12 More Sleeps Until School Begins!

Hello and happy August to all students and families at A.L. Horton Elementary. Welcome back to a new school year!

Teachers have been working this August to prepare classrooms for students, organize books to engage every reader, and create lesson plans to engage all learners. We are looking forward to another exciting year of connecting, learning, and fostering leadership in our students. 

The school office is open on August 19 and from August 22-25. The office is closed on August 26 for staff professional learning off site. The office reopens on August 29 in preparation for the first day of school on Tuesday, August 30. If you have questions prior to the first day of school, please give us a call at 780-632-3113 and check out our website at www.alhorton.ca .

• Teachers will be sending an email introduction to families on August 29 so that students know which classroom they are looking for on the first day. 
• Class lists and maps of the school will be posted at all entry doors and roving staff will be available to assist children and parents/caregivers. Look for staff members wearing colourful Hawaiian leis!

*Please note that if you have a child in Kindergarten or the PALS program, your child’s first day will likely be different than Grades 1-6. The teacher will email you with staggered start dates. Please call us if you are unsure. 

PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT - SURVEY #1

We want to hear from, talk with, inform, and know our parents better this year. You are key to your child’s lifelong learning and success in school! As part of our work, you can expect a 2-3 question survey each month attached to one of the school newsletters emailed to you. Click on the link emailed home to you in this newsletter and check in with us about events, communications, and the first month of school!

CHEERS & TEARS - INVITATION TO PARENTS/CAREGIVERS ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Whether you’re shedding happy or sad tears, join other parents to start the new year. From 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. on August 30, come to the school library/learning commons for coffee and treats and to meet other parents. School administration will pop by to say hello after visiting students in classes and ensuring all children have made it safely to their learning destinations. 

MEET THE STAFF EVENING - SEPTEMBER 1

Join us from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 1 for our Meet the Staff Event. We are delighted that we can meet in classrooms and in person this fall. Here is the schedule for the evening:

3:30 - 4:15 p.m. - Teachers greet students and parents/caregivers in classrooms. This is a time to wander about the school, say a quick hello, look around the classroom, and ask a question or two. This is a drop in time; no need to stay for the entire time if you are unable. Please enter through the front doors. 

4:15 p.m. - All staff, students, and families are called to the gymnasium.

4:25 p.m. - Staff introductions. School Council message.

4:40 p.m. - Hot dogs handed out to families from the canteen in the gymnasium hallway. Please enjoy the hot dogs outside on the lawn and thank you for coming! 

Note: The Vegreville Fall Registration Night also runs this evening from 5-7 p.m. at the Vegreville Social Centre at 4802-47A Street. Visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/townofvegreville 

REMINDERS - TIMETABLE FOR ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE & RECESS BREAKS 

8:15 a.m. - Morning arrival bell. Students enter via their grade level’s entry door.

8:30 a.m. - Classes begin. Students arriving after this time should enter via the front door. Please use the doorbell on the wall. 

11:52 a.m. - Lunch recess 

12:22 p.m. - Lunch eating time

12:52 p.m. - Afternoon classes begin

2:55 p.m. - Dismissal bell (Note: The first Wednesday of each month is early dismissal day at 1:55 p.m.)

3:03 p.m. - Bus departure

SAFETY DURING DROP OFF & PICK UP

*Please remember that there is no parking at the front of the school in the bus lane from 8:15 - 8:45 a.m. nor from 2:30 - 3:05 p.m. Parking is available on the street nearest the field area, on side streets, and across the street. Please refrain from entering the staff parking lot from 7:15 AM - 3:30 PM . Many students walk through this area on their way to and from out of school care and school and are not watching for vehicles.

**There are no trained student AMA Safety Patrollers at the crosswalks during the first couple of weeks of September. Parents/caregivers may wish to walk children to school. There are two crosswalks in front of the staff parking lot and two nearest the school sign. 

***Note that the space between the two buses out front of the school is a DANGER ZONE. Parents and students are not to walk through this area to cross the street. We want to keep everyone safe, so please model using the crosswalk for your child. 

SCHOOL COUNCIL & FUNDRAISING SOCIETY - MEETING AND CASINO OPPORTUNITIES

Monday, September 19 at 6:30 PM is the first School Council meeting. We invite all parents and caregivers to join us in the library for the Annual General Meeting and elections. All meeting agendas and minutes can be viewing online on the Parent Page of the school website.

The Friends of A.L. Horton Fundraising Society needs volunteers for the upcoming casinos on September 26 and 27. We have two shifts at the end of September in Camrose to work the casino and raise money for our new 2023 playgrounds. Contact friendsofalhortonschool@gmail.com to inquire about details for the casino and future fundraising opportunities. We need everyone’s help! We are also in need of parents to serve on the Fundraising Society. Hope we see you at the meeting on September 19!

OUR STORY - STAY CONNECTED!

Not sure what’s happening at school? Check out photos, archives of this school newsletter, student artwork, learning information, and key events on our social media platforms. Follow us on:

Twitter - @ALHortonSchool

Instagram - alhortonelementary 

Facebook - @alhortonschool 

School website - www.alhorton.ca 

Brightspace - the school division’s online learning platform login page - teacher will send info

Fundraising society’s Facebook - Friends of A.L. Horton School Society

You can also email your child’s teacher(s) anytime with questions and concerns. The teacher is your first call and person to contact regarding learning and behavioural issues. Please note your child’s teacher’s email address when the first email comes to your inbox on August 29. You can also call the school at 780-632-3113 to leave a message. Teachers are with students and on supervision during the day but can return calls when the school day wraps up. 

IMPORTANT DATES

August 24 - Kindergarten Party in the Playground Event - invitation via email

August 30 - First day of school for Grades 1-6

August 30 - Cheers & Tears at 8:30 a.m.

August 30 to September 2 - staggered start for Kindergarten students - teacher will email 

September 1 - Meet the Staff evening 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

September 5 - Labour Day; no school

September 6, 8, 9 - PALS program Meet & Greet dates - teacher will email

September 7 - early dismissal for staff meeting at 1:55 p.m.

September 14 - Have Lunch with Your Child at School - #1 - more info coming soon!

September 14 - Welcome assembly 1 p.m.

September 19 - School Council & Fundraising Society Meeting 6:30 p.m. in the library

September 23 - Terry Fox Run/Walk 

September 29 - Orange Shirt Day

September 30 - No School; National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

We look forward to engaging with all families as we work toward our school vision: “Connecting to foster the minds and hearts of leaders.”

Keri Busenius   &     Rita Lal

Principal                   Assistant Principal