January 30: Professional Learning day for Staff (NO SCHOOL)

January 31: Semester 2 starts (only options change)

February 1: Winter Walk Day
February 1: Returning student registration opens

February 9 & 10: Teacher's Convention (NO SCHOOL)

February 20: Family Day (NO SCHOOL)

February 28: Returning student registration closes

March 1: Early Dismissal/Staff Meeting

March 15: School Council 5:30pm

March 16: Interviews 4-7pm

March 21: Interviews 4-7pm

March 24-April 2: Spring Break

Did someone say puppies? Were you in the grade 7 Animal Rescue class in the previous 2 years but did not get the opportunity to have animal visits due to Covid restrictions? Well grade 8 and 9 students, this is your opportunity for some puppy play time during the lunch hour on Wednesday, February 1st. If interested, please sign up on the sheet in the office! If numbers allow, I will open it up to grade 7 students from Semester 1 of this year starting this Tuesday.

Keep in mind that you will need to eat your lunch before or after your puppy snuggles. It is also the expectation that you be willing to help with the cleanup of any accidents.

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

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 780-467-3800.

BASKETBALL

Games on Tuesday, January 31

Jr Boys - 4:00 @ FRH

Jr Girls - 5:15 @ FRH

Sr Boys - 4:00 @ Ardrossan

Sr Girls - 5:15 @ Ardrossan

All four teams are in the Riverbend tournament on February 2nd - 4th.

• Wellness Together is free mental health and substance use support for people in Canada and Canadians abroad
• https://www.wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA
  
• Hope For Wellness is free mental health and substance use support available 24/7 to all indigenous people of Canada.
• https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/s

Kids help phone 1-800-668-6868

The Distress line 780-482-4357

Family and Community Service

(FCS) call-in hours 780-464-4044

Kickstand Connect (https://mykickstand.ca); a free online portal and mobile app where young people aged 12 to 25 can attend same day or pre-booked 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 on-line same day and pre-booked services, none of which require a healthcare card, referral, or any form of payment. Anyone interested in making an appointment or joining a group workshop can visit connect.mykickstand.ca/booking.

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

https://www.scbgc.com/

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:

https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/page16759.aspx