Dear Hillgrove Families,

It has been a wonderful few days having students back in the building. The positive energy they each bring truly fills our halls and classrooms with joy. Thank you to everyone who was able to attend our meet the staff event, it was wonderful to meet new families and reconnect with returning families.

As we step into the long weekend and recharge our batteries for a full school year ahead, please review our September newsletter for this months happening's and key information.

We look forward to seeing all students back to school on Tuesday, September 3rd.

Jennifer Bruinsma - Principal

Monday, September 2nd

• Labour Day - No School

Tuesday, September 3rd

• Gr. 7-9 Girls Volleyball Tryouts 3:00pm

Wednesday, September 4th

• Gr. 7-9 Boys Volleyball Tryouts 3:00pm

Thursday, September 5th

• Gr. 7-9 Girls Volleyball Tryouts 3:00pm

Friday, September 6th

• Gr. 7-9 Boys Volleyball Tryouts 3:00pm

Monday, September 9th

• School Picture Day
• Gr. 7-9 Girls Volleyball Tryouts 3:00pm

Tuesday, September 10th

• Gr. 7-9 Boys Volleyball Tryouts 3:00pm

Wednesday, September 11th

• Gr. 7-9 Girls Volleyball Tryouts 3:00pm

Thursday, September 12th

• Gr. 7-9 Boys Volleyball Tryouts 3:00pm

Sunday, September 15th

• Sr. Boys and Girls Volleyball Tournament

Tuesday, September 17th

• Parent Council & Fundraising Committee Mtgs. 7:00pm

Wednesday, September 18th

• Gr. 6 Camp Yowochas departing 9:00am
• Neutral Ground Event in Hill Lunchroom 6:00-8:00pm

Thursday, September 19th

• Gr. 6 Camp Yowochas returning 2:30pm

Friday, September 20th

• PD/ Staff Meeting Day, No School

Thursday, September 26th

• Gr. 5-6 Assembly 10:30am
• Parent Internet Safety Session in Hill Lunchroom 6:30-8:30pm

Monday, September 30th

• National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, No School

Families may have noticed one significant change to the calendars for the 2024-25 school year. Across the division, schools will no longer have early dismissal on the first Wednesday of every month for staff meetings. Instead, professional development days will be combined with staff meetings, resulting in a full day off for students each month. You can view the calendars on the division website: https://www.spschools.org/division-operations/calendar.

Why was this change made?

• This schedule allows for better continuity of learning for students, with more full days of instruction.

• It will help decrease student absenteeism, as it allows a full day for families to schedule appointments, vacations etc.

• It provides families with a long weekend every month.

• It will help families with childcare arrangements.

• It will be a more effective and productive use time for staff as their attention is not divided between providing instruction and PD/meeting times.

• Kindergarten students will be on a more similar schedule to their older siblings.

• More concentrated time for staff learning.

If you haven’t already viewed the calendars, we encourage you to do so. If you have questions, please contact our Human Resources department at 780-460-3712.

We are excited to see the progress of the construction of the pedway that will be connecting both of our buildings. As this is an exterior project we anticipate very minimal interior disruption. Students will notice a change in the pathways to move between buildings. Homeroom teachers will review these changes with students.

To accommodate the exterior construction of the pedway we have temporarily lost some parking stalls. We are asking that parents do not park in the staff lot as all parking stalls are reserved for staff. Parents can continue to utilize the city lots adjacent to each building as well as street parking. As always, we ask that you be extremely mindful of resident driveways. Should you require it, the wheelchair accessible parking stalls beside the Grove main doors and the Hill South doors remain available to our families.

Thursday, September 26, 2024

6:30pm - 8:30pm

Ecole Hillgrove School - Hill Lunchroom

50 Grosvenor Blvd, St. Albert

Internet Safety Session
The internet plays an integral role in everyone’s lives, and when it comes to youth, their social lives exist largely in cyberspace. Over the course of the past four years and through the global pandemic, Alberta has experienced a significant increase in cases of child exploitation on the internet. With more users online than ever before, and new apps and software being developed every day, it can be difficult for parents and teachers to keep on top of the latest trending platform. Advancements in technology are exciting and helpful, but it opens an ever-growing gap between the levels of digital literacy between youths and busy adults.

The Northern Alberta Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit investigates incidents of child luring, sextortion, possession, transmission and the making of child pornography as well as internet-related voyeurism involving youth. This presentation will focus on education, prevention and putting parents and teachers in a position to protect their children from online sexual exploitation. The presenters will discuss the role of ICE in Alberta, Sextortion, sharing of intimate images, current online applications and internet platforms, and additional resources which are available to parents so they will be able to better support healthy and productive online experiences for their children and teens.

Due to the content of this presentation it is recommended that children DO NOT attend.

This is a free event but is limited to 200 attendees so registration is required. We welcome all families to this important presentation. Please click here to register.

We kindly ask parents to take the time to read through the below document regarding the use of personal mobile devices in schools.

School doors will open at 8:15am. Please ensure students dress appropriately for the weather if you plan to arrive early. The first bell rings at 8:22. Registration and attendance begins promptly at 8:25. Please arrive on time.

• Due to limited parking space and to ensure the safety of our students please do not drive through the staff parking lot to drop off and pick up students.
• Please do not park in the school bus lanes during peak times (8:00am-8:30am and 2:45pm-3:15pm).
• Please keep residential driveways clear in our school community.

Regular attendance at school plays a key role in student learning, achievement and social-emotional health. Should your child be absent from school, please contact the office by:

• Phoning 780-459-4456
• Submitting an online absence report here
• Emailing hillgroveattend@spschools.org

Automated phone messages will be sent out to notify families of any unexcused absences.

If your child is late or is being picked up early, please ensure they sign in or out at the office. The office must receive notice from a parent/guardian before a student can be dismissed early during school hours.

During instructional blocks and transitions between blocks, student cell phones are required to remain secured in their locker. Students may use their cell phone during their scheduled lunch break.

The school is not responsible for lost, broken or stolen cell phones.

Our school has a zero tolerance policy for being in possession or using illegal substances on or off school property during school hours or school sponsored events. As all Hillgrove students are under the age of 18, these substances include:

• drugs of any kind including alcohol or marijuana
• vaping or vape supplies
• cigarettes

Students should be arriving to school with weather appropriate clothing as they need to be prepared to go outside for recess/lunch, physical education as well as times planned by teachers throughout the week. As the weather changes from morning to afternoon we are asking students to always come prepared with appropriate clothing regardless of the weather forecast.

At Hillgrove we pride ourselves on being an inclusive learning environment that is a welcoming space for all students, staff and families. Our individual uniqueness helps make Hillgrove the amazing school that it is.

The following buses park in front of the Grove building: 103, 105, 108, 109, 119, 128

The following buses park in front of the Hill building: 104, 106, 110, 114, 129, 130, 131, 138

Going to both locations: 152, 153, 154

If you have questions regarding transportation you may contact the transportation department at transportation@spschools.org or (780)460-3712.

Parent Council and the Fundraising Committee meet the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Parent Council will begin at 7pm, directly followed by the Fundraising Committee meeting. Please note that no meetings are held in December or June.

The first meeting of the year is Tuesday, September 17th in the Hill library.

50 Grosvenor Boulevard, St. Albert, AB, Canada, T8N 0X6

hillgrove@spschools.org

780.459.4456

https://hillgrove.spschools.org/