AJS Weekly Bison Tracks
January 13, 2023
Important Dates
- January 17 @ 4:15 p.m. - AJS AMPS Band Meeting
- January 18 - Senior High Last Day of Classes - Regular classes for Junior High continue
- January 18 - 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - EIPS Secondary French Immersion information session
- January 23, 6:00 p.m. - Canadian Parents for French Meeting
- January 23, 6:30 p.m. - School Council Meeting- Fees feedback for next year
- January 30 - Professional Learning Day (school closed)
- January 30 - EIPS High School Information Night
- January 31 - Second semester begins
- February 1, 2:16 p.m. - Early dismissal
- February 1 - Returning student registration opens
- February 9 & 10 - North Central Teachers' Convention (No Classes)
- February 13, 6:00-8:00 p.m. - AJS Open House
January Final Sittings
In the Spotlight
EIPS High School Information Night
To help you make an informed decision about senior high, EIPS is hosting a Division high school information night. All EIPS students in grades 8 and 9 and their families are invited to attend to learn more about the senior high program. The session will provide information about senior high courses, instruction, programming and extracurricular opportunities throughout the Division, as well as details about diploma requirements and various career path options.
Date: Monday, January 30, 2023
Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Location: The Park Church, 1 Brower Dr., Sherwood Park
Ardrossan Jr. Sr. High Open House
Date: Monday, February 13, 2023
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: Ardrossan Jr. Sr. High
Ardrossan Drama Players
Check out the AJS Drama department website for more details and rehearsal schedules. Updates and announcements about the junior high and senior high shows will be found here.
2022 - 2023 Yearbooks
You can't stay in junior or senior high forever - but you can relive those memories over again.
Order your 2022 - 2023 yearbook today!
$43 on the Parent Portal
GRADUATION PORTRAIT INFORMATION
Grad portraits have been scheduled for February 21-28, 2023. It is time for you to reserve your appointment. The booking will happen online so please make sure to reserve your spot as soon as possible.
Instructions:
- Go to www.iconexp.com and click the “Book Now” button • First Select an event Ardrossan Jr-Sr Grad Portraits (Taken @ Ardrossan in the Theatre Lobby)
- Select your Service ▪ Grad Portraits (At School-$30 Due at Portraits)
- Select your appointment from the available times and dates and complete all required information
You will receive a confirmation shortly after booking your appointment as well as a reminder the day prior to your appointment. Please contact Icon if you have any questions.
At the completion of your sitting, you will receive a receipt of your visit and some information detailing how to access your proofs. 5-7 business days after your sitting you will receive an email giving you access to view your proofs online. Shortly after that, you will receive a complete set of proofs in the mail. You can place your order either online or through the mail.
In order to ensure your safety and that of our staff we have made a few adjustments to our operations:
- If you are experiencing any symptoms related to Covid-19, as outlined by Alberta Health Services, please do not come to your appointment, we will be happy to reschedule you at a later date.
- At this time we will not be including pets, friends or family members in portrait sittings.
- We will only be accepting debit and credit for payment of sitting fees.
- The use of props provided by ICON is voluntary; we have implemented safety protocols for sanitizing props. Graduates may bring appropriate props to be included in their sitting.
- We suggest males wear a formal attire for the cap and gown photos – something you are comfortable in. The casual photos can be in any outfit you choose.
AJS Lunch time Intramurals
Junior High Intramurals (grade 7 & 8 only)
Dodgeball Tournament at lunch starts January 9th and runs the entire month of January. Check outside Gym A for the schedule.
High School Intramurals (grade 9 to 12)
Floor hockey at lunch starts January 11. Sign up on January 9 and 10. Check outside Gym B. Drop in continues on Fridays.
Athletic Dates
Our AJS Senior Varsity Women sit atop of their division. Go Bisons!!!
High School Basketball
- January 16 @ 5:30 p.m. - Sr. Varsity Men's Basketball @ Memorial
- January 17 @ 5:30 p.m. - Jr. Varsity Men's Basketball @ St. Andre Bessett
- February 1 @ 5:00 p.m. - Sr. Varsity Men's Basketball vs. St. Oscar Romero
- February 1 @ 6:30 p.m. - Sr. Varsity Women's Basketball vs. Memorial
- February 2 @ 5:30 p.m. - Jr. Varsity Men's Basketball vs. McNally
- February 3 & 4 - Sr. Varsity Basketball Bison Thunder Classic Tournament
- February 6 @ 5:00 p.m. - Sr. Varsity Women's Basketball @ W.P. Wagner
- February 6 @ 5:30 p.m. - Sr. Varsity Men's Basketball vs. McNally
- February 7 @ 5:30 p.m. - Jr. Varsity Men's Basketball vs. W.P. Wagner
- February 8 @ 5:00 p.m. - Sr. Varsity Men's Basketball @ Beaumont
- February 8 @ 5:30 p.m. - Sr. Varsity Women's Basketball vs. Louis St. Laurent
Junior High Basketball
- January 17 @ 4:00 p.m. – Jr. Jr. Boys Basketball vs. SCA
- January 17 @ 5:15 p.m. – Jr. Jr. Girls Basketball vs. SCA
- January 17 @ 4:00 p.m. – Jr. Sr. Boys Basketball @ SCA
- January 17 @ 4:00 p.m. – Jr. Sr. Girls Basketball @ SCA
- January 31@ 4:00 p.m. – Jr. Jr. Boys Basketball @ F. R. Haythorne
- January 31 @ 5:15 p.m. – Jr. Jr. Girls Basketball @ F. R. Haythorne
- January 31 @ 4:00 p.m. – Jr. Sr. Boys Basketball vs. F. R. Haythorne
- January 31 @ 5:15 p.m. – Jr. Sr. Girls Basketball vs. F. R. Haythorne
- February 1 @ 4:00 p.m. – Jr. Sr. Boys Basketball vs. Lakeland Ridge
- February 1 @ 5:15 p.m. – Jr. Sr. Girls Basketball vs. Lakeland Ridge
- February 7 @ 4:00 p.m. – Jr. Jr. Boys Basketball @ St. Theresa
- February 7 @ 5:15 p.m. – Jr. Jr. Girls Basketball @ St. Theresa
- February 7 @ 4:00 p.m. – Jr. Sr. Boys Basketball vs. ABJ
- February 7 @ 5:15 p.m. – Jr. Sr. Girls Basketball vs. ABJ
Junior High Honours Program: 2023-24 applications
Is your child considering the Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) Junior High Honours program for the coming school year? The EIPS Junior High Honours program is designed for students in grades 8 and 9 with high achievement in their core courses and who enjoy a challenging academic environment. Students enrolled in Junior High Honours are expected to complete 25 hours of community service in an area of passion and will be automatically enrolled in the “CTF: Enterprise and Innovation” option course. Students must have a minimum 80 per cent average in each of the four core subjects to be eligible to apply to the Junior High Honours program.
On January 9, the parent/guardian No. 1 on file in PowerSchool for all current grades 7 and 8 students will receive direct communication from EIPS outlining the application process for the EIPS Junior High Honours program—including a link to the application form. The email will come from Permission Click at notifications@permissionclick.com. The subject of the email will be “Subject: Elk Island Public Schools - John Doe - 2023-24 Junior High Honours Program Application.” Check your spam or junk folder if you, as parent/guardian No. 1, don’t receive the email.
Applications for the 2023-24 EIPS Junior High Honours program are due Jan. 18, 2023.
To learn more about the EIPS Junior High Honours program, plan to attend the upcoming virtual Junior High Honours Information Session.
Between January 25 and 27, EIPS will confirm conditional acceptance in the 2023-24 Junior High Honours program—based on a student’s marks as of January 18. Students currently in honours are conditionally accepted for the 2023-24 Junior High Honours program because they’re currently enrolled in the program. Students must maintain their honours standing on the year-end report card in June to receive final acceptance in the Honours program for the upcoming year.
Returning Student Registration for 2023-24
Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) will once again conduct an online returning student registration process to confirm student registrations for the 2023-24 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 2023-24 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 2023-24 returning student registration takes place Feb. 1-28, 2023.
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, 2023. Create a PowerSchool Parent Portal account
For more information, contact the school office at 780-922-2228.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
Student Council News
Ardrossan Music Parents Association (AMPS)
Hello Ardrossan Band Parents!
Pub night – We think you need a night out, so on February 11th, 2023, we are hosting our Pub Night and Silent Auction. Tickets will be available soon - $10 each. And kids can come until 9 pm! Details coming in the next few weeks.
Did you know we have social media? Find us at “Ardrossan Music Parent Association” on Facebook and on Instagram!
Our next AMPS meeting is Tuesday, January 17th at 4:15 pm in the band room. Everyone is welcome to attend. We will be discussing upcoming band activities (Christmas concert, upcoming fundraisers, future band trips) and we would love to have band parents join us to share their ideas.
Don't forget to complete the AMPS Membership Form and either email it back to AMPSPres@gmail.com or send it to Mr. B! AMPS is a society and only 'members' can be involved.
We look forward to your support! If you have any questions, please contact Mr. B or the AMPS President (AMPSpres@gmail.com).
Yours in Music,
Lee Dempsey
AMPS President
Where to Find the Information You Need
Elk Island Public Schools and Ardrossan Jr. Sr. High use a handful of key systems to share information with students and families. Depending on the information you’re looking for, it’s important to know where to look.
PowerSchool is the primary student information system within the Division. There is an associated app, but the functionality is limited, and families don’t need to download it. From the PowerSchool Parent Portal, you can:
- Access student grades and report cards;
- Review student absences;
- Pay school and transportation fees; and
- Submit official updates to student or family information.
The PowerSchool Student Portal provides similar access to grades and absence information for students directly.
Brightspace provides more of a day-to-day look what’s happening with your child’s learning communicated directly from your child’s teacher. From Brightspace Parent & Guardian, you can see your child’s:
- classroom activity feed,
- grade items and grade feedback from instructors,
- upcoming assignments,
- portfolio evidence, and
- quizzes,
depending on which of the program functions are specifically used by your child’s teacher.
Brightspace for Students is where teachers share updates, calendar reminders and learning materials with students. Compatible with Google, it also allows students to submit assignments, complete quizzes, and see grades and teacher feedback. The Pulse app for students is associated with Brightspace for Students.
SchoolMessenger is the system the Division and schools use to send email and phone communication to families. The contact information in SchoolMessenger is populated from PowerSchool. Through SchoolMessenger, families can:
- receive general, emergency and attendance messages by phone, email or both; and
- manage their subscription preferences for these types of messages.
U of A Getaway
Who: Open to grade 11 students throughout Canada
When: May 26-28, 2023
Where: University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
Cafeteria Menu
Community News
Kickstand Connect - Virtual Mental Health Clinic
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.
Caregiver Series: January Sessions
Alberta Health Services Addiction and Mental Health Newsletter
The January edition of the Alberta Health Services Addiction and Mental Health Newsletter focuses on vaping. Do you know what a vape is? What does it contain? What is vape liquid? How harmful can vaping be? Check out this edition of the Addiction and Mental Health Newsletter.
New AHS Respiratory Assessment Tool
Ardrossan Junior Senior High
Email: general.ajs@eips.ca
Website: https://www.ardrossan.ca/
Location: Ardrossan Junior Senior High School, Range Road 222, Ardrossan, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-922-2228
Twitter: @ArdrossanJrSr