June 2020
ACHIEVING SUCCESS TOGETHER - RÉUSSIR ENSEMBLE
Principal's Message
On behalf of all the staff at ÉCKS, we hope you are doing well. We would like to thank all parents and guardians for the time they have taken to help their children with school over the past months. As we near the end of the year, teachers will continue to reach out and help students with their studies. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out and contact the school.
Next year, there will be several changes at ÉCKS. Mrs. Rathwell is on the move and will become the Assistant Principal at Central High Sedgewick Public School next year. Mrs. Rathwell will be greatly missed. She is extremely student-centered and has made a positive impact on Our House. Mr. Chad Ramsay will be transferring in from Hay Lakes to take over Mrs. Rathwell’s position.
I too will be moving on from Our House. I applied for and was successful in becoming the new Director of Human Resources for BRSD. I would like to thank all parents, students, and staff for making the last two years an amazing stay at ÉCKS; you have made me a better person. Mr. Jerrit Brandt, currently the principal at Daysland, will be taking over the principalship at École Charlie Killam School.
In the next two weeks, we will have more announcements regarding staff changes as we complete our staffing for the 2020/2021 school year.
-Mr. Stephen Hoyland
Some Good News (SGN) ÉCKS Edition
New Hockey Academy Coach
Hello ECKS families,
My name is Mr. Pat Findlay and I would like to introduce myself as I am going to be the new lead teacher in ECKS Battle River Hockey Academy Program. The 2020-2021 school year will be my 23rd year of teaching and my fourth year at ECKS. Over this time I have taught in and out of the classroom with the vast majority of time spent teaching physical education. When growing up I was fortunate to be a part of a family and community that was active in many sports, hockey being a central part of my sporting development. My hockey background consisted of playing major junior in BC and collegiate hockey at Augustana and Mount Royal. After I completed 4 years of collegiate hockey I was fortunate to play on teams that competed in the Allan Cup Hockey National Championships.
I am very much looking forward to being a part of the Battle River Hockey Academy Program and working with young and developing hockey players who have a passion for sport and wish to continue to improve upon their athletic fitness, skills, and their development within the game of hockey.
If at any time you or your family have any questions about the Battle River Hockey Academy Program, please feel free to email me at pfindlay@brsd.ab.ca.
Rubik's Cube Challenge
ÉCKS Band Program June Music Notes
Greetings from the ECKS Music Department. Like everyone else, we are missing seeing the students, and hearing the sound of music emanating from the music room. We are looking forward to a time when we can all be together and continue with music education at our school! In the meantime, Mr. Bailey encourages everyone not to forget about their band instruments. We have a Google Classroom for Grade 6, Grade 7 and Grade 8. Students are encouraged to record themselves playing a song of their choice and submit just for fun. Mr. Bailey will listen and give feedback (not for marks)
If you are not a part of the Google Classrooms, let Mr. Bailey know and he will send you the link.
Mr. Bailey has posted a number of messages and interesting links on the Google Classrooms. Please take a moment to have a look!
Registrations for Band
Current Grade 6 and Grade 7 students are highly encouraged to sign up for band option next year. Grade 8 Band Camps and Concert Tour Dates are already booked, as is the Grade 7 Band Camp. Assuming that Covid-19 is under control by then, we will have a banner year next year! All current Grade 6 musicians are urged to give Band a try in Junior High.
*Information regarding instrument rentals is below.
How Do I Get a Band Instrument?
Band instruments are generally rented (or purchased) from reputable music stores, with the exception of the large instruments such as tuba, baritone, tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, and percussion. Those will be rented from the school. Prices are very reasonable. (In addition, the school does have some smaller instruments available to rent if a family has financial difficulties. We do not want anyone to miss out due to reasons of cost.)
Flutes, clarinets. alto saxophones, trombones, and trumpets are available through retailers as listed below. My preference is Yamaha brand (available at St. John’s Music), but all of these companies will provide excellent student model instruments:
St. John’s Music 1-800-267-5060
The Bandstand 1-800-661-6352
Martha’s Music 780-679-0826
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Finally, a note of caution. If you are thinking of buying an instrument, please do not proceed with purchasing unless you check with me first, as there are a lot of really subpar "instruments" out there. We want to set up your child for success.
Fundraising
Grade 6 and Grade 7 funds raised for band have been held in trust for use on next year’s activities. The Grade 8 Band fundraising profits have been reimbursed. Thanks to those families who chose to donate the proceeds to the band. Much appreciated!
Music in the times of Covid-19
While the whole world has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the importance of music to our society has never been more clear. One need only watch the television news to see many and varied examples of how people are turning to music to comfort, entertain, and connect to one another. We are so very fortunate to have a strong music program at ECKS, and we enjoy excellent support from our school, our parents, and our school district. When the pandemic eases, we look forward to a return to providing music to our students and our community.
On behalf of the music program and the ECKS Music Parent Association, we wish everyone the very best for a safe, healthy and happy summer break!
Camrose Public Library Blackout Poetry Winner
Outside is the Place to Be!
Hey ÉCKS students! With the nice weather outside, I have a list of activities you could do to stay active and conquer this challenge in the great outdoors!
Starting Monday, June 8th there will be 5 challenge activities for you to accomplish, which is one each day. If you get all 5 done your name will go on our fitness challenge “wall of fame”.
**Challenge time!**
Monday, June 8th - 20 jumping jacks
Tuesday, June 9th - 10 burpees
Wednesday, June 10th - 15 sit-ups
Thursday, June 11th - 20 (10 per leg) high knees
Friday, June 12th - 30-second plank
Simply share a video of you doing these daily challenges to my email and you will be added to our wellness classroom “wall of fame”! jboyson@brsd.ab.ca
Take care and stay active!
Mr. Boyson
Parent Re-Entry Survey
As we look to next school year, BRSD wants to hear your thoughts on going back to school in the fall. Please complete the attached anonymous survey by Monday, June 15. Thanks for your input!
Parent Survey: https://forms.gle/agCrxigPfZX22Tpb8
Hockey and Soccer Academy
Hello parents and guardians,
Any students who are looking to register for our Hockey and Soccer Academy are reminded that registration packages have to be completed. We have extended the registration deadline until Friday, June 12th.
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. MacKenzie at the school. Please email completed forms to Mr. MacKenzie at lmackenzie@brsd.ab.ca
Thanks and take care
ÉCKS Admin
Late French Immersion
At ÉCKS, we offer two French Immersion programs: an Early French Immersion program (for students who started French Immersion in kindergarten or grade 1) and a Late French Immersion program (for students who wish to start French Immersion in grade 6).
Grade 6 students in the French Immersion programs receive instruction in French Language Arts, les études sociales, les mathématiques, les sciences, l'éducation physique, la santé and les arts. Like all other grade 6 students at École Charlie Killam School, they also receive instruction in English Language Arts and Band. French Immersion students in grades 7 and 8 have the opportunity to participate in a variety of complementary courses in addition to their French Immersion classes.
If you would like more information about the Early or Late French Immersion programs at our school, please contact Mr. Lloyd MacKenzie, Assistant-Principal /Directeur Adjoint.
Find the Late French Immersion Registration Form here!
Grade 8 Farewell FOIP Consent
Thank you!