Uncas Elementary

Welcome to Uncas Elementary School.  Uncas Elementary School is a school rich in tradition. Throughout its thirty-one years of service to the community, Uncas has consistently met and exceeded the educational needs of our student population as well as being an integral part of the community. Our greatest assets in furthering this legacy are our students, staff and parents whose commitment and dedication to Uncas continue to uphold the traditions and values of this community.

An African proverb states that it takes a community to raise a child. As a community of parents, staff, students and community members, it is my hope that we can help our students to develop the skills they need to realize their future goals.

I am looking forward to working with you and your children as we delve into the exciting opportunities and challenges that this year will present.

Kaye Schindeler

Principal

We are currently accepting kindergarten registrations for September of 2010.    Children must be 5 years of age on or before March 1, 2011 in order to attend.

Registration forms are available at the office or you can download a registration form in the document section under the "About Us" tab.   Please bring in the completed form, with a copy of your child's birth certificate to the office. Please feel free to contact us at the school office if you have any questions

Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) has implemented changes to the Boundary Exemption process in an attempt to increase efficiencies and ensure the process is both fair and equitable for all involved. Parents/guardians/independent students who may be considering attending a School of Choice are asked to note these important changes, paying particular attention to the revised process and application deadlines:

• The new Boundary Exemption request form is available on the EIPS' website (www.eips.ca).
• Students and parents will be asked to provide a reason for the Boundary Exemption request.
• In order to have the request considered for approval, parents/guardians/independent students must ensure the form is completed in full and submitted to the Designated School by March 15, 2010 for sign off by the principal.
• The form must then be submitted to the principal at the receiving (School of Choice) prior to April 15, 2010.

In keeping with EIPS' Policy IC - Attendance Areas, when a student attends a school outside his/her designated attendance area, transportation becomes the parent(s)/guardian(s)/ independent student's responsibility. Please contact EIPS' Student Transportation for details at (780) 417-8151 or e-mail studenttran@ei.educ.ab.ca.

Use School Locator on the EIPS' website to find your designated school.

If you have questions regarding changes to the Boundary Exemption process, please contact your school principal.

Elk Island Public Schools has a new website that has many resources for students and families.  It is at eipsvlibrary.ca.  There is something on this website for teachers, parents and students.  Look for links to Learn Alberta,COAC, Culturgram, Bookflix, All about Books  (YRCA and Rocky Mountain Book Awards)  You may need the Learn Alberta Access Code to access some areas.  This will be listed in the February Newsletter or call Mrs. Schindeler at the school for these codes.

You may have recently seen newspaper articles on Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs).  PATs contribute to the Accountability Pillar, a tool used by Alberta Education to evaluate how well the education system is meeting the expectations of parents and the public. All parents want to know that their children are receiving a quality education.  Grades are important but there is more to it than that.  A quality education helps all children make the most of their talents and abilities.

The Accountability Pillar uses a set of 16 indicators consisting of surveys of students, parents and teachers on various aspects of quality; student outcomes such as dropout and high school completion rates; and provincial assessments of student learning.

From January to the end of February, Alberta Education will be conducting the annual Accountability Pillar Survey. In January, parents of students in grades 4, 7 and 10  will receive a survey from Alberta Education.  In February, students in grades 4, 7 and 10 and all teachers will be completing their surveys online at school. 

All surveys are anonymous and ask questions about experiences with Uncas School.  

As an annual check-up on the education system, the Accountability Pillar provides an opportunity for Alberta Education and school authorities to ensure that we're equipping students for success. Your participation in the survey helps, so we encourage you to return your survey promptly.

Survey results will be available to jurisdictions in May 2010, and will be reported publicly by jurisdictions as part of their 3-Year Education Plans and Annual Education Results Reports.

Uncas Elementary School will be hosting a speech competition on February 25, 2010.  The top six studentsfrom grade four, five and six will be presenting their speeches to a panel of judges.  The first place winners will then be going on to the EIPS Young Speakers Invitational at Salisbury Composite High School on March 16th.  The competition will begin at 9:00 in the morning. 

Thanks to the many teachers who are providing extracurricular noon hour programs for the winter months!  Here is our extra curricular schedule:

• Mondays - Drama Club (Grades 5&6), Choir (Grades 3-6)
• Tuesdays - Boomerang Club, Library Club (All Grades), Running Club (Grades 3-6), Cup Stacking (Division I and II alternating weeks)
• Wednesdays - Choir
• Thursdays - Library Club, Running Club
• Fridays - Knitting Club (Grades 1-6)

Elk Island Public Schools has a new updated calendar.  The last day of school will now be on June 25th instead of June 28th. 

Would you like to know the current weather near the Uncas area? 

Current weather data from our Uncas Weather Station can now be accessed at the following website:  http://weather.uncas.ca

Our School Education Plan and School Education Results Report are ready for you to view.  This document reviews our PAT results, our SERR results as well as our goals for the 2001-2010 school year.  Our school outcomes are:

School Outcome #1 - To engage students in a technologically rich classroom where technology is used seamlessly throughout all curricula to enhance learning.

School Outcome #2 - To develop a positive math culture where students experience mathematics in a more meaningful way, with deep conceptual understanding, allowing students the opportunity to construct their own learning.

School Outcome #3 - To build individual student leadership skills and prepare students to become strong citizens within our community today and in the future.