March 4 BUZZ
Happy Monday!
It was wonderful to see so many pink shirts at Glen Allan on Wednesday! As Mrs. Marks shares in her Counsellor's Corner this week, friendship and being kind was the focus of our Pink Shirt Day message. Last week our students also had the honour and privilege our being invited to Mrs. Cheryl Devin's Retirement Ceremony. Mrs. Devin has been an educator for 34 years and was the educational lead of the EIPS First Nations, Metis and Inuit learning team. Photo galleries of both Pink Shirt Day and Mrs. Devin's Glen Allan gift presentation are included in this week's photo galleries.
March Book Madness begins this week at Glen Allan. The next time you pop by the school, make sure to check out the March Book Madness bulletin board in the main hallway! You can see the incredible books that our students are reading throughout the month of March. Books are matched up in head to head brackets and students vote on their favourite title until there is only one book left! In the Week-at-a-Glance you can see which two books are facing off each day. Make sure to ask your children about which books they voted for!
It's a great week for a great week!
Please read through the following blog post articles for important Glen Allan information.
Action
Opportunity
- Have your say! EIPS’ 2023-24 Annual Feedback Survey Opens March 1-21
- Caregiver Series: March sessions
Information
First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Information
- Pink Shirt Day
- Mrs. Devin's Retirement Ceremony
- Announcement Club
- Grade 5 Science
WEEK AT A GLANCE - March 4 - March 8
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Thursday |
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Friday |
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ACTION
Math-a-Thon Pledges Due
To be considered for prizes, students must return their sponsor sheet and have funds submitted by March 4. GASC will be accept payments in the form of cash, cheque or e-transfer. To simplify the e-transfer process we ask that each Student’s Sponsor Sheet only have one (1) e-transfer.
E-transfer instructions:
- Each Student’s Sponsor Sheet is limited to one (1) e-transfer.
- Email used to send e-transfer must be linked to the Students Parent Portal.
- Add Students First and Last Name in the message (if available)
- glenallantreasurer@gmail.com
PLEASE MAKE CHEQUES PAYABLE TO GASC.
If you have any questions, contact Jenn Campbell Math-a-Thon coordinator at 780-907-3100
Kindergarten Parent Teacher Conferences - March 13
The interview booking system is now open. Parents are invited to book a 10-minute in person interview with Mrs. Shannon.
Bookings will close March 11 at noon.
- Step 1: Go to https://www.glenallanelementary.ca/
- Step 2: Click on the Kindergarten Conference Bookings tab in green on the right side of the page
- Step 3: “Register Now” for the Class your child is in
- Step 4: Enter your details and student name
- Step 5: Choose your class and teacher
- Step 6: Choose a time that works for you
**Please note that the appointment times are scheduled 12 minutes apart, but the duration of each appointment is 10 minutes. This provides Mrs. Shannon time between appointments to prepare for the next interview.
OPPORTUNITY
Have your say! EIPS’ 2023-24 Annual Feedback Survey Opens March 1-21
Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) wants to hear from you. Make sure to complete the 2023-24 EIPS Annual Feedback Survey: For parents and caregivers—open from March 1-21.
Every year, EIPS conducts the feedback survey to gauge its progress toward meeting the goals and priorities outlined in its Four-Year Education Plan. Families are asked a series of questions about:
- their experiences with EIPS and the specific school their child attends;
- the quality of education being provided to students;
- areas for improvement; and
- new this year, the survey includes an additional series of questions—focused on stakeholder confidence in EIPS’ priorities and strategic direction as a whole.
Collectively, the Division uses the survey feedback to help guide future planning, decision-making and strategies—all aimed at enhancing student learning and better serving the wider community.
TAKE THE SURVEY NOW!
open March 1-21
To preview the questions before completing the survey, see Question Preview - 2023-24 EIPS Annual Feedback Survey: For parents and caregivers.
NOTE: To share the experiences of more than one child, or if you have a child who attends classes at more than one EIPS school—such as Next Step and an EIPS senior high school—simply complete the survey again.
The survey is anonymous and only takes roughly 10-15 minutes to complete. EIPS will share the survey results in next year’s Annual Education Results Report 2023-24.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
EIPS Annual Education Results Report 2022-23
EIPS Annual Education Results Report 2022-23: Overview
EIPS Four Year Education Plan: 2022-26
The background links are also provided throughout the survey, which you can use to help inform your survey answers.
Caregiver Series: March sessions
Alberta Health Services offers free online programming for parents and caregivers of children and youth. Sessions are offered through Zoom. Upcoming topics include:
- Junior High Jitters
- Collaborative Problem-Solving
- Understanding Self-Injury.
The list of March 2024 sessions is now available.
INFORMATION
Counsellor's Corner - Friendship
Last week I had an opportunity to visit classrooms to speak with students about friendship. Friendship can be difficult for children to navigate. Students often require coaching and modeling to help them learn how to make friends, how to maintain friends, and how to be a friend. We can also help our children by talking with them about appropriate ways to set healthy boundaries with one another and how to resolve conflict and repair relationships.
During my classroom visits, students responded to the challenge of designing their perfect friend. We chatted about what their friend might look like, sound like, and act like. Older students further considered how their perfect friend would feel and what they would think. Afterward, students were given time to reflect on what they had in common with this perfect friend. They were asked how they demonstrate friendship, what they say, and what they do. I encourage you to follow up on this conversation at home with your child.
Picture books are also a great way to talk about friendship. Any of the following books would be a great way to start or continue a discussion on friendship:
- The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
- Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
- The Recess Queen by Alexis O'Neill and Laura Huliska-Beith
- Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miller
- Bob and Otto by Robert O'Bruel
- How to Lose All Your Friends by Nancy Carlson
- Ways to Play by Lyn Miller-Lachman
- Walter Had a Best Friend by Deborah Underwood
- Wolf Girl by Jo Loring-Fisher
Watch for Thin Ice
Remember, be aware of thin ice this time of year. Depending on changing temperatures, ice can form and melt to varying degrees on outdoor bodies of water. Try to remind your child about the dangers of thin ice, obey all posted signs, take proper care and remain a safe distance from the ice.
For more information about ice safety, visit the Canadian Red Cross.
Did you know?
The colour of ice may be an indication of its strength. Clear blue ice is the strongest. White opaque is half as strong as blue ice. And, grey ice is unsafe—greyness indicates the presence of water.
FIRST NATIONS, MÉTIS, AND INUIT INFORMATION
Save the Date!
This year, Elk Island Public Schools will be hosting a Round Dance on the evening of Friday, March 15th. This is a fantastic opportunity for staff, students and families to experience a traditional, cultural event with teachings from the Nakota People.
It will take place at F.R. Haythorne Junior High. All are welcome to attend!
PHOTO GALLERIES
Pink Shirt Day
Mrs. Devin's Retirement Ceremony
Announcement Club
Grade 5 Science
