Colts Connection For Parents

Winter is upon us here in central Alberta and as the weather gets chillier it is important to know that we value the opportunities our students have to get outside and get fresh air during a school day, even when the weather is cold. We know that it makes for healthy students and supports student success in the classroom as well. That being said, we want to ensure our students are safe as well. Students will be outside for recess up to -25 degrees Celsius (with windchill taken into effect). When the temperature is at (or near -25) we may have a shortened recess for students to get some fresh air. With that being said, it is important that students are dressed to be outside, so we ask for your help in ensuring your child is dressed appropriately for being outside during winter weather. If proper winter attire is not possible, please contact the school and let us know, we have had many generous donations over the years and can outfit your child with winter gear from boots, to pants, to jackets, to mitts and toques. If getting your child to put proper winter clothes on is not the battle you needed to fight on a given morning, we totally understand, let your child's teacher know and we'll do our best to help get them to put the gear on when they go outside.

Last month we had a draw entry to win a pair of tickets to an Edmonton Oil Kings game on December 15th. The winners were Jensen K., Ruby D., Alex J. The parents of the winners have been contacted via email by Mr. McEntee with details. Thank you to everyone who entered the draw last month.

On November 26th, an email was sent to all parents/guardians email address we have on file with a link to the ISSP (Integrated Student Support Program) parent survey and consent for your child(ren) to participate in research (filling out a questionnaire) associated to the grant we received to be able to hire a full time school psychologist. If you did not see the email, please take a moment to complete the parent/guardian survey - https://survey.ucalgary.ca/jfe/form/SV_cZpcv5WCBH2sCIm This survey is primarily to provide demographic information for the research. The students survey questions are similar to the survey the government has Grade 4 students complete each year about how students feel about their school. All responses are and personal information are removed.

We appreciate you taking the time to complete the survey.

With Parent Teacher Interviews around the corner, a reminder that you can log into your Parent Portal to see how your child is progressing at any time throughout the year. All student marks will be up to date as of December 6th, heading into Parent Teacher Interviews on December 12th. We encourage you to stay up to date with your child's progress by logging into your Parent Portal and checking your child's progress. If you have any questions about your child's progress throughout the year, please contact your child's teacher.

Parent Teacher Interviews are coming up on December 12, 2024. Information was sent home this past week along with details posted to the school website. You can click on the following link to book your time with your child's teacher as well - https://schoolinterviews.ca/code/syjzt

The Grade 6s will be selling spaghetti meals as a fundraiser to offset costs for Grade 6 Camp. $7 will get you a plate of spaghetti with sauce and a drink.

On December 19th we will be having our annual Christmas Concert. We will be having two performances of the same concert featuring students from Grade 1-6. The first concert starts at 10:00 am with the second concert starting at 1:00 pm.

The Grade 6s will be again hosting a bake sale throughout the day with all proceeds going to help with costs for Grade 6 camp.

Grade 6s are collecting gently used items for their White Elephant Sale. Items can be dropped off at any entrance or the office. Students will be able to go shopping December 10-12. All proceeds go to help with the cost of Grade 6 camp. This has become an amazing tradition at PES where students are excited to do some gift shopping "all on their own" all while supporting Grade 6 camp.

Grade 5 and 6 after-school volleyball wrapped up on November 28th with a parents vs students game. There were some heated battles on the court with some great skills displayed on both sides. A big thank you to all the parents who came out and to Ms. Kendra Johnson and Mr. Deckert for their time as volunteer coaches.

We received the information bulletin from the Alberta Education yesterday to which the dates for PATs have been set. There is not a Science PAT this year as this is the first year of implementing the new Science Curriculum. The choice to Field Test the Science PAT is at the discretion of the school. We did participate in the Language Arts and Math Field Tests last year and the teachers found it to be a valuable experience.

The dates are as follows:

Language Arts Part A - May 28th

Math Part A - June 16th

Math Part B - June 17th

Social Studies - June 18th

Language Arts Part B - June 19th

On November 28th, Jon Dunn a photographer with National Geographic shared his story with all students at PES his Journey North. A journey that took him 9000 kms across Canada and north into the Arctic Circle. His pictures told a thousand words and his stories were enthralling for the students.

Please note the date change for Purdy's Chocolates order pick up. As the order was received earlier than anticipated we have been able to get orders ready for pick up on December 5th from 3:30-6:00 pm. Please enter the school through the gym doors and into the Community Commons. Any questions please contact Rose Nicholson - 403-358-8400

The Cross Country team put a request to School Council to purchase a tent/shelter for their Cross Country Meets. The tent will provide shelter from the elements as athletes wait for their race to start and/or other races to finish. School Council approved the purchase in November. We are grateful for the support of our School Council. You may also see the tent up at different school events like the pancake breakfast and Get the Scoop.

December 2-10 - Candy Grams on Sale

December 5- Purdy's Chocolate Order Pickup

December 10-12 - White Elephant Sale

December 12 - Boston Pizza Hot Lunch

December 12 - Parent Teacher Interviews

December 12 - Candy Grams Delivered

December 13 - Collaboration Day - No School for Students

December 17 - Christmas Sweater Day

December 19 - Christmas Concert (2 shows 10:00 am and 1:00 pm)

December 19 - Dress Your Best Day

December 20 - PJ Day

December 20 - Carolling - an annual tradition of all students joining in carolling fun in the gym.

December 21-January 5 - Christmas/Winter Break - No School for Students

January 6 - Classes Resume