École Hillgrove
Friday, December 1st
A Note from Mrs. Bruinsma
As we say good-bye to November and welcome December we prepare to embrace winter even though our ground is not yet white. With the holiday season just around the corner, we know the days and weeks will be busy as we approach the winter break. For all our school families we hope that the holiday season is filled with joy and that it is a time for rest, reflection and connection.
Hillgrove Happenings
"Music is Magic" colouring book by the Gr. 9 Art Students
Sr. Boys Volleyball SAPEC Champions
Gr. 5-6 & Jr. High Band Concerts
Month of December
Wednesday, December 6th
- Grades 5-9 Assemblies
- Early Dismissal 12:00pm
Wednesday, December 13th
- Grades 5-6 Holiday Craft Night 6:00-7:00pm
- Grades 7-9 Band Concert 7:00pm
Friday, December 15th
- Hockey Academy Showcase
Monday, December 18th
- Theme: Red, Green & White Day
Tuesday, December 19th
- Theme: Holiday Sweater Day
Wednesday, December 20th
- Theme: Holiday Characters/ People Day
- Grades 5-6 Concert Rehearsal AM
- Grades 5-6 Arden Theatre Concert 6:30pm
Thursday, December 21st
- Theme: Plaid Day
Friday, December 22nd
- Theme: PJ Day
- Early Dismissal 12:00pm
Monday, December 25th - Friday, January 5th
- Winter Break, No School
Monday, January 8th
- Classes Resume
Winter is Here
Just a friendly reminder to please send students to school with weather appropriate clothing as they need to be prepared to go outside for recess/lunch and their physical education classes. As the temperature changes from morning to afternoon we are asking students to always come prepared with their winter clothing, regardless of the weather forecast.
December Concerts
Grades 7-9 December 13th, 2023
Hillgrove's Grades 7-9 Band students will be performing "Swingin' Into Christmas" in Hillgrove's gymnasium on Wednesday, December 13th at 7:00pm. Admission is $5.00 at the door.
Grades 5-6 December 20th, 2023
Hillgrove's Grades 5-6 students will be performing the "Merry Christmas Time!" concert at the Arden Theatre on Wednesday, December 20th at 6:30pm. Tickets will be available for the families of participating students through the Arden Theatre box office starting on December 1st. Click here to purchase your tickets.
Holiday Hampers
Food Hampers for Hillgrove Families
As the holiday season approaches, we want to remind members of our community of the resources that are available. We understand this time of the year can bring both joy and challenges. Holiday food hampers are available for families that could benefit from them. Please don't hesitate to fill out the form below or reach out to Jacqueline Brown directly at jacqueline.brown@spschools.org.
Click here to access the Holiday Food Hamper Form.
Hamper Donations
December is a time of giving at Hillgrove! We are accepting donations for the festive season from December 1st- 8th. Firstly, for the Kinette Club of St. Albert, we are accepting non-perishable food items and unwrapped gifts such as toys, books, crafts, clothes, or games. Secondly, for the St. Albert Salvation Army, we are accepting new mittens, scarves, toques, socks, and anything that is children’s winter wear on the Mitten Tree located in the Grove foyer. Thank you in advance for your donations!
Other ways to support this season:
Monetary donations
- e-Transfer: treasurer@stalbertkinettes.ca
- Mail: Kinette Club of St. Albert, PO Box 65064, Mission Hill Plaza St. Albert, AB T8N 5Y4
Volunteering
- Neighborhood flyer delivery- Email christmashamper@stalbertkinettes.ca for more information
- Hamper delivery sign up here
Other Fundraising Initiatives
Homework Club
Homework Club will be available Tuesdays from 3pm - 4pm in the Hill Library for all students in grades 5-9. During this time students can access teacher 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.
Parent Council & Parent Fundraising Committee
Hillgrove's 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.
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024.
Please note that no meetings are held in December or June.
Purdy's Chocolate Fundraising orders will be available for pick up at "The Hill" building of Hillgrove School on Tuesday, December 19th from 3:00-5:30pm. Online ordering access here, deadline to place orders is December 2nd. Thank you for your support!
School Division News
Hockey Academy Showcase
We are proud to announce the Second Annual Hockey Academy Showcase on December 15th, 2023. This is a very exciting event supporting the Ben Stelter Foundation. The Hockey Academy student-athletes will have the opportunity to enjoy a different experience, while giving back to the community, and supporting this foundation that is very important to us. Students will be broken into teams, and will play a true game in the morning for grades 4-12. The culmination will be a grade 9 game in the afternoon versus the staff.
This event will be about giving back to our community so admission into the games will be in the form of a donation to a very special cause, the Ben Stelter Foundation. Ben, a student who attended Ronald Harvey and fought cancer courageously, will be the honoured namesake of this event. A minimum donation of $2 will be the admission for the games this day. All donations will be given to the foundation.
Kindergarten Fair for 2024-2025 School Year
Provincial Funding Information
Community News
Winter Break Supports
Crisis
The Distress Line provides confidential, non-judgmental and short-term crisis intervention, emotional support and resources to people in crisis or distress.
780-482-4357
The Crisis Team offers immediate crisis support through the Crisis Line to children/youth, aged 5-17, and their care providers.
780-407-1000
Walk in Supports
Walk-in Clinic for children, youth and their caregiver seeking mental health or substance use concerns. This service offers a 50-minute, solution-focused, single therapy session on a first-come, first-serve basis with a focus on exploring specific issues and possible solutions. Parent/Caregiver attendance is preferred to support the child / youth. Families can call ahead to determine wait times
St. Albert Wednesdays 12:30-4:00pm 780-342-1410
Northgate Monday thru Friday 12:30-4:00pm 780-342-2700
Youth Addictions Services
Located in Edmonton, primarily focuses on providing youth with the resources and supports to help address their substance, drug, and alcohol abuse problems.
780-422-7383
Holiday Coping Strategies
For many people, the winter months mean fun parties, festive food, and lots of extra time with family. However, the joys of the holiday season can also bring a lot of stress. If you are starting to feel stressed about the holidays, you are not alone.
Here are 5 tips to help manage the holiday stress:
1. Breathe
When we are anxious, we tend to take shallow or rapid breaths. This tells our sympathetic nervous system to be on alert, and activates our body so it’s ready to take action. This can make stress feel worse. However, we can use deep breathing to reverse this response and tap into our ability to relax. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Try a simple 4-8 breath: Inhale for a count of 4 and exhale for a count of 8. When you lengthen the exhalation, you allow your body to release tension. Just be sure to breathe through your belly (think of inflating it like a balloon) rather than your chest. Deep, slow belly breathing has a calming effect. It’s a quick and easy way to ease holiday stress.
2. Routine
Maintain routines as much as possible. Schedules and routines tend to disappear during the holiday season, however, they can help reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.
3. Move your body
Exercise is a well-known mood booster, and can help when you’re feeling anxious or stressed out. Try to build a little exercise into every day. This can mean taking a walk with a friend, going tobogganing or putting on your favorite song for a family dance party.
4. Connect
You may find yourself feeling disconnected during the holidays. Plan ahead to see your friends or family over the winter break. If you can’t connect in person, try a video call, text or phone call. Don’t forget to take breaks for yourself and connect with your self care, remember small moments matter.
5. Practice gratitude
Research suggests that people who practice gratitude tend to feel happier and more fulfilled. Each morning, pick something that you are grateful for, and spend some time reflecting on how these things (or people) improve your life. Focusing on the things you are truly grateful for can be centering and uplifting.
Important School Reminders
Morning Routine
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 8:27. Please arrive on time.
To ensure the safety of the students please do not drive through the staff parking lot to drop off and pick up students unless an arrangement as been made with the school.
Student Attendance
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.
Student Cell Phones
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.
Zero Tolerance of Illegal Substances
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
Inclusive School Environment
Non-Perishable Food Items for Families
We have non-perishable food items available for families that could benefit. If you are interested, please email jacqueline.brown@spschools.org or call Jacqueline at school, (780)459-4456 to connect.
Hillgrove Student Services
Referrals can be made to outside agencies where families and students need access to more intensive support.
Please get in touch by phone at (780)459-4456 or email; jacqueline.brown@spschools.org: justin.pysar@spschools.org
Class Connect
Class Connect is a homeroom-based class activity that occurs every Friday from 8:30am - 9:00am. The objective of Class Connect is to provide the homerooms with the gift of time to connect, share, and build a sense of community and belonging within our buildings. Topics that are covered during Class Connect include mental health, healthy relationships, goal setting, organization, special celebrations such as National Day for Truth and Reconciliation or celebrating Terry Fox, and whole school-wide activities. You can check out Hillgrove's Class Connect website here.
Transportation Information
Bus Location
The following buses park in front of the "Grove" building: 103, 105, 109, 118, 119 (shuttle bus), 128
The following buses park in front of the "Hill" building: 101, 104, 110, 124, 129, 130, 131
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.
Contact Us
50 Grosvenor Boulevard, St. Albert, AB, Canada, T8N 0X6
780.459.4456