P R I N C I P A L ’ S M E S S A G E — M M E M A R L A T O N I T A

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F E B R U A R Y / F E V R I E R 2 0 1 5

S A B R E N E W S

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

S C H O O L E M E R -

G E N C Y P R O G R A M 2

P A R E N T C O U N C I L

F R O M T H E O F F I C E 3

S T U D Y H A L L ,

S P E E C H A R T S ,

S T E M C L U B , H O T

L U N C H

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C O U N S E L O R ’ S

C O R N E R 5

S A B R E S

A T H L E T I C S

6

B H A I N F O R M A T I O N 7 & 8

C A L E N D A R 1 2

4801—55 Ave. Beaumont, AB T4X 1K2

Phone: 780-929-5977 Fax: 780-929-5258 http://ejels.blackgold.ca

Mission:

To empower students to

reach their potential

through quality learning

opportunities.

Vision:

ÉJELS is a school commu-

nity that honours a strong

pedagogical foundation

and that fosters an empa-

thetic and productive

learning environment

through innovation and

teamwork.

It is hard to believe that even though January is a long and rather dark month, the

time has flown by! In a school, so much learning is always taking place that perhaps

the days are continuously bright!

Our students continue to benefit from the caring and knowledgeable teaching staff at

École J.E. Lapointe School, and also from other adults from a variety of organiza-

tions. From guest presenters at Inside Education and the Chantal Berubé Youth

Centre, field trips to the Alberta Legislature and Telus World of Science, and shared

learning opportunities with students from other schools, our students gain so much

from the expertise and perspectives of others in our communities. Through our He-

roes program, which runs as part of our grade 7 Health program, students also de-

velop relationships with the fabulous volunteers that make this positive program

possible. The ancient African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” is so true,

and so valuable for all of us to remember.

We are pleased to have two new members join the staff at our school. Mrs. Linda

Lewis is our newest Educational Assistant and we are so pleased that she is with us.

Mr. Murray Jarman will be a grade 7 homeroom teacher replacing Mrs. Deanne Do-

rash. We are so excited to have Mr. Jarman as the newest member of our fabulous

teaching staff!

Mrs. Deanne Dorash will remain in our school in a new role as Team Teacher,

where time is provided to collaborate with teachers and to support flexible and pro-

ject-based learning opportunities for students. So much excitement in our school!

I would like thank each of our families for your continued support of the educational

endeavors of your children. Please do contact us at any time if you have questions

or concerns of any sort.

Black Gold School Division has revamped their school emergency protocols to

ensure the safety of our students and staff. Through the assistance of the Hour

Zero School Emergency program, protocols and procedures have been well-

defined to build a culture of preparedness in an event of an emergency. Staff and students are in the process of

being trained to implement crisis communication that will result in effective actions and positive outcomes. In

February, our school will be discussing the Emergency Response terminology with our students to ensure con-

sistency and to provide a common language in the area of emergency preparedness. As well, we will be prac-

ticing one of the Emergency Response drills: Lock-Down.

Attached to this newsletter is a summary of the Emergency Response terminology.

S C H O O L E M E R G E N C Y P R O G R A M

S C H O O L C O U N C I L / P . A . A .

S A B R E N E W S C O N T : Page 3

We met for our monthly meeting on January 27th, 2015. Parent Council is looking for volun-

teers to help with the staff appreciation week in March. There are various positions available,

please contact me for more details.

On March 19, 2015 from 7-9pm at École Dansereau Meadows School the Board of Education

and Black Gold School Division Office invite parents to a presentation called “Global Trends

in Education – Preparing Black Gold Students for Their Future” by keynote speaker Simon

Breakspear. RSVP is not required. Please join us for a great night of information.

Please also join us for the next Parent Council / PAA meeting in the school staff room on Tues-

day, February 24th at 8:30 am .

Maggie Courchene

Chair maggiecourchene@shaw.ca

F R O M T H E O F F I C E :

Early Dismissal and Teachers’ Convention

Students will be dismissed early on Wednesday, February 4, 2015.

Teacher’s Convention is Thursday, February 5 and Friday, February 6, 2015.

Schools will be closed.

Lost and Found

There have been several small items turned into the office, including jewelry, watches, prescription eyeglasses, keys and MP3players.

Please stop by and identify any smaller items you may have misplaced.

Student Drop Off and Pick Up

When dropping off and picking up students please do not park in crosswalks or block private driveways. Also, when utilizing

the parking lot drop off, for student safety ,proceed to the far east end of lot before allowing students to exit vehicles.

B U S C A N C E L A T I O N S D U E T O I N C L E M E N T W E A T H E R

Announcements regarding the operation of schools and busses during inclement

weather may be made over the following radio and television stations:

Radio: CHED (630 AM), CFRN (1260 AM), CBC (740 AM), CFCW (790 AM), JOE

(925 FM), CISN (103.9 FM).

TV: GLOBAL, CITY TV.

WEBSITE: Information on bus cancellations, as well as other information will be shown

on a scrolling banner on the home page of the website (www.blackgold.ab.ca). As well,

information regarding bus cancellations is also put on the AFTER HOURS TRANS-

PORTATION LINE: Dial 955-6025 Listen and then press the number for the after

hours Transportation Line.

In the event of “bus cancelation announcement” for Black Gold Regional Division #18, please be advised that although school buses will

NOT BE OPERATING, École J.E. Lapointe School will be open for all students. As, such, we appreciate parents phoning or emailing the main

office if their children will be absent. Our telephone number is 780-929-5977 and email address is jeloffice@blackgold.ca During severe

weather conditions, all students will be kept inside the school at recess and the noon hour.

S A B R E N E W S C O N T : Page 4

F E B R U A R Y H O T L U N C H

Speech arts students are busy getting ready for their performances in April. Generous teachers have volunteered their

time to help guide and coach these students. Thank-you to Mrs. Nichols, Ms. Collett, Mrs. deBoer, Mrs. Kay and

Mme Tonita. Special mention goes out to Ms. Colquhoun (a former JE teacher) who is still the wind beneath our

wings!

Feb 12 Booster Juice

Feb 19 Maina’s Donair

Feb 26 Booster Juice

S P E E C H A R T S

Did you know…

École J.E. Lapoionte school offers a Homework and Study Hall

area for Jr. High students who want a quiet environment to com-

plete projects or study before or after school.

Study hall is offered in various classrooms Monday - Thursday.

7:45 - 8:15 am

3:20 - 4:00 pm

Please note: Although the area is supervised by a teacher it is not

intended as a place for students to get extra help.

J R . H I G H H O M E W O R K S T U D Y H A L L

W R I S T B A N D C H A L L E N G E

At our assembly each month, family day passes are drawn for the Beaumont Aqua-Fit Center. Students can be

eligible for the draw by dropping off their wristband that they were given when they entered the Aqua-Fit Center

or the Leduc Recreational Center. There is a Wristband Challenge drop box in the office. At our January assem-

bly Sam Hokanson (6B), Nick Gilmour (7B), Tyler Sturley (7B), Reagan Deathridge (7C), and Kyla Lopez (8E)

had their names drawn. Each received a family day pass to the Aqua-Fit Center. Congratulations.

S T E M C L U B

The Sabres STEM Club is here at École J.E. Lapointe! Science, Technology, Engineering, and

Math (STEM) offer endless opportunity for discovery and exploration. Students AND teachers can

create, explore, learn, and build upon known concepts. - all hands on.

There are few limits in this club and students are encouraged to bring their ideas to meetings, plan

how to accomplish their goals, construct and test in groups or individually.

For more information, listen to announcements for meeting dates and times. Currently, Fridays after

school are scheduled.

S A B R E N E W S C O N T : Page 5

C O U N S E L O R ’ S C O R N E R

H E R O E S P R O G R A M — G R A D E 7

Every child has unique gifts and abilities; some are already shining brightly for the world to see

while many are hibernating behind walls of anger, fear and rejection. We are thrilled to con-

tinue our partnership with Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) that will provide

every one of our grade 7 students with an exciting program designed to help our children and

youth discover their individual gifts and abilities. The program is called HEROES and was cre-

ated by Jack Toth, founder & CEO of Impact Society. In the introduction of the HEROES student

workbook Jack explains that HEROES is his story of being a child who didn’t believe he could

succeed, but as he continued through his journey of life he discovered his own gifts and abili-

ties. He learned how to live life by his own unique gifts and abilities rather than living life be-

hind his walls of anger, fear and rejection.

Throughout the 14 week strengths based program, our grade 7 students will go on a journey of discovering their true identity through the

HEROES program, which builds Confidence, Character and Integrity in youth. The foundation of HEROES is a genuine belief that every-

one, young or old, has abilities, gifts and a desire to succeed. Each student will be taken through three steps in this program; the first is

to build CONFIDENCE, uncovering their natural strengths so they can live with hope and meaning. The second will help them understand

how to choose CHARACTER, meeting challenges in positive ways that will build themselves, others and their environment up. The third

step will help them grow INTEGRITY, taking steps that keep their confidence growing and their character strong.

The HEROES program has been offered since 1994 to over 30,000 youth. Our grade 7 students will be receiving this program thanks to

the Town of Beaumont, Family & Community Support Services and trained volunteers from our community giving their time to lead our

students on this journey. If you are interested in learning more about HEROES, visit

www.impactsociety.com or contact Brodie Stenhouse, FCSS Community Liaison and

the Beaumont HEROES Coordinator at brodie.stenhouse@town.beaumont.ab.ca

“Life is an adventure; understanding you have purpose guides you towards your goals

for success, being determined to not give up! This is the mindset of a HERO. This is the

real you! Enjoy the journey!

Jack Toth, Founder & CEO, Impact Society

Heroes Schedule

7A - Day 3, block 6 & Day 5, block 1

7B - Day 2, block 3 & Day 3, block 5

7C - Day 2, block 3 & Day 4, block 6

7D - Day 1, Block 6 & Day 3, block 6

7E - Day 3, block 3 & Day 4, block 2

Hello to all J.E. students, families, and staff! My name is Cassy and I am the new CAP Mentor involved with

J.E. Lapointe. I just thought I would say a quick hello and tell you a bit about myself and my role with Black

Gold Schools. Personally, I love to walk my dogs, go snowboarding with friends, paint, and travel through

different countries while living out of a backpack! Professionally, I am very passionate about working with

youth, promoting positive mental wellness, and hearing about people’s cultures and stories.

As a CAP Mentor, I am part of a mental health capacity building project which aims to provide students in the

Black Gold Regional School Division with a sense of community, attachment, and purpose. The CAP team and

I have hosted many Mental Wellness Days at different schools within Black Gold, and aim to educate students

on how to cope with stress and anxiety, and present different types of self-care strategies so they can be men-

tally strong! If you see me in the halls, office, or classrooms at J.E. Lapointe, come on over and say hello! I

would love to meet you.

Currently you can find me working with the 7B Health class teaching the Heroes curriculum and working with

the SWAT students planning a Mental Wellness Afternoon for the younger students at Bellevue. In the near

future I am hoping to plan a parent/student yoga night, a Media Safety presentation for health classes, and a

Mental Wellness Afternoon for the students at J.E. Lapointe in May! I will be attending the J.E. staff meetings

and parent council meetings to brainstorm other ways I can be involved with the school and community. See

you all around the school, and stay tuned!

S A B R E N E W S C O N T : Page 6

S A B R E A T H L E T I C S

2015 Mini-Boys Basketball Champions

On January 17th, the Mini-Boys basketball team captured their first championship since 2011. The Sabres breezed through their two round robin

games by defeating Riverview 34-14 and Notre Dame 19-2. The boys then faced off against a tough Covenant Christian team in the semi-final,

winning by a margin of 22-10. In the finals, the Sabres put on a defensive clinic, shutting down their town rival Coloniale Estates by a score of

19-7. A special thank-you goes out to Mr. Vern Gerhardt for all of his help during practices!

Mini-Boys Basketball Team

Ty Bouyea

Carson Chapman

Marc LeBlanc

Corson Ceulemans

Jacob Cammock

Tyler Goudreau

Logan Wilcott

Sam Hokanson

Jake Gerhardt

Esten Osness

Coach: Mr. Mistol

2015 Mini Girls Basketball—Silver Medalist

The mini girls’ team had an amazing season. In our tournament on January 23/24, they came in first place in our pool by beating Thorsby, St.

Benedict, and Beau Meadow, and tying Notre Dame. We faced Dansereau in the finals and were tied 10-10 going into overtime. We ended up

losing 13-10, but the girls battled right to the end, winning themselves a silver medal. Way to go, girls. What a great season!

Mini Girls Basketball Team

Sarah Roberts

Shayla Cymbaluk

Jordyn Matson

Lauren Hawtin

Emma Danylyshen

Mackenna Ochitwa

Erin Kent

Mattea Krug

Jordan Sloan

Khari Weber

Brooke Vidicek

Paige Engelman

Keely Smith

Coach: Mrs. Klimaszewski