

• Drop-in parented programs for infants aged 0 to 18 months
• Drop-in parented programs for kids 0 to 6 years old
• Registered programs for kids in grades 1 to 3 and grades 4 to 6
• Registered parenting skill-building sessions for a variety of age groups
• Special events for families and children of all ages

Check out the winter FRN schedule here: https://ow.ly/oYNY50UnVw1

Register for programs and learn more about Strathcona County's Family Resource Network at https://bit.ly/3RVAltj

It's time to lace up your skates! Most outdoor skating rinks and pathways are now open.

Visit the webpage for details and check the outdoor rink status map for the full list of open spaces. As the remaining rinks and pathways open, this map will be updated

https://www.strathcona.ca/rec.../activities/outdoor-skating/

Join us at the Emerald Hills Regional Park (4501 Emerald Drive, Sherwood Park) for a FREE Everybody Gets to Play Winter Play Day on December 18!

Play Days provide children with FREE and active play opportunities. This winter Play Day will include:

• Wagon rides
• Hot chocolate
• Skating
• Snow play
• and more!

Thank you to this year's winter Play Day sponsor Shignanski Construction Inc.

In case of inclement weather, the event may be cancelled. Check our website and social media the day of the event.

Learn more:
https://www.strathcona.ca/.../festivals-and.../play-days/