Quoi de Neuf à ÉPK
le 31 août au 4 sept
Office Message
Week at a glance
- Staggered Entry (see details below)
Tuesday, September 1st:
- Staggered Entry (see details below)
- First Day of School for Grade FD Kindergarten
Wednesday, September 2nd:
- First Day of School for Grade 1-4
Thursday, September 3rd:
- First Day of School for Pre-K MTH
- First Day of School for Grade MTH Kindergarten
Friday, September 4th:
- First Day of School for Pre-K FT
Reminder: No school September 7th 2026, with return to class on September 8th 2026.
Staggered Entry
We are so excited to welcome you and your child(ren) to a brand new school year. As in previous years our students will be coming to school on their assigned staggered entry day. Small groups facilitate the practice of new routines and provide teachers an opportunity to begin to build relationships with their students. Read through your child's staggered entry letter thoroughly.
Pre-Kindergarten MTH Staggered Entry
Pre-Kindergarten TF Staggered Entry
Full Days Kindergarten Staggered Entry
PowerSchool
Parent Technology Handbook - Powerschool for Parents
EICS offers several division-wide technology resources which allow parents to access information (such as grades and communications) related to their children, as well as submit information such as forms and fee payments to their schools. This page provides some technical documentation which can help parents get the most out of these tools
If you require any assistance with you PowerSchool login please contact the school office at 780-467-7135 or email at epk@eics.ab.ca
Annual Forms - Action required
Alberta Education requires that we obtain a detailed update of student demographics on an annual basis. Funding they provide for your child's education is conditional to us receiving these updates and making them part of the student's record. Thank you for ensuring the following are completed on your PowerSchool Account by: Friday September 25, 2026
Yearly consent forms are now available online for completion.
2026-2027 EICS Student Demographics Confirmation Forms (For all return students): Please complete this form online so the school has up to date contact information for each student for the upcoming school year. This form can be found under the heading “Forms and Fees” and click on “School Engage Student Forms” select “Student” then complete the “A.8) 2026-2027 Demographic Validation Form"
2026-2027 Yearly Consent Forms need to be completed each year. The following forms can be found under the heading “Forms and Fees” and “Yearly Consent”:
Annual Student Responsible Use Agreement for Technology, Consent to Disclose Personal Information to the School Council, Consent to Post or Display Personal Information of Student,, Locker Use Agreement, Low Risk Field Trip Consent Form, School Handbook Review Confirmation, Human Development Opt In (Grade 3 & 4), One to One Responsible User Agreement (Grade 4s)
B.2) 2026-2027 Medical Status Update/Request for Medical Treatment (if applicable): Please complete this form online so the school has up to date contact information for each student for the upcoming school year.
School Fees
School fees are currently being revised and will be online on September 8th, 2026. We are therefore sending out a gentle reminder to please pay school fees before April 30, 2027. It is an Elk Island Catholic School Board policy that after April 30, 2027, all unpaid fees will be transferred to a collection agency.
**The Application for the Waiver of Fees Deadline is December 12, 2026. Forms are available in the office if needed or visit https://www.eics.ab.ca/parents-and-students/school-fees
If you have any questions, please contact the school at 780-467-7135.
Volunteer at the School
Volunteers play a vital role in our school, and your involvement makes a truly positive impact on our students' daily experiences. Whether you can give a little time or a lot, your support throughout the year is deeply valued and always welcome.
If you are interested in getting involved, please stop by the main office to pick up your volunteer forms. We look forward to partnering with you!
Login to your PowerSchool Parent Portal: https://eics.powerschool.com
- After choosing a student, the very first option on the left is the ability to enter/review upcoming absences.
- After clicking the link, you can then choose whether to enter a single day or multi-day absence.
- To enter an absence, provide the appropriate information for the following questions:
- The date of the absence (or the start/end date for a multi day absence).
- The reason for the absence (Flu-like Symptoms, Other Illness or Parental Excused).
- The absence type (Full Day, Late Arrival, Early Departure, Leave and Return).
- Note: If you choose a partial day absence, you will also be asked to provide an approximate
arrival and/or departure time.
- A box for comments is available if you have further information you wish to share
Rooted, United, and Sent: A Huge Thank You to Our Neighbors!
A massive thank you to our incredible neighbors at St. Thomas Anglican Church for their generous donation of backpacks and school supplies for our local families in need!
Starting a new school year with the right tools makes all the difference, and your kindness ensures our students can step into their classrooms with confidence. We are so grateful to be rooted, united, and sent together in serving our community.
Thank you for demonstrating what true love in action looks like!
Wonderful Staff Retreat!
Ready to Welcome You Back!
Monday is almost here, and we are so excited to welcome our students back to École Père Kenneth Kearns!
After the slower rhythm of summer, getting back into the school routine can take a few days — for kiddos and grown-ups too! A little preparation this weekend can help Monday morning feel calmer and help children arrive at EPK feeling ready, confident and excited.
Here are a few simple ways families can help with the transition:
- Bring bedtime back. An earlier bedtime this weekend can make that Monday morning alarm much easier.
- Prepare together the night before. Let your child help choose their clothes, pack their backpack and get everything ready by the door.
- Start with a good breakfast. A full tummy helps our kiddos have the energy they need to learn, play and reconnect with friends.
- Give yourself extra time Monday morning. The first few days are always a little busier, so a few extra minutes can help everyone start the day with less stress.
- Talk positively about coming back to EPK. Ask your child what they are excited about: seeing friends, meeting their teacher, playing outside, learning something new or simply being back at school.
- Expect some big feelings. Excitement and nervousness often come together. Reassure your child that this is completely normal and that there are many caring adults at EPK ready to support them.
- Keep evenings simple next week. Returning to school can be tiring! A snack, some downtime, a calm evening and a good night’s sleep can make a big difference.
Most importantly, remind your child that they do not need to have everything figured out on the first day. Our first days together are about reconnecting, building relationships, learning our routines and making sure every child feels safe, welcomed and that they belong at EPK.
We can’t wait to see our hallways filled again with smiling faces, little conversations in French, laughter, learning and all the wonderful energy our students bring to our school.
The EPK Sunday Night Checklist
Before heading to bed Sunday night, here are a few things families can check off together:
☐ Backpack is ready
☐ Indoor shoes are packed
☐ Water bottle is labelled and ready
☐ Lunch and snacks are planned
☐ Clothes are picked out for Monday
☐ Morning transportation/pick-up plans are reviewed
☐ Bedtime is a little earlier than summer bedtime
☐ Alarm is set
☐ We talked about one thing we are excited about at EPK
☐ We are ready for a great first day!
See you Monday, EPK! Let’s make it a wonderful start to the year!
Meet the Staff & Welcome Bash
Thank you to our amazing community for the overwhelming joy you showed in welcoming our teachers and support staff back! We are so excited to start the new school year and look forward to all that lies ahead.