Dear Families,

As we close out the first month of the school year, we are grateful for the strength and support of our school community. Seeing parents at Meet the Staff, sporting events, Parent Council meetings, and presentation evenings, solidifies for us the value of our community and working together to support a positive school year for all our students.

Thank you for all that you do to support Hillgrove School!

Jennifer Bruinsma - Principal

Tuesday, October 1st

• Sr. Girls Volleyball Game at Hillgrove 3:45pm
• Sr. Boys Volleyball Game at JMD 3:45pm

Wednesday, October 2nd

• Gr. 9 Outdoor Ed. Elk Island Camping Trip Departs 1:00pm
• Homework Club in Hill Library 3:00-4:00pm

Thursday, October 3rd

• Gr. 9 Outdoor Ed. Elk Island Camping Trip Returns 2:00pm
• Sr. Girls Volleyball Game at Sister Alphonse 3:45pm
  

Friday, October 4th

• Terry Fox Run 1:00pm
• Jr. Girls & Boys Volleyball Game at Hillgrove 3:15pm

Monday, October 7th

• Gr. 8 Outdoor Ed. Camp Nakamun Departs 9:00am

Tuesday, October 8th

• Gr. 8 Outdoor Ed. Camp Nakamun Returns 1:15pm
• Jr. Girls & Boys Volleyball Games at ESG 3:15pm
• Sr. Girls Volleyball Game at Hillgrove 3:45pm
• Sr. Boys Volleyball Game at VJM 3:45pm

Wednesday, October 9th

• Jr. High Zones Cross-Country Run 8:40am-2:45pm
• Homework Club in Hill Library 3:00-4:00pm

Thursday, October 10th

• Gr. 7-9 Fine Arts Club 12:30-2:30pm
• Gr. 7-9 Art Club 3:00-4:30pm
• Cheer Parent Meeting 5:00pm
• Sr. Girls Volleyball Game at RSF 3:45pm
• Sr. Boys Volleyball Game at Hillgrove 3:45pm

Friday, October 11th

• Staff PD Day, No School

Monday, October 14th

• Thanksgiving, No School

Tuesday, October 15th

• Jr. Girls Volleyball Game at Sister Alphonse 3:15pm
• Sr. Girls Volleyball Game at Hillgrove 3:45pm
• Sr. Boys Volleyball Game at LA 3:45pm
• Parent Council & Fundraising Committee Mtgs. 7:00pm

Wednesday, October 16th

• Homework Club in Hill Library 3:00-4:00pm

Thursday, October 17th

• Gr. 9 Zoo Field Trip 9:00am-2:59pm
• Gr. 7-9 Art Club 3:00-4:30pm
• Sr. Girls Volleyball Game at MCHS 3:45pm
• Gr. 7-9 Fall School Dance 5:30-8:00pm

Tuesday, October 22nd

• Jr. High Band Camp Nakamun Trip Departs 9:30am
• Jr. Girls & Boys Volleyball Games at LA 3:15pm

Wednesday, October 23rd

• Jr. High Band Camp Nakamun Trip Returns 1:30pm
• Homework Club in Hill Library 3:00-4:00pm

Thursday, October 24th

• Gr. 5-6 Assembly 10:30am
• Gr. 7-9 Art Club 3:00-4:30pm
• Sr. Girls Volleyball Game at Taché 3:45pm
• Sr. Boys Volleyball Tournament Spruce Grove 4:00pm

Friday, October 25th

• Jr. Girls Volleyball Game at Hillgrove 3:15pm
• Jr. Boys Volleyball Game at RSF 3:30pm
• Sr. Boys Volleyball Tournament Spruce Grove 4:00pm

Saturday, October 26th

• Sr. Boys Volleyball Tournament Spruce Grove 9:00am

Monday, October 28th

• School Photo Retakes

Tuesday, October 29th

• Sr. Girls Volleyball Quarter Finals

Wednesday, October 30th

• Sr. Boys Volleyball Quarter Finals
• Homework Club in Hill Library 3:00-4:00pm

Thursday, October 31st

• Afternoon Halloween Activities
• Gr. 7-9 Art Club 3:00-4:30pm

• Head to the website: https://smartphotography.ca/
• Select "Order Your Photos Now"
• Enter the Online Code that was provided to students on the View Proofs sheet
• Select photo size item
• Select image and Continue to Options
• Add to Cart and Checkout
• Shipment of school photos will take approximately 4-6 weeks
• For assistance please contact SMART Photography at 780-944-0800 or info@smartphotography.ca
• Retake day is scheduled for Monday, October 28th

Homework Club will be available Wednesdays from 3:00-4:00pm in the Hill Library for all students in grades 5-9. During this time students can access teacher and/or peer support for their course work or utilize a quiet space to get caught up on their homework. Please reach out to Mme. Girard, megan.girard@spschools.org for any specific queries regarding Homework Club.

Art Club begins on Thursday, October 10th for grade 7-9 students at Hillgrove School. Art Club is a drop-in group that runs Thursdays from 3:00- 4:30pm in the Art Room (room 203). All are welcome - you do not need to be registered in Art this year in order to participate. Art Club is a very relaxed space... a chance to work on ongoing art projects, create something new and different, learn a new technique, or simply sit and sketch. Feel free to bring your own materials and sketchbook, but know that there are also lots of things you can use in the Art Room, too. On occasion we have special events like "Paint Like Bob Ross" day, or gingerbread house decorating.... these events change year to year depending on the participants. Hope to see you there!

New to Hillgrove: Fine Arts Club for Grades 7-9 Students! Just like ski-club, but for artisitic adventurers! Join us as we explore the world of arts through performances, workshops, movie studio tours and art galleries. Keep an eye on the events calendar, pick up a form from the office, and be sure to submit your permission form by the due date and away we go!

First Up: Get a behind the scenes look at how movies, web series, music and more are made at Department 9 Production Studios.

• When: Thursday, October 10th
• Time: 12:30 - 2:30pm
• Permission forms available Tuesday, October 1st in the Hill Office. Forms must be returned by Friday, October 4th.
• There will be a nominal fee for the trip, which will be collected once participant numbers are confirmed.

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 next meeting is Tuesday, October 15th in the Hill library.

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 have already adapted to the changes in pathways between buildings. Homeroom teachers will continue to review these changes with students as construction advances.

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.

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.

School fees for the 2024-2025 academic year are to be paid at the school via cash or cheque (payable to St. Albert School Division) or online through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Please ensure any outstanding fees from previous school years are settled.

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.

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

Youth Expo: Free event on October 11th (PD Day) with prizes, activities, and information on volunteer work and community programs for teens.

Community Helpers: Mental health training on October 10th. Participants receive a certificate from AHS upon completion.

Free Tutoring: Discover Prep offers tutoring for grades 4-12 students and post-secondary prep, run by volunteers from the University of Alberta, Concordia and MacEwan. More details on their website.

Book Recommendations: Find booklists for grades 1-12 students or submit a request through the What Do I Read Next? service.

Learning to Read Workshop: On October 2nd, Lyndsay Bourdeau, a local Speech and Language Pathologist, is offering a session for teachers and parents on effective reading strategies. Session registration here.

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

hillgrove@spschools.org

780.459.4456

https://hillgrove.spschools.org/