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ADMINISTRATOR’S MESSAGE

Welcome back for the new school year.

Our halls bustled with excitement as students and staff encountered many familiar faces and welcomed some new ones to the school. Although I know the enthusiasm will wane in a few more weeks, I always hope we can keep it going for many months into the year. No time was wasted before jumping into lessons and activities, and our smooth start has been busy. Cross-country running and volleyball are on the athletic menu, and new programs for Division 3 and 4 should be rolling out this year.

In a partnership with Barrhead Outreach, Swan Hills School students participated in Experiential CALM & CTS programming that had engaged in classroom lessons as well as outdoor activities designed to meet a variety of course outcomes. During a week at the Palisades Stewardship Centre in Jasper, Grade 10 students worked together to achieve credits in Leadership and other CTS courses while meeting requirements for the mandatory Career and Life Management course. This is the first time Swan Hills School and Barrhead Outreach School have run the Experiential CALM program, and we are excited to offer this opportunity to our students.

Other hands-on courses are being considered for SHS, and we are gauging student interest to learn what best should be provided to meet needs and interests. Pembina Hills Public Schools’ focus is on literacy and numeracy, and SHS has added supports to help address student needs in both areas. We are busy with and excited about our academics as well as our athletics, and we intend to see our students strive for excellence.

UPCOMING KEY DATES

• October 2 & 3 – Goal Setting Interviews
• October 5 – No School
• October 8 – Thanksgiving
• October 17 – Parent Council Mtg. 7:00 p.m.
• October 19 – No School
• October 24 – Early Dismissal
• October 26 – No School
• October 26 & 27 – Halloween Howler
• November 13 – School Photo Retakes

PLEASE NOTE EARLY OUT DISMISSAL TIMES ARE 2:33 p.m.

SCHOOL PHOTOS

Mark your Calendar for our School Picture Day on October 17.   Retakes are on November 13. Lifetouch.ca has some tips for great school pictures.

GOAL SETTING INTERVIEWS

Goal Setting Interviews are October 2 & 3, 2018 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Interview times were mailed out. Please check your mail for your scheduled appointments.

STUDENTS AFTER SCHOOL

Please be reminded that students who do not have after-school commitments must leave the school or be picked up by 3:45 as there is no supervision after that time.  We have had some issues with students found either walking the hallways or being outside alone, and this creates a safety risk for them.  Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS

Do not forget to “fall behind” and turn your clock back one hour on November 3 so that you are on time the morning of November 5.

STUDENTS DROP OFF/PICK UP

Please do not enter the staff parking lot to drop off or pick up your children. It creates a hazard for our students as they are entering and leaving the school. Please do not park your vehicle in the drop off zone in front of the school. The congestion this creates is a safety hazard for our students and our bus driver is having difficulty parking. Be aware the Bylaw Officer is now enforcing the bylaw.

BATTERIES

The school is still collecting large unwanted dead batteries (car batteries, etc.). Money raised from the donations will be spent on enhancing our CTS programs (woodworking, etc.)

Batteries can be dropped off at the small shed behind the school, or contact Kent Hooey.

DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

You will be receiving Demographic Verification Forms with your child. This is a two-paged sheet.  Make sure you complete both sides.  Please check over the current information.  If any changes are required, correct the information in the “Corrected Information” column. Please SIGN and date the front side of the form stating that you have received and changed all of the information.  Along with the Demographic Verification Form, you will also need to complete a FOIP from and Elements at Risk form. Please return the Demographic Verification Form whether changes are made or not along with the other signed and completed forms.

SHS JR/SR STUDENTS’ UNION NEWS

On Wednesday, September 12, elections were held for the Swan Hills Div. 3/4 Students’ Union.  Room Representatives were selected the following morning.  Most of the races were extremely close, and it was wonderful to see so many interested students!  The executive held their first meeting on Tuesday, September 18, at noon. Mrs. King and Mrs. Hooey will serve as the Div. 3/4 Students’ Union Advisors this year.  If students or parents have any ideas for the school staff and administration to consider this year, please contact one of the following executive members:

• President: Kyra
• Sr. High Vice-President: Keaten
• Jr. High Vice-President: Nick
• Secretary-Treasurer: Paige
• Sr. High Social Convenor: Martina
• Jr. High Social Convenor: Susannah
• Boys’ Sports Representative: Josh
• Girls’ Sports Representative: Breanna
• Spirit Advisors: Andre & Jacob

Room Representatives:

• Grade 12: Michael & Natalie
• Grade 11:
• Grade 10: Jesse & Cassadi
• Grade 9: Evan, Blaize & Alan
• Grade 8: Aden & Aubrey
• Grade 7: Madison & Chase

VOLUNTEERING

If you would like to volunteer, assist in classrooms, or participate in classroom activities on special occasions, please ensure you have the appropriate paperwork completed. Volunteer papers can be picked up from the office, and you will also require a Criminal Record Check. Overnight trips will also require a Child Welfare Check.

Also see our Volunteering page.

SUPERVISION

As supervision of students begins at 8:25, please do not send your children to school too early. During inclement weather, students will be permitted to wait inside the entrances.

VISITORS ENTERING THE SCHOOL

All visitors to the school must first check-in at the office, and then proceed into the school.

GRIZZLY CUBS NEWS

Welcome back, everyone. We have a fun and exciting year planned. Jen is staying on as President and we have some new volunteers helping us out this year.

• October 16^th French Toast and Ham Lunch Fundraiser
  • $5.00 for French Toast, Ham, and a drink
• October 18^th Our Family Halloween Dress-up Movie Night
  • “Hotel Transylvania 3” (on IMBD)
  • Doors open at 5:30; show starts at 6 p.m. in Swan Hills School Large Gym
  • Costume Prizes and movie draw
• Halloween Howler
  • Friday 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
  • Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Concession will include Taco in a Bag, Perogies, Soup and Bun, Hot Dogs, Veggie Plate, Gatorade, and our usual assortment of treats.

Look for new merchandise and our new logo at the November 13^th Craft Fair

Thanks for your continued support.

HALLOWEEN HOWLER

To add excitement to our annual Halloween Howler Dance (on Friday, October 26, from 7:30-11:00pm), the Students’ Union, in cooperation with Grizzly Cubs, is offering door prizes and hoping to set up a Raffle Table. Any prize/monetary donations would be greatly appreciated. A letter for taxation purposes can be provided to contributors. Proceeds will assist in purchasing furniture for the Students’ Lounge at the School. Items can be left at the School Office or you can contact Kim Hooey for pickup (780-333-4471). Thank you in advance for your generosity and support!