AJS Weekly Bison Tracks

• April 14 - Junior High Report Cards
• April 18 - Deadline for junior high students to submit their option requests through the PowerSchool Parent Portal for the 2023-24 school year.
• April 19 - School Council virtual presentation: Cultivating Compassion
• April 19-21 - Drama Zones
• April 20, 6:00 p.m. - First Nations, Métis and Inuit Family Gatherings @ EIPS Central Services
• April 22 - Earth Day
• April 25, 4:15 p.m. - AMPS Meeting
• April 27 & 28 - Grade 7 Environmental/Outdoor Education field trip to Alford Lake
• April 27 & 28 - Junior High Drama Production - Sally Cotter
• April 30 - Deadline for parents to have the "Parent/Guardian Information Verification Form" submitted on the PowerSchool Parent Portal
• May 1 - 5 - Education Week
• May 3, 2:16 p.m. - Early Dismissal
• May 4-6 - One-Act Festival at Ardrossan Jr. Sr.
• May 5 - PD Day - No School
• May 7-9 - Grade 9 Environmental/Outdoor Education field trip to Alford Lake
• May 8 - School Council Meeting
• May 10 - Soaring: Indigenous Youth Empowerment Gathering

Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) is currently reviewing and updating all parent and guardian contact information within the Division’s student information system. This one-time, full-scale review is to ensure the Division has complete and accurate data on file as Alberta Education moves to a new way of capturing information in the provincial database.

As part of the data review, EIPS requires all families to carefully review the parent and guardian information on file for each student in your family—even if you’ve recently completed a Student Correction and Verification Form. Families can quickly and easily indicate no updates are needed, if that’s the case, or provide updated contact information as needed. The form also includes a handful of new questions to help the Division understand each parent and guardian’s relationship to the student and their preferences for receiving communication from the school and Division.

To review your information, simply log in to your PowerSchool Parent Portal and open the “Parent/Guardian Information Verification Form” from the left-hand menu or notification at the top of the page. Review all information carefully, provide updates where needed and submit your form by April 30. One form is required for each student currently registered at an EIPS school. Only one parent/guardian will complete the form for each student—all associated parent/guardian information for each student is available to review on the same form.

If you have any questions about your Parent/Guardian Information Verification Form, reach out to the school at (780)922-2228.

National Volunteer Week takes place April 16-22. On behalf of the Board of Trustees at Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS), I want to say a huge thank you to all EIPS volunteers and school families who help make the Division what it is today. Whether you volunteered for the first time this year or have committed many years to EIPS, your initiative, hard work and dedication are invaluable. You build a legacy for others to follow and a memory for students to cherish as they journey into their futures.

So, thank you again for your overflowing support. Your actions are a direct reflection of the kindness and compassion found in all the communities EIPS serves. This National Volunteer Week, I encourage everyone to celebrate the hundreds of volunteers and thousands of hours put into making schools across the Division places for students to learn, grow and succeed.

Trina Boymook Chair, EIPS Board of Trustees

Registration for EIPS Summer School is open now. Organized through Next Step, the Summer School program offers more than 25 senior high courses that allow students to earn credits, upgrade marks, lighten workloads or finish pre-requisite courses.

Courses include: Open to EIPS students entering grades 10 to 12 next fall, and students in their Grade 12 year.

· English Language Arts 20-1, 20-2, 30-1 and 30-2

· Social Studies 20-1, 20-2, 30-1 and 30-2

· Mathematics 10-3, 10C, 20-1, 20-2, 30-1 and 30-2

· Science 10 and 30

· Biology 20 and 30

· Chemistry 20 and 30

· Physics 20 and 30

· Physical Education 10

· Personal Fitness 10, 20 and 30

· Career and Life Management (CALM 20)

· Foundations in Industry Workplace Safety

· Work Experience and RAP

For summer 2023, all Summer School courses are in-person. Classes take place at schools in Sherwood Park. Learn more about the 2023 summer program

On April 13th the Senior High Drama presented one act plays in our Ardrossan In-House Festival. They received insight and evaluation by a community theatre professional, Ms. Jennifer Peebles (Kompany Theatre, NEXT FEST) on their peer-directed plays. The following plays will be moving on to represent AJS at the Zone 3 Alberta High School Drama Festival next week!

1. "Never Swim Alone" (directed by Megan Alexander)
2. "The Most Massive Woman Wins" (directed by Keira Kelly and Alexander Voltner)
3. "Good Business Sense" (directed by Zachary Crowe)

The Zone 3 Alberta High School Drama Festival will be hosted by AJS on April 19-21. Performances are open to the public, $5 per session or $20 for a festival pass. Be sure to catch our winning plays on Wednesday evening, Thursday evening and Friday afternoon. 🙂

This semester has introduced the Reset Room for Junior High students. This room is designed to help students who need a moment to regulate to have the designated space and tools to help them acquire these skills.

We are looking for donations to furnish this room for students. If you are able to help with any donations, take a look at our wish list on Sign Up Genius .

AJS School Council is excited to have a weekly staff recognition initiative! The staff at AJS go above and beyond to care for our kids every single day. What better way to say "thank you" than with staff kudos!

Parents and students are welcome to fill out the Google form below, offering meaningful recognition to ANY member of the AJS staff. Your positive message will then be shared with the intended recipient.

Ardrossan Jr/Sr High Staff Recognition 2022-2023

Sometimes school can be tough... now is the chance to show your appreciation for the people that make the journey brighter along the way!

April will bring drop-in volleyball and basketball.

Drop-in basketball will be happening for the month of April.

• April 13 - 15 - Sr. High Men's Handball Sabre Cup Tournament
• April 15 - Jr. Jr. Badminton Tournament @ Fort
• April 15 - Jr. Sr. Badminton Bison Smash Classic Tournament
• April 17, 5:45 p.m. - Sr. Varsity Men's Handball @ ABJ
  
• April 17 - Jr. Jr. Boys Handball @ HR
  
• April 18 - Jr. Sr. Girls Handball @ FRH
• April 18 - Jr. Sr. Boys Handball @ ABJ

• April 19, 4:45 p.m. - Sr. Varsity Men's Handball @ McNally
• April 22 - Jr. Jr. Badminton Buffalo Cup Tournament
• April 22 - Jr. Sr.. Badminton Tournament @ Fort
• April 25, 5:45 p.m. - Sr. Varsity Men's Handball @ Leduc
• April 26 - Jr. Jr. Girls Handball Game @ SCA
• May 1-5 - Sr. Varsity Men's Handball Provincials
• May 12 - Jr. High Track and Field

Go Bisons!

Hello Band Family!

HOODIES – we have hoodies! Order forms to be sent out asap. If you are interested and have not received an email with the Google From link, email AMPSpres@gmail.com. Orders accepted until April 21st and delivered in May.

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, April 25th at 4:15 pm in the band room. Everyone is welcome to attend. 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.

Yours in Music,

Lee Dempsey

AMPS President

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.

Opportunity Scholarship $3,000 value

The Bayer Crop Science Opportunity Scholarship is available to Canadian high school students who are enrolled in their final year of high school as of June 8, 2023 and eligible to graduate from high school in 2023. Those eligible for a scholarship must be planning to enroll at a Canadian post secondary institution (degree or diploma) in a first-year agriculture, food science or culinary program.

Up to 32 successful applicants will each be awarded a scholarship valued at $3,000, based on demonstrated academic standards and leadership in the community. Selection will be made by an independent panel.

Preference will be given to two (2) applicants of Canadian indigenous heritage.

If you have applied for entry into a college or university, but have not yet been accepted, you can still apply for the Opportunity Scholarship. However, if you are awarded a scholarship, you must provide an acceptance letter from your educational institution.

MCSnet, Alberta’s largest rural internet provider, is accepting applications for their High School Scholarship Program. Each year, they offer four $1,000 local scholarships to graduating Grade 12 students. To be eligible, students must be pursuing post-secondary education in computer science or related studies and must reside in the MCSnet service area. The deadline to apply is August 31. The application package can be completed online or downloaded and sent by email or physical mail.

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International seeks to promote professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. As such, the Eta Chapter in Sherwood Park annually offers a $500 grant to one graduating student from either Elk Island Public Schools or Elk Island Catholic Schools who’s planning to enter the field of teacher education. One grant will be awarded for applicants attending post-secondary in September 2023. The deadline to apply is June 15. Application package

Are you a student with a hearing loss and entering full-time studies in September 2023? Take advantage of the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association’s (CHHA) Scholarship Program. The online application format saves you time and effort: only one application needs to be filled out to apply for any of the six scholarships CHHA has to offer, including two new scholarships added in 2022.

Scholarships are open to anyone with a hearing loss who will be enrolled in a full-time program in a post-secondary institution next September. For more information, contact scholarship@chha.ca or visit the CHHA National Website. The deadline to apply is April 20. Application form

Kickstand Connect offers a virtual walk-in clinic with trained professionals and a safe space for group sessions, exclusively for young Albertans aged 12-25 and their parents or caregivers. It is a free online portal and mobile app where young people can virtually ‘walk in’ or pre-book appointments (up to a week in advance) with a mental health professional, peer support worker, employment specialist or participate in group activities and workshops. Based on a single session model, Kickstand Connect offers various walk-in and pre-booked services, none of which require a healthcare card, referral, or any form of payment.

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, anxiety and parenting teens in the 21st century.

Remember, be aware of thin ice this time of year. Depending on changing temperatures, ice can form and melt to varying degrees on outdoor bodies of water. Try to remind your child about the dangers of thin ice, obey all posted signs, take proper care and remain a safe distance from the ice.

For more information about ice safety, visit the Canadian Red Cross.

Did you know?

The colour of ice may be an indication of its strength. Clear blue ice is the strongest. White opaque is half as strong as blue ice. And, grey ice is unsafe—greyness indicates the presence of water.

On July 7-9, come celebrate the 50th annual Vegreville Pysanka Festival! From delicious food and beautiful folk art to musical performances and fun activities, the festival has something for everyone. The celebration exhibits and preserves some of the finest aspects of Ukrainian cultural heritage in Alberta, allowing the younger generation of Ukrainians to learn more about their rich culture, and promotes an understanding of each other's ethnic values through music, song and dance.

Want to show off your creativity? Submit your Ukrainian folk art piece to one of the festival’s Ukrainian Folk Art Competitions. The competitions are open to children and teenagers in grades 1-12, in addition to adults. Competition categories include pysanka decoration, embroidery, poetry, drawing and wood burning. The deadline to submit items is June 30.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) has launched an enhanced respiratory assessment tool to provide Albertans with guidance to manage a wide range of respiratory illnesses, provide advice on caring for symptoms at home and when to seek additional care. The tool will help guide schools and individuals to the best care options for symptoms, including self-care at home, or seeking care through a walk-in clinic, family physician, or pharmacy for mild to moderate symptoms.

The growing opioid crisis has brought to light devastating effects on individuals, families and communities across Canada. Since 2016, there has been more than 9,000 opioid-related deaths. In 2017, approximately 11 lives were lost each day because of opioid poisoning. In 2022, there were 1,346 opioid-related fatalities in Alberta. Many others have been hospitalized because of opioid poisoning—and 94 per cent of opioid-related deaths happen by accident.

Young Canadians aged 15-24 are the fastest growing population requiring hospital care from opioid poisoning. Schools can all play a part in raising awareness about the stigma and reducing barriers to treatment and social services for people who use prescription or illicit drugs. A free online First Aid for Opioid Emergencies Course is available to individuals 16 years of age and older who want to learn first aid skills and knowledge to prevent, recognize and respond to an opioid poisoning emergency. Learn more

Join in a morning of fun and learning at Newcomer Mornings! Held every Thursday, Newcomer Mornings feature two events:

• Conversation Circle: Practice your English for free through conversation with others. From 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
• Newcomer Connector: Connect with other newcomers and learn about community resources. From 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

For more information, contact FamilyResourceNetwork@strathcona.ca or visit strathcona.ca/families.

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