
AJS Weekly Bison Tracks
May 26, 2023
Grade 9 French Immersion Quebec Trip
Important Dates
- May 30, 3:00 p.m. - DELF - Preparation Session
- May 30 - Jr. High Band Concert
- May 31 - Sr. High Band Concert
- May 31 - Art Walk
- May 31 - Science 9 AEP Fieldtrip
- June 2, 6 p.m. - Grade 9 Celebration
- June 5 & 6 - DELF Exam
- June 7 - Grade 7 Immunizations
- June 7, 2:16 p.m. - Early Dismissal
- June 8 - Gathering of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Families
- June 9 - Grad Superlatives
- June 9, 5 p.m. - Blue and White Awards
- June 15 - Senior high last day of classes
- June 21 - National Indigenous Peoples Day
- June 23, 2 p.m. - Graduation Ceremony
- June 27 - Last instructional day
June Final Sitting Information
Please keep checking ardrossan.ca to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information. Students are expected to write their exams as scheduled. If there are extenuating circumstances that prevent your student from writing an exam as shown on the exam schedule, please contact your grade level administrator to discuss.
NOTE: PAT exams and division common exams cannot be written earlier than the scheduled date. Diploma exams must be written as scheduled or deferred to the scheduled writing date in August.
Grade 9 Celebration - June 2
We need parent volunteers to help us to make this event a success! Please use the link below to sign up for one of the available volunteer roles:
Year End Band Concerts
There will be two Year End Concerts in the Ardrossan Theatre.
May 30 - Junior High
6PM – 7 PM – Grade 7
7:15 PM – 8:15 PM – Grade 8
8:30 PM – 9:30 PM – Grade 9
May 31 – Senior High
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM – Senior Band
7:30 PM – 8:15 PM – Sr. Jazz Band
The concert will be free and there are no tickets needed. Please park behind the school and enter through the Ardrossan Community Theatre entrance.
Students must be at least 15 min early for their concert time. They are to wear Black Pants, Black Shoes, Black Socks, and wear supplied Ardrossan Band Shirt/Bow tie.
EIPS Annual Education Results Report
Every year, Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) publishes an Annual Education Results Report, which outlines the Division’s Four-Year Education Plan, opportunities for growth and how it’s supporting students to achieve the best possible outcomes. Read through this year’s EIPS Annual Education Results Report 2021-22 and discover how EIPS fosters learning environments for all students to learn, grow and thrive—and why it matters.
June Spotlight: enhancing public education through effective engagement
· Rules of Engagement: Using a collaborative approach to improve student achievement and success
· Driving change: Strengthening public education through Board advocacy
RELATED INFORMATION
EIPS Four-Year Education Plan: 2022-26
EIPS Three-Year Capital Plan: 2024-27
REMINDER: 2022-23 School Fees
School fees for the 2022-23 school year are posted on the PowerSchool Parent Portal. All fees are due within 30 days of being posted. Throughout the year, fees are often added to cover the costs for various activities, such as field trips, extracurricular activities, and late, damaged or lost textbooks.
To access your fee information, simply log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal and go to “Student Fees.” There you can view fees and pay them online using a credit card. Make sure to monitor your child’s account on an ongoing basis.
For more information about school fees, waivers and payment deadlines, visit eips.ca/schools/fees. And, if you have questions, think there is an error or need help creating a PowerSchool Parent Portal account, contact your child’s school directly before the summer break.
NOTE: Pursuant to Board Policy 23: School Fees and Administrative Procedure 505: School and Administrative Fees, EIPS will forward any unpaid 2022-23 fee amounts to a collection agency. To prevent this from happening, remember to pay your fees before Aug. 31, 2023.
Diploma Exam Prep Sessions
Courses are designed for preparing students to write their Grade 12 diploma exams. The material presented is based on a 12-hour schedule over a weekend. Courses will run from 8:45 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. Students can only register for one review course each weekend. Cost is $125 per course. Spaces are limited for each course, register early to avoid missing out.
Do more this summer! EIPS Summer School: Register now
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
Accessing User Accounts: Students Leaving EIPS
Is your child graduating from or leaving EIPS at the end of the school year? If so, they must ensure any information they want to retain from their school cloud accounts is downloaded onto a personal device before leaving.
· Google account – Students must download any wanted content before August 1—download files either individually or in bulk using Google Takeout.
· Microsoft account – Students must download any wanted content from their OneDrive account before August 1.
After Aug. 1, 2023, EIPS will deactivate the account and delete all remaining files.
For more information, contact the school at (780) 922-2228.
In the Spotlight
Telus World of Science
Grade 9 students visited the Telus World of Science last week as a continuation of their space unit.
Grad Week
Grads celebrated with some fun activities this week. Dress up as the first letter of your name.
White-out year book shirt day
Grad Week
Ending grad week with a nod to parents everywhere - BBQ Dad or Soccer Mom Day!
Physics 30 U of A Field Trip
Grade 8 Science
Maths 10C pratique les systèmes des équations en comparent des Oreos réguliers et double stuf.
Maths 10C practiced systems of equations by comparing regular and double stuf Oreos.
Grade 9 French Immersion Quebec Trip
Our Grade 9 French Immersion students embarked on a trip of a lifetime to see Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City to put their french language skills to work. They saw many sights and had great weather for the trip. What an amazing experience for these Bisons.
Reset Room
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 .
School Council
Staff Appreciation
Parent Council is hosting an appreciation luncheon for the staff of Ardrossan Junior Senior High on June 7. If you would like to contribute please sign up here.
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!
AJS Lunchtime Intramurals
Junior High Intramurals (grade 7 & 8 only)
Intramural Bag Activities! What are Intramural Bag Activities, you ask? Students will have access to volleyballs, basketballs, footballs, soccer balls and tennis/pickleball equipment.
High School Intramurals (grade 9 to 12)
High school students will participate in intramural bag activities as well.
If the weather does not permit outdoor activities then students will head back inside to the gyms for volleyball and basketball.
ATHLETICS
Athletic Dates
- May 27, 11:00 a.m. - Bison Football Exhibition game vs. Cold Lake
- May 29, 4:15 p.m. - Senior Women's Soccer @ St. Albert - semi finals
- May 30, 4:15 p.m. - Men's Soccer @ Dr. Ann Anderson
- June 1 - Jr. High EIAA Zones
- June 9, 5:00 p.m. - Blue and White Awards
Go Bisons!
Junior High EIAA Track Meet
Congratulations to the Jr High Track team who finished second overall in the EIAA track meet. The junior and intermediate girls won their categories and the girls won the overall trophy!
Special shout out to Sutten Marsh on winning the Junior Girls overall trophy with 30 points and Chloe Boulianne who finished as the 2nd place Intermediate girl with 30 points
Congratulations to the following students who advanced to the Zone track and field meet!
Junior Girls
Sabryn S. - 4th 200m
Sutten M. - 1st 400m, 1st 800m and 1st 1200m - setting a new EIAA record in the 1200m
Dawson F. - 2nd High Jump
Reagan A. - 4th Triple Jump
Jessye C. - 3rd Shot Put, 2nd in 4x100m Relay
Payton W. - 3rd 400m
Intermediate Girls
Chloe B. - 1st 100m, 1st 200m, 1st Triple Jump
Rory T. - 3rd 800m
Aubrey D. - 3rd 2000m
Pepin W. - 3rd Triple Jump
Taylor U. - 3rd Discus
Senior Girls
Lyric G. - 2nd 100m, 4th 200m
Hayden M. - 3rd 800m, 2nd 1200m
Taryn G.- 4th High Jump
Megan G. - 4th Discus
Junior Boys
Joesph B. - 1st 200m 2nd 400m
Dane W.- 2nd 1200m, 1st High Jump
Dalton K.- 2nd Triple Jump
Jayden P.- 3rd Triple Jump
Bison Football Team Fundraiser
Hello Bisons!
We are offering a Stawnichy's Fundraiser 2023! Just in time for summer BBQ Season!
Click on the link to access the order form to see the great selection of sausage products from the famous Stawnichy's Mundare Sausage!
Order Deadline: May 29, 2023
Order payments can be made via E-Transfer (bisonfootballpayments@gmail.com). Payments are due May 29, 2023.
Order Delivery/Pick-up: June 15, 2023
WHAT'S HAPPENING
Student Council News
Ardrossan Music Parents Association (AMPS)
Hello Band Family!
AMPS Car Show & Shine!!! – YES! You heard it right! AMPS, in partnership with Mr. Basaraba & Mr. Bell, are hosting a Car Show & Shine on June 10th, 2023 at the high school! All are welcome to enter their vehicles - $10 for advanced entry, $15 on June 10th. Register your ride early as we can only guarantee 100 spots! There will be trophies, prizes, concessions and raffles available. It will be a fantastic day to come out, listen to some great music, have some treats and appreciate everyone’s vehicles!
For more info, visit https://www.ardrossan.ca/fine-arts/band/ardrossan-show-and-shine. There will be a concession, music, and, of course, all the cars you can drool over. Can’t wait to see you there!
Did you know we have social media? Find us at “Ardrossan Music Parent Association” on Facebook and on Instagram!
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. B or the AMPS.
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.
Tools for School
Ardrossan Junior Senior High has once again partnered with the United Way for the 2023-24 Tools for School campaign. Annually, Tools for School provides backpacks and school supplies to students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 whose families have limited resources. If you’re a parent or know a parent who needs access to the program, contact the school directly. Staff will discretely provide the backpack to the child at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year.
Alternatively, if you’d like to donate to the program, you can pick up a few extra supplies when you’re out shopping for back to school in August. Drop-off boxes are located at the EIPS Central Services office, all Staples locations and various businesses in the community. Any supplies donated within the community are invested back into the region.
For more information about Tools for School, contact at (780) 922-2228 or call EIPS Central Services at 780-464-3477.
Student Transportation: 2023-24 Registration
Planning to use Student Transportation in the 2023-24 school year? If so, make sure your child is registered so Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) can plan routes and send your child a bus pass before the first day of school.
All students who indicated needing transportation services through the returning student or new student registration processes are now registered. Those families have also received tentative route schedules and invoices—fees are due June 30, 2023.
For those students who didn’t indicate needing transportation services during the registration process and want to now register, simply fill out this registration form.
For more information about EIPS Student Transportation, visit www.eips.ca/transportation.
NOTE: Families can pay fees online using the PowerSchool Parent Portal. To pay in-person, visit the EIPS Student Transportation building during its office hours—Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on non-school days.
Bayer Crop Science Opportunity Scholarship
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 Scholarship
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.
Delta Kappa Gamma Society Grant
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
ASAA Pay it Forward Scholarship
The Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association (ASAA) is now accepting applications for its ASAA Pay it Forward Scholarship. The application deadline is June 1.
Cafeteria Menu
Community News
RCMP Youth Camp
From July 24-28, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Youth Camp takes place at the RCMP “K” Division Headquarters in Edmonton. The camp runs Sunday to Friday and is open to any individual between the ages of 16 to 19 who is a resident of Alberta. The camp offers young adults a chance to find out what it’s like to be a police officer in training. These activities may include drill, fitness, police defensive tactics, forensics, Major Crime Unit, Emergency Response Team and much more! To request an application package, contact the RCMP Youth Camps team.
Kickstand Connect - Virtual Mental Health Clinic
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 Addiction and Mental Health Newsletter
Vegreville Pysanka Festival: Folk Art Competitions
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.
New AHS Respiratory Assessment Tool
Opioid Awareness
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
Newcomer Meetings
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.
Wildfire Smoke
We have all been affected by the wildfire smoke lately, learn more about wildfire smoke events, the effects of wildfire smoke on your health and how to protect yourself on the Government of Canada website
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