The Bears' Blog.. February 4, 2024

Where has the first half of the school year gone? January was a busy month coming back from the break and getting back into the swing for both students and staff. Our students continue to impress me with their strong work ethic, positive attitudes, and dedicated focus on their learning. Our students are learning about Bloom’s Taxonomy higher level thinking strategies and are doing a great job implementing that throughout their assignments. Critical thinking and high-level thinking skills are so important in ensuring our students have successful futures. We are so proud of their accomplishments and encourage them to put forth their very best all the time.

Please be reminded that we do go outside for recess most of the time following the district’s Inclement Weather policy AP 131. So, when it gets below -22 (including the wind chill) we remain inside for recess and lunch breaks but if it is warmer than that we are outside.

Here are a few little reminders to help us provide the best care we can for your children.

• Please be sure your child has warm clothing before they leave for school.
• Students should have a toque and mittens/gloves with them
• It is also a great idea for students to have snow pants as students may head outside for daily physical education as well.
• Please make sure your child has a pair of indoor and outdoor shoes.

February is a short but action-packed month at the school with Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences, Teachers’ Convention, Family Day and we can’t forget Pink shirt day on the 28 along with all of the curriculum and learning happening. February tends to fly by and soon we will be into March with spring just around the corner.

Have a great February and stay warm. When we work together, Great things happen!

Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) will once again conduct an online returning student registration process to confirm student registrations for the 2024-25 school year. Families of all current students—with the exception of graduating Grade 12 students—must complete the process to confirm the school their child plans to attend in the 2024-25 school year or advise the Division of their plans not to return to EIPS. Additionally, students who want to attend a non-designated school need to make that request through the returning student registration process—acceptance is based on available space. The 2024-25 returning student registration takes place Feb. 8-21, 2024.

One contact for each current PALS to Grade 11 student will receive the Returning Student Registration Form link through Permission Click on February 8. The recipient is based on which contact has been identified as the one to receive forms as listed on the most recent registration form, Correction and Verification Form or Student Information Update submitted to the Division. To review the contacts listed for each student, refer to the Student Information Update available through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Only one contact can be selected to receive forms.

For more information, contact the school office at 780-467-2246 or email lisa.leitch@eips.ca.

February 5 & 6 - Parent/teacher/student conferences 3:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, February 7 - Early dismissal 2:15 p.m.

• EIPS National Ribbon Shirt/Skirt Day
• Winter Walk Day (bring outdoor gear)

Thursday, February 8 - Returning student registration opens - link will be sent through Permission Click!
February 8 & 9 - Teachers' Convention - schools closed

Sunday, February 11 - Last day to order hot lunch for February 16

Wednesday, February 14 - Valentine's Day

Friday, February 16 - Hot lunch

Sunday, February 17 - Random acts of kindness day

Monday, February 19 - Family day - schools closed

Wednesday, February 21 -Returning Student Registration closes

• Inuit Presentation for grade 2's by Goota Desmarais pm

Wednesday, February 28 - Pink shirt day

Is your child turning five on or before Dec. 31, 2024? If so, it’s now time to register for kindergarten. To register, simply complete the online registration form at eips.ca/kindergarten. To help families prepare, Elk Island Public Schools has put together an online EIPS Kindergarten Tool kit to make the transition as smooth as possible. The kit includes information on registration, important dates, programming options, what to expect, eligibility, how to find your designated school, transportation and more.

Additional information regarding Pine Street’s kindergarten program is available at www.pinestreet.ca

Once again, Alberta Education is surveying teachers, students and families through its annual Alberta Education Assurance (AEA) Survey. The survey gathers feedback on the quality of education provided by school authorities and their schools, which they then use to help understand how they’re doing and plan for the future.

Throughout February, Grade 4 students at Pine Street are completing the survey online at the school. Student participation is voluntary and completely anonymous. Students are assigned a random username and password to ensure survey responses aren’t linked to any individual student. The survey doesn’t take long to complete and is done within the school day during regular class time.

Additionally, parents and guardians of students in these grades are also asked to take a survey online. Alberta Education has mailed families information about the survey directly. As with the student and teacher survey, it’s anonymous and asks questions about your school experiences. If you have a child in these grades, we encourage you to participate. The survey deadline is March 1, 2024.

Results from the AEA Survey are provided to Elk Island Public Schools each spring. The Division then uses the data to inform its four-year education plan, school education plans and strategies for continuous improvement. Each fall, the results are also shared with EIPS families and school communities in the Division’s Annual Education Results Report.

RELATED INFORMATION

AEA Survey: Information for parents and guardians

AEA Survey

Assurance and Accountability: Alberta’s K-12 education system

There are 704,851 Indigenous people in Canada. Most Indigenous people – 403 369 (57%) live in First Nations communities which are also called ‘reserves.’ The other 301 514 (43%) live mainly in the larger cities around Canada.