2021-2022 Intent Form 
To help NLPS plan for the 2021-2022 school year, including having appropriate staffing in place for all of the Learning Pathways, the division will be sending out an intent form to all current NLPS families asking them which pathway they would like to choose for their children next year. This form will be shared using School Engage starting Wednesday, April 21 and parents will receive a notification via email that there is a form for them to complete. Please complete and submit this form prior to April 30, 2021. 

Parents will be able to access the 2021-2022 Intent Form through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. This needs to be done by logging into the Parent Portal using a computer as forms are not accessible through the Parent Portal app and are not mobile-friendly.

Statement on Draft Curriculum 
Northern Lights Public Schools will not be participating in piloting the new draft Kindergarten to Grade 6 provincial curriculum during the 2021-2022 school year. 

“The last two school years have been very challenging for our students and staff and we need to focus on addressing the academic and mental health impacts of the pandemic and try to restore a sense of normalcy for our students,” explained Board Chair Arlene Hrynyk. “We support Administrations’ decision not to proceed at this time, as this will only add to the stress and anxiety our students and staff are already experiencing.”

Alberta Education is currently seeking feedback on the new draft K-6 curriculum through a survey: Draft K-6 Curriculum Survey. The full Draft K-6 Curriculum is available on learnalberta.ca. The division will also be looking at ways to engage parents in discussions about the draft curriculum and collect feedback. Further details will be shared once they have been finalized.

For the full statement visit https://www.nlpsab.ca/our-division/news/post/statement-on-draft-curriculum 

Mental Health Week - It Starts With Hope 
May 3-9 is Mental Health Week. Northern Lights Public Schools is pleased to launch its new It Starts with Hope project, which will include a variety of activities and initiatives focusing on hope and the positive impact it has on mental health. For more information visit https://nlpsab.ca/our-division/news/post/it-starts-with-hope

We would like to express our appreciation to Imperial Oil for supporting our “It Starts with Hope” project, which will include a variety of initiatives in our schools that focus on hope. We are very excited to introduce this to our staff, students, and parents!

Board approves Multi-Configuration option for Cold Lake schools 
The Northern Lights Public Schools Board of Trustees has approved the recommendation of the Cold Lake Configuration Committee to proceed with the proposed Multi-Configuration Scenario for the division’s schools in Cold Lake. For more information, visit https://www.nlpsab.ca/our-division/cold-lake-configuration/post/board-approves-multi-configuration-option

Upcoming Events

• April 30 - Family Friday

Special Days

• April 29 - International Dance Day
• May 3-9 - Mental Health Week

Awareness 

• National Month of Hope
• Autism Acceptance Month
• Alberta Education Week (April 27 - May 1)

STRATEGIES FOR SUPPORTING CHILDREN DURING COVID-19

ACKNOWLEDGE FEARS & BE REAL
• Be honest and give age-appropriate information
• Occasionally be open about your own emotions
• Help children see it is okay to have feelings AND show them that you can manage them

HELP MANAGE NEWS INTAKE
• Children look to the adults around them to learn how frightened they should be
• It’s helpful if adults take in the news and then convey it to children, rather than children viewing
news on their own
• Discuss news in the context of a supportive relationship and in manageable bits
• Help children learn about credible news sources

BE CURIOUS WITH THEM
• Ask about what they are hearing and thinking
• Respond to their questions with facts
• Use developmentally appropriate language and relatable examples
• Follow their lead of where their thoughts are going, and help them limit the amount of time spent focusing on them.

YOUR PRESENCE AND ATTENTION ARE KEY
• Be available for questions or expressions of emotion
• It’s okay if you don’t have all the answers; your presence can help them tolerate not knowing
• Find simple activities to keep busy and shift attention when they’re ready

ROUTINE!
• Participate in regular activities as much as possible
• Eat, sleep, bathe, and play at regular times that children are used to
• Help children know what they can do – this builds self-efficacy (this may include chores around the house, creating new things, continuing to play, etc.)

*Strategies provided by the Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute (2021)

Covid-19 Safety Section
Please use the most up-to-date Daily Checklist before sending your child to school. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call the school. 
Our school has always been committed to keeping students, staff, and families safe. Our COVID-19 safety measures are outlined in the NLPS Re-Entry Plan, which can be accessed at nlspab.ca. Here are some highlights:

• We have increased sanitization in our school, especially in high touch areas
• All staff and students in grades 4-12 are required to wear masks
• Hand sanitizer is available at all entrances and in all classrooms
• Staff and students are encouraged to practice physical distancing at all times
• Staff and students use the Covid-19 Daily Checklist before coming to school

Safe Arrival/Students Absent from School
Parents are asked to call the school, 780-594-5623, prior to the morning registration at 8:35 am if your child will be absent. If your child is ill, please call the school. Parents must register their child to ride the bus. Please contact the transportation department 1-877-826-6038

School Cash Online
Please go to https://nlsd.schoolcashonline.com to pay for various school activity fees, to order hot lunch, or to purchase concession cards.

CLMS Clothing Order
Get your Spirit Wear Now at https://clmsspiritwear.itemorder.com/ Items can be purchased online all year long and picked up at K3 Promotions. We have so many items to choose from! Masks, tees, long-sleeves, jackets, toques, ball caps, and more! Get your CLMS Spirit Wear today and rep the best middle school ever!

CLMS School Education Plan

1. Supporting Student Mental Health and Wellness; increase positive mental health and wellness and reduce anxiety.
2. Increasing student achievement and competencies in numeracy

Fun Fact of the Week: The Sargasso Sea, also known as The Sea Without a Shore, is located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, just a little north of the equator. The water in the Sargasso Sea is some of the clearest in the ocean, with underwater visibility of up to an incredible 200 feet.