Blue Jay Bulletin

Dear James Mowat Elementary School Families,

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! We are excited to welcome our students and families back to school and look forward to another wonderful year of learning, growth, and connection.

We invite all families to join us for our Meet the Teachers event on Thursday, August 27, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Families are asked to enter through the front doors of the school. This is a great opportunity to bring school supplies, meet your child's teacher, and visit the classroom before our first day of instruction on Monday, August 31. Classroom placements will be available through PowerSchool beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 27.

We are also pleased to welcome Ms. Melanie Pinto to our school community as our new Administrative Assistant. Ms. Pinto will be happy to assist families with attendance, registration inquiries, and other school-related questions, whether by phone or in person at the office.

As many of you have noticed, construction is currently taking place on our school grounds. Two of our modular classrooms have been removed, and we are awaiting the placement of two new modular classrooms. We ask families to speak with their children about the importance of staying clear of construction areas and respecting all fencing and safety barriers. Student safety remains our highest priority.

This September, we are excited to partner with the Saffron Centre to provide internet safety education for students and families. Student presentations will take place on September 17 for Grades 3-6 and on October 5 and 6 for Kindergarten through Grade 2 students. In addition, we will host the S.A.F.E.R. Online Parent Presentation on Monday, September 14, at 6:30 p.m. Childcare will be provided. Through this partnership, we hope to empower families and students with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate online spaces safely and confidently while fostering open and ongoing conversations at home.

If you are doing some back-to-school shopping and would like to show your Jay Pride, be sure to check out the James Mowat spirit wear link below. Orders will be accepted from August 24 to September 6, with delivery to the school September 28. We are pleased to support a local Fort Saskatchewan business, Enhance It Embroidery, and 25% of sales will help support our school playground project.

We are also seeking Noon Hour Supervisors to join our team. Supervisors work daily from 11:50 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. (and 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Wednesdays) and play an important role in supporting students during lunch and recess. If you, or someone you know, may be interested, please apply through Apply to Education.

We are looking forward to a fantastic school year and to partnering with you to support the success of every student. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, concerns, or celebrations to share throughout the year.

Together, we will make the 2026-2027 school year a great one!

Ms. Krista Porter and Mrs. Lana Romanowska

First Day of School, Monday August 31st

• We will have staff at the front of the school helping families find their way to their classroom pylon and teacher.

• Teachers will be at their regular classroom ENTRANCE/EXIT doors, waiting to greet students. Please look for your child’s assigned pylon and teacher (pylon homerooms are described as: grade, then teacher last name initial, for example: 4P would be Grade 4 and Mr. Pelechosky) and have them join their classroom line up.

• At 8:25 a.m. the first morning bell will ring and teachers will bring classes into the building.

• If you arrive after 8:30 a.m. please come through the front entrance.

• Kindergarten staggered entry operates on a different schedule so please ensure you arrive on your scheduled day and time (these were shared last Spring).

• If your child is arriving by bus on the first day there will be adult supervisors to help them find their homeroom line up.

• If you are accompanying your child to the first day of school please know that parking is limited to the street only. The bus loop is for buses only.

• A friendly reminder that our bell schedule has changed. On all regular days, first bell is 8:25 and dismissal is 3:06, with each early dismissal Wednesday (every Wednesday) having a first bell of 8:25 and a pick up of 2:06. Bell Schedules can be found on our school website and at the bottom of this Blue Jay Bulletin.

• Any questions please call the office at 780-992-1272

We are excited to provide our families with the opportunity to order James Mowat Elementary clothing! Show your James Mowat Pride! Clothing is provided through Enhance It Embroidery, a Fort Saskatchewan company, and 25% of sales will be put toward our playground project!

Orders will be accepted August 24 through September 6. There are assorted T-shirts, crewnecks, hoodies and hats available in youth and adult sizes.

We are excited to welcome Saffron Centre to present to our caregivers and families! This presentation was developed by Saffron Community Educators with collaboration with the Northern Alberta Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE).

This training increases parents' awareness of the current online landscape, educating participants about treds and online harms that affect children and youth. App terms and conditions, risks of oversharing through posting and streaming, the rise of artificial intelligence in online exploitation, and more will be discussed. Parents will walk away with proactive strategies to help set healthy boundaries with their children online, foster open communication, and seek help where and when they may need it.

Topics Covered: Clear vs Dark web, Online privacy, Location settings, “Sharenting,” Artificial intelligence, Livestreaming, Discord, Roblox, Chat apps/features, Child sexual Abuse/Exploitation Material, Sextortion, Online Extremism, Grooming, Luring, Exposure to sexually explicit material, Proactive steps, Setting boundaries, Resources.

August

24 Office Opens

27 Professional Learning Day

27 Meet the Staff (4:30 – 5:30 p.m.)

28 Operational Day

31 First Day for Students

September

2 Early Dismissal

6 James Mowat Apparel Order Deadline

14 GOA Assessments Begin (Grades 1-5)

14 Parent Council Meeting 5 p.m.

14 Parent Presentation by Saffron - S.A.F.E.R Online 6:30pm

17 - Saffron Presentation on Internet Safety Grades 3-6

18 Little Elk Island Adventures (Track B Kindie)

18 Bus Evacuation Drill

21 Little Elk Island Adventures (Track A Kindie)

21-25 EIPS Truth and Reconciliation Week

23 James Mowat Terry Fox Run

28-29 School Photos

29 James Mowat Orange Shirt Day

30 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - school closed

October

2 Professional Learning Day - no school for students