Daysland Digest

We are in the last full week of October already! That means Halloween is nearly here. We will be having our Halloween festivities on Tuesday. Details went out to elementary parents yesterday. Our secondary classes will have activities planned in the gym during the afternoon, including our annual pie-throwing fun. A special shout out to our SAVY students who have planned this event. Their leadership is greatly appreciated.

On Wednesday, November 1st, our staff will participate in a Professional Learning Series. This means that there will be no classes for students that day. Staff will spend the morning learning more about Artificial Intelligence and how to address the challenges and potential with this emerging technology. In the afternoon, our secondary teachers will continue to delve into AI, while our elementary teachers will focus on literacy or numeracy sessions. Our support staff will participate in sessions presented by BRSD to assist them in supporting our students.

We are nearing the end of the first quarter. Usually, we would be handing out report cards at this time of year. However, we are in the second year of our real-time reporting pilot. As a parent, you should be able to track your child's progress through PowerSchool. You can view your child's progress regularly in PowerSchool, including assignment comments which provide valuable feedback to support and improve learning. Please get in touch with your child's teacher if you have any questions about real-time reporting or assessment.

Winter has arrived rather quickly this year. Please remind your child (whether big or small) to dress for the weather conditions. We will continue to go outside for recess throughout winter, and it is important students are prepared for that. Bus students must also have proper winter gear in the event of a bus emergency that requires them to be outside. We thank you for your assistance in ensuring your child has everything they need.

Also, related to the change in the weather, families should ensure that students are dropped off at 8:35am. This is when our doors open and our supervision begins. We want students to be outside for as little time as possible, especially as the temperature gets more chilly in the winter months.

Lastly, we want families to know we will do a Lockdown Preparedness drill soon. There was a letter that went home yesterday regarding this. This is part of our annual drill checklist. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Have a Happy Halloween!

Oct.

23 to 25 - Scholastic Book Fair

27 - Grandparents Day for Kindergarten

30 - Mini Slammers vs Forestburg

31 - Halloween

Nov.

1 - Professional Learning Series (no classes)

2 - Staff Meeting (Early Dismissal @ 11:40)

2 - Sr. G V-Ball @ CCA

3 - Jr. G V-Ball Counties

3/4 - Jr. G V-Ball @ ECKS

3/4 - Sr. G V-Ball @ Rocky Mountain House

7 - THEME DAY - Career Day

7 - Jr. V-Ball Regionals

9 - Remembrance Day Ceremony

13 to 17 - November Break (school closed)

17/18 - Sr. G V-Ball Zones

23/24 - K to 3 Dental Checks

23 - Gr. 10 PE Scuba Diving

29 - Post Secondary Fair for High School @ CHSPS

Recently, BRSD Board of Trustees held attendance boundary review meetings with school parents and families in Camrose, New Norway, Ryley and Daysland.

Thank you to everyone who attended and provided feedback during these meetings held by the Board from Oct. 12 to 18. If you were unable to attend and would like to provide your opinion, the survey is open from Oct. 19 to 28.

Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2TFTVJJ

Please read BRSD's media release and FAQ for further information about the Board’s attendance boundary review project.

If you have not already done so, there are Verification Forms that were sent by Battle River school Division that need to be completed through SchoolEngage. If you are unsure how to access SchoolEngage or the PowerSchool Parent Portal, please contact Mrs. Omoth at somoth@brsd.ab.ca.

Little Caesar's Pizza Sales have started for our Sr High Fundraiser!

Each Sr High student is asked to sell at least 10 kits.

If you are interested in supporting these sales, you can reach out to a Sr High student, call the school, or visit pizzakit.ca using the fundraising ID# 432775

Orders are due by Nov 3, and deliveries will be made November 20. Thank you for supporting our high school!

Grade 9 students will be participating in Take Your Kid To Work Day on Thursday, November 2. Permission forms have gone home and should be handed in asap in preparation for this day!

Coupon Book Fundraiser

Buy a coupon book for $10. Save money and support your Daysland School.

Funds raised will be used to support elementary field trips, extracurricular activities and elementary sports.

Buy yours today at the school office (780-374-3676) or at Daysland AG Foods

Coupons are good for Daysland AG Foods and do not expire until December 31, 2023.

Purchase your coupon book today; 100% of sales are donated back to Daysland School.

Safer Schools Together acknowledges the challenges of modern parenting, especially with the surge in technology and social media. To assist, they're offering access to their guide, "Raising Digitally Responsible Youth." Aimed at parents and caregivers, this guide provides insights into popular social media platforms, video games, and emerging trends that children might engage with. It includes practical tips, step-by-step instructions, and definitions for widely used apps like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. The best part? It's complimentary.

It's a simple task of connecting by email with your child's teacher(s) prior to each monthly School Council Meeting and then reporting back to the group what has been happening in the classroom.

We are looking for reps for the following classrooms:

Grade 1

Grade 3

Grade 7/8

Grade 9

Meetings are usually the third Wednesday of the month, however October's meeting will be held next tonight, October 25 at 7:00pm at the school.

Please contact the school or Alison Eshpeter if you are willing and able to fill one of these positions.

Our next School Council Meeting will be tonight at 7:00pm in the Learning Commons.

Everyone Welcome!

Our Volleyball league games are beginning to wrap up. Well done to all of our teams who have been representing our school very well!

Daysland Public Library is looking for Book Talk Readers who are willing to volunteer their time once per month to read to Kindergarten to Grade 6 classes at the Daysland School. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Jackie Candlish at 780-374-2273.

If you are interested in purchasing Daysland School clothing, please visit

https://dayslandschool.entripyshops.com

Orders can be paced at any time of the year and will ship directly to the purchaser.

I. Call to order

Teena called to order the regular meeting of the Daysland School Council at 7:01pm.

II. Open Floor Shout Out

III. In attendance:

Kirby Schmidt-Teigen Wes Wilson (Principal) Jeannie Hoermann Laura Zwack

Alison Eshpeter Candice Guhle Teena Kasha Chantelle Hayes

Jennie Thomas (Assistant Principal) Cristin Zimmer

IV. Review of Agenda

V. Approval of minutes from last meeting

Minutes from May 24, 2023 were reviewed. Kirby moved minutes to be accepted as circulated. Chantelle Hayes seconded. All in favour. Motion carried.

VI. Correspondence

a) Fundraising pamphlet - will discuss at Friends of School Council

VII. Reports

a) Administrators (Wes Wilson/Jenni Thomas)

(i) Admin Report

1. Shout Outs to start the year:

a. Staff and students for a smooth return to school

b. Friends of Daysland School for their financial support for the new swings, as well as the help installing.

■ Laura for tirelessly working to get the installation installed in spite of the “curve balls” thrown our way.

c. Welcome back breakfast - staff for doing a great job preparing

d. Sports have started up without any restrictions

■ Coaches

● Mrs. Reber - Sr. Girls VB

● Cristin Zimmer - Jr. Girls VB

● Mrs. Thomas - Golf

● Mrs. Tobler - Cross Country

● Mrs. Tobler and Ava Graham - Mini-slammers

2. New staff to the building

a. Mrs. Tucker - Mrs. Schlaut

b. Miss Pfeffer - Mrs. Tanton

c. Miss Halback - Mrs. Lang

d. Mr. Gratrix - Mrs. M. Zimmer

■ Supports in our building this year

● Dayna Bartman - FSLW

● Emma Enright - MHCB

● Theresa Kruchten - Career Counsellor

● Clayton Roe - Off Campus Coordinator

3. Terry Fox Run returns with cross graded groups running on Friday, September 22nd a. Collecting Toonies for Terry

4. Parent Teacher Interviews - September 28th a. Book a meeting through online booking system

5. SAVY - Student-led Advocacy for Voices of Youth will continue the great work they do in our building

a. Student Celebrations - Student/Staff Member of the Week

b. Assemblies - will be the first Tuesday of every month

c. Squads

■ Cross-graded groups

■ Activities/events will be planned on our staff collaboration day this Monday, as well as in conjunction with our SAVY group.

6. Real Time Reporting to continue a. No official report card to be shared and feedback will continue to be provided in a timely manner with the focus on Literacy and Numeracy in elementary and core subjects in secondary classes.

7. National Day of Truth and Reconciliation - September 30th a. Orange shirt day will be held on September 29th

8. Jr./Sr. High Awards Night - October 6th

9. Picture Day with Smart Photography - October 6th

10. Stranger Awareness Information

11. Breakfast Club Assistance

a. EA time is very scarce so we can use any assistance we can get.

b. Items can be made at home but they must follow the guidelines that are set forth by AHS regarding bake sales.

c. A list of ingredients should be provided in the event we have allergy questions.

12. School Generated Funds - August 31st, 2023 Report Summary

b) Room Reps - assigned today

Kindergarten: Chantelle Hayes

Grade 1: Will attempt to fill but Laura Zwack willing to do if needed.

Grade 2: Kristie Nahajowich

Grade 3: Will attempt to fill but Allison Eshpeter willing to do if needed.

Grade 4: Kirby Schmidt-Teigen

Grade 5: Laura Zwack

Grade 6: Cristin Zimmer

Grade 7/8: Will attempt to fill but Candice Guhle willing to do if needed.

Grade 9: Will attempt to fill but Alison Eshpeter willing to do if needed.

Grade 10: Teena Kasha

Grade 11: Jeanni Hoermann

Grade 12: Candice Guhle

Alison will advertise open room rep positions in newsletter and on Daysland Parents Facebook page to attempt to fill these positions.

VIII. Old business - no outstanding business

IX. New business - no new business

X. Elections:

a) President - Teena Kasha was nominated by Kirby. Laura seconded. All in favour. Motion carried.

b) Vice Pres - Kirby Schmidt-Teigen was nominated by Laura. Candice seconded. All in favour. Motion carried.

c) Secretary - Alison Eshpeter was nominated by Kirby. Cristin seconded. All in favour. Motion carried.

XI. Adjournment

Teena adjourned the meeting at 7:57pm.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, Oct 25, 7:00pm at Daysland School.

Mad Platter Catering is looking to hire students 14 years and up to work at the arena concession after school and/or on weekends. Call or Text Chuck at 780-966-4934 for more information and to apply.

* Students under the age of 16 must have parental permission.

The Daysland Library is looking for a student to sit on their board as a school liaison. The only requirement is to attend monthly meetings. They are willing to provide references and scholarship letters for a student willing to take on the role.

Email: dysgenvm@brsd.ab.ca
Website: daysland.brsd.ab.ca
Location: 5222 50 St, Daysland, AB, Canada
Phone: 780-374-3676
Facebook: https://facebook.com/darlsdynamos
Twitter: @DayslandS