Counsellor's Corner

May 2024

Goodbye April, Hello May!

Dear Families,

As we embrace the excitement and beauty of May, I wanted to take a moment to extend my warmest wishes to each and every one of you. May is a time of renewal and growth, both in nature and in our lives, and I hope this month brings you peace and moments of togetherness and memory-making with your loved ones.

Reflection and Renewal

The month of May offers us an opportunity to reflect on the first few months of the year and look forward to the sunny months ahead. Take this time to celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how big or small, and set intentions for the future. Whether it's spending more quality time with your family, pursuing personal goals, or simply taking a moment to appreciate the present, may this month be filled with renewed energy and purpose.

Gratitude and Appreciation

As we navigate the busyness in the coming months, it's important to take the time to pause, reflect and practice gratitude. Try to take a moment each day to reflect on the love, support, and joy that your children bring into your life. Gratitude has a way of lifting our spirits and fostering deeper connections with those around us.

Connection and Community

Our school is a source of strength and support, and you are valued and appreciated in our community. Let's continue to support one another, uplift each other, and foster a sense of belonging that extends beyond our school walls.

I want to express my appreciation for your continued support and partnership. Your dedication to your child's education and well-being is commendable, and I feel privileged to be a part of your journey. Remember, I am here to support your children in any way I can, so please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Wishing you a beautiful month filled with joy, a nice balance of rain and sunshine, and lots of time in the fresh air.

Warm regards,

Sarah

Important Dates at FSE

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May 1 - Early Dismissal & Elements Day - Dress in the Colour of Your Favourite Element

May 3 - PL Day - No Classes for Students

May 5 - Red Dress Day

May 6-12 - Mental Health Week

May 7 - Monochrome Day - Dress in One Colour to Symbolize an Emotion

May 8 - Hats on! for Mental Health

May 9 - Wacky Hair Day

May 10 - Bear Witness Day

May 13 - Classroom Picture Day

May 14 - Volunteer Tea

May 16 - Moose Hide Campaign

May 16 - School Closure Day - No School for Staff or Students

May 17 - School Closure Day - No School for Staff or Students

May 20 - Victoria Day - No School for Staff or Students

May 23 - FSE Kindergarten Info Night

May 23 - School Council & Parent Society AGM

May 28 - First Nations, Métis & Inuit Gathering

May 29 - Red Shirt Day of Action for Accessibility and Inclusion

May 29 - Transitioning to Junior High - for Parents & Caregivers

Mental Health Week: Compassion Connects

Mental Health Week takes place May 6-12. To mark the week, FSE has a series of activities and lessons planned for students, all centred on Mental Health Week’s theme, Compassion Connects. We all have the capacity to be compassionate, and we know that doing so can make an enormous difference.

Some of our school activities planned include:

Daily Move Your Mood Activities
Daily Lessons about Compassion
Lunch Recess Activities in the Library

Mindful Monday - Students are invited to come and colour mindful colouring pages.
Wellness Wednesday - Students in grade three and four are invited to come and practice mindfulness through yoga.
Friendship Friday - Students are invited to come and make friendship bracelets.

School Spirit Days

Tuesday - Monochrome Day - Students and staff are invited to dress in one colour - from head to toe - to symbolize an emotion.
Wednesday - Hats on! for Mental Health
Thursday - Wacky Hair Day

For more information:

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Junior High Information Nights: Running April and May

Junior high schools across EIPS are hosting information nights for all Grade 6 students and their families - taking place in April and May. Make sure to attend to learn everything you need to know about the junior high programs at your child’s school. Those who attend will also have a chance to:

meet the teachers
tour the school and classrooms
learn about the upcoming curriculum
ask questions

For specific dates and times, see: EIPS Junior High Information Sessions 2024

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Get Ready for Kindergarten!

Do you have a child registered in kindergarten next year? If so, make sure to attend Fort Saskatchewan Elementary's upcoming Kindergarten Information Night on Thursday, May 23rd.

You’ll get to:

tour the school
meet the teacher
gain insight on play-based learning
see what a typical day looks like

Kindergarten Information Night 2024:

Date: Thursday, May 23, 2024

Time: 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Location: Fort Saskatchewan Elementary School

To make the transition to school as smooth as possible, Elk Island Public Schools has put together a toolkit for families. The kit includes information about registration, important dates, programming options, what to expect, eligibility, finding your designated school, transportation and more. Find it at: Welcome to EIPS Kindergarten.

Additional information about Fort Saskatchewan Elementary’s kindergarten program is available on our school website.

Pre-kindergarten Programming at EIPS

Is there a preschooler in your life experiencing developmental delays or challenges with speech-language or motor-skill development—big or small? If so, Elk Island Public School’s Play And Learn at School (PALS) program could help.

Early learning lays the foundation for success in primary grades and beyond. As such, EIPS offers the pre-kindergarten PALS program in five of its elementary school locations. Applications are now open for free speech-language assessments for those interested in registering in the PALS program this fall. The assessment helps determine if PALS is appropriate for your child.

If you know a preschooler, born in 2020 or 2021, who could benefit from pre-kindergarten programming or want to book an assessment, fill out the PALS Program Request Form or call 780-417-8219. For more information, visit eips.ca.

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Literacy Lane

To help you understand the new K-6 English Language Arts and Literature curriculum, the ARPDC has developed some summary documents to help parents have a quick summary of the highlights of all the great learning students have been engaging in throughout this school year.

Check out the following documents for the appropriate grade(s):

Numeracy Now!

Community Spotlight

Parent & Caregiver Resources

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AHS Caregiver Series

Alberta Health Services offers free online programming for parents and caregivers who support children and youth, as well as sessions for adults looking to support their own wellness. These virtual sessions are live and interactive with an aim to increase awareness and reduce the stigma around addiction and mental health, to provide participants with evidence-based information, and to offer strategies that promote health and resilience.

Click here for more information and to register.

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May Book Recommendation

The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell

Does your child speak a different language? Sometimes they wager for your attention, and other times they ignore you completely. Sometimes they are filled with gratitude and affection, and other times they seem totally indifferent. Attitude. Behavior. Development. Everything depends on the love relationship between you and your child. When children feel loved, they do their best. But how can you make sure your child feels loved?

Since 1992, Dr. Gary Chapman's best-selling book The 5 Love Languages has helped millions of couples develop stronger, more fulfilling relationships by teaching them to speak each others' love language. Each child, too, expresses and receives love through one of five different communication styles. And your love language may be totally different from that of your child. While you are doing all you can to show your child love, they may be hearing it as something completely opposite. Discover your child's primary language and learn what you can do to effectively convey unconditional feelings of respect, affection, and commitment that will resonate in your child's emotions and behavior.