SURVEYS, SCHOOL FEES, & LUNCH WITH YOUR CHILD DAY

SURVEYS, SCHOOL FEES, & LUNCH WITH YOUR CHILD DAY

Welcome back! It’s 2023 and we are excited to continue our work around lifelong writer and reader strategies, numeracy talk, and engaging with parents. Please read on to find out information gathered in December from the Parent Perspectives, Student Check In, and Ukrainian Program surveys!

SCHOOL FEES PROCESS

Under Alberta Education’s School Fee Regulation, schools must consult with parents prior to setting fees for the upcoming school year.

Our next school council meeting will be taking place virtually on January 23, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. During that time, our discussion will include the following:

• Information about our current fee structure
• parent/caregiver perspectives about priorities
• asking parents/caregivers to provide feedback as we plan for the 2023-24 school year 

While current activities and services enhance students’ educational experience, we want to ensure these fees aren’t cost prohibitive for families.

Specifically, we will be asking for input on the following:

•   Noon hour supervision
•   Field trips and associated fees
•   Extracurricular activities
•   Non-curricular travel (for example, ski trips and swimming lessons)
•   Non-curricular goods and services (yearbooks, for example)

We know that not all families will be available to attend the meeting and it’s still important we get as much input from the school community as possible. Following the meeting, materials will be shared via print, email, and on our website ( www.alhorton.ca ) for your review. You can return the paper survey or use the email address provided to submit a written response.

School administration will use feedback provided to help determine fees for 2023-24, which will then be shared at the February or March school council meeting, posted to our website and shared via email.

RETURNING STUDENT REGISTRATION FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR

Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) conducts an online returning student registration process. Families of all current students must complete the process to confirm the school their child plans to attend in the 2023-24 school year or advise the Division of their plans not to return to EIPS. Additionally, students who want to attend a non-designated school need to make that request through the returning student registration process—acceptance is based on available space. The 2023-24 returning student registration takes place Feb. 1-28, 2023.

Access to the Returning Student Registration Form is provided through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. If you don’t have a PowerSchool Parent Portal account, you need to set one up before Feb. 1, 2023. 

For more information, contact the school office at 780-632-3113. 

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION STARTS SOON!

Is your child turning five on or before Dec. 31, 2023? If so, it’s almost time to register for kindergarten.

Kindergarten registration opens for the 2023-24 school year on Feb. 1, 2023.

To help families prepare, Elk Island Public Schools has put together an online EIPS Kindergarten Tool kit to make the transition as smooth as possible. The kit includes information on registration, important dates, programming options, what to expect, eligibility, how to find your designated school, transportation and more.

Additional information regarding A.L. Horton School’s kindergarten program is available on our school website “About” page. 

LUNCH WITH YOUR CHILD DAY

January 27 is a hot lunch day, Twin/Triplet spirit day, and Have Lunch with Your Child Day!

This January’s Lunch with Your Child Day will be indoors. Parents/caregivers can choose to eat with one child in the classroom or with all children in the gym. 

We will send out lunch ordering information and our Sign Up for Lunch survey soon so we can prepare for your visit on January 27! Stay tuned for more information. 

UKRAINIAN LANGUAGE & CULTURE PROGRAM CHECK IN 

Thank you to families who took part in our program survey via phone and online in December. The Board of Trustees is interested in how this new program is going this year and we appreciate your feedback. Survey results will be shared at the January 5 Board Meeting and the January 23 online school council meeting and here are a few highlights:

• 44 out of 80 potential responses were received 

Overall, parents/caregivers expressed that children are enjoying the program.

• Singing songs, performing at concerts, and using the language in conversation are important activities and outcomes for parents/caregivers. 
• Some parents/caregivers expressed a desire for more time in Ukrainian so students can speak and write more fluently.
• A number of respondents hope that the Ukrainian language and culture program can continue at the junior/senior high level. This information has been shared with our neighbours at Vegreville Jr/Sr. 
• 66% of respondents asked for more communication from teachers and school administration about classroom activities and Ukrainian school events.
• 89% of survey respondents said they would enrol their children in the Ukrainian language and culture program for the 2023-2024 school year. 
• Parents/caregivers are hoping for more opportunities to speak in Ukrainian this year.  (Note: the Wendy Brook performing arts festival is coming up in March. Please chat with your child’s teacher about small group and individual student performances!)

PARENT PERSPECTIVES - DECEMBER SURVEY RESULTS

Thank you to parents for registering some thoughts on early December’s Parent Check in Survey. 

• 87% of parents/caregivers responded that a $25-35 yearbook cost was acceptable
• 89% of parents/caregivers said that they prefer email communication best
• 89% of parents/caregivers responded that Parent Portal is easy for them to navigate
• 22% of parents/caregivers would prefer a printed school newsletter
• 22% of parents/caregivers read this school newsletter on the school website blog
• Parents/Caregivers selected Science, Physical Education & Wellness, and Art as the top three classes their children feel engagement
• Parents/Caregivers chose the Christmas Concert, Progress Conferences (Oct/Feb), and Have Lunch with Your Child Day as their top three favourite events

GRADE 4 PARENT SURVEY COMING IN JANUARY - from Alberta Education

If your child is in Grade 4 this year, please watch your mailbox in January for a survey/survey link from Alberta Education. This provincial survey information is collected at all schools and the results go directly to the school board and to schools in the late spring so we can report on how we are doing and what we need to do better. We are hoping to have at least 40 Grade 4 parents respond this year. (Last year we had only 6 responses!)

GRADE 3-6 STUDENT ENGAGEMENT CHECK IN - DECEMBER RESULTS

We asked our oldest students for feedback on how we’re doing at A.L. Horton. Here is a first look at student responses. More information will be shared at the January 23 online school council meeting.

• When asked, “Are there hands-on, engaging activities in these classes?” this percentage of students responded YES to the following classes:
• Science 71%
• Social Studies 39%
• Makerspace 74%
• Mathematics 60%
• Art 79%
• French 36%
• Music 45%
• Physical Education & Wellness 35%
• Ukrainian and Buddy Class activities were also mentioned
• When asked about choosing books in the library, in the book room, and at book fairs, students responded:
• 43% of students said they “enjoy book shopping” in the book room
• 48% said they’d like more choice in the book room for reading workshop
• 57% of students said there is enough choice and they enjoy picking books in the library
• 63% of students said they enjoy book fairs and buying books there

• When asked about ways they get to be leaders at school, students responded that they have these opportunities:
• 71% are leaders during buddy classes for math games, reading buddies, and leadership and games
• 65% are leaders for classroom jobs
• 34% are on the library bin team
• 28% enjoy being part of the snack delivery team
• 50% identified being part of the assembly leadership team
• 19% are recycling team leaders
• 19% are recess helpers on the Kindergarten to Grade 2 playground
• 17% are safety patrollers
• 9% are lunchroom helpers
• 9% were Haunted House leaders
• 8% are announcements leaders
• 7% are bookroom leaders
• Other leadership activities identified were seniors’ lodge visits and Kindness Club participation

IMPORTANT DATES

January 4  First day back after Winter Break

January 4   Early dismissal at 2:00 PM for staff meeting

January 4  NO HOT DOG LUNCH ON JAN. 4

January 20   Hot lunch day - Alberts

January 23  School Council & Friends meetings (virtual) 6:30 PM

- will include a school fees discussion

January 23ish Grade 4 Parents - watch your snail mail for a survey from Alberta Education (we are hoping for 40 responses this year!)

January 27 Have Lunch with Your Child day

January 27  Twin/Triplet spirit day

January 27  Hot lunch day - Pizza Hut

January 30  No School; professional learning day for teachers

February 1  Returning student registration opens

February 1  Kindergarten registration opens

February 1  Early dismissal at 2:00 PM for staff meeting

February 9 & 10 No School; teachers’ convention in Edmonton

February 20  No School; Family Day holiday

February 22 & 23 Early Progress Conferences for Term 2 (3:30 - 7 PM)

March Wendy Brook Festival of performances (speaking in many

languages, singing, and more!)

Keri Busenius      &        Rita Lal

Principal                         Assistant Principal

Connecting to foster the minds and hearts of leaders.