Dear Parents & Guardians:

In this post you will find information for the following:

·       Important Dates

·       Smart Watch Policy – Reminder

·       Martinis & Masterpieces Parent Fundraising Gala – May 1

·       Bottle Thrive Fundraiser for James Short School

·       AHS Resources: Cooking with your Children

Important Dates –

·       Feb 18-27 – Gymnastics Unit

·       Feb 26 – Fun Lunch

·       Feb 28 – Professional Development Day (No School)

·       March 5 (a.m.) – Kindness & Pink Shirt Day Assembly

·       March 10-11 – Painting Residency with Sheila Kernan

·       Subscribe to our Web Calendar (link on bottom left)

Smart Watch Policy

We have noticed a number of students coming to school with new smart watches (ie. Apple Watches). We kindly remind you that CBE implemented restrictions on Personal Mobile Device & Social Media Use in Schools effective Aug. 29. This policy complies with the Ministerial Order provided by the Government of Alberta this past June based on survey feedback provided by families.

CBE cares about the mental health and well-being of students. Restricting access to personal mobile devices and social media is expected to improve student achievement and learning outcomes. CBE strongly recommends students simply leave their devices at home, because in most cases, personal mobile devices are not needed to support student learning.

For students in kindergarten to Grade 9, CBE will use ‘away for the day’ guidelines similar to what many schools have been using in recent years.  Personal mobile devices brought to school including cell phones, tablets, gaming devices, laptops, smart watches, Bluetooth speakers/headphones or any personal electronic device that can be used to communicate with or access the internet must be powered off or set in silent mode and stored out of sight in student lockers, backpacks or other designated area for the duration of the school day.

If a student is found to be using a personal mobile device in class without permission from the teacher, the teacher will work with the student to ensure the rules are understood. We rely on good communication and other existing processes to ensure students know what is expected. When necessary, schools will use a progressive student discipline approach in working with students.

These new rules will apply to all students, with exceptions for students using devices for health and medical needs, to support specialized learning needs and for educational purposes as directed by the teacher.

For students who require access to a personal mobile device for health and medical needs, it is advised that parents complete and submit a Student Health Plan as soon as possible or contact.

For students who require access to a personal mobile device to support an identified educational need, families should contact the school to discuss this being included as an accommodation or support in the student’s individual program plan (IPP).

Also, aligned with the Ministerial Order, the CBE will restrict student access to all known social media platforms on the CBE network.

Thank you for helping us to make this transition successful. If you need to contact your student during the school day (including lunch hour) please contact the school office at 403-817-3408 (extension 0).

Martinis & Masterpieces Parent Fundraising Gala – May 1 (7:00 p.m.)

Please plan to join the parents and staff of Elbow Park School for a live and silent auction gala event raising funds to enhance the experiences of students at our school. More details to come but save the date for May 1 @ 7pm.

In preparation for the event, local renowned artist Sheila Kernan will be in the school the week of March 10 to guide the students through the creation of beautiful art that reflects aspects of what they are studying in school - six pieces will be available in auction at the gala.

The committee is currently looking for silent auction items and ideas. Please connect with Lindsay Pinder (lindseydwood@icloud.com) if you have anything to contribute or a connection to make. Thank you everyone!

Bottle Thrive Fundraiser for James Short

Our school is partnered with Skip-The-Depot to collect refundables from your home.

• Help support families in need at our sister school, James Short Memorial, which is located in the community of Penbrook Meadows, through our Parent Society’s ongoing bottle drive.
• Bottle donations are collected from your door throughout the school year and the dollars raised will be distributed to families by way of Superstore gift cards.
• You can schedule your bottle pick-ups by using the Skip-The-Depot app and connecting to our Elbow Park Parent Society in the list of donors. More instructions are available on our Fundraisers & Donations webpage.

Alberta Health (AHS) Resources

February parent newsletters (available for download as a PDF as well if needed).

Children: Building confidence and healthy habits: Fun and easy ways to get kids cooking!

Teens: Empower your teen in the kitchen: Build confidence and healthy habits for life!

March is Nutrition Month