Fort High's Weekly Bulletin
December 9, 2022
Upcoming Events
December 12 - First Grad List Posted
December 16 - Women Building Futures - Lunch and Learn
December 18 - Year-in-Review Survey Closes
December 20, Last day before Christmas Break
January 18, Last day of Semester 1 classes
Weekly Update
Hello Fort High Families,
With there only being 18 class days left in semester one, it is imperative that all students remain caught up on all assignments and assessments. If any student needs to make up any assignments/assessments be sure to be in constant communication with your teacher.
Congratulations to Isabelle Witwicky and James Nelson who were both selected as Metro All-Stars for the 2022 volleyball season. It’s great to see our athletes recognized by the Metro executive.
Our first grad list for 2023 grad will be posted on Monday, December 12th. If you have any questions or concerns about the process don’t hesitate to contact us.
Have a great weekend.
Grads of 2023
Grad Memory books for 21-22 will be available for pick up starting Monday!
Semester 2 Course Change Request Forms
will be available in the office from December 5 – December 16.
If you are thinking about changing a course, please fill out a form, have your parent sign it and submit it to the office. Students will be called down individually by Mrs. Bennett or Mr. Starko to discuss the course change.
Lunch and Learn
Lunch ‘n Learn
Friday, Dec. 16, 2022
Women Building Futures
Women Building Futures offers programs and support services to help women explore and connect to careers that pay above a living wage.
Come find out the opportunities that are waiting for you.
Year-in-Review Survey - Survey Closes December 18, 2022
Have your say, EIPS wants to hear from you!
The Annual Education Results Report 2021-22 is now available. https://www.eips.ca/about-us/planning-and-results#AERR The report is a summary of how Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) is doing relative to Alberta Education’s performance measures; how it's supporting students to achieve the best possible outcomes; and its successes, challenges and priority strategies moving forward. Both the full report and an overview are available for readers.
Reflecting on this report and the past school year, EIPS wants to hear from you to gain a deeper understanding of your confidence in the Division and its strategic direction. As such, the annual EIPS Year-in-Review: Stakeholder Confidence Survey is now open. Thank you for your patience while we temporarily postponed the survey—it's now reopened. Complete the Year-in-Review Survey by December 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 https://www.eips.ca/trustees/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 2022-23.
TAKE THE SURVEY NOW! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/D8S6YNN
Survey closes Dec. 18, 2022
If you’ve already completed the 2021-22 survey, there’s no need to do so again. Your responses have been recorded and will be included in the Division data.
NOTE: EIPS encourages everyone to respond honestly. Your identity and answers are confidential and cannot be linked 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.
Counselor Corner
Semester 2 - RAP and Dual Credit Opportunities - Application Deadline is December 14
Dual Credit is the ability for students to take Post-Secondary courses while still in high school. Students can earn three to five 30-level high school credits (depending on the program selected), and three university level transfer credits for any course they choose. Students may enroll in one or more great introductory courses that will serve as great exposure to Post-Secondary studies. Courses have varied delivery methods and perquisites and may be enrollment dependent. For a list of courses and a more detailed description, please have students refer to the Dual Credit Course Handbook (WINTER) and register using the linked Pre-Registration Form.
The deadline for Semester 2 Careers applications is December 14. The application includes the Careers application, resume and cover letter. Students are required to submit documents to Career Pathways and we will submit.
Please see Mrs. Smith with any questions.
Program Discovery Week
Happening now! Whether your students want more information on their top program choices or are still exploring multiple options, there are events geared towards helping them find their path at the U of A available until the end of the week. Registration is available at uab.ca/programweek.
U of A Getaway
We are inviting 20 lucky Grade 11 students to get away to the U of A! Their adventure will include transportation reimbursement (up to a maximum based on location), accommodations, meals and a packed schedule of events. They will stay in residence, explore state-of-the-art facilities, uncover campus gems and experience U of A student life first-hand. Students can learn more and apply at uab.ca/getaway. The application deadline is January 31, 2023.
December Virtual Events
There are still a few more chances for your students to learn about the U of A before the end of the year. Registration and more information is available at uab.ca/recruitmentevents.
· Augustana 101: December 12
· Scholarships 101: December 13
Thank you 😊
Penny Smith (she/her), Counsellor
Fort Saskatchewan High School
(780)998-3751 (ext 4231)
Alberta’s Mental Health Help Line
Alberta’s Children and Mental Health Crisis/Mobile Response Team
Crisis Contact Numbers for Strathcona County
Fort Saskatchewan Community Mental Health Supports and Services
Hope for Wellness Help Line for Indigenous Peoples: 1-855-242-3310
Kickstand Connect
Kickstand is an integrated youth service initiative that is currently available online (through Kickstand Connect) with the goal of opening in-person services at sites throughout the province.
AMH, AHS and other community partners are working together to provide this integrated community service for those aged 12-25.
Here is some info from the Quick Facts document attached:
What is Kickstand Connect?
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.
What services do we offer?
• Mental Health and/or Substance Use Counselling
• Peer Support for young people
• Employment Services
• Groups and Workshops
• Coming in the future: primary/physical care appointments, pharmacy consultation, family peer support and more!
Leadership
Christmas Week
Our Leadership class is excited to present “Christmas Week” at Fort High! Enjoy free hot chocolate, Christmas movies, popcorn and various games around the school. Our donation week and our door decorating competition also starts this week with prizes for the top donating class and top door! Keep an eye out there for our “elf on a shelf” whose been causing havoc already through our school.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Sting Clubs
Mondays - Crochet Club at lunch in Room 27 (Mr. Sorenson’s room). This is a student led club for beginners, experts or even knitters are welcome. Materials will be available.
Tuesdays and Thursdays – Jazz Band
Tuesdays - Book Club – at lunch in the Library with Mrs. Belanger
Wednesdays - GSA – in Room 53 at lunchtime.
Fridays - Dungeons and Dragons Club – at lunch in room 26.
Wellness Together Canada
Wellness together Canada was created 2 years ago in the beginning of the pandemic. WTC is funded through the Government of Canada. They have a large amount of counsellors throughout every province ready and available to support. When someone calls in they reach intake right away and can be put through to a counsellor in the moment. If there is a high volume of calls, they may have a wait time of an hour (counsellor calls you back) but this should be rare as they have many counsellors on hand. Phone counselling is available 24/7 at 1-866-585-0445. You can also connect through your computer by using a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) such as Skype, Facetime, or Google Voice. If you don’t already have a VoIP installed, you can do an online search to find an option that works for you. In addition to a VoIP, you’ll also need: speakers/headphones and a microphone, or headphones that have a microphone built in, a reliable Internet connection, and a quiet, private place to talk.
If it is crisis calls are bumped to immediate.
In addition to WTC, Hope for Wellness is the same service but for the Indigenous community and is offered only by phone or text. Supports are available in Cree, Ojibway (Anishinaabemowin), and Inuktitut. Combined with WTG, it can provide many options.
The Basics:
· This is a free service available 24/7
· Once you have a single counselling session you can receive 5 sessions with that same counsellor, no wait times. 1 week in between sessions
· If you want ongoing counselling, you can simply close your case after 5 sessions and then call to reopen and request the same counsellor or a new one. There’s no limit. They work with everything! Addictions, trauma, crisis, grief, gender identity, etc… etc… I asked if there was anything they wouldn’t work with – no they work with everything.
· Counselling available in multiple different languages and regions
· Specific supports, Healthcare workers/ frontline, Kids, grief and loss coaching, Peer support,
· Available phone, video, text and live chats
https://www.wellnesstogether.ca/
https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/
Immediate/distress
Adults text WELLNESS to 741741, Youth test WELLNESS to 686868
Frontline workers text FRONTLINE to 741741
Indigenous peoples 1-855-242-3310, chat online through hopeforwellness.ca
If someone you care about is in distress 1-866-585-0445
Diploma Exam Prep Sessions
SCHOOLS: Senior high schools
These 12-hour weekend review sessions are designed for preparing students to write their Grade 12 diploma exams in January 2023.
English 30-1 and 30-2 | Social Studies 30-1 and 30-2
Saturday, January 7 to Sunday, January 8
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Salisbury Composite High
Mathematics 30-1 and 30-2 | Biology 30 | Chemistry 30 | Physics 30
Saturday, January 14 to Sunday, January 15
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Salisbury Composite High
Registration is now open. Registration will close for English and social studies sessions on Jan. 4, 2023, and for math and all sciences sessions on Jan. 11, 2023.
Next Step Reminder
Just a friendly reminder that if you are taking a class through Next Step or have a spare you are expected to be at Next Step, out of the building or in the library.
Thank you for your cooperation.
In Our Community
Opportunity
2023 Special Olympics Alberta Winter Games: Call for volunteers
From Feb. 24-26, 2023, Strathcona County will host the 2023 Special Olympics Alberta Winter Games. The County is seeking enthusiastic volunteers from the community to join in the celebration. They welcome students and adults 16 years of age and older to sign up to be part of the event. View all volunteer positions on the 2023 Games website.
Fort High Graduate Composites
Check out the picture gallery containing many of our Grad Composites that is posted on our website. The composites from years 2001-2012 will be added in the future as they have not yet been digitized.