Daysland Digest

The first month of school is nearly complete, and it has been a wonderful start to the 2025–26 school year! Our staff and students have done a fantastic job settling into routines, creating a smooth and successful September for everyone. We are especially excited to welcome the many new students who have joined us this year. It’s been great to see new faces in our community, and we hope our new families feel at home in their school.

Tomorrow, we have a couple of exciting events planned!

In the afternoon, we will be holding our Terry Fox Run. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we have received a tremendous number of donations this year. We are thrilled to share that we reached our goal of $1,000—which means I’ll be kissing a pig! In fact, because of the overwhelming support, I might even have some company joining me in the fun.

We also have Parent-Teacher Interviews scheduled from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. We hope you were able to book a time. If not, please reach out to your child’s teacher or call the office, and we will be happy to help you arrange one.

You have probably noticed that the school is a very busy place at both the beginning and end of the day. We thank all of our parent drivers for paying close attention to the designated bus parking areas and the painted crosswalks. Your care and attention to this are vital to ensuring student safety.

Our athletic teams are back in action, and we are grateful to our dedicated coaches who volunteer their time to support and develop our athletes. To begin the year, our coaches are:

• Sr. Girls Volleyball: Mrs. Reber and Mrs. Schlaut

• Jr. Girls Volleyball & Sr. Golf: Mrs. Thomas

• Cross Country: Mrs. Tobler

• Mini-Slammers: Mrs. McKay and Miss Pfeffer

Looking ahead, our annual Awards Night is scheduled for October 10th, where we will celebrate the achievements of our Junior and Senior High students from the 2024–25 school year.

As September comes to a close, please ensure all student documentation is up to date. There are two sets of forms to complete:

1. School Engage forms – located in the School Engage tab in PowerSchool. These BRSD forms must be submitted by September 30th to avoid disruptions in technology access, as the Technology Acceptable Use form is required.

   
   

2. Rycor forms – located in the School Fees & Forms tab in PowerSchool, specific to Daysland School, which also need to be completed.

We sincerely appreciate your timely attention to these forms.

Finally, we acknowledge that our best-laid plans may need to be adjusted in the event of a teacher strike. October 6th is currently the deadline, and we remain hopeful that an agreement will be reached to avoid any disruption to learning. Should a strike occur, BRSD will provide timely updates. We remain optimistic that classes will continue without interruption in October.

September

25 - Terry Fox Run

25 - Parent Teacher Interviews (3:30 to 8:30pm)

26 - Staff Meeting/PD Day (no school for students)

26/27 - Sr. G V-Ball @ OLMP

27 - Jr. G V-Ball @ Hay Lakes

29 - Jr. G V-Ball @ Round Hill

30 - Truth & Reconciliation Day (School Closed)

October

1 - Cross Country Zones (Sr. High)

1- Jr. G V-Ball vs Ryley

2 - Cross Country @ Hardisty

3/4 - Jr. G V-Ball Host

9 - Cross Country @ Camrose

10 - Secondary Awards Night

13 - Thanksgiving (School Closed)

14 - School Photos

14 - Sr. G V-Ball @ HRA

17/18 - Jr. V-Ball @ Bawlf

17/18 - Sr. G V-Ball Wetaskiwin

20 - Jr. G V-Ball vs Round Hill

21 - Mini Slammers @ Killam

21 - Sr. G V-Ball vs Bawlf

22 - Jr. G V-Ball vs Tofield

23 - Sr. G V-Ball vs Viking

24 - Staff Meeting/PD Day (no classes for students)

28 - Mini Slammers @ Viking

28 - Sr. G V-Ball @ Cornerstone

30 - Jr. G V-Ball Divisionals

31/Nov. 1 - Jr. V-Ball @ ECKS

31/Nov. 1 - Sr. G V-Ball @ Rocky Mountain House

Concussion Protocol and Local Field Trip Permission forms are now available online. Please carefully read, fill out, sign, date, and submit these forms before September 24. These forms can be found in the Parent Portal under School Fees & Forms.

If you have not already done so, there are also Verification Forms that were sent by Battle River school Division that need to be completed through SchoolEngage.

If you are unsure how to access SchoolEngage or the PowerSchool Parent Portal, please contact Mrs. Omoth at somoth@brsd.ab.ca.

Invoices for school fees were emailed to families last week. Payments can be made online through the portal or by cheque made payable to Battle River School Division. Please remember to check your account regularly for new permission forms or fees.

Our Cross Country runners have been training hard to improve their personal best times and distances. Keep up the great work runners!

We are wishing our Volleyball teams good luck as they begin their seasons!

School Council Meeting

Wednesday, October 15 @ 7:00pm

Daysland School Learning Commons

Everyone Welcome!

We have contracted with Smart Photography to take students' photographs again this year. All Kindergarten to Grade 12 students will have their individual and group photos taken Tuesday, October 14th.

Theme Days will be the 1st Thursday of every month unless otherwise posted.

○ October - School Colours (Black and Yellow) Day

○ November - Twin Day

○ December - Disney Day

○ January - PJ Day

○ February - Olympic Athlete Day

○ March - Mismatched Day

○ April - Favourite Season Day

○ May - Mad for Plaid Day

○ June - Beach Day

If you are interested in purchasing Daysland School clothing, please visit

https://dayslandschool.entripyshops.com

Orders can be placed at any time of the year and will ship directly to the purchaser.

October Hot Lunch orders are now open. Orders for October are due on Friday, October 3. Please see below for instructions on how to set up an account and place an order.

In Attendance: Teena Kasha, Deanna Maerz, Wes Wilson (Principal), Alison Eshpeter, Jenni Thomas (Assistant Principal), Kirby Schmidt-Teigen, Brenda McKay, Carrie Carriere, Cassidy Lindseth, Amber Erickson

I. Teena Kasha called to order the regular meeting of the Daysland

School Council at 7:03 pm.

II. Open Floor Shout Out – All parents and staff in attendance. Daysland Business

Association who purchased a new tent for us.

III. Review of Agenda – Carrie moved to accept the agenda. Brenda seconded. All in

favour. Motion carried.

IV. Approval of minutes from last meeting – May 21, 2025 minutes were circulated prior

to meeting. Alison moved minutes accepted as circulated. Carrie seconded. All in favour.

Motion carried.

V. Correspondence – None to report.

VI. Reports

a) Administrator (Mr. Wilson/Mrs. Thomas)

(i) Admin Report – See attached report provided by Wes Wilson.

Key topics:

- Strike report. There is not much to share, but are hoping for more

communication from the government and the BRSD. Parents will be

communicated with as soon as possible.

- There are many different scenarios that could unfold.

- SGF Report done by Wes up to August 31, 2025

1. Shout Outs to Start the Year:

a. Staff and students for a smooth return to school.

b. Welcome back breakfast - staff for doing a great job preparing.

2. School Enrollment Information

a. We currently have 241 students enrolled in K-12 & CASA.

3. New staff to the building a. Duncan Danen - Jr. High IA (Tuesday/Thursday mornings)

b. Kessler Freadrich - Gr. 4-10 EA

c. Shelby Sawatzky - Kindergarten EA

4. Welcome Back to:

a. Kierstan Reber - Gr. 1

b. Alexis Pfeffer - Gr. 4

5. Supports in our building this year

a. Crystal Rapson - SWF (formerly FSLW)

b. Jaden DeWaal - MHCB

c. Theresa Kruchten - Career Counsellor

d. Laurel Osness - Off Campus Coordinator

e. Margaret Carlson/Brock Bartlett - Colony Principal

6. The athletics season has started:

a. Coaches

■ Mrs. Reber - Sr. Girls VB

■ Mrs. Thomas - Jr. Girls VB

■ Mrs. McKay & Miss Pfeffer - Mini Slammers

■ Mrs. Thomas - Golf

■ Mrs. Tobler/Mrs. Zimmer - Cross Country

7. Terry Fox Run

a. Tuesday, September 25th - run in grade combinations (older students with younger).

b. Raising funds both online in school.

c. If we reach $1000 in fundraising, Mr. Wilson will kiss a pig at our assembly!

8. Real Time Reporting to continue

a. No official report card to be shared and feedback will continue to be provided in a timely manner with the focus on Literacy and Numeracy in elementary and core subjects in secondary classes.

9. Parent Teacher Interviews

a. Scheduled for September 25th - 3:30-8:30.

10. School Based Collaboration Day

a. September 26th - No School for students

11. National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

a. September 30th

b. No school for staff & students

c. We will wear Orange Shirts on Monday, October 29th

12. Picture Day with Smart Photography

a. October 14th

13. Jr./Sr. High Awards Night

a. Friday, October 10th

14. Hope Mission Lunch Program

a. Program that provides lunches to students throughout BRSD.

b. Our messaging has been that if you need something extra or you do not have lunch for whatever reason, you are welcome to take something from the healthy options provided.

c. Students need to eat the lunches provided from home first.

15. School Theme Days

○ October - School Colours (Black and Yellow) Day

○ November - Twin Day

○ December - Disney Day

○ January - PJ Day

○ February - Olympic Athlete Day

○ March - Mismatched Day

○ April - Favourite Season Day

○ May - Mad for Plaid Day

○ June - Beach Day

16. Recent Legislation

a. Bill 29 - Fairness and Safety in Sport Act

b. Ministerial Order (#034/2025)

17. School Generated Funds - August 31st, 2025 Report Summary

b) Room Rep Reports:

Kindergarten (submitted by): Mrs. Tanton –

Grade 1 (submitted by): Mrs. Reber –

Grade 2 (submitted by): Mrs. Schlaut -

Grade 3 (submitted by): Mrs. Schmidt-Teigen -

Grade 4 (submitted by): Miss Pfeffer-

Grade 5 (submitted by): Mrs. Thomas/Mr. Wilson -

Grade 6 (submitted by Brenda McKay): Mrs. McKay –

Grade 7/8 (submitted by):

Grade 9 (submitted by): Mrs. Tobler –

Mrs. M Zimmer -

Mrs. Walker -

Grade 10 (submitted by):

Grade 11 (submitted by) – Mrs. M. Zimmer:

Grade 12 (submitted by) – Mrs. Walker –

Mr. Pastachak -

VII. Business arising from minutes: Success Starts Early 2025. About sixteen families

attended.

a) Secretary position. Amber Erickson will take the position. Approved by Allison.

Seconded by Brenda. All in favour. Motion passed.

VIII. New business:

a) Choose Room Reps

i) Kindergarten- Cassidy Lindseth

ii) Grade One- Shannon Wasilenkoff

iii) Grade Two- Amber Erickson

iv) Grade Three- Shyanne Lindballe

v) Grade Four- Kristie Nahajowich

vi) Grade Five- Alison Eshpeter

vii) Grade Six- Brenda McKay

viii) Grade Seven- Cristin Zimmer

ix) Grade Eight- Cristin Zimmer

x) Grade Nine- Alison Eshpeter

xi) Grade Ten- Jenni Thomas

xii) Grade Eleven- Carrie Carriere

xiii) Grade Twelve- Teena Kasha

IX. Adjournment: Teena Kasha adjourned the meeting at 7:54pm.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 7:00pm at Daysland School.