Lakeland Ridge Weekly Update!
Friday, May 28, 2021
Hello Lakeland Ridge Families,
It is so nice to have all of our kids back with us. We had a great first week back with our students! As all students transition back to classroom learning, it remains our goal to ensure COVID-19 transmission rates stay low, and students can continue school in person rom now until the end of June. The last few weeks will be busy and we encourage families to read our weekly updates so you are aware of important dates.
Please remember to have students complete the Daily Covid-19 Questionnaire before coming to school. If students are feeling unwell, they are asked to please stay home.
Upcoming Dates and Events
June 2 - Early Dismissal (Silly Hats & Sunglasses Day)
June 3 - Junior High Language Arts Exam - Part A in (Will be completed in the morning)
- Mental Wellness Day for Schools
June 8 - Junior High Math Exam - Part A (Will be completed in the afternoon)
June 18 - Grade 9 Farewell (No family or outside visitors permitted)
June 21 - Junior High Awards (Virtually time TBD)
- National Indigenous Peoples Day - No Exams
June 22- 25 - Exam Week Schedule for Junior High Students Only
- Tuesday, June 22 – Language Arts AM / Social Prep in PM
- Wednesday, June 23 – Social AM / Science Prep in PM
- Thursday, June 24 – Science AM / Math Prep in PM
- Friday, June 25 – Math AM
June 25 - Last Instructional Day
- Report cards available online
August 25 - EIPS schools reopen (schools closed to students)
September 1 - Classes resume
Junior High Part A Exams June 3 and 8, 2021
Junior High Final Exams June 22-25, 2021
As previously mentioned, Lakeland Ridge will be moving forward with a final exam week for junior high students. Exam Week will be from June 22-25. Students in grades 7 and 8 will be writing common exams developed by EIPS and students in grade 9 will write common exams developed by their teachers. Keep in mind that teachers have been teaching your kids all year and have numerous assessments that provide a comprehensive body of evidence of your child’s understanding of the curricular outcomes. Teachers, as always, will use their professional judgment when determining final grades. Final exams provide students with an opportunity to shine and demonstrate their understanding of their respective subjects. We want students to do their very best. Students who do not write final exams or score lower than their class mark will not have their marks lowered.
Exam Dates
· Tuesday, June 22 – Language Arts AM
· Wednesday, June 23 – Social AM
· Thursday, June 24 – Science AM
· Friday, June 25 – Math AM
Classroom Configuration & School Staff for 2021-22
We are currently in the process of staffing and organizing classes for next year. Teacher assignments and class configurations will be announced at a later date. In the past few years, we have taken teacher requests however, last year we received over 200 requests. This year we are only considering requests if there are “extenuating circumstances” or “educational reasons”. We will not be accepting friend requests. Administration, our counsellor & teachers work extremely hard preparing and organizing classes for next year to ensure your student’s success. Grade group teachers will be meeting as a team with teachers of the following grade to plan class lists based on their collective knowledge of the student’s needs. Prior to the start of the school year, teachers will be contacting parents to let them know which class their child will be in. We are currently working on the junior high timetable and hope to have it ready near the end of June. Students will receive their timetables on or before the first day of school.
Junior High Awards
Awards will be held on Monday, June 21 (time TBD). The awards ceremony will be done virtually where all junior high students will attend in their homerooms. Students will receive certificates for Merit, Honours, and Honours with Distinction. Certificates will be presented to students in each of the 5 core subjects who received the highest overall academic achievement as well as those students who excelled in their complementary courses.
Mental Wellness Day for Schools
On Thursday, June 3, the Government of Alberta is hosting a virtual Mental Wellness Day for Schools across Alberta to support and recognize the resilience of students, parents, teachers and staff. All students, parents, teachers and education staff are invited to take part in free, online sessions on mental health and wellness. Activities include:
- inspirational messages by public figures such as country singer Brett Kissel and former NHL player and advocate Sheldon Kennedy;
- engaging sessions by Alberta Health Services, Ever Active Schools, Jack.org and the College of Alberta School Superintendents; and
- key learnings from speakers such as Dr. Jody Carrington and Dr. Michael Ungar.
Online events, of about one hour each, have been designed for specific audiences: kindergarten to Grade 3; grades 4 to 6; grades 7 to 12; school staff; administrators; and parents. There’ll also be a live kick-off session in the morning for everyone. To accommodate busy end-of-year school schedules, most sessions will be recorded and available to view online afterwards for up to two weeks. Program | Poster
Year-End Celebrations
ECS – Mrs. Biermann will be sending out information to families within the next couple of weeks about the end of the year.
Grade 6 – We don’t hold a formal event for our grade 6s, but in non-COVID years, students would usually have a party, picnic, or play games. Due to the pandemic, we are unable to gather and mix cohorts, but staff are working on a plan to celebrate the hard work of our grade 6 students.
Grade 9 – Our Grade 9 Farewell is scheduled for Friday, June 18. We are planning to hold 3 small ceremonies, one for each of our grade 9 classes. Students will receive their certificates, take pictures, and watch a short video/slideshow specific to their class. Unfortunately, parents/guardians will not be able to attend. However, the ceremonies will be recorded, and a link will be shared with parents to watch with their families. We encourage the kids to dress up, but please nothing too extravagant. More information will be sent at a later date.
LINKING GENERATIONS 2021-22 PROGRAM
Linking Generations will once again be offering their intergenerational program in our school this coming fall.. In September 2021 Linking Generations will be accepting volunteer applications from all interested Junior High students in grade 7-9. Based on health restrictions In September, students may be visiting with a ‘linked’ senior via a virtual platform using Zoom or if restrictions are eased, students will visit face to face at our partnership senior facilities. Any questions concerning Linking Generations may be sent to Debbie Sinclair, Executive Director, Linking Generations at linkgendebbie@telus.net
3-1 Showing off their Mother's Day gifts
Our Leadership class showing some love & pride
Visitors in School
Parents are reminded that they need to make an appointment to enter the school, as non-essential visitors and contractors are not permitted in the school or workplace without an appointment. Please call or email the school ahead of time to book an appointment. Individuals should not enter an EIPS building if feeling unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms—fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose, loss of smell or taste, nausea, pink-eye. Visitors must sign in at the office (after having made an appointment), practice physical distancing while here, and wear masks properly.
Attendance
K-9
If you know your child will be absent, late, or leaving early from school, please send a note in their agenda, email or phone the school explaining the reason for that day.
Student Brightspace page:
Username: Use the EIPS student email address
Password: Use the EIPS student password
If a student needs help with a password reset, contact the school for assistance.
Watch this video to learn how to navigate the Brightspace environment
Parent/Guardian Brightspace page: This is GREAT information to help your children.
https://eips.brightspace.com/d2l/local
Brightspace Parent/Guardian guide Click here
Write-On Stationary
The 2021-2022 School Supply sheets were sent home with your child. If you choose to participate and order your child’s school supplies through Write On Stationery, 10% of your total order will be returned to Lakeland Ridge School as a fundraiser.
EIPS Summer School: Registrations
Family Resources- Mental Health for Youth
Alberta COVID_19 Youth Mental Health Resource Hub. Alberta’s government partnered with the Kids Help Phone and Jack.org to create this hub where youth, educators and parents can find easy-to-access tools and supports.
Additionally, the youth-focused resources on this hub include:
· Jack Chapters – Youth-led, community-driven mental health advocacy clubs at schools or in the community.
· Jack Talks – Mental health presentations delivered to young people by young people.
· Jack Summits – Mental health conferences developed by youth, where young people within a region connect, strategize and learn from one another.
· Do Something – Tools to take small, simple steps that make a big difference to youth mental health and the mental health of others.
· Be There – Tools to support someone who may be struggling with their mental health.
Additional mental health resources available to support students, families and school staff: