Eagle's Eye

As we begin another year together, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to partner with you in the education and discipleship of your children. At Strathcona Christian Academy Secondary, our mission is to invite students, through Christ-centered education, to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, to develop godly character in service to others, and to achieve their academic potential.

A new school year brings fresh opportunities to learn, grow, and deepen our faith. Whether your student is entering Grade 7 and joining our community for the first time or returning for another year of learning and leadership, we look forward to walking alongside them in their journey. Our dedicated staff are committed to helping students discover and develop the gifts God has given them while encouraging them to pursue excellence in all they do.

As we begin this new school year, let us keep our eyes fixed on Christ, trusting Him to guide our learning, our relationships, and our growth. My prayer is that each student will experience not only academic success, but also a deeper understanding of God's love and purpose for their lives.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. We are grateful for the partnership we share with our families and look forward to all that God will accomplish in and through our school community this year.

May God bless you and your family as we begin another year together.

In Christ,

Matthew Spronk
Principal

As we begin a new school year, we encourage all students and families to carefully review the 2026-27 Student Life Handbook. A number of important updates have been made, including revisions to our attendance, late, and detention policies.

The Student Life Handbook serves as an important resource for understanding school expectations, procedures, and student responsibilities. Taking time to review these updates together will help ensure a smooth and successful start to the year.

We are so excited to launch our daily devotions for the 2026-2027 school year! Together, our Spiritual Life Coaches and Teachers will guide our students through a study of scripture using an S.C.A. study - Scripture, Context, and Application.

We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with the Community Kitchen high school course! Over the coming year, we’ll be supporting vital ministries including We Care, Youth Unlimited drop-in centers, and the Strathcona County Food Bank.

Our mission is to prepare and deliver meals and snacks to over 350 youth and adults each week—believing that by meeting the practical need for food, we can also share the love of Jesus in a real and meaningful way. Through this initiative, our students will have the chance to serve selflessly and show compassion in action.

All proceeds from the Eagle's Nest will go directly toward this ministry. That means every meal you purchase helps feed not just you—but someone else in need.

Thank you for your continued support, and please keep praying that God will open even more doors for us to serve our community with love and purpose.

The Eagle's Nest opens on WEDNESDAY! Each day, Miss Higgs will be serving up a delicious meal, ready for purchase. Meals are $6 each, or you can grab a 5-meal punch pass for just $25. Cash and card is accepted.

Monday, August 31 (Day 1)

• Closed for staff training

Tuesday, September 1 (Day 2)

• Closed for staff training

Wednesday, September 2 (Day 1)

• Taco in a Bag

Thursday, September 3 (Day 2)

• Butter Chicken or Teriyaki Rice Bowl with Naan

Friday, September 4 (Day 1)

• Bacon Beast Burgers and Taters

• August 31: First day of classes / All School Assembly
• September 2: Early Dismissal
• September 4: Chapel / New Student Pizza Lunch
• September 7: Labour Day (schools and Central Services closed)
• September 8: NAIT Info Session
• September 9: Early Dismissal
• September 11 and 12: JV Genesis Volleyball Tournament
• September 14: JOMO Parent Night
• September 16: Picture Day / Early Dismissal
• September 18: Eagles Run (Junior High)
• September 18 and 19: Varsity Old School Volleyball Tournament
• September 21-25: Truth and Reconciliation Week
• September 21: Concordia Info Session
• September 23: Early Dismissal
• September 28: 2025-2026 Academic Awards
• September 29: Recognizing Orange Shirt Day
• September 30: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (schools and Central Services closed)

COMPLETE ONLINE FORM BEFORE TRYOUTS

Wednesday, September 2 at 6:30-8:00

COMPLETE ONLINE FORM BEFORE TRYOUTS

Monday, August 31 at 5:00-6:30

Tuesday, September 1 at 8:00-9:30

TRYOUTS HELD IN THE NORTH GYM

Wednesday, September 2 at Lunch: Info Session/Tryout 1

Thursday, September 3 at Lunch: Tryout 2

Friday, September 4 at Lunch: Tryout 3

Tuesday, September 8 at 3:30-4:45: Tryout/Practice

MEET IN THE LOWER LINK

Thursday, September 3 at 3:30-4:30 for Information Meeting/Practice

**Practice will take place outside behind the school following the meeting.

COMPLETE ONLINE FORM BEFORE TRYOUTS

Wednesday, September 2

• Junior High Boys: 3:30–5:00 p.m.
• Junior High Girls: 5:00–6:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 3

• Junior High Girls: 3:30–5:00 p.m.
• Junior High Boys: 5:00–6:30 p.m.

Friday, September 4 – Invitation Only

• Junior High Boys: 3:30–5:00 p.m.
• Junior High Girls: 5:00–6:30 p.m.

Cross Country is based on student interest, so please discuss this opportunity with your child and complete this form if they are interested.

Location: Strathcona Wilderness Centre

Upcoming Meets

• EIAA Division 1 Meet: October 6 – Strathcona Wilderness Centre
• Zones: October 13 – Strathcona Wilderness Centre

Distances & Age Groups

• Junior: 2 km – Under 13 years old as of September 1
• Intermediate: 3 km – Under 14 years old as of September 1
• Senior: 3 km – 14 years old and older

Golf is based on student interest. Please discuss the opportunity with your child and complete this form if they are interested.

No tryouts – One-Day Event

Date: September 28, 2026
Location: Fort-in-View

**Students participating in golf should have their own golf clubs.

Alberta's new junior high curriculum takes effect in September 2027, and Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) is piloting specific grades and some of the new courses starting this September.

Junior high students across Alberta will see updates to the Mathematics and Social Studies curricula this year. In addition, two new courses—Physical Education & Wellness (PEW), and Career Education & Financial Literacy (CEFL)—will be implemented. PEW combines concepts from the previous Physical Education and Health classes into one combined class. CEFL is a new course designed to support students in their journey toward career and financial independence in their teenage years. This is a province-wide change, the first major junior high curriculum update in over two decades.

Before the full rollout in September 2027, we’re using the 2026–27 school year as an optional piloting year. Piloting lets teachers test draft curriculum, build expertise and refine instructional practices. EIPS’ approach is deliberately careful, with continuity of student learning as a top priority.

What this means for our students:

• Grade 7 students in [name of your school] will pilot all of the new curriculum subjects, with full piloting in Math, Social Studies, PEW and CEFL.

• Grade 8 students will fully pilot PEW and CEFL, with partial piloting in Math to ensure a smooth transition into Grade 9 and high school.

• Grade 9 students will continue learning the current curriculum in Math and Social Studies. There are no changes to Grade 9 PATs so the transition to high school stays predictable. PEW and CEFL are the new subjects that Grade 9 students will experience.
  

Timetabling
In our school, CEFL will be offered for one semester, with classes scheduled one block every other day. The wellness outcomes from PEW will be taught within the CEFL course, creating opportunities for students to explore personal well-being, healthy decision-making, and life planning in a connected way.

The physical education component of PEW will continue as a standalone course and will be scheduled every other day throughout the full school year, providing students with regular opportunities to develop physical literacy, fitness, and healthy active living habits.

Supporting our teachers
Every junior high teacher of these subjects will participate in professional learning sessions to prepare them for new curriculum. We’ve also designated a Curriculum Lead in each subject to support colleagues with planning and resource development and curation. Curriculum Leads attend additional learning sessions across the year. This work will help teachers provide a strong foundation for our students as we navigate the changes in new curriculum over the course of the next few years.

Want to learn more? Talk to the admin team, attend an upcoming school council meeting or visit alberta.ca/curriculum. We will have more information throughout the year!

Did you know you can sync the school calendar to your own calendar? Simply, visit https://www.scasecondary.ca/calendar, click on “Subscribe to Calendar” and follow the instructions. Within seconds, your calendar will contain all Strathcona Christian Academy Secondary’s important dates including holidays, school-closures days, planned activities and events, and it will remain synced with all the latest updates throughout the school year.

Wondering when and how to pay for school fees? School fee information for the 2026-27 school year will be posted on the PowerSchool Parent Portal in late September. All fees are due within 30 days of being posted. NOTE: Additional fees may be added throughout the year—for example, at the beginning of each semester, as your child takes part in various activities, or they may be adjusted by changes in selected optional courses in junior and senior high school. If you’re unable to pay your school fees, you can apply to have certain fees waived. The application deadline is Dec. 15, 2026.

For more information, visit the school website, under the About > Fees tab. Alternatively, contact our Business Manager, Jennifer Gibson at jennifer.gibson@eips.ca or at 780-464-7127.

Is your child riding the bus this year? If yes, download the My Ride and Bus Status apps to stay in the know about your child’s bus stop location, route, pickup time and whether their bus is running on schedule.