Sherwood Park, AB. — From April 15-19, students and staff across Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) are celebrating Education Week and highlighting the importance of education in the community. Education Week is led each year by the Alberta Teachers’ Association and Alberta School Councils’ Association and celebrated by schools provincewide. This year’s theme is “Learning Uplifts All,” which celebrates working toward an inspired future for public education.
“Learning uplifts us in so many different ways,” says Cathy Allen, the Board Chair of EIPS. “Performing a science experiment, painting a canvas, throwing a football—all these activities push us to grow. We’re rewarded by discovering whether our hypothesis was right, creating a soulful work of art or beating our personal best. Instilling a love of learning now means students continue to expand their knowledge in their adult life and find what fulfills them.”
Throughout the week, various activities are taking place in schools across the Division. On April 18, Fort Saskatchewan Elementary will be having a family literacy and numeracy night. Families will come and read “under the stars” with flashlights in the gym and play fun numeracy games in the hallways with packs of cards that they can take home to continue their learning.
Each day, the school will also have a trivia fact over the announcements about the school’s history. They’ll have read alouds about the benefits of learning from mistakes and setting goals. Students will be writing an educational goal on a paper hot air balloon to signify their continued growth and how education will continue to uplift them. Lastly, classes will make a thank-you letter for a person, organization or business in the community that enhances their school, learning and opportunities.
Activities at other EIPS schools include daily announcements, reading activities and more. Details include:
Fort Saskatchewan Christian: Students will be encouraged to fill the bucket of their teachers, a kindness activity based on the Bucket Fillers books.
Heritage Hills Elementary: The school has several activities related to their #OneBookTogether initiative on socio-emotional learning.
James Mowat Elementary: On Monday, classes will use Canadian Geographic’s giant floor map to explore the history of Indigenous Peoples. On Tuesday, the school will have a jump rope club during recess to uplift students physical and mental well-being. On Wednesday, students will welcome teachers from other classes to teach them mathematics. On Thursday, teachers will invite parents and caregivers to read in their classrooms. On Friday, classes will go outside to play a team sport, such as frisbee golf.
Lakeland Ridge: There’ll be a door decorating contest and a buddy activity where students will reflect on the importance of education on a digital gratitude wall.
Pine Street Elementary: The school is incorporating this year’s theme into its buddy classes where older grades get together with younger classes to read to each other. They’ll also have several classroom activities highlighting the importance of education.
Rudolph Hennig Junior High: The school will have doughnuts for its “Dough Not Forget to Thank Your Teacher Day.”
Wes Hosford Elementary: There’ll be many reflection activities and students will explore various ways to uplift others. Each day will also focus on a subject, including mathematics, English language arts, social studies and science.
Elk Island Public Schools is one of Alberta’s largest school divisions, serving approximately 17,750 students in 42 schools. We are proud to be an integral part of our communities, including Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, Vegreville, Strathcona and Lamont counties, and the western portion of the County of Minburn.
–30–
For more information, media can contact:
Laura McNabb, Director, Communication Services, EIPS 780-417-8204 cell 780-405-4902