Bison Tales April 6, 2023

Good afternoon Bison families,

Spring has definitely arrived!  The sun is shining with even more strength to melt the bits of remaining snow away, however, the mud and water puddles are definitely coming out in full force on our playground!  Please, if you haven't already, consider putting some extra socks or pants in your child's backpack in case those puddles win!

We hope every has a great long weekend and enjoys the first days of the year in plus double-digit temperatures!  

Lana Lastiwka and Tandy Atchison 

Principal and Assistant Principal

WEEK AT A GLANCE

April 10 - 14, 2023

Upcoming Dates

• April 17 - Grade 2 field trip to the Telus World of Science
• April 17 - Grade 6 Immunizations Round 2 - with parental consent
• April 17 - School Council and AEPSA meetings 6:30 p.m.
• April 21 - Spirit Day - Dress Like a Book Character Day
• April 21 - Grade 4 Assembly and Volunteer Appreciation event
• April 21 - Gr 6 Badminton tournament 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• April 24 - Kindergarten Information Night 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
• April 28 - Grade 6's to AJS for lunch

Complete your Parent/Guardian Information Verification Form

Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) is currently reviewing and updating all parent and guardian contact information within the Division’s student information system. This one-time, full-scale review is to ensure the Division has complete and accurate data on file as Alberta Education moves to a new way of capturing information in the provincial database.

As part of the data review, EIPS requires all families to carefully review the parent and guardian information on file for each student in your family—even if you’ve recently completed a Student Correction and Verification Form. Families can quickly and easily indicate no updates are needed, if that’s the case, or provide updated contact information as needed. The form also includes a handful of new questions to help the Division understand each parent and guardian’s relationship to the student and their preferences for receiving communication from the school and Division.

To review your information, simply log in to your PowerSchool Parent Portal and open the “Parent/Guardian Information Verification Form” from the left-hand menu or notification at the top of the page. Review all information carefully, provide updates where needed and submit your form by April 30. One form is required for each student currently registered at an EIPS school. Only one parent/guardian will complete the form for each student—all associated parent/guardian information for each student is available to review on the same form.

If you have any questions about your Parent/Guardian Information Verification Form, reach out to the school at 780-922-2066.

Volunteer Appreciation Event - April 21

Have you volunteered at our school this year?  We'd love to show our appreciation for all the work you've done for our school community at our Volunteer Appreciation and Assembly event on Friday, April 21 at 9:30 a.m.  If you'd like to attend, please RSVP by Monday, April 17 at general.ael@eips.ca or phone the school at 780-922-2066.  

A big THANK YOU to EIPS Volunteers

National Volunteer Week takes place April 16-22. On behalf of the Board of Trustees at Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS), I want to say a huge thank you to all EIPS volunteers and school families who help make the Division what it is today. Whether you volunteered for the first time this year or have committed many years to EIPS, your initiative, hard work and dedication are invaluable. You build a legacy for others to follow and a memory for students to cherish as they journey into their futures.

So, thank you again for your overflowing support. Your actions are a direct reflection of the kindness and compassion found in all the communities EIPS serves. This National Volunteer Week, I encourage everyone to celebrate the hundreds of volunteers and thousands of hours put into making schools across the Division places for students to learn, grow and succeed.

Trina Boymook Chair, EIPS Board of Trustees

Video Intercom System Installation - April 6

Our front office door will now be controlled with a video intercom system. With the VIS staff can see who is at the door before letting the individual into the school. This reduces the risk of having unauthorized individuals in the school building. The door remains locked during the school day until a staff member can verify the identity of the individual wanting to access the building.

Flower Orders - AEPSA

Our amazing Ardrossan Elementary Parent Support Association will again be doing flower sales this spring.  More detailed information and order forms will be provided in the upcoming weeks.  The anticipated distribution date this year is May 26th.  

PowerSchool Parent Portal

Don't forget to log into the PowerSchool Parent Portal regularly throughout the year.  Fees may be added to your child's account throughout the year to cover the cost of various school activities, such as field trips and extracurricular events.  If you require any assistance logging in the Portal, please contact the school office at 780-922-2066.

Kindergarten Registration is Now Open!

Is your child turning five on or before Dec. 31, 2023? If so, it’s now time to register for kindergarten. To register, simply complete the online registration form at eips.ca/kindergarten.

To help families prepare, Elk Island Public Schools has put together an online EIPS Kindergarten Tool kit to make the transition as smooth as possible. The kit includes information on registration, important dates, programming options, what to expect, eligibility, how to find your designated school, transportation and more.

Pre-kindergarten Programming at EIPS

Is there a preschooler in your life experiencing developmental delays or challenges with speech-language or motor-skill development—big or small? If so, Elk Island Public School’s Play And Learn at School (PALS) program could help.

Early learning lays the foundation for success in primary grades and beyond. As such, EIPS offers the pre-kindergarten PALS program in five of its elementary school locations—including Ardrossan Elementary. In fact, EIPS is now accepting applications for free speech-language assessments for those interested in registering in the PALS program this fall. The assessment helps determine if PALS is appropriate for your child.

If you know a preschooler, born in 2019 or 2020, who could benefit from pre-kindergarten programming or want to book an assessment, fill out the PALS Program Request Form or call 780-417-8219. For more information, visit eips.ca.

Bison Bravo a Staff Member

Did you know that the Ardrossan Elementary Parent Support Association has started a staff bravo initiative?  As you might know, Ardrossan staff regularly give out Bison Bravos to students to acknowledge acts of citizenship, kindness or excellence.  

AEPSA is offering the chance for students and families to Bravo a staff member!  All you have to do is click on the the Bravo a Staff Member box on the right side of the school webpage to fill out an electronic Bravo form.  Then our amazing AEPSA parents write you message on a note which is delivered to that staff member along with a sweet treat!  

CALLS Math Homework Support Program

Math Homework Support for Parents and Caregivers Looking to support your child in their math learning? The Community Adult Learning and Literacy Society (CALLS) is here to help! A CALLS instructor can walk you through kindergarten to Grade 6 math homework online so that you can feel confident in fostering your child’s math skills. Support sessions take place virtually every Wednesday from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Simply call or text 780-667-8441 for a Zoom meeting link.

Parent's Corner

David Irvine Parent Presentation