Blue Jay Bulletin
August 21st 2025

October 16, 2026
Dear James Mowat Elementary School Families,
As we move through a busy and exciting fall season, I would like to thank our families and community members for the tremendous support you continue to show our school. Your involvement helps create the opportunities and experiences that make our school such a special place for students.
One of our most important priorities is planning for the future of our playground. This fall, we will be investing approximately $3,000 in repairs to a climbing structure to ensure our playground remains safe and enjoyable for students. Looking ahead, we anticipate that a complete playground replacement will be required in approximately five years. With current replacement costs exceeding $300,000, fundraising efforts will play a significant role in making this project a reality. While many grants are available, most require schools to contribute a substantial amount of funding before applications can be submitted, and many operate as matching grants.
Families can support our playground fundraising efforts in several ways, including purchasing Co-op Gift Cards through the PowerSchool Portal, saving bottles for our Bottle Drive, and attending our upcoming Family Dance. At this time, only 8 of our 33 volunteer positions for the Family Dance have been filled. For the event to move forward, we need to fill the remaining positions by Monday. Volunteer shifts are offered in half-hour increments so that volunteers can still spend time enjoying the dance alongside family and friends. We sincerely appreciate your support and hope you will consider volunteering.
A special thank you goes to McDonald's on Wilshire Boulevard for their continued generosity in supporting our playground project. Their contributions now total an incredible $3,300, and we are grateful for their ongoing partnership and commitment to our students.
The coming week is full of exciting activities. Our School Council and Parent Fundraising Association meet on Monday beginning at 5:30 p.m. We hope to have new parents join us for this great opportunity to be involved in the school. Students will participate in photo retakes, volleyball games, RCMP Halloween Safety presentations, and our first hot lunch of the year. We look forward to all of these opportunities for learning, connection, and fun.
Although Thanksgiving has just passed, we are already looking ahead to the holiday season and beginning preparations for our annual Christmas concerts. The Kindergarten Christmas Concert will take place on December 9, followed by the Grades 1-6 Christmas Concert on December 10. Due to seating limitations, each family will be able to receive two tickets for either the afternoon or evening performance. Additional information regarding ticket distribution and concert details will be shared after the November break.
Thank you for your continued support of our school community. Together, we are creating wonderful opportunities for our students today while investing in projects that will benefit children for years to come.
Ms. Krista Porter and Mrs. Lana Romanowska
Upcoming Dates
October
18 Deadline to complete the photo retake form
19-23 School Bus Safety Week
19 Photo Retakes - whole school
19 Deadline to order for the Co-op fundraiser
19 School Council and PAA 5:30 p.m.
20 Photo Retakes - T/F Kindie only
20 Grade 5/6 Volleyball home game 4 -5 p.m.
21 Hand chime practice at lunch recess
22 Hot lunch - McDonald's
23 Halloween Dance 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
27 Grade 5/6 Volleyball home game 4 -5 p.m.
November
2 & 3 Parent Teacher Interviews 4-7 p.m.
2 & 3 Bottle drive in support of our playground
5 Grade 2 - Creative Adventures Caravan In School Field Trip
9 Hot Lunch Orders Due (KFC)
9-13 November Break - No school for staff or students
11 Remembrance Day
16 Parent Council/Parent Advisory Association Meetings at 5:30 p.m.
17 Hot lunch - KFC
25 Hot lunch orders due (Firehouse subs)
ACTION
Photo Retake Day
James Mowat Photo Retake Days are coming up on Monday October 19th for the whole school, and Tuesday October 20th for the Tues/Fri kindergarten class!
If your child needs a photo retake, please complete the registration form below:
James Mowat Retake Request Form
It is important that each student participating in the retake is registered using this form so they can be added to the retake list. Please complete the form by Sunday October 18th so we can make sure they get their photo taken!
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Offspring Studios at hello@offspringstudios.ca, and we will be happy to help.
Hot Lunch
Hot lunch ordering is now open for October, November, and December!
Please review the attached flyer for ordering instructions, important dates, and additional information.
We encourage families to place their orders before the ordering deadlines to ensure their student(s) can participate.
If you have any questions, please contact Chantal at jamesmowatlunch@gmail.com
Volunteer sign-ups are also available.
We are requesting 6 volunteers for each day. Please sign up using the links below.
October 22 https://volunteersignup.org/EBJAX
November 17 https://volunteersignup.org/MLFFC
December 3 https://volunteersignup.org/37P9R
December 15 https://volunteersignup.org/4BHDH
Playground Co-op Fundraiser
We are excited to offer families the opportunity to purchase Co-op gift cards with 10% of the funds raised going towards our playground project!
Gift cards are available in $25, $50, and $100 denominations and available to order until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, October 19. No late orders will be accepted.
To order:
1) Login to your PowerSchool Parent Portal and go to your child’s fees tab (Note: the Fees tab in not available on the mobile app)
2) Click on the image of ‘James Mowat Co-op Gift Card Fundraiser’ found at the bottom under School Items.
3) Complete the order form
4) Click ‘Add to Cart’
5) Go to your’ Cart’ and submit payment. Note: Payment must be completed at the time of order.
Gift cards will be available for pick up during parent-teacher interviews on Monday, November 2 and Tuesday, November 3 from 4-7pm.
Thank you for your support!
James Mowat Elementary
The JMW Halloween Dance is Friday, October 23!
Dear students and parents of James Mowat Elementary,
James Mowat School and Parent Council
would like to invite you to our
HALLOWEEN
Spooktacular Dance
Friday, October 23rd
from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
This is an opportunity for our families to dress up, dance, and have yummy snacks!
Admittance tickets are
$5 per person to a $20 maximum per family
Toilet Paper will be collected for the Food Bank!
Concession Items $2 each
Cash only for admittance and concession.
Please note the following rules regarding the dance:
- This event is for James Mowat students and their immediate family only (parents/guardians and siblings). Cousins, friends and others will not be allowed entrance.
- No outside food or beverages will be permitted (this includes coffee/tea).
- All students MUST be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Guardians will be charged admission and must stay onsite for the entire event. All children must have an adult present.
- No re-entry
WE ARE LOOKING FOR ADULT VOLUNTEERS. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO BE ABLE TO RUN THIS EVENT. PLEASE SIGN UP AT:
Bottle Drive Coming Soon!
Start saving those bottles and cans! Our school will be holding a Bottle Drive on November 2 & 3 in support of our playground fundraiser.
Every bottle helps us get a little closer to our goal, and we appreciate the support of our school community.
Save them up and stay tuned. More details are coming soon!
INFORMATION
School Bus Safety Week: October 19-23
Schools throughout Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) are celebrating School Bus Safety Week from October 19-23. The theme: ‘Be Bright, Stand in Sight,’ which helps remind students to be visible and make smart choices while waiting for the school bus. Throughout the week, various activities are planned, including information sessions, bus-safety lesson plans and bus-evacuation drills.
For more information, visit EIPS Student Transportation or contact 780-417-8151.
ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES INFORMATION
Building mental health everyday: Nine ways to support your child
Your child’s mental health grows through everyday moments—in how they play, talk, and connect with the people who care for them. The small things you do each day make a big difference. Here are nine ways to help your child build strong mental health.
10 ways to build your child's social emotional skills
Social emotional learning is about helping kids learn the types of skills they use in everyday life, like how to express feelings, solve problems, manage stress, and get along with others. Here are 10 ways to help your child grow their social emotional learning skills.
The perks of parent engagement
By getting involved in your child’s school experience, you show them that you value and care about their education. Here's what you can do to support their school journey.
COMMUNITY CORNER
Free Parent Learning: Navigating the Shift Series for 2026-2027!
Parenting comes with new challenges at every stage. This fall, we are pleased to offer a variety of free workshops for parents and caregivers. Everyone is welcome.
Registration is now open: FCSS Workshops
October
October 26 | 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Fueling the Transition: Nutrition for the Move to Junior High
Presented by a PCN Dietitian
October-November (Virtual, On-Demand)
Surviving the Teen Years
Presented by the Institute of Child Psychology
Participants will receive access to the recorded session for one month upon registration.
November
November 4 | 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Raising Financially Fit Kids
Presented by Credit Counselling Society
💻 Virtual
November 5 | 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Supporting Boys' Mental Health
Presented by Recovery Alberta
📍 Location TBD
November 19 | 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Guiding Your Child Through Life Transitions
Presented by Autism Edmonton
December
December 3 | 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Neurodivergent Youth and Mental Health
Presented by PCN