The Gator Gazette
Friday, December 23
Message from the SWAMP
And just like that our 2022 school season is over! We wish all our families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! See you January 9th!
Looking Ahead.....
December
January
9th - Classes resume
13th - Hot Lunch - My Fries
18th- Gator Ski - 8:40-2:45pm
19th - TA Cupcake Challenge
19th - Parent Council - 7pm
20th - Hot Lunch - Chopped Leaf
26th - Gator Ski - 3:15 - 9:00pm
27th - Hot Lunch - Shumka
30th - Last day of Term 1
31st - PD day, no school
Brrrrr
Even a wind chill of -44 did not stop Gabe from walking to school!
Amazing oil pastel art from Grade 9 student Leah
Chopped!
The Art classes participated in "Chopped" this week where they had to make an art object using specific supplies in a time period and were judged by celebrity guest judges!
Crush Wrestlers with Mr. Chase and Mr. Baba
Grade 6 Visits
Last Friday the Grade 6's from Lois E. Hole, Elmer Gish, Leo Nickerson, Sir Alexander Mackenzie and Kinosayo School attended our Christmas Band Concert. They received a tour of our school from our Grade 9 students afterwards.
Our Games Room is Open!
TA1 enjoying their reward for winning the first bake sale!
Renaissance Art
To end the unit, Mrs. Jennings Gr. 8’s attempt to create some art as it was done during the Renaissance!
Heart Anyone?!
Mrs. Kennedy's Grade 8 Science class dissecting a cow's heart! The kids look really happy about it!
Student/Teacher Hockey Game
Today we had our Student/Teacher Hockey game, the teachers came out on top with a score of 13-12 but our students gave them a run for their money! Mr. Baba even got a diving penalty!
Merry Christmas from Mrs. Suriano and Mr. Herman!
Bus Drivers Wanted!
Transportation Services - Yellow bus driver recruitment update
Families who rely on yellow school buses to transport their children to and from school know that bus contractors are experiencing unprecedented driver shortages. This has resulted in delayed buses and students arriving late for classes when drivers have had to “double up” and cover routes without a driver.
We know how stressful and frustrating this is for everyone who relies on this service. Since this is a province and country-wide issue, we have been working with provincial and national industry groups, the provincial government, colleagues in other school divisions and our busing contractors to look for solutions. Our contractors now have enough drivers to cover their routes, however, if a driver is sick or resigns, there are few spare drivers available to cover those routes.
We are beginning a bus driver recruitment campaign aimed at those who are looking to supplement their income by working a few hours a day. For example, if someone is working another job that starts later in the day, they may be interested in driving the morning run with one of our contractors, without it impacting their regular job. They would not have to commit to driving in both the morning and the afternoon – they could choose the shift that best works around their other work and family commitments, or they could become a backup/spare driver.
The bus contractor will cover the cost of training. Our contractors then pay their drivers between $20-23.25/hour when they start driving. This is a great opportunity to learn an in-demand skill and supplement one’s income by working only a few hours a day.
If you or anyone you know might be interested in learning more, please contact our Transportation department at transportation@spschools.org or 780.460.3712.
Healthy Hunger Lunches
Don't forget to place your orders!
https://healthyhunger.ca/index.php
If your student will be away and you have ordered lunch for them please advise the office ASAP as to what you we should do with the lunch, give it away or hold it for pick up.
This time of year is challenging for many families in our community. We would like to remind you of a support here in St Albert called the Community Village, located next to Canadian Tire. They work to support St Albert families through food hampers, free income tax support, rental assistance programs, utility grants and more. This year they are also offering Christmas Hampers for those who need a little extra to make this time of year special for their families. If you are in need please contact them
HERE (
Phone: 780-459-0599) . If you are able please consider donating. All donations stay within St Albert to support those in the community. More information can be found
HERE.
ATTENDANCE/SIGN IN/SIGN OUT
If your child will be absent, please email
la@spschools.org or call 780-460-3728 (this is 24 hrs and you can leave a voicemail)
If a student needs to leave early, the office MUST hear from a parent/guardian. Please email or call the office and we will allow the student to sign out & meet you outside (or walk home).
If a student will arrive late, they are to sign in at the office. If we have been informed the student will be late, that will be an excused late. Without hearing from a parent, the student would be marked as unexcused.
If you have any questions, please ask the office.
Lorne Akins Junior High School for Grades 7 to 9
The school serves the neighbourhoods of Akinsdale, Braeside, Erin Ridge, Erin Ridge North, Forest Lawn, Inglewood, Kingswood, Oakmont, Parkwood, Pineview, Regency Heights, Sturgeon Heights, Sturgeon Point Villas and Woodlands.
