NSO Weekly News
February 12-17, 2024
Sherwood Park - Fort Saskatchewan - Vegreville
We hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Monday is instructional day #6 of 83 for semester 2 and marks our first five day week of the semester. Tuesday from 6-7 p.m. is our Fort Saskatchewan Campus Open House for potential students and families looking for information on choosing school for 2024-25. This is a great opportunity to speak with staff and ask questions.
Alberta Education Assurance Survey is open. We would greatly appreciate your support filling it out. This data is important for us to collect so we can appropriately plan and get feedback on the work we do. All students will be encouraged to complete the survey in the next couple weeks.
We appreciate the opportunity to engage, interact, and support all families. Our Next Step vision is to create a community of learners who embody the virtues of acceptance, flexibility, individualization, respect, and responsibility. We are excited you are part of our alternative learning environment. Have a great week! #gogreen Mr. B. Spady Principal & Mrs. K. Porter Assistant Principal
High School students are required to check in and meet with their instructor(s) weekly. It is recommended that multiple check ins occur each week to ensure successful completion of academic course work. Students not adhering to the weekly check in schedule or failing to engage in the learning process will be removed from their course.
Returning Student Registration for 2024-25
EIPS is conducting online returning student registration process to confirm student registrations for the 2024-25 school year. Families of all current students—except Grade 12 students—must complete the process to confirm the school their child plans to attend in the 2024-25 school year or advise the Division of their plans not to return to EIPS. The 2024-25 returning student registration takes place February 8-21. For more information, contact the school office at 780-464-1899 (SPO) or 780-992-0101 (FSO).
Upcoming events
February 8-21 EIPS Returning Student Registration
February 13 Next Step Fort Saskatchewan Open House 6-7 p.m.
February 14 Valentines Day
February 15 National Flag Day
February 17 Random Acts of Kindness Day
February 19 Family Day- No School
February 21 Returning Student Registration CLOSES
February 27 School Advisory Council 6 p.m.
February 28 Pink Shirt Day
March 1 Professional Learning Day- No School
March 6 Early dismissal (2:15 p.m.)
March 7 SPO Grad Portraits
March 8 FSO Grad Portraits & International Women's Day
March 15 Summer School Registration opens
March 22-April 1 Spring Break No School
Alberta Education Assurance Survey
Throughout February, Next Step students are completing the survey online at school. Student participation is voluntary and completely anonymous. Students are assigned a random username and password to ensure survey responses aren’t linked to any individual student.
Additionally, parents and guardians of students are also asked to take a survey online. Alberta Education has mailed families information about the survey directly. As with the student and teacher survey, it’s anonymous and asks questions about your school experiences. The survey deadline is March 1, 2024. Results from the AEA Survey are provided to Elk Island Public Schools each spring.
Parents that wish to participate in the survey may contact us to request a RAC be generated. Advise parents to contact directly at EDC.SystemAssurance@gov.ab.ca with the following information:
- Name of school
- Name of school authority (if known) or Principal name (to be sure we have the right school)
- Grade of student
Parents do not need to provide any personal information about their child such as name, date of birth, or ASN.
High School Youth Researcher Summer Program (HYRS)
The Alberta Innovates High School Youth Researcher Summer Program (HYRS) offers paid, six week summer research experiences for Grade 11 students in health and medical sciences, including priority areas in digital or data driven health research, commercialization, and health system transformation. In addition to gaining first-hand research experience, HYRS students also participate in a range of skill development and career exploration activities. This program is ideal for students who have an interest in science and health, and are looking to explore careers in health research and innovation.
More information about the HYRS program, including student eligibility and application requirements is available at www.uab.ca/hyrs. Application deadline March 15
School Advisory Council
Our next hybrid meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 27 at the Sherwood Park campus. We hope you can join us in-person or virtually. Meeting starts at 6 p.m. Regular attendance is not required. Please check out our school calendar and NSO Weekly News for scheduled School Advisory Council Meetings.
Next meeting: April 23, May 28 TBD
Parent Resources
Cannabis: Get to know more about cannabis and explore the effects that early use of cannabis products can have on a young person’s life, then have a conversation with your child.
https://www.drugfreekidscanada.org/drug-spotlights/cannabis/
Health Education and Learning Website: www.ahs.ca/heal is a resource aimed at providing families easily accessible, reliable information about common minor illness and injuries in children. This resource offers general information about the causes, symptoms and home management options for common minor illnesses and injuries, and when to seek medical care.
Parent Support Hub: is safe virtual space for parents, guardians and families to get guidance and support. This free service is available 24/7 for anyone who is concerned about the use of substances by a young person in their life.
https://www.drugfreekidscanada.org/support/supporthub/
Vaping: Vaping’s popularity among youth has grown significantly over the past five years – and there is a lot of concern that this increase may have a negative impact on the overall health of young people. https://www.drugfreekidscanada.org/issues/vaping/
Teaching Sexual Health: For up to date, evidence based information and strategies for parents to deliver effective sexual health education https://teachingsexualhealth.ca/
Our Vision
Next Step envisions itself as not just an educational institution, but a vibrant community of learners deeply committed to virtues that go beyond the classroom. Here's a brief overview of the core values that make up the vision:
Acceptance- We strive for a diverse and inclusive environment where every student, parent, caregiver, and staff member feels accepted, irrespective of their background, beliefs, or circumstances. We believe that learning is most effective when everyone feels like they belong.
Flexibility- Understanding that each learner is unique, we aim to offer flexible learning and a range of teaching methodologies to cater to individual needs. Whether through elective courses, extracurricular activities, or personalized learning paths, flexibility is at the heart of our educational approach.
Individualization- Building on the concept of flexibility, we focus on personalized education. Our staff are committed to identifying each student’s strengths, and areas for growth, allowing for a more tailored educational experience while maintaining a high academic standard. This individual attention ensures that every student is equipped with the tools they need to succeed both academically and personally.
Respect- In our community, respect is mutual. Staff, students, caregivers, and parents are encouraged to show respect for each other's ideas, feelings, and contributions. We believe that open dialogue, grounded in respect, fosters a rich learning environment where complex issues can be discussed and dissected.
Responsibility- While our staff are committed to providing the best educational experience possible, we also encourage students, caregivers and parents to take responsibility for their learning journey. This includes active participation in school activities, regular communication with staff, and a commitment to personal and academic growth.
For parents, caregivers, and families, becoming a part of the Next Step community means joining a network committed to these virtues. Together, we work toward providing an educational experience that values the uniqueness of each student, respects the input of each community member, and prepares learners for a future full of possibilities.
Hours of Operation
Students, parents, and caregivers can access our campus locations during the following times:
Monday 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.Tuesday 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Wednesday 8:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Thursday 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Next Step Outreach
Email: nextstep@eips.ca
Website: eipsnextstep.ca
Phone: 7804641899
Twitter: @eipsnextstep