AJS Weekly Bison Tracks
November 25, 2022
Important Dates
- November 14 - December 8 - AJS Spark Book Fair
- November 30 - Student Council Paper Snowflake Competition
- December 1 - Grade 9 Immunizations
- December 2 - University of Calgary visit
- December 5-9 - Student Council Gingerbread House Competition
- December 6 - AJS Christmas Band Concert
- December 7, 2:16 p.m. - Early dismissal
- December 9, 11 a.m. - NAIT One-on-one Sessions
- December 12-15 - Student Council Candy Gram Sales
- December 13 - Student Council Ugly Sweater Day & Ardy Photo Booth
- December 14 - Student Council Hot Chocolate Day
- December 15 - Student Council Christmas Hat Day
- December 16 - Student Council Winter Wonderland Senior High Dance
- December 20 - Student Council PJ Day
- December 21 - January 3 - Christmas Break
- January 4 - Classes resume
- January 4, 2:16 p.m. - Early dismissal
- January 17 @ 4:15 p.m. - AMPS Band Meeting
- January 23, 6:00 p.m. - CPF Meeting
- January 23, 6:30 p.m. - School Council Meeting
- January 30 - No School
- January 31 - Second semester begins
In the Spotlight
Program Highlight: French Immersion
Read the full story here.
Mental Health Monday
Sciences 9 FI
Explore des circuits électriques.
Exploring electrical circuits.
Sciences 9 FI
Sciences 10 FI
Biologie 20 Block 3
Biologie 20 are wrapping up the Human Body Unit by dissecting a fetal pig.
Biologie 20 Block 4
ELAA (Educational Liaison Association of Alberta) Post Secondary Event
Ardrossan Drama Players
Check out the AJS Drama department website for more details and rehearsal schedules. Updates and announcements about the junior high and senior high shows will be found here.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
Student Council News
Parent Volunteers Needed
AJS Spark Book Fair
AJS will be hosting a Spark Book Fair November 24 through December 8th. Books are excess inventory from various publishers and can be discounted up to 90%! “Bargain books” may have small amounts of wear on the cover, or have a red dot at the bottom of the book. Additionally, books listed at a higher price point are not excess inventory and will arrive in perfect condition. 30% of profits will be going directly to the AJS library. Scan the QR codes on the posters in the library or click here to view our site and make a list of books you’d like to purchase. Happy reading!”
Ardrossan Music Parents Association (AMPS)
Hello Ardrossan Band Parents!
CHRISTMAS CONCERT: It’s coming! The 2022 AJS Band Christmas Concert – December 6th.
Grade 7 – 5:30 pm
Grade 8 – 6:00 pm
Grade 9 – 6:45 pm
High School & Jazz Band – 7:30 pm
We are gladly accepting donations at the door and are excited to have our full program back post-Covid.
Did you know we have social media? Find us at “Ardrossan Music Parent Association” on Facebook and on Instagram!
Our next AMPS meeting is Tuesday, January 17th at 4:15 pm in the band room. Everyone is welcome to attend. We will be discussing upcoming band activities (Christmas concert, upcoming fundraisers, future band trips) and we would love to have band parents join us to share their ideas.
Don't forget to complete the AMPS Membership Form and either email it back to AMPSPres@gmail.com or send it to Mr. B! AMPS is a society and only 'members' can be involved.
We look forward to your support! If you have any questions, please contact Mr. B or the AMPS President (AMPSpres@gmail.com).
Yours in Music,
Lee Dempsey
AMPS President
Personal Technology
USE OF PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICES POLICY 245 ADMINISTRATION PROCEDURE 121 - The ownership and use of personal communication devices have grown exponentially over the past decade. While personal devices offer potential opportunities for communication, information access and enhanced opportunities for instruction, regulated use of personal communication devices in schools and the Division is required to ensure the promotion of caring and respectful learning and working environments. Appropriate use of personal communication devices will contribute to the safety and security of students and staff, help minimize risk to personal wellbeing and disruption to instruction and protect personal privacy and academic integrity.
Students may not access a PCD unless given permission by the teacher for a specific educational task or purpose. PCDs shall not be on the student unless the use is for: a diagnosed medical condition; or an identified inclusive educational need. PCDs will be stored during instructional time (locker/classroom pouches). Students shall have access to a PCD during break periods only (for example, class breaks and lunch breaks).
PCDs are not to be taken into test or examination settings unless students have been given permission to do so.
PCDs are not to be used in change rooms, washrooms, private counselling rooms or any setting that has the potential to violate a person’s reasonable expectation of privacy. PCDs
are valuable electronic devices. Students bring PCDs to school at their own risk.
The classroom teacher will inform students when students might be able to use their personal devices in class and for what purpose. Cell phones must be turned off or placed in “silent” mode in the school. A student not displaying responsible digital citizenship in relation to their phone will have their phone turned in to the office. After the third occurrence parents/ guardians will be contacted and asked to pick up the phone. Within the building, students may use their phone prior to morning classes, during breaks between classes, at the lunch break and after school.
Definitions: Personal communication device (PCD): personal digital devices that connect to the internet through Wi-Fi, cellular network, or other mobile devices.
Where to Find the Information You Need
Elk Island Public Schools and Ardrossan Jr. Sr. High use a handful of key systems to share information with students and families. Depending on the information you’re looking for, it’s important to know where to look.
PowerSchool is the primary student information system within the Division. There is an associated app, but the functionality is limited, and families don’t need to download it. From the PowerSchool Parent Portal, you can:
- Access student grades and report cards;
- Review student absences;
- Pay school and transportation fees; and
- Submit official updates to student or family information.
The PowerSchool Student Portal provides similar access to grades and absence information for students directly.
Brightspace provides more of a day-to-day look what’s happening with your child’s learning communicated directly from your child’s teacher. From Brightspace Parent & Guardian, you can see your child’s:
- classroom activity feed,
- grade items and grade feedback from instructors,
- upcoming assignments,
- portfolio evidence, and
- quizzes,
depending on which of the program functions are specifically used by your child’s teacher.
Brightspace for Students is where teachers share updates, calendar reminders and learning materials with students. Compatible with Google, it also allows students to submit assignments, complete quizzes, and see grades and teacher feedback. The Pulse app for students is associated with Brightspace for Students.
SchoolMessenger is the system the Division and schools use to send email and phone communication to families. The contact information in SchoolMessenger is populated from PowerSchool. Through SchoolMessenger, families can:
- receive general, emergency and attendance messages by phone, email or both; and
- manage their subscription preferences for these types of messages.
Inclement Weather
With the winter season almost here, we want to remind families to dress children appropriately for the weather when getting ready for school or the bus. The weather often changes unexpectedly throughout the day, so please select suitable outerwear and ensure your child is prepared for changing conditions.
If inclement weather conditions occur, Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) advises families of any bus cancellations using various communications tools—automated-telephone messages, alerts posted on www.eips.ca and school websites, Twitter, Facebook, local radio stations, and notification through both the Bus Status and the Ride 360 apps. Morning bus cancellations are posted on www.eips.ca by 6:30 a.m.
Decisions regarding bus cancellations are guided by EIPS administrative procedures that state, “school bus service may be suspended…when there is a forecast or current temperature of -40 C, including wind chill factor, in one or more regions.” Other reasons for suspending or delaying school bus services include adverse weather and poor road conditions. When school bus services are suspended, schools remain open to students. EIPS believes families have the right and responsibility to make choices for their children based on their beliefs and perceptions of safety during times of inclement weather.
For more information, contact EIPS Student Transportation at 780-417-8151.
EIPS 2023-24 Division Calendar: Now Available!
The official 2023-24 EIPS calendar is now available.
The calendar includes important dates during the 2023-24 school year, such as school-closure days, breaks, the first and last day of classes, professional learning days, early dismissal days, plus more.
Highlights from the 2023-24 EIPS calendar include:
- first day of school – Aug. 31, 2023
- November break – November 6-10
- Christmas break – December 25 to January 5
- second semester starts – February 1
- Teachers’ Convention – February 8-9
- spring break – March 25-29
- last day of classes – June 26, 2024
To view the 2023-24 calendar, visit eips.ca.
Did you know you can sync the Division calendar to your personal calendar? You can. Simply, visit www.eips.ca/calendar and click “subscribe to calendar.” It’s that easy.
January Diploma Prep Sessions
Diploma Prep Sessions
Courses are designed for preparing students to write their Grade 12 diploma exams. The material presented in the classroom over 125 hours will be condensed and highlighted in this focused, 12-hour review course over a weekend. Courses will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a half hour break for lunch. Course will be offered at Salisbury Composite High School (20 Festival Way) in Sherwood Park.
- January 7 & 8 - English 30-1, 30-2 and Social Studies 30-1, 30-2
- January 14 & 15 - Mathematics 30-1, 30-2, Biology 30, Chemistry 30, and Physics 30
Registration will open on Monday, October 17. https://www.eipscontinuinged.ca/
Registration will close on January 4 for English and Social Studies sessions, and on January 11 for Math and Sciences sessions.
Student refunds will not be given after registration closes.
RBC Future Launch Scholarship
Are you stuck right now, but have a plan to achieve your dreams? The RBC Future Launch Scholarship can help! Up to 500 scholarships worth $1,500 each will be awarded to those who show a clear vision for their future. The deadline to apply is November 30.
RBC Future Launch Scholarship for Indigenous Youth
Are you an Indigenous youth in Canada looking to pursue post-secondary education? The RBC Future Launch Scholarship for Indigenous Youth could help you achieve your post-secondary goals. There are 20 scholarships valued up to $10,000 each per year (up to four years) for First Nations, Inuit and Métis students across Canada who demonstrate strong academic performance and community involvement. The deadline to apply is December 1.
1000Women4STEM Award
NorQuest is accepting applications for the 1000Women4STEM Award. Earn one of the many bursaries currently available—valued up to $20,000—for women working full-time toward one of NorQuest’s three STEM diplomas:
The 1000Women4STEM Award covers your full tuition and provides extra financial support each academic year. NorQuest understands financial help can inform your decision when it comes to your studies. That’s why students can apply for financial support first before applying for a diploma program.
- Apply for the bursary by filling out the application form.
- NorQuest will let you know in seven to 10 days if you’re a recipient of the bursary.
- After you’ve received a response, apply for one of the three STEM diplomas.
There’s no cost to apply for the bursary, but there is a fee to apply to the diploma program.
The deadline to apply for the bursary is December 1. Learn more
Ingenious+ Innovation Challenge
Aimed at youth aged 14 to 18, Ingenious+ is an innovation challenge that inspires youth to innovate for good and to share their strategies to address problems at home, across Canada and around the world.
Selected at the regional and national levels, winners can receive up to $10,000 and a customized mentorship from leading Canadian innovators.
Innovation is about doing something better to make an impact. This includes improving upon a product, service, or process or creating something new that solves a problem or makes the world better. Ingenious+ supports young innovators who are developing solutions at the community level and beyond.
This year’s themes are:
- Community and Civic Engagement
- Climate Change and the Environment
- Equity and Inclusion
- Health and Well-being
- Technology and Entrepreneurship
The deadline to apply is December 9.
Cafeteria Menu
Athletic Dates
- November 28 @ 3:45 - Jr. Jr. Boys Volleyball Game
- December 1, 2 & 3 - Sr. Varsity Basketball Sturgeon Rise Up Tournament
- December 2 & 3 - Jr. Varsity Basketball Stampede Classic Tournament
- December 5 @ 5:30 p.m. - Sr. Varsity Boys Basketball Game vs. Eastglen
- December 6 @ 5:30 p.m. - Sr. Varsity Boys Basketball Game vs. Memorial
- December 9 @ 6:30 p.m. - Bison Football Banquet
- December 9 & 10 - Jr. Varsity Basketball Stettler Tournament
- December 15, 16 & 17 - Sr. Varsity Basketball Bert Church Tournament, Airdrie
Community News
Caregiver Education Team
Alberta Health Services offers free online programming for parents and caregivers of children and youth. Sessions are offered through Zoom. Upcoming topics include understanding depression and self-injury, substance use and building executive functioning skills. The list of November 2022 sessions is now available.
Caregiver Education Sessions
Adult Education Sessions
Ardrossan Junior Senior High
Email: general.ajs@eips.ca
Website: https://www.ardrossan.ca/
Location: Ardrossan Junior Senior High School, Range Road 222, Ardrossan, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-922-2228
Twitter: @ArdrossanJrSr