Eckville Elementary News - Parents

It is hard to believe we are already into November! October was another busy and exciting month at Eckville Elementary, filled with learning, activities, and opportunities to come together as a school community. From our Indigenous Culture Camp to Thanksgiving celebrations and bus safety training to volleyball, cross-country, classroom learning, and our Parent-Teacher Interviews and Book Fair, there has been no shortage of things happening around the school.

Thank you to our staff, students, families, and volunteers who continue to make these experiences possible.

As always, thank you for your continued support, involvement, and partnership. The little things we do for one another make a big difference in building a strong school community, and we are grateful to have such a supportive community here at Eckville Elementary. We look forward to another great month together!

-Mr. Jay Cottell

STUDENTS OF THE MONTH

Kindergarten - Bub

Grade 1 - Aiden, Jackson H.

Grade 2 - John

Grade 3 - Ben, Vance

Grade 4 - Logan, Kastle, Kruze

Grade 5 - Averey

Grade 6 - Nolan

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Kindergarten - Wyatt

Grade 1 - Margot

Grade 2 - Monica

Grade 3 - Dean

Grade 4 - Hunter

Grade 5 - Maddison

Grade 6 - Grace

CHAMPION OF HUMILITY

Kindergarten - Tiffany

Grade 1 - Charlie

Grade 2 - Marcus

Grade 3 - Hazel

Grade 4 - Grace

Grade 5 - Ella

Grade 6 - JJ

Please join us in the gym at 10:30 AM on Friday, November 6, for our Remembrance Day Ceremony.

Thank you to all who came out to support our library through the book fair! We sold just over $3000 in books, which means our library received about $900 in books to put on the shelves!

Harrison L. was the winner of the $25 book door prize and Mrs. Ackerman received $25 in books for her classroom as well!!

THANK YOU to Mrs. Tisdale for all her work coordinating, setting up, and taking down the book fair!

This month, our school community is focusing on the sacred teaching of Courage. As we continue our journey through the Seven Grandfather Teachings, we are exploring what it means to be brave, stand up for what is right, face challenges with determination, and find the strength to do what needs to be done, even when it isn't easy.

The Symbolism: Why the Bear?

In many Indigenous traditions, the Bear represents the teaching of Courage. The connection offers some powerful lessons:

• Inner Strength: The bear is a symbol of physical and spiritual strength. Courage reminds us that being brave isn't always about being the strongest or loudest person in the room. It is about finding the strength within ourselves to face challenges, keep going, and believe in our abilities.

• Standing Up for What Is Right: Bears are protective of their families and those they care about. They remind us that courage means standing up for ourselves and others, speaking out when something isn't right, and choosing to do the right thing even when it may be difficult or unpopular.

• Facing Our Fears: Courage doesn't mean we aren't afraid. It means moving forward even when we feel nervous, uncertain, or uncomfortable. Like the bear, we can learn to face difficult situations with confidence, patience, and determination.

• Perseverance: The bear reminds us that challenges are a part of life. Courage means not giving up when things get hard, being willing to try again after a setback, and recognizing that mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow.

We look forward to a month of bravery, determination, and standing up for what is right as we embrace the strength and wisdom of the Bear together. Remember, courage isn't always about doing big things; sometimes it's simply about doing the right thing, even when it's hard.

Why we Fundraise: Fundraising helps cover costs for programs, equipment, resources and field trips.

We have two winter fundraisers. Growing Smiles - Christmas Greenery and Fundscript - Gift Cards. Please find attached the order form for Growing Smiles. Fundscript is completely online through the link found below.

Fundscript ordering link:

https://ordering.fundscrip.com/QK8F4V

Important Dates:

Nov 2nd – Fundraiser Begins/ Forms go home

Nov 17th – All Money and Order forms are due

Dec 3rd – Pick up Date From School TIME TBD

Payment Options

• CHEQUES - please make cheques payable to Eckville Fundraising Society
• CREDIT CARDS - accepted directly on https://eckvilleschool.growingsmilesfundraising.com for the Growing Smiles Fundraiser. Or https://ordering.fundscrip.com/QK8F4V for Fundscript Gift Cards.
• CASH - please send exact amount as no change will be provided.
• E-TRANSFER - Please follow these instructions :
1. One E-transfer per Fundraiser :
2. Please put students name and grade AND which fundraiser
3. Use the following email eckvillefundraisingsociety@gmail.com
4. Example : Emily Smith (Grade 1) Growing smiles; Emily Smith (Grade 1) Fundscript

Orders were due to be submitted online on October 29th.

• NOVEMBER 5 - Hot Dogs
• NOVEMBER 18 - GRILLED CHEESE
• NOVEMBER 26 - BOXCAR PIZZA

Thank you to Central Alberta Co-op for their generous donation that will continue to support our monthly student recognition program and Pizza with the Principals!!

Central Alberta Co-op also generously donates materials to our wood shop option class for Grade 4-6 students! Thank you!!

Thank you to Clayton Mattson for sharing his drones with our STEM Option class this last Friday!

Thank you to the Eckville Fundraising Society for supporting our special Author Visit last month!

Just a reminder to everyone that all school visitors need to check in at the main office. When students are being picked up early, please come to the office and let us know, then we can call or walk down to the classroom. This helps limit classroom disruptions and lets us ensure we know who are always in the building as visitors, in case of emergency.

Please ensure all student medications are accompanied by a district required parent consent form. This includes everything from inhalers and epi-pens to tylenol, antibiotics and advil. The consent forms are available at the office and are required for any and all student medications in the school.

The Parent Portal is a one stop shop for information on student achievement, paying fees, signing consent and paying for field trips, signing up and paying for hot lunches, and the very important demographic form updates. Please make sure you know how to log into your Parent Portal and keep your log in information in a safe place. If you are not able to log into your Parent Portal please don't hesitate to contact the office so we can help you out.

• Monday, November 2 - Monday Noon Mentors Gr 3-5
• Friday, November 6 - Remembrance Day Service - 10:30 – 11:30am
• Monday, November 9 - Friday, November 13 - FALL BREAK
• Wednesday, November 11 - Remembrance Day
• Friday, November 13 - Earned Day Off
• Monday, November 16 - Monday Noon Mentors Gr 3-5
• Friday, November 20 - Educational Assistant Appreciation Day
• Monday, November 23 - Monday Noon Mentors Gr 3-5
• Friday, November 27 - PD DAY - NO SCHOOL
• Monday, November 30 - Monday Noon Mentors Gr 3-5 (to be cancelled)
• SCHOOL MOVIE - Sylvan Lake - Details to Follow

• Wednesday, December 2 - November Assembly - 2:15 - 3:15pm
• Friday, December 4 - Pizza with the Principals - November Awards
• Tuesday, December 15 - Christmas Concert 1 and 2 - 10:30am and 1:30pm

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CLICK HERE to access the FRN website and details on the monthly programming for Eckville.

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