February 5 BUZZ

Happy Monday!

From deep freeze, to spring-like temperatures, and now a winter wonderland - this first month of 2024 has definitely given us a little of everything.  

This is a short week for students. It is early dismissal on Wednesday and school is closed Thursday and Friday as teachers engage in their own learning at Teacher's Convention. 

There are some important things to watch for this month:

• Returning Student Registration opens Thursday, Feb 8
• Parent Teacher Conferences are next week - please take the time to book your meeting
• Hot Lunch is next week - orders open tomorrow (Tuesday)
• Yearbook order forms will be sent home this month
• The Glen Allan School Council meeting is on the 22nd and will include the final 2024-25 fee consultation

It's a great week for a great week!

Please read through the following blog post articles for important Glen Allan information. 

Week-at-a-Glance 

Action 

• EIPS Ribbon Skirt-Shirt Day
• Book Fair Volunteers (EVENING)
• Hot Lunch - February 15 (Grades 1-6) & February 14 (Kindergarten)
• Glen Allan 2023-24 Yearbook
• Kindergarten Registration Now Open!
• Returning Student Registration

Opportunity

• Your Child's Incredible Brain- parent session
• Caregiver Series: February sessions
• Emotion Coaching - For Parents and caregivers of children ages 2 to 9 years
• Alberta Education Assurance Survey

Information 

• Black History Month
• EIPS Division Programs
• EIPS Annual Education Results Report

First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Information

• Food Edukit
• Indigenous Student Learning Program

Photo Galleries

• Kindergarten Science Fun
• Teacher’s Pet – Grades 1 and 2
• Grade 5 Electricity Testing
• Spring Time?!

WEEK AT A GLANCE - February 5-9

ACTION

EIPS Ribbon Skirt-Shirt Day

A friendly reminder that the Division’s Ribbon Skirt-Shirt Day is on February 7. Indigenous staff and students are encouraged to wear their ribbon shirts and skirts proudly to school.

For allies that have been gifted ribbon shirts or skirts, it's an opportunity for them to show their solidarity as well.

Watch this video to learn more about Ribbon Skirts. There is also a great CBC Article about Ribbons Skirts that you can read for more information.

Book Fair Volunteers

From February 12-16, we will have Scholastic Book Fair happening in our library.  

We are still in need of some volunteers for: 

• Tuesday, February 13: 4-6pm or 6-8pm
• Thursday, February 15: 4-6pm or 6-8pm

Volunteers would be helping students find what they're looking for, restocking items, and being a cashier for purchases. If you are interested in volunteering to help out during Book Fair, please email your availability to Mrs. Appleby (Assistant Principal and Library Teacher) chrissy.appleby@eips.ca 

Hot Lunch February 15 (Grades 1-6) & February 14 (Kindergarten)

On Thursday, February 15, GASC will be hosting hot lunch for Grades 1-6 from Top Donair. The Kindergarten class will have their hot lunch on Wednesday, February 14.

Log on to gln.hotlunches.net to order. The Access Code is GLEN if anyone has not yet set up their account this year. Orders will open Tuesday, February 6, and will close on Monday, February 12 at 5pm. All orders must be paid through the website. Carted but unpaid items, as of the cut-off time, will not be ordered. We are unable to accept late orders.

We are looking for volunteers to come help the day of. You can sign up to volunteer on the website at the time of purchase. If you run into any problems, please contact Drie @ amsuelzle@gmail.com or reply to this email.

2023-24 Yearbook

Watch for a yearbook order form to come home with students in the next few weeks. We are grateful to our Glen Allan School Council members who volunteer to create the yearbook for our students. 

Kindergarten Registration Now Open!

Is your child turning five on or before Dec. 31, 2024? If so, it’s time to register for kindergarten.

Starting school is an exciting time, for both children and parents. Although exciting, it can also be daunting if you don’t have the information you need. To help, Elk Island Public Schools has put together an online toolkit to make the transition as smooth as possible for Glen Allan Elementary families. 

Kindergarten Registration 2024-25

Learn more about kindergarten at Glen Allan Elementary

Returning Student Registration for 2024-25

Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) will once again conduct an online returning student registration process to confirm student registrations for the 2024-25 school year. Families of all current students—with the exception of graduating 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. Additionally, students who want to attend a non-designated school need to make that request through the returning student registration process—acceptance is based on available space. The 2024-25 returning student registration takes place Feb. 8-21, 2024.

One contact for each current PALS to Grade 11 student will receive the Returning Student Registration Form link through Permission Click on February 8. The recipient is based on which contact has been identified as the one to receive forms as listed on the most recent registration form, Correction and Verification Form or Student Information Update submitted to the Division. To review the contacts listed for each student, refer to the Student Information Update available through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Only one contact can be selected to receive forms.

For more information, contact the school office at 780-467-5557.

OPPORTUNITY

Your Child's Incredible Brain!

Register Here

Caregiver Series: February sessions

Alberta Health Services offers free online programming for parents and caregivers of children and youth. Sessions are offered through Zoom. Upcoming topics include understanding anxiety and substance use. The list of February 2024 sessions is now available.

Emotion Coaching - For Parents and caregivers of children ages 2 to 9 years

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2024, 9:30 – 11:30 AM

Our emotions are with us wherever we go and impact all that we do in life. Learning how to recognize, understand and manage our feelings is an important life skill. Join us in person to learn some helpful tips for coaching children and youth of all ages to build their emotional competence.

Free Opportunity - Sign Up Here

Complete the Alberta Education Assurance Survey

Once again, Alberta Education is surveying teachers, students and families through its annual Alberta Education Assurance (AEA) Survey. The survey gathers feedback on the quality of education provided by school authorities and their schools, which they then use to help understand how they’re doing and plan for the future.

Throughout February, Grade 4 students at Glen Allan Elementary are completing the survey online at the 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. The survey doesn’t take long to complete and is done within the school day during regular class time.

Additionally, parents and guardians of students in these grades 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. If you have a child in these grades, we encourage you to participate. The survey deadline is March 1, 2024.

Results from the AEA Survey are provided to Elk Island Public Schools each spring. The Division then uses the data to inform its four-year education plan, school education plans and strategies for continuous improvement. Each fall, the results are also shared with EIPS families and school communities in the Division’s Annual Education Results Report.

RELATED INFORMATION
AEA Survey: Information for parents and guardians
AEA Survey
Assurance and Accountability: Alberta’s K-12 education system

INFORMATION

Black History Month

Every February, people across Canada participate in Black History Month events and festivities that honour the legacy of Black people in Canada and their communities.

The 2024 theme for Black History Month is: “Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build”. This theme celebrates the rich past and present contributions and accomplishments of Black people in Canada, while aspiring to embrace new opportunities for the future.

The theme aligns with the 10th year of the International Decade for People of African Descent and recognizes that people of African descent represent a distinct group whose human rights must be promoted and protected.

No matter where you live, we invite all Canadians to learn more about Black Canadian communities, and how they continue to help shape Canada.

Did you know?

Within EIPS, schools consistently offer a broad range of educational choices for students of varied backgrounds and interests—from specialized language and faith-based programs to advanced academic opportunities and competitive sports to specialized supports and continuing education. Through this, students are then able push their limits and find meaningful ways to contribute to and enhance their communities. Learn more about Division programs and services on the EIPS website.

EIPS Annual Education Results Report

Every year, Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) publishes an Annual Education Results Report, which outlines the Division’s Four-Year Education Plan, opportunities for growth and how it’s supporting students to achieve the best possible outcomes. Read through the most recent EIPS Annual Education Results Report 2022-23 and discover how EIPS fosters learning environments for all students to learn, grow and thrive—and why it matters.

February Spotlight: Student Growth and Success

• Early Learning: Ensuring early learners reach developmental milestones
• Culture of Literacy: Dive deep into the data and learn how students are developing strong literacy skills
• Math Matters: Enhancing reasoning, understanding and achievement through numeracy-rich classrooms
• Boosting Educational Outcomes: Discover how EIPS supports the growth and achievement of students who self-identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit
• Beyond High School: Supports and strategies that are creating real-life career pathways for learners

RELATED INFORMATION
EIPS Four-Year Education Plan: 2022-26
EIPS Three-Year Capital Plan: 2024-27

FIRST NATIONS, MÉTIS, AND INUIT INFORMATION

Food EduKit

Our Food Edukit has arrived and students will be exposed to some lessons from the kit during their time in Library. Additionally, teachers may choose to use the resources to teach students about the importance of hunting/gathering in Indigenous cultures, including the connection to seasons, food storage, and food as medicine.

Indigenous Student Learning Program

Indigenous Disability Canada invites applicants to its Support for Indigenous Student Learning Program (SISLP), a time-limited initiative for Indigenous students with limited financial resources, including those living with disabilities. The program aims to provide technology and related supports to enhance Indigenous learners' access to education and training, aiding their academic success and future career paths. Eligible applicants must:

• Be of Indigenous ancestry;
• Demonstrate financial need; and
• Be enrolled in the K-12 education system or post-secondary accredited courses of at least one-year duration.

Priority is given based on financial need, enrolment verification and application date. Applications are open to individual learners across Canada and must be submitted by March 15, 2024. Due to limited funds and high demand, students should apply as soon as possible. Late applications or those already receiving similar support may no longer be eligible for the program.

PHOTO GALLERIES

Kindergarten Science Fun!

Teacher's Pet - Grades 1 and 2

Grade 5 Electricity Testing

Spring Time?!