Principal's Message
Another busy week at Sherwood Heights is in the books!
I want to say thanks to the many parents we had come (virtually) to our first School Council meeting of the year. It was a great turnout, and we were able to have a very rich discussion about our school. Our next meeting will be on October 26 at 6:30 p.m. A link for the meeting will be shared closer to the date.
On September 30th, our school division took time to commemorate Truth and Reconciliation Day in honor of those in our First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities. At Sherwood Heights we continue to educate ourselves and our students about the complex history and current realities facing these communities.
Unfortunately, we were not able to host an in-person Meet the Teacher night this year. In lieu of this, Mr. Parr and Ms. Dallyn created a Meet the Teacher video so parents can put some names to faces! Thank you for all your hard work!
School Council Corner
Thank you to everyone who attended our first School Council meeting of the year. There was an incredible turnout with over 20 parents, staff, and our Trustee Liaison in attendance.
I wanted to share some of the items discussed:
- Staff is committed to addressing student mental health and engaging parents. We are incredibly lucky to have a Family School Liaison Worker (Jessica Moen) who has been talking with students and staff. She is looking at organizing some parent information meetings on topics such as boundaries, respect, internet safety and so much more.
- A strong school division depends on a dedicated, engaged Board of Trustees. The municipal election on October 18th includes voting for trustees. There is information on the EIPS site, but there is also a dedicated website with candidate bios, contact information and answers to 8 questions (for those candidates who submitted this information). You can find it at www.elkislandelections.ca
- Administration and staff have undertaken a beautification project for Sherwood Heights. They’ve added soft seating to one hallway and revitalized the foyer. We talked about creating a list of other projects (some ideas included benches or picnic tables and basketball hoops) and using the fundraising money from the Save On Fundraiser (speaking of which – you can send in your receipts from the Wye Road Save on Foods, and they get compiled and submitted to Save On who then gives the school a cheque for 5% of the receipts total). We will be providing parent input on this at a future meeting (probably in October)
- School Council is taking on a project to recognize staff! Parents or students can complete a form and we will share the Kudos with that staff member. This will be open the whole year, so submit away at www.recognizeSWH.ca
- The draft minutes for September can be found on our website or you can click here.
We also have our meeting dates set for the year (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.):
- October 26, 2021
- November 23, 2021
- January 25, 2022
- February 22, 2022
- March 22, 2022
- April 26, 2022
- May 24, 2022
Pay School Fees Online
School fee information for the 2021-22 school year has been posted on the PowerSchool Parent Portal. All fees are due within 30 days of being posted. To access your fee information, simply log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal and go to “Student Fees.” There you can view your fees and pay online using Visa, MasterCard or debit card—when available from your financial institution.
Don’t forget to log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal regularly throughout the year. Fees are often added to your child’s account to cover the cost of certain school activities such as field trips, class projects, athletic-team fees and more. Additionally, junior high and senior high fees can change as courses are added and deleted.
If circumstances exist where you’re unable to pay your school fees, you can apply to have fees waived by submitting an Application for a Waiver of Fees. The application deadline is December 15, 2021.
For more information about school fees, waivers and payment deadlines visit eips.ca/schools/fees. Alternatively, contact Mrs. Candace Lyles at Sherwood Heights Junior High at 780-467-5930 ext. 6504.
Video Surveillance on Buses
Did you know each EIPS bus is equipped with video surveillance? Video surveillance and equipment helps:
- ensure the safety of all students, drivers and property; and
- discourage destructive acts.
On a regular basis, EIPS Student Transportation reviews the video recordings, in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP Act). The recordings assist the department with monitoring student and driver conduct and may be used as evidence in a disciplinary matter.
For more information about the collection, use and disclosure of personal information, contact the EIPS FOIP Coordinator at 780-464-3477.
Mask Reminders
EIPS requires that all individuals in all schools wear a mask, unless medically exempt. Students are required to bring their own masks every single day. The school has a small number of disposable masks available for emergency purposes only.
Students that are relying on the school for their mask supply will be considered unprepared for school and will be given a consequence. Make sure your child has spare masks, reusable or disposable, with them at school every day.
Visitors in Schools
All visitors, couriers, and contractors must sign in at the front main doors and check-in at the office, complete the COVID-19 Alberta Health Daily Checklist, and be wearing a mask properly.
If any of the answers to the questions are “YES,” DO NOT enter the school or workplace.
Similarly, if feeling unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms—fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath, loss of smell and taste, aches, pink-eye, nausea —DO NOT enter an EIPS-operated school or workplace.
Save Your Newspapers!
How to Report an Absence and/or Late
Should your child be unable to attend school, please call or email the school office to report the absence or late arrival.
If your child is absent or late, and you have not called or emailed the school office, you will receive an automated phone and email message after attendance is taken in the morning, as well as in the afternoon after lunch.
Email Absence Reporting
From our school website (www.sherwoodheights.org), please click on the "Quick Links" tab on the right hand side, and then on "Report an Absence".
You will then be directed to a drop-down box under "Send to", and then you will click the first one that says: "Student Absences - Mrs. Johanna Ryan", and then fill out the rest of the fields.
Please submit your absence email prior to 8:30 AM on the day of the absence.
Please include the following information in the email:
- Your child’s full name
- When your child will be absent or late
- When your child is expected to return to school
Telephone Absence Reporting - Call 780-467-5930 to report an absence.
Please include the following information in the phone call:
- Your child’s full name
- When your child will be absent or late
- When your child is expected to return to school
Homework - If your child missed school due to an excused absence, please contact their teachers directly via email to make arrangements to receive their missed work. You can find their direct email(s) on the "Quick Links" tab on the right hand side, and then under the "Contact Us" tab.
Sync the School Calendar to Your Calendar
Did you know you can sync the school calendar to your own calendar? You can! Simply, visit www.sherwoodheights.org and click on the applicable subscription option:
- Download to iCal
- Add to Google Calendar
- Subscribe to Calendar
NOTE: Options are located above the calendar.
Once you click on the desired subscription option, follow the instructions. Within seconds, your calendar will contain all Sherwood Height Junior High’s important dates including holidays, school-closures days, planned activities, events and more.
About Sherwood Heights Junior High School
