NSO Weekly News

We hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend! Monday is Instructional day #50 of 85 or 59% of the way through semester 1, for non-diploma courses. For Diploma writers, there are only 27 Instructional days until ELA 30-1/2 Part A exams and 28 instructional days until Social 30-1/2 exams. We appreciate the opportunity to engage, interact, and support all families. Our Next Step vision is to create a community of learners who embody the virtues of acceptance, flexibility, individualization, respect, and responsibility. We are excited you are part of our alternative learning environment!

High School students are required to check in and meet with their instructor(s) weekly. It is recommended that multiple check ins occur each week to ensure successful completion of academic course work. Students not adhering to the weekly check in schedule or failing to engage in the learning process will be removed from their course.

Have a great week! #gogreen Mr. B. Spady Principal & Mrs. K. Porter Assistant Principal

Our next schedule conferences are set for November 21 & 23. We hope you can join us in-person or virtually! Please book in advance through: https://www.eipsnextstep.ca/bookings

• Tuesday, Nov 21 in Sherwood Park from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov 23 in Fort Saskatchewan from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Thinking about attending post-secondary school after graduation? Exploring career options? Not sure on the career or sector? Plan to attend the upcoming Your Future: Post-Secondary and Career Fair—taking place on Nov. 21, 2023.

The event brings together a variety of colleges, universities, polytechnic, private schools and sector experts in one place. The event is free and open to all students in grades 9 through 12. Participating students and family members will have the chance to meet with representatives from each attending post-secondary institution, ask questions, talk to experts about various career sectors, learn about future career trends and much more.

Date: Nov. 21, 2023 Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Location: Strathcona County Agora 401 Festival Lane, Sherwood Park

https://www.eips.ca/students/your-future

November 20 National Child Day

November 21 EIPS Your Future Post-Secondary and Career Fair

November 21 Parent Teacher Conferences 5-7:30pm (SPO) Book HERE

November 22 Next Step School Assurance Review 1-3:30 p.m.

November 22 Grad 2024 Parent Information Meeting 6 p.m. Join HERE

November 23 Parent Teacher Conferences 5-7:30pm (FSO) Book HERE

November 28 School Advisory Council 6pm Join meeting HERE

December 5 FSO Christmas lunch 12-1 p.m.

December 6 Early Dismissal (Staff Meeting)

December 11 Anniversary of the Statute of Westminster

December 21 Winter Solstice

December 23 Christmas Break starts

A day to inspire a career in the skilled trades for young women in grades 10-12. Jill of all Trades is a day-long event with the goal of introducing female and female identifying high school students to the prospect of a rewarding career in the skilled trades. You will participate in hands-on workshops across NAIT’s main campus and hear from women currently working in the field to discover a trade you can pursue. November 23, 2023 Register today!

You will also participate in up to 3 hands-on workshops in trades of your choice. These include trades that can begin a career in:

• Manufacturing, fabrication, and maintenance

• Construction

• Mechanical installations

• Transportation

• Electrical installations

• Industrial automation and design

Saffron is presenting an upcoming event for parents and professional caregivers, “Protecting Teens from Online Sexual Violence.” The training will be co-delivered by the Saffron Centre and Strathcona County RCMP. It will be held in the Council Chambers in Sherwood Park starting at 6 pm and ending around 8:30 pm, on November 29th, 2023.

The training is for persons aged 18 and older who are parents, caregivers or professionals working with children. Topics include but are not limited to location settings, photo-sharing apps, sexting practices among teens, online grooming behaviours, and exposure to pornography. Our goal is to provide resources with accurate information and prevention strategies to help keep teens safe online. Attendance is free, and refreshments will be provided. Registration

Our next hybrid meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 28 at the Sherwood Park campus. We hope you can join us in-person or virtually. Meeting starts at 6 p.m. Regular attendance is not required. Please check out our school calendar and NSO Weekly News for scheduled School Advisory Council Meetings. Join meeting HERE

Please see agenda below and last meeting Minutes. Next meeting: January 23, February 27, April 23

Are you a Grade 11 or 12 Indigenous student who needs some extra help with schoolwork? We’ve got you covered. Indspire’s Rivers to Success program is offering FREE personalized online tutoring!

This program is designed to help you overcome obstacles, build confidence, and reach the next stage in your educational journey. Whether you need help with math, science, English, or any other subject, dedicated tutors are here to assist you. You can choose from a wide variety of tutors.

Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/R2S-Tutor

Parent session at Sherwood Heights Junior High on Wednesday, November 29 at 6:30pm.

We will be hosting ADHD Edmonton’s President Rachel Rogers who is a psychologist that specializes in supporting families with children managing ADHD. Rachel has worked with Edmonton Public Schools as a teacher, counselor, and Psychologist on multidisciplinary teams and is a wealth of knowledge to parents.

Rachel will be talking about the history of neurodivergences, what is ADHD and the brain, will briefly talk about the role of medication, multimodal treatment, strategies, and self-regulation. She will also talk about ADHD Edmonton and the supports available (there’s a lot!) and finish with Q&A to address questions. Held in person at Sherwood Heights Junior High and virtual. Please Register HERE

Cannabis: Get to know more about cannabis and explore the effects that early use of cannabis products can have on a young person’s life, then have a conversation with your child.

https://www.drugfreekidscanada.org/drug-spotlights/cannabis/

Health Education and Learning Website: www.ahs.ca/heal is a resource aimed at providing families easily accessible, reliable information about common minor illness and injuries in children. This resource offers general information about the causes, symptoms and home management options for common minor illnesses and injuries, and when to seek medical care.

Parent Support Hub: is safe virtual space for parents, guardians and families to get guidance and support. This free service is available 24/7 for anyone who is concerned about the use of substances by a young person in their life.

https://www.drugfreekidscanada.org/support/supporthub/

Vaping: Vaping’s popularity among youth has grown significantly over the past five years – and there is a lot of concern that this increase may have a negative impact on the overall health of young people. https://www.drugfreekidscanada.org/issues/vaping/

Teaching Sexual Health: For up to date, evidence based information and strategies for parents to deliver effective sexual health education https://teachingsexualhealth.ca/

Next Step envisions itself as not just an educational institution, but a vibrant community of learners deeply committed to virtues that go beyond the classroom. Here's a brief overview of the core values that make up the vision:

Acceptance- We strive for a diverse and inclusive environment where every student, parent, caregiver, and staff member feels accepted, irrespective of their background, beliefs, or circumstances. We believe that learning is most effective when everyone feels like they belong.

Flexibility- Understanding that each learner is unique, we aim to offer flexible learning and a range of teaching methodologies to cater to individual needs. Whether through elective courses, extracurricular activities, or personalized learning paths, flexibility is at the heart of our educational approach.

Individualization- Building on the concept of flexibility, we focus on personalized education. Our staff are committed to identifying each student’s strengths, and areas for growth, allowing for a more tailored educational experience while maintaining a high academic standard. This individual attention ensures that every student is equipped with the tools they need to succeed both academically and personally.

Respect- In our community, respect is mutual. Staff, students, caregivers, and parents are encouraged to show respect for each other's ideas, feelings, and contributions. We believe that open dialogue, grounded in respect, fosters a rich learning environment where complex issues can be discussed and dissected.

Responsibility- While our staff are committed to providing the best educational experience possible, we also encourage students, caregivers and parents to take responsibility for their learning journey. This includes active participation in school activities, regular communication with staff, and a commitment to personal and academic growth.

For parents, caregivers, and families, becoming a part of the Next Step community means joining a network committed to these virtues. Together, we work toward providing an educational experience that values the uniqueness of each student, respects the input of each community member, and prepares learners for a future full of possibilities.

Students, parents, and caregivers can access our campus locations during the following times:

Tuesday 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Wednesday 8:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Thursday 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Friday 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Email: nextstep@eips.ca
Website: eipsnextstep.ca
Phone: 7804641899
Twitter: @eipsnextstep