Lakeland Ridge Weekly Update!
Friday, June 25, 2021
Hello Lakeland Ridge Families,
The 2020-21 school year was certainly like no other. We returned to school in September unsure of how the year would unfold. Students and staff were required to sanitize their hands throughout the school day, and we were all required to wear masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Over the past 15 months, we have all had to navigate our way through the pandemic and change how we do…. pretty much everything. COVID-19 forced the cancellation of in-school classes at various times throughout the year and there were times that students and staff were forced to quarantine. It is not lost on me that this year has been a very different and, at times, a difficult one. However, we have much to celebrate and to be thankful for. Despite several school interruptions, our students did an amazing job.
I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to all our Lakeland Ridge students, staff, and parents for their support and understanding this year. I would also like to thank our School Council and Parent Action Society for their ongoing support.
Best wishes to our staff that will be moving on to different positions next year. Thank you for your dedication. To our grade 9s – Best of luck as you move on to high school. Remember, once a wolf, always a wolf!
Sincerely,
Mr. Jeff Huculak M.Ed.
Principal
Summer Hours at Elk Island Public Schools
Throughout the summer break, Lakeland Ridge School is closed. Lakeland Ridge will reopen on Tuesday, August 24 at 8:30 am. If you have any school-related questions or concerns while the school is closed, contact EIPS Central Services—the office is open all summer to complete year-end activities and prepare for the 2021-22 school year. Students return to school on September 1.
EIPS Central Office Summer Hours: June 28 to August 24
Open: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 780-464-3477
Address: 683 Wye Rd., Sherwood Park
Statutory Holidays
Closed July 1 Canada Day
Closed August 2 Heritage Day
NOTE: Student Transportation also remains open during the summer months—operating during the same hours as EIPS Central Services.
School Staff 2021-22
It has been a very busy staffing season and we are still in the process of finalizing staff for next year. We have a number of staff who have accepted positions at other schools. As such, we will be welcoming some new staff next year. We would like to thank the following staff members for their service and dedication to Lakeland Ridge and wish them well as they pursue different opportunities.
Staff Leaving
- Ms. Jennifer Ference (Assistant Principal) has accepted the principal position at Glen Allan Elementary.
- Ms. Melissa Kerr (Assistant Principal) has accepted the Principal position at Andrew School.
- Mr. Paul McKay (Assistant Principal) has accepted the Principal position at Bruderheim Elementary.
- Ms. Sheryl Tsiclas (Teacher) has accepted the Assistant Principal position at Pine Street Elementary.
- Ms. Shelbi White (Teacher) has accepted a teaching position at James Mowat Elementary.
- Mrs. Stacey Fehr (Educational Assistant) has accepted a position in the PALS Program at Pine Street Elementary.
- Mrs. Natasha Collier (Educational Assistant)
- Mrs. Karina Hui (Educational Assistant)
- Mrs. Tammy Joly (Educational Assistant)
- Mrs. Karen Petras (Educational Assistant)
Leaves of Absence
- Mrs. Dori Li will be taking a one-year leave of absence.
- Mrs. Kali Hale (Teacher) will be extending her maternity leave and is expected to return in September 2022.
Welcome to Our Pack!
Lakeland Ridge is pleased to welcome two NEW Assistant Principals to our pack:
- Mrs. Alexandra Candler is currently a teacher and the Numeracy Lead at SouthPointe School in Fort Saskatchewan. Previously, she served as a numeracy consultant with EIPS.
- Mrs. Kerri Williams is currently the Assistant Principal at Pine Street Elementary.
Prior to the start of the school year, teachers will be contacting parents to let them know which class their child will be in. Junior high students will receive their timetables on or before the first day of school.
Upcoming Dates and Events
June 25 - Last Instructional Day
- Report cards available online at 3:00pm
August 24 - School Office is open
August 31- Operational Day (All Staff)
Sept. 1 - First Day of School
Orientation Dates / Staggered Entry for Kinder is:
Wednesday, September 1
Thursday, September 2
Friday, September 3
Tuesday, September 7
Write-On Stationary
The 2021-2022 School Supply sheets were sent home with your child. If you choose to participate and order your child’s school supplies through Write On Stationery, 10% of your total order will be returned to Lakeland Ridge School as a fundraiser.
Orientation
Kindergarten Orientation
Information will be sent out to families in August outlining their specific orientation time for kindergarten.
Grade 7 Orientation
Although the move from elementary to junior high is one that is filled with excitement and anticipation, it can also bring some nervousness and uncertainty. To help students become more familiar with our school and their classmates, Lakeland Ridge hosts a “Welcome Back Afternoon” in late August. Since we are still uncertain about what our 2021-22 school year start-up will look like, we have not yet set a date for this. Information about a potential grade 7 orientation day will be sent to families closer to start-up.
Grade 9 Farewell - Congratulations Grade 9s!
Our Grade 9 Farewell ceremony took place this morning. As communicated in earlier messages, we held 3 small ceremonies, one for each of our grade 9 classes. Students received their certificates, had pictures taken, and watched a short video/slideshow specific to their class. The ceremonies were recorded, and a link will be shared with parents early next week.
Class 6-1 Farewell
Updating Your Contact Information
Have you recently moved, or has your contact information changed throughout the past year? EIPS encourages families to review the information it has on file to ensure it’s up to date. Using the Correction and Verification Form, available through the PowerSchool Parent Portal, families can review the current information on file for each student—addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, parent and guardian information, emergency contacts, medical details and other related information—and submit any updates needed.
Reviewing and updating the form ensures the Division has the most up-to-date information regarding your child. Your review is especially important if there’s any communication the Division or school needs to send out over the summer months related to classes next year.
All EIPS families are asked to review their child’s Correction and Verification Form by Monday, June 14 at noon. After this time, the form will be turned off for the remainder of the school year and not available again to families until the start of the 2021-22 school year.
NOTE: Only submit updates for the changes that have already taken place. If you’re moving this summer, you’ll submit the necessary updates to your address through the Correction and Verification Form at the start of next school year after you’ve moved.
If you have questions about the form or are having trouble with your PowerSchool Parent Portal account, contact the school at Lakeland Ridge School 780-416-9018.
LINKING GENERATIONS 2021-22 PROGRAM
Linking Generations will once again be offering their intergenerational program in our school this coming fall.. In September 2021 Linking Generations will be accepting volunteer applications from all interested Junior High students in grade 7-9. Based on health restrictions In September, students may be visiting with a ‘linked’ senior via a virtual platform using Zoom or if restrictions are eased, students will visit face to face at our partnership senior facilities. Any questions concerning Linking Generations may be sent to Debbie Sinclair, Executive Director, Linking Generations at linkgendebbie@telus.net
Student Transportation: 2021-22 registration
Planning to use Student Transportation in the 2021-22 school year? If so, make sure your child is registered so Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) can plan routes and send your child a bus pass before the first day of school.
All students who indicated needing transportation services through the returning student registration process are now registered. Those families have also received tentative route schedules and invoices—fees are due June 30, 2021.
For those students who didn’t indicate needing transportation service through the returning student registration process and want to now register, simply contact EIPS Student Transportation at 780-417-8151 or email st@eips.ca.
For more information about EIPS Student Transportation visit www.eips.ca/transportation.
NOTE: Families can pay fees online using the PowerSchool Parent Portal. To pay in person contact Student Transportation to make an appointment.
Little Elk Island Adventure: Registration
Elk Island Public Schools is once again planning to run the Little Elk Island Adventure, a fun and informative program for first-time school bus riders.
Annually, Student Transportation offers the Little Elk Island Adventure to new riders and their parents. The program’s aim: To help introduce families to busing so they feel comfortable and at ease before even starting school. Through a series of activities, riders learn about school bus safety, danger zones, tips on boarding and how to sit properly on the bus. After that, both the children and parents hop on the bus to practice what they’ve learned by venturing out on a short ride.
The Little Elk Island Adventure is for first-time school bus riders entering the 2021-22 school year. The tentative session dates and times are as follows:
Location Date Time
EIPS Central Services August 16 6 p.m.
EIPS Central Services August 17 6 p.m.
EIPS Central Services August 18 2 p.m.
EIPS Central Services August 19 2:30 p.m.
EIPS Central Services August 19 6 p.m.
EIPS Central Services August 23 9 a.m.
EIPS Central Services August 24 6 p.m.
EIPS Central Services August 26 6 p.m.
SouthPointe School August 25 2:30 p.m.
SouthPointe School August 25 6 p.m.
Dates and times may change depending on the province’s public-health measures.
IPS Central Services is located at 683 Wye Rd., Sherwood Park
SouthPointe School is located at 11 SouthPointe Blvd., Fort Saskatchewan
Space is limited, and pre-registration is required.
More information about busing for kindergarten children is available at: eips.ca/transportation/kindergarten-busing-faq.
Page Program Recruitment 2021
Hi there! As an Albertan high school student, you are eligible to apply to become a Page! The Page Program is more than just a job. It is an opportunity for students to learn firsthand about the Legislative Assembly while gaining work experience, career insights, and valuable skills such as communication, problem solving, and leadership. Pages work at the Legislature during Session and have the unique opportunity to play an important role in Alberta’s democratic process. Interested? Check out the Page Program (assembly.ab.ca) for details about applying. If you have any questions or want to know more, feel free to contact Amber Edgerton at Amber.Edgerton@assembly.ab.ca.
Lakeland Ridge 2021-25 School Education Plan
Parent Survey Results
2020-21 EIPS Parent Survey: Results now available
The 2020-21 EIPS Parent Survey results are now available. In April, the Division conducted the annual survey, which helps EIPS gauge its progress toward meeting the goals and priorities outlined in its Four-Year Education Plan. Families were asked a series of questions about their experiences with EIPS and the school their child attends, the overall performance of the Division, the quality of education being provided to students and areas for improvement.
Thank you to all families who took the time to share their feedback with the Division. Overall, the survey received 3,198 responses from parents and guardians across EIPS—up by more than 230 responses from the previous year. EIPS will now review the feedback in detail and use it to develop new strategies to serve students and the wider community better.
The full results are available online:
2020-21 Parent Survey results: EIPS
2020-21 Parent Survey results Lakeland Ridge School