NSO News & Information
January 19-31, 2026
Semester 1 Completion
Hey all,
As we enter the final instructional week of Semester 1, we want to acknowledge the effort and perseverance students and families have shown throughout the semester. This final stretch is critical, and with focused attendance and engagement, many students can successfully complete their courses.
We strongly encourage students to attend as consistently as possible this week to complete any outstanding assignments, tests, or learning requirements. Every day matters, and being present provides the best opportunity for teachers to support students in finishing well.
A few important reminders as we close the semester:
Outstanding Work: Please prioritize attendance this week so students can complete remaining assessments and assignments.
Textbook Return: All school-issued textbooks and novels must be returned by Friday, Jan 23. Books may be returned to the front office or directly to teachers.
Semester 2 Start Appointments: Please ensure your Semester 2 course start appointment has been confirmed, as this allows us to support a smooth transition into the new semester.
We appreciate your continued partnership and support. As we often remind our students, “Small steps are still progress,” and this final week is an important step toward success. Thank you for encouraging your child to push through this last week with focus and determination. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions or require support.
With appreciation,
Mr. B. Spady, Principal
School Advisory Council Meeting – January 27 at 12:00 p.m. (Virtual)
Families are invited to join us for our upcoming School Advisory Council (SAC) meeting on January 27 at 12:00 p.m. This meeting will be held virtually to make it easier for families to attend. Join here: Virtual Link
During our meeting, we will be reviewing our School Education Plan results, and sharing updates on the road ahead for Semester 2. Your voice and insights are important as we continue to shape the direction of Next Step and celebrate the progress we are making together. We encourage all parents and guardians to attend and be part of the conversation. A meeting link will be shared closer to the date.
Textbook & Materials Return!📚
All school-issued textbooks, novels, and learning materials must be returned by Friday, January 23. Items may be returned directly to your child’s teacher or to the front office. Please be aware that missing or damaged materials may result in a replacement cost being applied. We encourage students to carefully check backpacks, vehicles, and at-home study spaces to ensure all items are returned. Your cooperation helps us maintain shared resources for future learners.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain our resources for future learners.
EIPS Open Houses and Information Sessions
To help students and their families make informed decisions about next school year, schools across the Division will host open houses and information sessions throughout the upcoming registration season to share information about specific courses, alternative programming and extracurricular opportunities available. Refer to the open house listing for more information or contact the school you’re interested in directly.
Student Communication Information🤳
As part of our high school course start process, we will also be collecting student cell phone numbers where students can opt in for SchoolMessenger. Similar to the opt-in process for parents, students will have the option to opt in to receive 1-way SMS text message communications related to their courses, graduation, Diploma Exams, and assessment updates. This process will be rolled out during the first week of semester 2. Students can opt out at any time from SchoolMessanger. We believe it is important that students receive key information to support their learning.
📅Important Dates
Jan 21 Bell Let's Talk Day
Jan 23 Last instructional day semester 1 (High School)
Jan 27 Virtual School Advisory Council meeting 12pm join here: Virtual Link
Jan 28 Junior High Report Cards posted
Jan 28 Professional Learning day (no classes)
Jan 29 Semester 2 starts
Jan 29 Sherwood Park Campus Open House 6pm
Jan 29 Lunar New Year
Feb 3 Fort Saskatchewan Campus Open House 6pm
Feb 5-6 Teachers' Convention (no school)
Feb 9-23 EIPS Returning Student Registration open
Feb 12 Vegreville Campus Open House 6pm
Feb 14 Valentine's Day
Feb 15 National Flag Day
Feb 16 Family Day (no school)
Feb 17 Random Acts of Kindness Day
Feb 18 Alternative Programming Online Info
Feb 24 Grad Parent & Student virtual meeting 6pm
Feb 25 National Pink Shirt Day
Mar 6 Professional Learning Day (no school)
Mar 8 International Women's Day
Mar 8 Daylight Saving starts
Mar 9 Commonwealth Day
Mar 10 Summer School Registration Opens 8am
Mar 10 Virtual School Advisory Council meeting
Mar 14 Pi Day
Mar 17 St. Patrick's Day
Mar 18 Parent Teacher Conferences (FSO & VGO)
Mar 19 Parent Teacher Conferences (SPO)
Mar 23-27 Spring Break
Mar 31 International Transgender Day of Visibility
Mar 31 National Indigenous Languages Day
April 1 Registration for Diploma Exam Prep opens
April 1 Registration for June Intermediate First Aid opens
Returning Student Registration for 2026-2027
The Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) returning student registration process for 2026-27 takes place Feb. 9-23, 2026. Through the online form, families will confirm the school and program their child will attend next year or advise the Division if they aren’t returning. For students who want to attend a non-designated school next year, these requests must be submitted through the returning student registration process—acceptance is based on available space.
On February 9, the parent/guardian on file in PowerSchool identified as the Permission Click contact for each student will receive an email through Permission Click with a link to the form. If your family hasn’t received any Permission Click forms this school year, contact the school office so we can investigate any technical issues before registration season.
Registration for First Aid is now Open!
The Intermediate First Aid Course is a comprehensive, hands-on, two-day program designed to equip participants with essential first aid skills for responding to a range of injuries and emergencies. Through interactive learning, attendees will gain knowledge in CPR, wound care, managing fractures, and more, with a focus on practical application. Intermediate First Aid training is focused on Basic Life Support skills and follows the new CSA standards Z1210-17 and the “Alberta Plus” standards. It includes AED and CPR level C training (adult, child and infant).
Dates - April 11 & 12
Location - Salisbury Composite High School
Time - 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Cost - $125 which includes all materials
Registration CLOSES: Friday, April 10 at 12:00 p.m. (or when full)
Head to our website for steps on how to register!
Alberta Education Assurance survey results (Nov 2025)
Here are some highlights worth celebrating:
- Three-Year Graduation Rate: Increased by an astounding 15% across our campuses. This is the result of countless conversations, personalized pathways, and our belief that every student can cross the finish line.
- Access to Supports & Services: 98.9% of teachers, parents, and students agree that students have access to the appropriate supports and services, exceeding the provincial average of 80.1%.
- Welcoming, Caring, Respectful & Safe Learning Environments: 94.6% of teachers, parents and students who agree that their learning environments are welcoming, caring, respectful and safe, well above the provincial average of 84.4%. This speaks directly to the culture we create daily.
- Dropout Rate: Decreased significantly from 8.5% in 2021 to 4.7% today. Evidence of the persistent outreach, relationship-building, and re-engagement work happening across our sites.
- Programs for Children at Risk: 98.6% of teacher, parent and student agreement that programs for children at risk are easy to access and timely, compared to the provincial average of 80.5%. This is perhaps our most important measure, and it reinforces that our students and families feel supported at critical moments.
These results are not accidental, they are the collective outcome of intentional practice, compassionate connections, and a belief that growth happens when we surround students with safety, structure, and opportunity. As we celebrate this data, remember small steps are still progress, but these steps have a profound impact with our students.
Graduation Ceremony 2026
We are excited to announce the details for the Next Step Outreach Graduation Ceremony – Class of 2026! This milestone event will be held on:
📅 Friday, June 5, 2026
📍 DOW Centre – Shell Theatre, Fort Saskatchewan
This special occasion will celebrate the achievements of our graduates as they cross the stage and mark the beginning of their next chapter. For families and friends unable to attend in person, the ceremony will be livestreamed so everyone can share in this memorable moment outside the venue.
Each graduate will be allocated a set number of guest tickets. Historically, this has ranged between 4–6 tickets per graduate, but the exact number will be confirmed once final graduate numbers are determined. We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2026 together!
Student Success Team
Our Student Success team at Next Step is designed to maximize school engagement, increase academic success and enhance social, emotional and physical well-being for students.
Sherwood Park: Success Coach for grades 8-11 is Jennifer.Martinez@eips.ca email and direct line 7804102942 (student/family strategies & community connections)
Success Coach for grade 12's and R12's is Sarah.Holmes@eips.ca email and direct line is 7804102942 (student/family strategies & community connections)
Fort Saskatchewan: Success Coach is Janet.Clarkson@eips.ca email and direct line 7804103981 (student/family strategies & community connections)
Vegreville: Family School Liaison Worker Carlin.Adams@eips.ca email and direct line 7804103989 (student/family strategies & community connections)
Post-Secondary applications
Undergraduate applications in Alberta
ApplyAlberta is a secure online system that allows you to apply to one or more of Alberta’s public colleges, universities, and technical institutes.
What you’ll need to apply
- Your Alberta Student Number (What is an ASN?)
- Names of all the high schools and post-secondary institutions you have attended
- All your high school courses and corresponding grades
- A credit card to pay your application fees (learn more)
Our vision is to create a community of learners who embody the virtues of acceptance, flexibility, individualization, respect, and responsibility.
Motto: Small steps are still progress!
Student Engagement Expectation
At Next Step, we believe that consistent engagement in learning is key to academic success. Students who do not actively participate in their course for a period of 30 days will be withdrawn from the course. Should a student wish to reengage, they will be required to meet with our Student Success team to discuss their commitment and develop a plan to ensure future success. As we say at Next Step, "small steps are still progress," and we are here to support every step of your journey. This policy ensures students remain committed to their learning, while also providing them with the necessary support to reengage effectively.
Use of Personal Communication Devices
Appropriate use of personal communication devices contributes to the safety and security of students and staff, minimizes risk to personal wellbeing and disruption to instruction, and protects personal privacy and academic integrity. As such, all personal communication devices are to be out of sight during instructional hours from: 9:00-11:30am & 12:30-3pm
Students may not access a PCD unless given permission by the teacher for a specific educational task or purpose. PCDs shall not be on the student unless the use is for: a diagnosed medical condition; or an identified inclusive-educational need.
Campus EIPS Opportunities
Campus EIPS is offering new programming for Semester 2. Check out these learning opportunities!
Building Security and Door Locking
From a security perspective, the most important function of an exterior door is for protection from the elements and to control entry for building security. All exterior doors will be locked, and opened only for student and visitor access during designated school entry times and special events. Students who arrive when doors are locked, as well as parents/caregivers and visitors, will be welcomed into the office after ringing the doorbell/video-monitored intercom entry system. All visitors must sign in and out of the school and follow the visitor protocol.
Next Step Outreach
#gogreen
Email: nextstep@eips.ca
Website: eipsnextstep.ca
Phone: 7804641899
X: @eipsnextstep