Jan 30 - Professional Learning Day - No School

Jan 31 - First Day of Semester 2 & Anything But Your Backpack Day

Feb 1 - Early Dismissal @ 2:02pm

Feb 1 - 2023-24 New and Returning Student Registration Opens

Feb 9-10 Teachers' Convention - No School

Feb 13 - Open House 6-7:30pm

Feb 17 - Random Acts of Kindness Day

Feb 20 - Family Day - No School

Feb 22 - Pink Shirt Day

Feb 28 - 2023-24 Returning Student Registration Closes

We are responsible for reporting 10% or more absenteeism to AHS.

Many students struggle with reading comprehension. Here are some suggestions for parents to improve their child’s skills outside of the classroom.

1. Read a book together. Discuss the plot, characters, conflict and setting.

2. Play audio books. Some students are auditory learners and may extract more information from the text by listening. Audiobooks are great for trips in the car.

3. Practice is key to improving comprehension. Encourage your child to read anything they may find interesting, which may include comic books, newspapers, and magazines. Remember, all reading is beneficial.

4. Establish a reading routine.

As a parent, you can access Resources for Parents and knowledge that go beyond your own experiences to help your teen make the most of their career options. In the Plan Your Career section, you can learn the 4 steps of career planning, how to be an effective coach, and where you and your teen can go to research occupations, skills and more. In the Explore Education and Training section, once your teen has sense of where they want their career to go, you can help them understand the type of learning they prefer and choose between full and part-time studies. In the Look for Work section, you can help your teen build work search skills, understand what employers are looking for, stay safe on the job, and get advice on how to help your child succeed at work. In this section, you can also find information about how to support your teen if they have mixed feelings about getting that first job. Finally, this document also has various other valuable resources to support your child navigate their new path in life after graduation.

High School Information Nights

To help you make an informed decision about high school, senior high schools throughout Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) are hosting information sessions for all Grade 9 students and their families. The sessions allow students and families to meet the staff; tour the school; learn about the curriculum, course offerings and alternative programming available; discuss diploma requirements and various career paths; plus, more. Decisions about whether each event will take place virtually or in-person will be made closer to each date. Refer to the event calendar on each school website for details in the coming weeks. Make sure to take part to learn everything you need to know about the Division’s senior high programs and courses.

EIPS senior high programming and information night details

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—automated-telephone messages, alerts posted on www.eips.ca and school websites, Twitter, Facebook, local radio stations and notification through both the Bus Status and the Ride 360 apps. Morning bus cancellations are posted on www.eips.ca by 6:30 a.m.

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.

Complete the Returning Student Registration: February 1-28

Elk Island Public Schools’ (EIPS) returning student registration process is now open. All returning students must complete the online Returning Student Registration Form to confirm their enrolment in a school for the upcoming 2023-24 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. All returning EIPS students are required to complete the form by Feb. 28, 2023.

To access the Returning Student Registration Form, simply log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal.

If you don’t have a PowerSchool Parent Portal account, you do need to set one up. For help see: Create a PowerSchool Parent Portal account

For more information contact the school directly.

Download the SchoolMessenger App

Vegreville Composite High School and the Division use the SchoolMessenger platform to communicate with families—through both phone and email. Be sure to add communications@eips.ca and General.VJS@eips.ca to your safe sender list to avoid having important messages funneled into your junk mail folder.

The easiest way to stay connected is to download the SchoolMessenger app. Get the latest updates from both the Division and your child’s school direct to your mobile device and enable push notifications to never miss a message. Families can also check back on past messages—for up to 30 days—directly in the app rather than searching to find an old message buried in their inbox. Download the SchoolMessenger app from the App Store or Google Play today.

Good afternoon, High Schools!

Thank you to all the on-site Career Pathways Facilitators that are helping to guide students within your buildings. As a result of your hard work and collaboration, we currently have over 70 students successfully engaged in their Work Experience programs, 20 active RAP students, 28 students participating in Dual Credit, and 18 currently in Green Certificate across the Division. These are positive numbers to report in our first quarter.

We also would like to thank you for your continued support in ensuring that information and opportunities are communicated to students and families directly from your schools. Over 60% of the Your Future: Career and Post-Secondary attendees said they found out about the event through their own school’s newsletters, posters, and social media. We encourage you to continue sharing our monthly newsletter and ensuring this important information gets to students and families.

Moving into the second half of the Semester, our focus will shift to building capacity within schools to meet the Division goal of supporting and preparing students for life beyond high school. One of the priorities will include professional learning with CTS and CALM teachers to build common course categories and weightings.

Introducing Kickstand Connect

When it comes to mental well-being, we believe that connections can make a big difference. Opening up to a care provider, a peer or even taking part in a workshop can be insightful and provide the right kind of support. That’s why we designed Kickstand Connect - 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 counsellor, peer support worker, employment specialist or participate in group activities and workshops.

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. Feeling disconnected, need mental health support, struggling with substance use or want to build new skills? Make an appointment and join us on Kickstand Connect today!

Services We Offer:

Kickstand Connect offers various walk-in and pre-booked single session services, none of which require a healthcare card, referral, or any form of payment. Individuals can walk-in or pre-book up to a week in advance for services available Mondays (except statutory holidays) and Thursdays from 1:00-9:00pm (with last appointment available at 8:00pm).

Walk-in Mental Health and/or Substance Use Counselling

There are times when we feel down, distressed, concerned about our substance use, nervous, or just have too much going on. No need to figure it all out by yourself. Connect with a Kickstand mental health counsellor and leave with a plan to address what is important to you!

Walk-in Peer Support

Are you uncertain about where to start or feel uncomfortable talking to a healthcare provider? If you’d like to first open up to someone who can actually understand what you are going through, we have peer support workers to help you. Kickstand peer support workers come from different backgrounds and have their own experiences with mental health or substance use challenges. They are trained for virtual appointments and can offer you emotional support and connections based on their lived experiences.

Walk-in Employment Services

Finding a job or choosing the right educational course can be challenging for some. If you are looking for support, our employment services might just be what you need! Sign up for an appointment with an employment specialist to help work through your requirements. Our specialists will also assist you with related support including job search skills, resume building, interview workshops and education and career exploration.

Groups and Workshops

Kickstand Connect offers a range of groups and workshops - all you do is find the one that interests you. Our groups often have two leaders who cover a wide range of topics and focus on learning, practicing new skills, or both. Since these programs are designed for interaction with fellow participants, they might not be ideal for one-on-one support. If you’d prefer a private session, please choose one of our walk-in services.

Kickstand Connect will soon include the following services:
Walk-in Health Services with a Nurse Practitioner or Physician
Support for Families and Caregivers

How can you get involved?

Follow us on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok @mykickstandca.

Join our Kickstand Youth Network: QR CODE

Join our Kickstand Family Network: QR CODE