Weekly Update
December 15, 2023
Staffing News - Principal Update
Dear LLR Families,
Andy Cunningham will be taking over as principal of Lakeland Ridge School beginning January 8. Mr. Cunningham will be out to LLR next week to meet staff and students. I trust you will all give Mr. Cunningham a warm wolf welcome!
Sincerely,
Jeff Huculak
Upcoming Dates and Events
DECEMBER
Dec. 18 - Theme day: Wear your favourite holiday colours
Dec. 19- Theme day: Wear holiday socks and/or slippers
Dec. 20 - Theme day: Wear festive wear to accent your outfit (hats, antlers, earrings etc.)
Dec. 21 - Theme day: Wear your ugly holiday sweater
Dec. 22 - Theme day: Wear your pajamas
Dec. 21 - Gr. 5 & 6 Field Trip - Millennium Place
Dec. 22 - Jan. 7 - Christmas Break
JANUARY
Jan. 8 - Classes Resume
Jan. 10 - Early Dismissal 2:10PM/ Theme Day: Twin day/Dress as a Staff Member
Jan. 11 - Linking Generations
Jan. 16 - School Council Meeting 6:30PM / Parent Action Society Meeting 7:30PM
Looking Ahead - School Fees for 2024-25
A school messenger was sent home earlier today regarding school fees for the 2024-25 school year. We will be discussing our fees at our next School Council meeting on January 16. School administration will use feedback provided to help determine fees , which will then be shared at the March school council meeting, posted to our website and shared via link through email.
🗓 Important Dates
Christmas Break
Lakeland Ridge School will close for the Christmas break at the end of the day on Friday, December 22, 2023. The school will reopen on Monday, January 8, 2024. During this time, if you have any school-related questions or concerns, contact Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) Central Services at 780-464-3477.
EIPS Central Services Christmas Break Hours
Closed December 25, 2023 to January 1, 2024
Open January 2, 2024; 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
*for location and contact information visit www.eips.ca.
From everyone at Elk Island Public Schools, we wish all of you a happy holiday season and a wonderful New Year.
Kindergarten Registration Starts Soon!
Is your child turning five on or before December 31, 2024? If so, it’s almost time to register for kindergarten.
Kindergarten registration opens for the 2024-25 school year on February 1, 2024.
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 Lakeland Ridge’s kindergarten program is available at Lakelandridge.ca.
Returning Student Registration: 2024-25
Mark your calendars! Returning student registration for the 2024-25 school year will take place February 8-21, 2024.
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. Watch for more details in the new year.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Board of Trustees
I want to extend warm holiday wishes to all students, staff and families on behalf of the Elk Island Public Schools Board of Trustees.
We’re grateful to have school communities full of hard-working families committed to the success of their children. Education doesn’t just happen in school, it happens at home too—in every homework assignment completed, every textbook chapter read and every test reviewed. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to cultivate learning at home, so that students are eager to strive for their best at school the next day. We also appreciate the countless hours school councils put into planning events and appreciate all the people who volunteer at and attend them. Your support is invaluable.
We hope you enjoy all the holiday concerts and festivities happening at your schools, and that you get some well-deserved rest during the break. To each and every person, have a wonderful holiday season and a healthy and happy New Year.
We look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Jan. 8, 2024.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays,
Cathy Allen
EIPS Board Chair
Respiratory Illness Guidance
- Stay home if you’re feeling sick.
- Wash or sanitize your hands often.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces regularly.
- Wear a mask if you get sick or develop symptoms while at school or work.
As per Alberta Health guidelines, staff, students, contractors and visitors who have symptoms of respiratory Illness or test positive for COVID, should stay home until:
- symptoms have improved,
- they feel well enough to resume normal activities, and
- they have been fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications.
For anyone who has a respiratory illness or has tested positive for COVID, it is recommended that they wear a mask for a total of 10 days from the onset of symptoms—even if the symptoms have resolved or improved—when in indoor settings with other individuals.
First Nations, Metis and Inuit information
Welcome to Frost Moon, in the Cree 13 moon calendar - ihkopîwipîsim ᐃᐦᑯᐲᐏᐲᓯᒼ
Changes in EIPS First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Team
EIPS schools are welcoming Matthew Spencer, the newest member of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education team. Matthew is a proud Nakoda from Carry the Kettle, Treaty 4 territory. He brings much experience and expertise to the Division. We’re excited for Matthew to meet everyone and become an important part of our EIPS family.
Events Around Town
These events are not EIPS directed. We are sharing events that are happening around us this Christmas season in the greater Edmonton area.
December 16 – miyitowin ᒥᔨᑐᐃᐧᐣ Exchange of gifts in Edmonton
December 26 – Indigineous Campfire Conversations with host Beaver Hills Biosphere
Upcoming Days of Significance
There are many important dates of significance in the coming weeks, and EIPS is planning many engaging learning experiences for staff and students across the Division. Please mark your calendars now, so you don’t miss out on these very special events.
💡 Reminders
Office Reminders ✔️
Fall has arrived which means the weather is unpredictable and it is getting colder and wetter. Please ensure your child is dressed for the weather conditions and consider packing an extra pair of socks or pants just in case. Thank you!
Student Medication 💊
If your student requires medication to be accessible at the school such as Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl, Reactine, and Tums, please fill out the Medication Management Plan via Permission Click and bring the medication to the office for storage.
Students are not permitted to administer their own medication at school. All medication should be provided in its original packaging and labelled with the student’s name. All medication will be stored in the office with administering recorded.