ÉRE Connection

• Year End Videos
• Career Opportunities in Wild Rose School Division
• A special farewell to Sr. Margie on her new adventures
• Canadian Parents for French (CPF) Summer programming

• ÉRE Trickster Afternoon Performance, 40 min, June 16, 2023
• Year End Music Showcase, 30 min, featuring every class
• Year End Video in Review, 13 min, featuring all the best photos of the school year

Ahhhh. . . Summer!

Another incredible year has come to an end! We are grateful you chose École Rocky Elementary as your school in 2022-2023. The year held many highlights for us: Trickster Theatre, an in-person Christmas Concert, fantastic academic growth, several new partnerships, Grandparents Day, Peace Day, singing at the RCMP Musical Ride, and so many parent volunteers once again helping our school hum at a higher gear.

The results matched the effort. On report cards, many students closed learning gaps or challenged beyond their grade level. Our recent Accountability Survey that is conducted by Alberta Education each year indicates that we continue to be in the top echelon of all schools in Alberta - not just Rocky Mountain House or WRSD - but the entire province! These are results to be proud of and don't occur by accident. This is a hard working staff matched with a community that cares about education. Bravo!

We want to thank our students and community. You are what makes École Rocky Elementary such an amazing place to learn and grow. When you reflect back on the year, be sure to remember the incredible friendships that were made, the hard work that paid off, and the fun we were able to have along the way with events like Grandparents' Have Talents, Fish in Schools, Earth Rangers, The NED Show, field trips near and far, swimming, Jump Rope for Heart, and connecting with seniors at Westview Lodge. Continue to grow and follow your passions.

As a staff, we will be stepping away from the building and taking time to explore our passions and recharge. We do check e-mail and our phone message periodically through the summer if something urgent comes up. Otherwise, wishing you a safe and happy summer!

With appreciation from the entire team,

Tim Bowman‎‎‎‎‎‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Kim Simo

Principal ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Vice Principal

(403) 845-3541 ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ (403) 845-3541

tim.bowman@wrsd.ca ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎kim.simo@wrsd.ca

Do you know someone who is looking for a full or part time job? Come work with us!

• Administrative Services in the ÉRE Office
• Casual EA, Front Office, Library, Custodial at any of the Rocky area schools
• Caretaker at West Central
• Caretaker at Pioneer

Our posting for Adminstrative Services in the school office is to fill Ms. Morgan's position. Ms. Morgan has really enjoyed her work at the front desk of ÉRE over the past 5 years and this has opened up a new career opportunity that she has moved into. We wish her well in the transition!

As such, we are looking for the right individual to be the first interaction many people have when they connect with the school. The position also values strong computer skills, financial literacy, and being a team player. Please pass the opening on to anyone that may be interested. It will remain open until we find the right individual. Ms. Morgan and Mr. Bowman are available to answer questions about the position if it helps.

We were blessed to have Sr. Margie MacDonnell join us for Peace Day the second last day of school. Sr. Margie started as a teacher at ÉRE in 1985. After she retired from teaching in the early 1990s, she continued to be connected to the school as a volunteer and driver of our Peaceable School program. For the last several years, she has connected with our primary classes each week to help develop "Hands are for Helping" and conflict resolution skills. Many have appreciated her stories, making butter, nature walks, and her patient and kind way of teaching new skills. She has been a constant positive role model and a gift to all that meet her.

Sr. Margie is planning to permanently return to the East Coast this August where she has friends and can continue her volunteer work. She will be missed in Rocky Mountain House. To help her stay connected to her favourite town in the west, the school gave Sr. Margie a subscription to The Mountaineer newspaper.

Thank you Sr. Margie for being connected to our school for 38 years! Please tell everyone on the East Coast that there is a school nestled in the Rocky Mountain foothills that proudly hangs your picture on its school walls. Bon voyage!

SORA - Student Online Reading App is available for all students and staff throughout the summer! Log in with your WRSD username and password on your chromebook, phone or tablet to access audiobooks and ebooks! READ ON!

Get a head start on school supplies for next year!

We offer pre-ordering of 2023/24 school supplies through Custom School Supplies. We recognize some families prefer the convenience of ordering high quality supplies that are delivered directly to the school the last week of August. Each order also comes with 80 name stickers that can be placed on supplies.

https://www.customschoolsupplies.ca/rocky2023/

The deadline to order is August 1, 2023.

This is a voluntary program. Families can also purchase school supplies on their own.

We are accepting new registrations for both English and French Immersion classes in all grades preK-grade 5.

Online Registration can be found on our school website: https://ecolerocky.wrsd.ca/home/news/post/new-registrations

2023/2024 Pre-K Program

For students who turn 4 in 2023.

The Pre-K program will run full day Tuesday/Thursday/alt Friday. The program is staffed with a certificated teacher. Program cost is $100 a month. Program subsidies are available for qualifying students. The program is capped at 18 students and is currently full.

• We have started a waiting list for our PreK program in hopes that a second class can be formed.

2023/2024 English & French Immersion Kindergarten

For students who turn 5 in 2023.

Our English Kindergarten program runs full day Monday/Wednesday and alternating Fridays.

Our French Immersion Kindergarten program runs full day Tuesday/Thursday and alternating Fridays.

French Immersion

About 35% of our school receives the majority of their daily instruction in French. All of our French Immersion teachers are fully bilingual and have expertise teaching an additional language.

• Parents are not expected to have a French language background.
• The natural entry points into the French Immersion program are PreK, Kindergarten, or Grade 1.
• By the end of grade 5, students can read, speak, and write fluently in both English and French
• By grade 8, French Immersion students have the opportunity to pursue the DELF (Diplôme d'Études en Langue Française) which can be used to certify French language competency.

• First Rider Bus Orientation, Aug 23 - if you have a child new to riding the bus, they may appreciate this orientation opportunity hosted in the West Central High School parking lot, 3-7 pm
• French Immersion Families - The Canadian Parents for French (CPF) Rocky Mountain House Chapter is looking for Feedback from Immersion families.
• French Immersion Families Summer Camp - CPF is organizing some August Day Camps for French Immersion students. More info at: https://form.jotform.com/231786472535060
• French Immersion Families - there is plenty of information in the latest Canadian Parents for French (CPF) newsletter including a camping retreat this summer.
• Thank you for the attention to overdue school fees. Over 50% of the overdue fees were addressed in the last month. If you still have an outstanding account, please look at clearing it up as soon as possible as this affects the budget of the school. Unpaid fees can be paid online through SchoolCash. If you need to make a payment plan or seek further financial assistance, please connect with School Admin. We can find a solution!
• Our school website is regularly updated with important dates, school newsletters, and useful links along with information about the school. https://ecolerocky.wrsd.ca/

• Aug 1 - Last day to order School Supplies
• Aug 23 - First Rider Bus Orientation for new bus riders, @West Central School, 3-7 pm
• Aug 25 - School Office reopens
• Sept 1 - Meet the Teacher / Open House, 1-3 pm
• Sept 5 - Cohort A - First Day of Classes 2023/2024
• Sept 6 - Cohort B - First Day of Classes 2023/2024

• 2023/2024 Gr.1-5 Calendar

• Pre K 2023/2024 Calendar
  

• English ECS 2023/2024

• French ECS Calendar 2023/2024

• ÉRE Parent Handbook - many of the most commonly asked questions
• ÉRE School Website - ecolerocky.wrsd.ca
• ÉRE Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ecolerockyelementary

Camping en Français with CPF – Rocky Mountain House Historic Site, AB – August 18-20, 2023!

Registration is OPEN! We will enjoy a weekend in the great outdoors where your children will take part in learning about trade, exploration and the people that set up their posts on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River! They will also test their skills playing some indigenous games and creating their own dream catcher. Youth programming on Saturday is in French. All other activities are bilingual.

This will be a very unique camping experience that you will have a hard time finding anywhere! Sleep in a Tipi, Trappers Tent, cabin, or your own trailer or tent. Along with CPF, the Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site will provide an experience that your family will always remember! Reserve your spot today.

Shihan Cam White ran karate at recess during the school year. He is offering some Karate Summer Camps at Westward Dance Studio this summer. For more information or to register, email: kkcalberta@gmail.com

Email: tim.bowman@wrsd.ca
Website: https://ecolerocky.wrsd.ca/
Location: 4703 50th Avenue, Rocky Mountain House, AB, Canada
Phone: 403-845-3541
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ecolerockyelementary/
Twitter: @EREPeace