April 14 - 20, 2025

www.ecoleparc.ca

One of our grade 1 classes and I have been counting the number of Sunday’s until swimming lessons begin. I’m happy to report, this is the last Sunday as lessons begin tomorrow! Of note, our grade 1 and 2’s typically swim on Monday’s and Wednesdays, with our grade 3’s typically going on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s. Get those suits and towels packed! Thank you to our parents as this is an activity our grade 1 to 3 parents support in our school fees.

We’re also getting really excited for our grade 1 to 6 students to go to Ardrossan Elementary on Wednesday. Our French Immersion team at Central planned a presentation for our two school’s French Immersion students. So great when we get to learn more about French culture and hear the language outside of our school walls.

Reminder, the school is closed on Friday, Apr. 18 and Monday, Apr. 21 for Easter long weekend. Happy Easter everyone!

Have a great week!

Our kitchen cupboards are empty!

Donate your old small pots and pans, spoons and bowls, to our very busy courtyard kitchen. Drop them off during school hours at the office and Mme. Boswell will ensure they get out to the kitchen for the students to use.

Please no glass or sharp objects.

MERCI!

Please follow this link to watch our announcement: Le 14 avril

We all know that our École Parc Élémentaire education team and community is second to none and we want to offer a way to celebrate all those little acts of greatness that can sometimes go unnoticed!

This year we are launching Grizzlies' Greatness. This is your opportunity recognize those individuals who you think help make EPE special, welcoming, unique and an over great place to be!! So if you are thankful for the way that a staff member is always smiling and offering a kind welcome in the halls, that new teacher who is making their mark in our school with their energy and ideas or that EA who is making those valuable connections, we want to know about it.

To participate all you have to do is complete the form below- that's it! EPE school council will do the rest! A council member will take your comments place them in a card and deliver it to the staff member on your behalf!

Please click here to access form.

What's happening this week at École Parc:

Apr. 14

• Gr. 1 Swimming 10:00 to 10:45

• Gr. 2 Swimming 10:50 to 11:35
• Hot Lunch

Apr. 15

• Gr. 3 Swimming 1:00 to 1:45
• Collaborative Response Team Planning Session

Apr. 16

• L'unitheatre presentation for grades 1 - 6, Bus leaves EPE at 12:20

Apr. 17

• Fire Drill 2:00 p.m.
• Gr. 3 Swimming 1:00 to 1:45

Apr. 18

• No School - Good Friday

UPCOMING DATES:

Apr. 21

• No School - Easter Monday

April 22

• Gr. 3 Swimming 1:00 to 1:45

April 23

• Gr. 1 Swimming 10:00 to 10:45

• Gr. 2 Swimming 10:50 to 11:35

April 25

• Grade 3 In-School Field Trip by Teacher's Pet 1:15pm

April 28

• Hot Lunch Booster Juice
• Gr. 1 Swimming 10:00 to 10:45
• Gr. 2 Swimming 10:50 to 11:35
• Class of the week 42/52

April 29

• Gr. 3 Swimming 1:00 to 1:45

April 30

• Gr. 1 Swimming 10:00 to 10:45

• Gr. 2 Swimming 10:50 to 11:35

• Grade 4 In school Field Trip Teachers Pet

Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) wants to hear from you. Every year, EIPS conducts a feedback survey to gauge its progress toward meeting the goals and priorities outlined in its Four-Year Education Plan. Collectively, the Division uses the survey feedback to help guide future planning, decision-making and strategies—all aimed at enhancing student learning and better serving the wider community.

Complete the 2024-25 EIPS Annual Feedback Survey: For Parents and Caregivers by March 21.

The Alberta Education Assurance survey gathers feedback on the quality of education provided by school authorities and their schools. Schools and school authorities use this information to understand how they are doing and plan for the future. Grades 4, 7 and 10 parents and caregivers have received information directly from the school on how to complete the survey. Complete the Alberta Education Assurance survey by March 21—learn more. For questions or concerns, contact the school.

If your child loses a library or home reading book, please contact the school. If the book is not found within 30 days, the cost of the resource will be assigned to the “Fees” section of your PowerSchool account. Please note, if the book is found within 30 days, a refund will be granted. However, if the book is found after 30 days, a refund will not be granted as we will have purchased a replacement for the library’s collection.

Please check out the linked April First Nations, Métis and Inuit Newsletter. on supports and upcoming events!

Also, interested in learning Cree? Families are encouraged to watch this video on Cree and English word study. Learn about compound words, prefixes & suffixes, plurals and singular nouns and possessive adjectives.

Instruction for placing fundraising order on Munch lunch

1. Log into your Munchalunch account.

2. Click on fundraising tab

Hello Grizzly families,

Ordering Hot Lunch will be changing effective January 2025. Families will need to create an account with Munchalunch. I have included a document with steps to complete this account. Hot lunches will still be offered every other Monday(changed Wednesday if Monday is a holiday) and Tuesday and will have a rotating schedule of local vendors as we are currently doing. Families will still be able to order one at a time or as far in advance as they like. The deadline for ordering will be 7-10 days prior to hot lunch and will change with the vendor offering that week. Please note that the deadline to order the first Hot Lunch will be December 30th, 2024 at noon. We understand this change is not ideal mid year but it was necessary to keep our hot lunch program running.

Please head to https://munchalunch.com/schools/parc to create your account or follow the instructions on the document attached to this email.

For any other questions, please reach out to EPESchoolcouncil@gmail.com.

Please cancel any future orders you have purchased with Lunchbox. Follow the attached instructions to do so.

2025 Hot Lunch Dates:

We look forward to serving Hot Lunch with this new platform and thank you for the continuing support.

Genista

Hot Lunch Coordinator

Ecole Parc Elementaire School Council/Fundraising Society

We are lucky to have such a generous community and we often have some lunches donated by EPE families. We would like to gather a list of students that we can gift these to. If you'd like to be added to this list, please email general.epe@eips.ca Please include your child's information and if they have any allergies.

The EPE school council and fundraising society is looking to build a resource library to help parents support their children in French literacy. With the support of the Alberta School Council Engagement Grant, we have purchased 21 French/English dictionaries. In addition to having both languages, they are illustrated and are a great tool for parents, particularly those learning French with their children. The dictionaries are free on a first come first serve basis and can be collected at the office.

If you have a suggestion for a parent learning resource or educational opportunity please contact school council at epeschoolcouncil@gmail.com.

This year in attempt to be more accessible we will be trialing various meeting formats including virtual options. Meeting will be held on the following Wednesdays at 7pm

October 9th

November 27

January 15th

February 12th

March 12th

April 9th

May 14th

June 11th

For information about our School Council and Fundraising society, please visit our website at:

https://www.epeschoolcouncil.com/

Did you miss the David Irvine presentation "RAISING ACCOUNTABLE, CAPABLE YOUNG PEOPLE Paving the Way for Your Child’s Success" on March 11? Did you tune in but wanted to watch it again. Here is your chance to get caught up. Click here.

Passcode: 5E#s9!%J

National Volunteer Week takes place April 27 to May 4. On behalf of the Board of Trustees at Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS), I want to say a giant thank you to all EIPS volunteers. This year’s theme is Volunteers Make Waves, and that’s certainly true in our Division. No matter whether you’ve chaperoned a field trip, helped out at a hot lunch day or provided support in a classroom—every time you’ve stepped in a school—you’ve made a ripple effect that washes over your community. These waves of positivity, hard work and dedication build up and make a momentous impact on a student’s experience at school.

So, thank you again for being a part of our ocean at EIPS. The waves you’ve made—and will continue to create—all contribute to our collective goals of ensuring learning and working environments sustain student learning and amplifying the importance of public education in our province. This National Volunteer Week, I encourage everyone to celebrate the hundreds of volunteers and thousands of hours put into supporting student growth and achievement at schools across the Division.

Cathy Allen
Chair, EIPS Board of Trustees

EIPS Annual Education Results Report

Every year, Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) publishes an Annual Education Results Report, which outlines the Division’s Four-Year Education Plan, growth opportunities and how it supports students in achieving the best possible outcomes. Read through this year’s EIPS Annual Education Results Report 2023-24 and discover how EIPS fosters learning environments for all students to learn, grow and thrive—and why it matters.

April Spotlight: cultivating high-quality learning environments and experiences

· Raising the Bar: Evidence-based practices that are enhancing teaching and learning in EIPS

· Power of Kindness: Creating welcoming, inclusive, respectful and safe learning environments in schools

· Building Blocks: How effective planning, management and infrastructure are supporting learning

RELATED INFORMATION
EIPS Four-Year Education Plan: 2022-26
EIPS Three-Year Capital Plan: 2025-28

Junior high schools across EIPS are hosting information nights for all Grade 6 students and their families—taking place in April and May. Make sure to attend to learn everything you need to know about the junior high programs at your child’s school. Those who attend will also have a chance to:

· meet the teachers;

· tour the school and classrooms;

· learn about the upcoming curriculum; and

· ask questions.

For specific dates and times, see: EIPS Junior High Information Sessions 2025

Date: May 14, 2025

Time: 5:00-6:00 pm

Location: Ecole Parc

To make the transition to school as smooth as possible, Elk Island Public Schools has put together a toolkit for families. The kit includes information about registration, important dates, programming options, what to expect, eligibility, finding your designated school, transportation and more.

Additional information about Ecole Parc’s kindergarten program is available on the school website. Please click here.

Is there a preschooler in your life experiencing identified developmental delays or challenges with speech-language—big or small? If so, Elk Island Public School’s Play And Learn at School (PALS) program could help.

Early learning lays the foundation for success in primary grades and beyond. As such, EIPS offers the pre-kindergarten PALS program in five of its elementary school locations—including Ecole Parc.. Applications are now open for free speech-language assessments for those interested in registering in the PALS program this fall. The assessment helps determine if PALS is appropriate for your child.

If you know a preschooler, born in 2021 or 2022, who could benefit from pre-kindergarten programming or want to book an assessment, fill out the PALS Program Request Form or call 780-417-8219. For more information, visit eips.ca.

Remember, be aware of thin ice this time of year. Depending on changing temperatures, ice can form and melt to varying degrees on outdoor bodies of water. Try to remind your child about the dangers of thin ice, obey all posted signs, take proper care and remain a safe distance from the ice.

For more information about ice safety, visit the Canadian Red Cross.

Did you know?

The colour of ice may be an indication of its strength. Clear blue ice is the strongest. White opaque is half as strong as blue ice. And, grey ice is unsafe—greyness indicates the presence of water.

EIPS prepares a budget in the spring based on projected enrolment, funding, estimated costs and Board of Trustees budget priorities. Before the Division can finalize its budget for the next school year, we need to wait for the provincial government to provide the funding manual for school authorities and EIPS’ funding profile. This year’s funding manual is expected to be released in early April and the funding profile should be available mid-March. EIPS plans to publish its spring budget in May. Learn more

Did you know you can sync the school calendar to your own calendar? Simply, visit https://www.ecoleparc.ca and click on the applicable subscription option:

· Download to iCal

· Add to Google Calendar

· Subscribe to Calendar

NOTE: Options are located above the calendar.

Once you click on the desired subscription option, follow the instructions. Within seconds, your calendar will contain all École Parc Élémentaire’s important dates including holidays, school-closures days, planned activities, events and more.

If your student is absent, being picked up early or will be arriving late, we ask that you please email our attendance email at EPEAttendance@eips.ca or call the school at 780-998-3741. Please send any DQ permissions to this email as well. We ask that you contact us ahead of time for early pickups so that we may have your student ready on time. We understand that there may be last minute situations. Thank you.

School fees

All fees were due as of October 31, 2024. Fees can be paid on the PowerSchool Parent Portal .

If you have not paid your fees, please contact the office to make payment arrangements.

To access your fee information, simply log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal and go to “Student Fees.” There you can view your fees and pay them online using Visa or MasterCard. All fees are due within 30 days of being posted.

For the safety of our students, a reminder that this lane is for QUICK student drop off only. Please park on the street if you need to walk with your student into the school.

A reminder to our families that please avoid sending nut products to school with your student as we have some very severe allergies. We appreciate your support in keeping all our students safe!

EIPS has three administrative procedures (APs) that address the Division’s code of conduct:

· AP 311: Welcoming, Caring, Respectful and Safe Learning Environments for Students

· AP 350: Student Code of Conduct

· AP 351: Student Conduct on School Buses

The Division, and École Parc Élémentaire, are committed to ensuring all members of the school community are provided with welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments that respect diversity and foster a sense of belonging. EIPS encourages all students, staff and families to review the procedures to understand and practice the conduct expected throughout the Division.

Did you know each EIPS bus is equipped with video surveillance, and many school sites have video monitoring equipment?

Video surveillance and equipment help:

· ensure the safety of all students, staff, drivers and property; and

· discourage destructive acts.

As needed, EIPS school administration and Student Transportation staff review video recordings, in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act. The recordings assist schools and the Division with monitoring student and driver conduct and may be used as evidence in a disciplinary matter.

For more information about the collection, use and disclosure of personal information, contact the EIPS FOIP Co-ordinator at 780-464-3477.