Lakeland Ridge Weekly Update!
Friday, January 7, 2022
Dear LLR families,
Happy New Year! We hope you enjoyed the Christmas break and had a chance to spend some time with family and friends.
Staff have been at school the last few days preparing for the return of students. In-person classes will resume on Monday, January 10. COVID numbers continue to rise in the province and it is important that all students and staff follow the safety measures put in place to help minimize the transmission of COVID. On Monday morning, staff will review COVID protocols with all students during block 1.
The Government of Alberta said they will be providing medical-grade masks and rapid tests to staff and students. Unfortunately, those have not arrived yet. Once they arrive, they will be distributed. Therefore, please ensure your children wear their own masks on Monday.
We encourage you to review the letter sent out by Elk Island Public Schools this afternoon.
Upcoming Dates and Events
Dec 22- Jan 4: Christmas Break
Jan 5- 7: - Extended Christmas Break
Jan 10: Welcome Back - In-person classes resume, Hot Lunch - Opa
Jan. 11: School Council 6:30-7:30PM & PAS Meeting 7:30-8:30PM (Microsft Teams) - See Agenda here
Jan 12: Cash for Care and Twin Day
Jan 15: Drama Bottle Drive 12-4pm
Jan. 31: PL Day: No School
Feb. 1: Semester 2 Begins
Hot Lunch - Jan. 10, 2022
Saffron Presentations for Junior High Students
Wolves Drama Production Bottle Drive - Postponed
Survey: Year in Review
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.
2022-23 School Fees Parental Input
Kindergarten 2022-23 Registration Information
Is your child turning five on or before Dec. 31, 2022? If so, it’s almost time to register for kindergarten.
Kindergarten registration opens for the 2022-23 school year on Feb. 1, 2022.
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 School’s kindergarten program is available at lakelandridge.ca.
Returning Student Registration for 2022-23
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 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 2022-23 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. The 2022-23 returning student registration takes place Feb. 1-28, 2022.
Access to the Returning Student Registration Form is provided throughthrough 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 office at 780-416-9018.
Volunteer Update
All Elk Island Public Schools require proof of full vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test result, from volunteers and visitors. Please note proof of vaccination is not required for those visiting for a short time and not interacting with students—parents, school council members, external delivery or service vendors.
Parent volunteers (field trips, classroom visits, etc.) can either come to the office and show their ID and vaccination card to school administration for scanning, or they can email their QR code to Jeff Huculak at jeff.huculak@eips.ca. Volunteers may also be required to show their ID and QR code at field trip venues.
Family Resources
Kids help phone 1-800-668-6868
The Distress line 780-482-4357
Family and Community Service
(FCS) call-in hours 780-464-4044
Togetherall https://togetherall.com/en-ca/
Togetherall is a safe, online community where people support each other anonymously to improve mental health and wellbeing.
Strathcona Food Bank
To apply for a hamper, please phone their office at 780-449-6413. They are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., except for statutory holidays and can usually get hampers to families within 3-5 days with same-day hampers available upon request before 10 am. See https://strathconafoodbank.ca/ for more info.
Saffron Centre & Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC)
Saffron Centre is available to support families and individuals who have been affected by sexual violence. CASASC has a 24hr Crisis Line: Call or Text 1-866-956-1099
Boys and Girls Club Strathcona County
Boys and Girls Club has teen and child programs running throughout the holidays that are free or low cost.
Phone: 780-416-1500
Alberta Health Services (AHS)
Alberta Health Services(AHS) has a great resource called Help in Tough Times with a huge amount of organizations and helpful numbers to call if you are in need of support. Mental health concerns, financial support, emergencies, grief and stress are all mentioned in this resource:
Literacy at Home
Podcasts are a great way for individuals and families to learn new things from experts, engage in oral storytelling, and cut down on screen time. Plus, you can listen while walking the dog, cleaning the house, or commuting to hockey practice.
Check out these articles on the health benefits of listening to podcasts.
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/wellness/a34100126/podcast-brain-benefits/
https://evergreenpodcasts.com/blog/7-reasons-you-need-to-listen-to-podcasts
“Burning the Old Year” - Naomi Shahib Nye
Letters swallow themselves in seconds.
Notes friends tied to the doorknob,
transparent scarlet paper,
sizzle like moth wings,
marry the air.
So much of any year is flammable,
lists of vegetables, partial poems.
Orange swirling flame of days,
so little is a stone.
Where there was something and suddenly isn’t,
an absence shouts, celebrates, leaves a space.
I begin again with the smallest numbers.
Quick dance, shuffle of losses and leaves,
only the things I didn’t do
crackle after the blazing dies.
Math Resources
The following link provides a variety of websites for you to help your child at home with math. The websites included have basic fact practice, games, worksheets, and videos. Click on the picture for access to the website. We hope you enjoy the resources.
Inclement Weather
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.
Indigenous News
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
Virtual Family Gatherings | January to March 2022
The First Nations, Métis and Inuit education team is once again offering online virtual gatherings for EIPS families of First Nations, Métis or Inuit children. We look forward to continuing the conversation from last year and welcoming new families to our virtual circle. These gatherings are an opportunity for First Nations, Métis and Inuit parents/guardians to come together to make connections, create a supportive environment for dialogue, share hopes and ideas for their children within the EIPS family and learn what’s happening around the Division. We’re grateful to Elder Wilson Bearhead for attending our virtual parent gatherings last school year and agreeing to open each of our gatherings again this year. It’s truly an honour and a privilege to be guided by Elder Wilson, and we hold our relationship with him close to our hearts.
Sessions will take place online using Microsoft Teams Meetings. Join on your computer or mobile app. Join the meeting (the same link will work for all three meetings).
Gathering 1: Jan. 18, 2022 (7–8 p.m.)
Gathering 2: Feb. 15, 2022 (7–8 p.m.)
Gathering 3: March 15, 2022 (7–8 p.m.)
ASBA Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Awards | Deadline: Feb. 1, 2022
Submissions are now open for the 2022 Honouring Spirit: Indigenous Student Awards! Nomination packages in both English and French are available online. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 1, 2022. Hosted by the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA), these awards celebrate exceptional First Nations, Métis and Inuit students, nominated by members of their education communities, based on their exemplary leadership, courage and commitment to their cultures and educational paths. Last year, ASBA received a total of 204 unique nomination letters and submissions from across the province. Students may be nominated by other students, teachers, principals, superintendents, education directors, trustees, school staff, Elders or a member of the education community. Watch past student recipients speak about why these awards are so special.
If you’re interested in having your child nominated, please connect with your school’s administration or lead teacher (Jennifer Rice) to begin the process. Three EIPS students were selected for special recognition last school year!
Direct Student Support
Study Help for Métis students Rupertsland Institute has secured access to Alberta ExamBank for K-12 Métis students to test their understanding through online practice. Métis students can sign up for the RECC Room to find the login for their MNA Region. Questions? Contact education@rupertsland.org.