Colts Connection - Parents Edition

On May 18th we will be having our Celebration of Learning evening. This is a student led evening where students get to showcase some of what they learned this year. All classroom teachers will be available to connect with and ask questions if needed. There is no scheduled interviews on this evening, families are welcome to stop in whenever is best for them between 3:30-7:00 pm. More information will be sent home with your child this week.

Our Leadership Students came up with an idea to have an Art Night the same evening as our Celebration of Learning. Each grade will be working on some art that will focus on a specific artist. Students will learn about the artist and then showcase their own work that embraces the style/theme of the artist they were studying. The artwork of the students will be on display throughout the school the evening of May 18th.

We had an amazing group of students who were recognized as Leaders of Tomorrow at the annual awards ceremony. Leaders of Tomorrow recognizes young people in the community who demonstrate great character and leadership in their school and around the community. We are extremely proud of this group of students who through their hard work were recognized as Leaders of Tomorrow. Congratulations to Sydney H. (Gr. 2), Jensen G. (Gr. 2), Blakely V. (Gr. 2), Davis A. (Gr. 2), Rowan T. (Gr. 2), Julie B. (Gr. 1), Rylan K. (Gr. 1), Jace K. (Gr. 1), Gunner H. (Gr. 1), Hadley D. (Gr. 2), Serenity C. (Gr. 6), Khloe M. (Gr. 6), Kylee A.P. (Gr. 6), Gus M. (Gr. 4), Nash B. (Gr. 4), Cohen F. (Gr. 1). Great work and very well deserved recognition!

Our division received grant funding from Alberta Education to increase the Social Emotional Learning programming across the district. Up until this point, Andrea Ramage has been working across the district running Social Emotional Learning programs. As a result of the increase, there were two more people hired to facilitate Social Emotional Learning (Keri Hulsman and Tara Peninou). Tara was assigned to PES on Tuesdays for the remainder of this school year to run whole class Social Emotional Learning programs. We are also looking into Andrea Ramage running some parent programs for our BFPA parents (which would likely be open to all parents but run during the day).

The Grade 6s had the Mayor of Ponoka, Kevin Ferguson; the Reeve of Ponoka County, Paul McLauchlin; along with Town Councillor, Teri Underhill; in to speak to the students about municipal government. The Grade 6s are learning about local and provincial government as a part of their Social Studies Curriculum.

All Field Trips are planned for the end of the school year. Consent forms and fees for these field trips are now all added to your Parent Portal under "Student Fees". Your child's classroom teacher will be sending a note home, if they haven't already done so, about the field trip. If you have any issues in accessing your Parent Portal please contact the office.

The firm that has been hired by the Town of Ponoka to help in their strategic planning came to meet with Mrs. Grahn’s Grade 4 students. The students were asked questions about what services and infrastructure they wanted to see in Ponoka as young people living in town. They came up with some really great ideas and suggestions (as well as some really wild ones!). The guests were impressed with our students' willingness to participate and the ideas they shared.

Swimming Lessons have started for some classes. These lessons run from now until the 21st of June. Please see the school's calendar to see when your child's class is swiming. A consent fom must be completed in order for your child to participate.

Our schol received the following message from the Terry Fox Foundation for our fundraising efforts in September of this year. We are one of the Top Fundraising Schools of 2022!

Congratulations! We are so excited to announce that Ponoka Elementary School has placed on our “Top Fundraising Schools of 2022” list. To help celebrate your amazing achievement, we are providing you with a digital Top Fundraiser Badge!

When Terry set out, 43 years ago, he could have never had imagined that his torch would have been carried by so many future generations. We are so grateful to you for making sure that the flame stays lit and Terry’s passion to help those with cancer continues. We can’t thank you enough for your continued support and e look forward to working with you in 2023!

Mrs. Wessner's class has been working hard on their writing all year. As a result, they were published in a special book featuring all of Mrs. Wessner's students. There were so many great stories with great illustrations! Mrs. Wessner's class had a publishing party in April where Mrs. Wessner shared some of the great stories with her class and their parents.

The next School Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 29, at 6:30 pm at the school. All parents/guardians are welcome to attend.

Thank you to everyone who made it out for the Family Dance! It was great to see so many families out and there were tons of smiles and rosy cheeks by the end of the evening. A huge thank you to School Council for hosting and getting all the water, prizes, and snacks for everyone to enjoy!

May 2- Hot Dog Lunch

May 3 - Hats on! For Mental Health

May 3-10 - School Council Bobtail Nursery orders can be picked up at Bobtail Nursery.

May 4 & 5 - Kindergarten Orientation (for students entering K in the 2023/24 school year).

May 5 - Beach Day!

May 10-12 - Grade 6 Camp

May 11 - Bobtail Nursery Orders picked up at school

May 16 - Subway Lunch orders due

May 17 - Grade 6 PAT - Language Arts Part A

May 19 - PD Day

May 22 - No School - Victoria Day Holiday

May 23 - No School - In Lieu Day

May 26 - Twin Day

May 31 - Subway Lunch