Dear Parents & Guardians:
In this post you will find information for the following:
· Important Dates
· Clarity - Opt-In Human Sexuality Consent Form
· School Council Election Results & Principal’s Report Posted
· Bikes & Scooter Safety
· Invitation May 21: Research Project on Student Resilience
Important Dates –
· May 15 – PD Day – No School
· May 18 – Victoria Day – No School
· May 20 – Fun Lunch: McDonald’s
· May 25 – Gr. 6 ELAL Written PAT (AM)
· May 29 – Parent Appreciation Tea (10-11 a.m.)
· June 4 – Gr. 6 ELAL Part B PAT (AM)
· June 4 – Opera Performance (1:15-3:15) for extended family & community
· June 4 – Opera Performance (6:30-8:30) ticketed seating for EPS families (2/family)
· June 5 – Opera Performance (10:00-12:00) for extended family & community
· June 11 – James Short Grade 6 Student Sports Day (PM)
· June 12 – Gr. 6 Science PAT (AM)
· June 12 – Kindergarten New Student Orientation (9:00-10:00)
· June 12 – Kindergarten Graduation (10:00-12:00)
· June 15 – Gr. 6 Math Part A PAT (AM)
· June 18 – Gr. 6 Math Part B PAT (AM)
· Subscribe to our updated Web Calendar (link on bottom left)
Clarity – Opt-In Human Sexuality Consent Forms
We would like to clarify that the opt-in forms for human sexuality are a form-letter template for all grades 3-12. In the opening paragraph, it mentions that as per the Education Act, written permission is required for topics that deal with “human sexuality, gender identity or sexual orientation.”
The topics of gender identity and sexual orientation are not part of the elementary curriculum. The opt-in letter has a link to the curricular outcomes and a general statement of the learning outcome for the specified grade.
To see the specific knowledge, understandings and skills that are taught at the specific grade level, click on the links below (or on the opt-in letter PDF) and scroll down on the webpage near the bottom to view the final “Guiding Question” that pertains to human sexuality. This topic is identifiable on the webpage as it is in bold italicized text.
· Grade 6 Guiding Question: How can human reproduction support growth and development?
· Grade 5 Guiding Question: In what ways can puberty and the capacity for human reproduction reflect change?
· Grade 4 Guiding Question: How is change reflected through development?
· Grade 3 Guiding Question: How are roles connected to character development?
School Council Election Results & Principal’s Report Posted
We would like to thank Meghan Zubot for her four years of serving on Council as both Chair and Vice-Chair. She has been a strong and consistent voice representing both parents and students over the years. We also thank Kaitlin Santoni for serving as Vice-Chair this school year and her advocacy for students.
Elections were held and Melissa Sawatzky was elected as our new Chair as well as Joslynn Bay for the position of Key Communicator. As Melissa was our Council Secretary, this position along with Vice-Chair are open.
The Principal’s report that was shared last night is posted to our School Council webpage. Topics shared:
· Enrolment & staffing updates
· Summary of our Parent Survey re: our budget and school planning from March
· Approval of next year’s school residencies to be funded by EPPS Society
Bikes & Scooter Safety
With the lovely weather, we are now seeing students riding bikes and scooters to school. Working the front sidewalk every morning as I do, I need to offer some road safety reminders for you to discuss with your children. We have had some near misses on the road and with pedestrians on our sidewalks.
Please review the following that apply to anything with wheels (bikes, scooters, rollerblades, etc…):
· Please walk bikes and scooters on our two front sidewalks coming to our doors
· No bikes and scooters are to be rode through our parking lot. Please use the identified bikeway in front of the parking blocks through our east parking lot. Parents, please do not walk your children through our parking lots as they are used by staff at entry/dismissal.
· Walk bikes and scooters on the front city sidewalk between our two crosswalks
· No bikes and scooters on our school fields or asphalt until well after dismissal (4:00 p.m.)
· A reminder that helmets are required as per city by-law for anyone under 18
We thank you for encouraging your kids to ride in a safe manner!
Invitation May 21: Research Project on Student Resilience
Dr. C. Buzanko has been approved through Athabasca University and the CBE to conduct a meaningful research initiative aimed at strengthening the emotional resilience of school-aged children. The project, Whole Circle Resilience (WCR), is dedicated to developing a practical, prevention-based program that equips children aged 7 to 15 with tools to foster emotional regulation and resilience, both at home and in school.
We are hosting a parent focus group on the evening of May 21 at 6:30 in our school’s Library. This is a parent focus group discussion scheduled for between 60-90 minutes. Elbow Park teachers already participated in a focus group discussion to support this research. Immediately after the focus group, you will be asked to complete a brief survey (~15-20 minutes). This survey will gather further information on perceived barriers and facilitators in supporting emotional resilience and any additional thoughts you had after participating in the group.
If you would like to participate, please download and complete pages 6-7 of the "CBE Informed Consent to Participate Educators" form attached. Please submit the form to the Elbow Park School office.
For more information and to sign a consent form, please click here
The principal investigator is Caroline Buzanko, Ph.D. (Athabasca University, Graduate Centre for Applied Psychology, Assistant Professor, carolinebuzanko@athabascau.ca). Dr. Buzanko did host a parent session at our school last year about student anxiety.