NSO News & Information

Monday, May 12 is Instructional day #60 of 84 or 71% through semester 2. We are only 25 days to graduation!

As we move into the final stretch of the school year, we’re reminded that “small steps are still progress”, a motto that continues to inspire us each day at Next Step. We have two powerful and meaningful events coming up that reflect the heart of our school community:

Moose Hide Campaign Day – On Thursday, May 15, our students and staff will join the national Moose Hide Campaign, standing in solidarity to end violence against women and children. This day is more than just an event—it is a call to action rooted in truth, reconciliation, and respect. At school, we will wear moose hide pins as symbols of our commitment, engage in conversations around empathy, respect, and safety for all and take part in a ceremonial walk or reflection activity, depending on location and weather. We encourage families to talk with your children at home about the meaning of this campaign. Together, we can foster a culture of dignity, love, and accountability.

Graduation – and soon, we’ll be celebrating one of the most joyful moments of the year, Graduation Day on Friday, June 6! Our grads have walked unique and courageous paths to reach this milestone. They’ve shown resilience, perseverance, and heart. We will gather as a school community to honour the achievements of our graduates, reflect on their growth and transformation and celebrate with family, friends, and staff who have supported them every step of the way. Graduation ceremony starts at 2:30 p.m. at the Dow Centre in Fort Saskatchewan. Students & families are reminded to submit photos, acknowledgements, and confirm tickets via the Google email link shared.

As always, thank you for walking alongside us. Whether we’re standing up for change or lifting up our graduates, it’s clear that every small step, every conversation, every celebration, moves us forward.

-Principal Mr. B. Spady, Assistant Principal's Mrs. D. Bennett, Mrs. K. Porter & Mr. C. Martin

The Moose Hide Campaign is a Canadian movement to end violence against women and children, especially focusing on Indigenous women and girls. It started in 2011 when a father and daughter went hunting on their traditional territory near Highway 16 – also known as the “Highway of Tears”, where many Indigenous women have gone missing or been murdered. They brought back moose hide from their hunt and decided to cut it into small squares.

These squares are worn as a symbol of commitment to:

· End violence against women and children

· Stand up for gender equity

· Support reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples

Moose hide is used because it is traditional and meaningful in many Indigenous cultures and symbolizes respect, protection, and a connection to the land.

Courses are designed for preparing students to write their Grade 12 diploma exams. Courses will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Salisbury Composite High School (20 Festival Way) in Sherwood Park. Cost is $125 per course, $75 for Science 30 (1 day session). Students/families will register via PowerSchool Parent Portal. If you have questions, please reach out to nextstep@eips.ca or 780-464-1899. https://www.eipsnextstep.ca/diploma-prep

May 31-June 1 (ELA 30-1 & Social 30-1)

June 7-8 (ELA 30-1 & Social 30-1)

June 14-15 Math 30-1/2, Biology 30,

June 21 Science 30

June 21-22 Chemistry 30 Physics 30

May 14 Educational Assistant Appreciation Day

May 15 Moose Hide Campaign Day

May 19 Victoria Day-No School

May 28 Red Shirt Day

May 29 Grade 9 ELA PAT Part A

May 31-June 1 Diploma Exam Prep (ELA 30-1/SS 30-1) Register

June 4 Early dismissal 2:10 p.m.

June 6 Graduation Ceremony 2:30 p.m. DOW Centre Fort Saskatchewan

June 7-8 Diploma Exam Prep (ELA 30-1/SS 30-1) Register

June 7 MaKami College OPEN HOUSE 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

June 11 ELA 30-1/2 Part A Diploma

June 12 Social 30-1/2 Part A Diploma

June 12 Grade 9 PAT ELA Part B

June 13 Grade 9 PAT Math Part A

June 13 Grade 9 Farewell Salisbury Theatre 4:15 p.m.

June 14-15 Diploma Exam Prep (Math 30-1/2, Bio 30) Register

June 15 Father's Day

June 17 Math 30-1/2 Diploma

June 17 Grade 9 PAT Math Part B

June 17 Last Instructional Day- Grade 10-12

June 18 ELA 30-1/2 Part B Diploma

June 18 Grade 9 PAT Social Studies

June 19 Social 30-1/2 Part B Diploma

June 19 Grade 9 PAT Science

June 20 Biology 30 Diploma

June 21-22 Diploma Exam Prep (Chemistry 30, Physics 30, Science 30) Register

June 21 National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 23 Chemistry 30 Diploma

June 24 Physics 30 Diploma

June 25 Science 30 Diploma & last day of semester

June 26 Last Operational Day

July 7-31 Summer School

Please connect with your Graduation contact at your location to review your courses, share your plans for next school year, and pick up your Grad 2025 T-shirt!

• Sherwood Park – Sara Wood (sara.wood@eips.ca) Success Coach
• Sherwood Park – D’Anne Bennett (danne.bennett@eips.ca) Assistant Principal
• Fort Saskatchewan – Janet Clarkson (janet.clarkson@eips.ca) Success Coach
• Vegreville – Carlin Adams (carlin.adams@eips.ca) Family School Liaison Worker
• Fort Saskatchewan & Vegreville – Krista Porter (krista.porter@eips.ca) Assistant Principal

We look forward to celebrating your Graduation on Friday June 6, 2025!

Spring has started out as a very dry season and unfortunately, we’re seeing grassfires in nearby areas. Although we haven’t had fires close to the school to date, circumstances can shift quickly and we need to be prepared to deal with the situation should it arise. We understand parents and caregivers have concerns about students’ health and wellbeing due to the unpredictability of wildfires, and I wanted to reach out to let you know about the contingency plans we have in place.

• To keep air quality at healthy levels, air intake system is adjusted as needed to avoid bringing smoke into the building. When the air quality is poor outside, school administrators will initiate a “shelter in place” and keep students and staff indoors during the school day.
• School administrators monitor the situation through emergency alerts and information from Alberta Fire and other agencies. If we receive word the school community may be at risk due to proximity to the fire, the school will evacuate students and staff to a safe location.
• Next Step, like all EIPS schools, has a detailed evacuation plan to follow should emergency officials inform us that we must leave. If that happens, EIPS will contact you directly via both phone and email on its emergency channel.
• Staff and students will be transported via bus and taken to an emergency evacuation centre located a safe distance away, where a controlled release of students to their parents and caregivers will take place.
• IMPORTANT: If you receive notice the school is evacuating, DO NOT come to the school to try and pick up your child. During an evacuation, staff must focus on ensuring all students are accounted for and safely on buses—they cannot manage the release of students from the school at the same time. Additional traffic and people coming to the school could also jeopardize the effectiveness of the evacuation and compromise the overall safety of the school community.
• EIPS will keep parents informed of developments as they occur, including where the emergency evacuation centre is located and what the process for controlled student release will be. As well, there will be door signage at the school to direct parents and caregivers to the location of the evacuation site.

At EIPS, the safety of students and staff is our highest priority. I’m hopeful that knowing the school has a solid plan in place in the event of an emergency situation will contribute to peace of mind for the community.

Please be advised to follow all designated parking signs at the front of the school and at Festival Place. These lots are patrolled by Strathcona County Bylaw Enforcement, and you could be subject to a ticket if parked illegally. Students are welcome to park in the front of the school and in Festival Place during the school day. At times, Festival Place will be closed to students during the dance festival season. We strive to communicate these changes as they arise. As responsible drivers, the onus is up to you to drive and park responsibly.

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 grade 8-11 kevin.mackinnon@eips.ca email (Jen Martinez is away till May 30) and direct line 7804102948 (student/family strategies & community connections) & Success Coach for grade 12 & R12 Sara.Wood@eips.ca email and direct line 7804102942 (student/family strategies & community connections)

Fort Saskatchewan: Success Coach for grade 8-12 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)

Guidance Counselor: email Elli.Hansen@eips.ca and direct line 7804102952 (educational support and accommodations)

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 Outreach, "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.

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, personal devices are expected to be out of sight during instructional time.

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.

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 envisions itself as not just an educational institution, but a vibrant community of learners deeply committed to virtues that go beyond the classroom. Here's a brief overview of the core values that make up the vision:

Acceptance- We strive for a diverse and inclusive environment where every student, parent, caregiver, and staff member feels accepted, irrespective of their background, beliefs, or circumstances. We believe that learning is most effective when everyone feels like they belong.

Flexibility- Understanding that each learner is unique, we aim to offer flexible learning and a range of teaching methodologies to cater to individual needs. Whether through elective courses, extracurricular activities, or personalized learning paths, flexibility is at the heart of our educational approach.

Individualization- Building on the concept of flexibility, we focus on personalized education. Our staff are committed to identifying each student’s strengths, and areas for growth, allowing for a more tailored educational experience while maintaining a high academic standard. This individual attention ensures that every student is equipped with the tools they need to succeed both academically and personally.

Respect- In our community, respect is mutual. Staff, students, caregivers, and parents are encouraged to show respect for each other's ideas, feelings, and contributions. We believe that open dialogue, grounded in respect, fosters a rich learning environment where complex issues can be discussed and dissected.

Responsibility- While our staff are committed to providing the best educational experience possible, we also encourage students, caregivers and parents to take responsibility for their learning journey. This includes active participation in school activities, regular communication with staff, and a commitment to personal and academic growth.

For parents, caregivers, and families, becoming a part of the Next Step community means joining a network committed to these virtues. Together, we work toward providing an educational experience that values the uniqueness of each student, respects the input of each community member, and prepares learners for a future full of possibilities.

The Division, and Next Step 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.

Students, parents, and caregivers can access our campus locations during the following times:

Tuesday 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Wednesday 8:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Thursday 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Friday 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Email: nextstep@eips.ca
Website: eipsnextstep.ca
Phone: 7804641899
X: @eipsnextstep