Upcoming Dates

January 10 Classes Resume

January 12 Pep Rally

January 14 Grade 9 Round Table discussion group

January 18 District Survey closes

January 19 Virtual Parent Council Meeting 6:00 p.m.

January 25 / 26 Clover Bar Casino (Parent organized)

January 27 Family Literacy Day

January 27 Advanced Placement information session

January 31 Professional Learning Day

February 1 Second Semester Begins

February 1 kindergarten and grades 1-12 new student registration opens for 2022-23

February 1 returning student registration opens for 2022-23

February 2 Staff Meeting/Early Dismissal Day / Pep Rally

February 3 Future Fair

February 3 International Baccalaureate information session

February 4 Newsletter out

February 10 / 11 Teachers- Convention - No School

February 18 Grade 8 Round Table discussion

February 21 Family Day - No school

February 22-25 8 is Great Week

February 22, 23, 24 Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews 4:30 - 6:30

*at this time, we will be running phone conferences

February 23 Pink Shirt Day

Friday afternoon, in block 6, masks and rapid test kits were distributed to all students who were present.

Each student received a two week supply of masks which is 20 masks per person (enough for 2 masks per day). The package also included one box of rapid test kits containing 5 tests ( 2 1/2 week supply) to be administered each Monday and Thursday morning (For example).

It is very important that the masks and test kits arrive in good condition. Students have been asked to take them home immediately and give them to an adult in charge. The test kits should not be frozen.

If your child was away, they may come to the office upon their return and collect them. Parents may also pick them up at the school office if they wish. Thank you for your ongoing patience. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the office.

Under Alberta Education’s School Fee Regulation, schools must consult with parents prior to setting school fees for the upcoming school year.

Our next school council meeting, held virtually, will be taking place on January 19, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. (During that time, I’ll be sharing information about our current fee structure, posing specific questions about priorities, and asking you to provide your feedback as we plan for the 2022-23 school year. While many of these activities and services enhance students’ educational experience, we want to ensure these fees aren’t cost prohibitive for families.

Specifically, we will be asking for input on the following:

• Optional courses and associated fees
• Noon hour supervision
• Field trips and associated fees
• Extracurricular activities
• Non-curricular travel (for example, ski trips and band camps)
• Non-curricular goods and services (for example, student union and yearbooks)

I understand not all families will be available to attend the meeting but it’s still important we get as much input from the school community as possible. Following the meeting, materials will be shared on our website (www.cloverbar.ca) for your review, and an email address provided so you can submit a written response.

School administration will use feedback provided to help determine fees for 2022-23, which will then be shared at the April school council meeting, posted to our website, and shared via link through email.

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 835 7668 2357
Passcode: 072860
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/ktANqJES

Currently school staff are in the process of reviewing all school fees. This includes a variety of different fees that support numerous activities and services in the school such as:

Activity fees (ex. Field Trips);

Alternative program fees ( ex. Sport for LIfe);

Extracurricular fees (ex. Teams);

Optional Courses (ex. Art, Foods, Sewing);

Noon hour supervision fees;

Non-curricular goods and services (ex. Grade 9 Farewell);

Non-curricular travel (ex. Overnight ski trips).

While the bulk of these fees will remain the same, some costs associated with transportation have increased this school year and it will be necessary to make some adjustments. Once calculations are complete, all information will be shared with you through email or on our school website. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Over the next few months, administration will be meeting with small groups of representative students in each grade to discuss their ideas around Clover Bar Junior High School. We will look at things they want to keep, things they think we should get rid of and things that we could change. We are looking forward to hearing from our students and the great discussions we will have. Our first meeting will take place on January 14 with our grade 9 students.

We have had overwhelming support for the Clover Bar Junior High School Ski Trip. At this time, we are waiting to gather more information prior to making a final decision about the ski trip. In order to proceed, we want to ensure that it is as safe as possible for all staff and students. As such, we will make a decision by the end of January. We appreciate your patience as we continue to navigate these challenging times.

With the winter season well underway, we want to remind families to dress children appropriately for the weather when getting ready for school or the bus. The weather often changes unexpectedly throughout the day, so please select suitable outerwear and ensure your child is prepared for changing conditions.

If inclement weather conditions occur, Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) will advise families of any bus cancellations using various communications tools, including automated-telephone messages, alerts posted on www.eips.ca and school websites, Twitter, Facebook, local radio stations and on the Ride 360 and Bus Status apps.

Decisions regarding bus cancellations are guided by EIPS’ Administrative Procedure 131: Inclement Weather, which states: “school bus service may be suspended … when there is a forecast or current temperature of -40 C including wind chill, in one or more regions.” Other reasons for suspending or delaying school bus services include adverse weather and poor road conditions.

When school bus services are suspended, schools remain open to students. EIPS believes families have the right and responsibility to make choices for their children based on they feel is safest during times of inclement weather.

For more information, contact EIPS Student Transportation at 780-417-8151.

Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) will once again conduct an online returning student registration process to confirm student registrations for the 2022-23 school year. Families of all returning students must complete the process to confirm the school their child plans to attend in the 2022-23 school year. 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. The 2022-23 returning student registration takes place between Feb. 1-28, 2022.

Access to the Returning Student Registration Form is provided through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. If you don’t have a PowerSchool Parent Portal account, you need to set one up before Feb. 1, 2022.

Create a PowerSchool Parent Portal account

For more information, contact the school directly.

Do you have a child with extra support needs? Not sure what to do after senior high? Discover opportunities and supports beyond high school for teens and adults with disabilities—plan to attend this year’s Future Fair.

Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Strathcona County Community Centre

401 Festival Ln., Sherwood Park

(free underground parking available)

Hosted by Elk Island Public Schools, Elk Island Catholic Schools and Strathcona County, the 2022 Future Fair showcases the many supportive agencies and transition opportunities available to individuals with complex needs after high school. Future Fair is a free event open to teens and adults with disabilities, their families and teachers who want to learn more about transition resources, funding opportunities, employment programs, post-secondary education, residential choices and more. Prior to the event, learn more about the participating vendors and access additional planning resources available on the Future Fair website.

Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) wants to hear from you to gain a deeper understanding of your confidence in the Division and its strategic direction. As such, it’s launched a new annual survey entitled, EIPS Year in Review: Stakeholder Confidence Survey—open January 6-18.

The survey covers a range of topics, including student growth and achievement, learning supports, teaching and leading, governance, and resource allocations. The information gathered will help EIPS:

· assess stakeholder confidence—families, staff, Grade 12 students and community members;

· gather input to guide future decision-making; · gather feedback to enhance its Four-Year Education Plan; and

· provide a platform for families, students, staff and community members to have a voice in ensuring high-quality, student-centred learning environments in EIPS schools.

EIPS will share the results in the Annual Education Results Report 2021-22.

TAKE THE SURVEY NOW! Survey closes Jan. 18, 2022

NOTE: EIPS encourages everyone to respond honestly. Your identity and answers are confidential and cannot be linked in any way to you or your child’s school. Grade 12 students will have an opportunity to complete the survey at school. Families who do not want their child to complete the survey simply need to advise their child’s school.

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