Principal's Updates

Welcome to the holiday season!

Bringing 2024 to a close brings with it reminiscing about the past
year and reflection on our goals for 2025. As we embrace the holiday season and the new year we
are reminded of the importance that a balanced lifestyle plays in all of our lives. Here at École
Olds Elementary School, we work together to provide various opportunities for students to focus
on mental and physical health and wellness. 

● We are very fortunate to provide a full-time physical education teacher for our ÉOES
students. The quality of Mr. Kish’s program is exceptional. He combines his knowledge of
skills and abilities at the various age groups with his experience and positive pro-social
teaching. Mr. Kish’s focus on fun and relationships is the reason why student-athletes of
all ages and abilities persevere and tackle obstacles with enthusiasm. Students of all
grades look forward to the many events hosted by Mr. Kish. Ask your child about their
favorite PE activity!

● Recess time provides students with a chance to play on and around our wonderful
playground structures. At any given time you will find children on the swings, slides,
playing soccer, skipping, shooting hoops or running the track. Recess is also an opportunity
for students to stretch their mental muscles when they use their imaginations to create
various games and play environments. I am often amazed at the background stories and
rules of the imaginative play of students. Recess also helps students build confidence,
collaboration and conflict resolution skills that are important far beyond the walls of our
school. 

● Teachers schedule opportunities for students to engage in Daily Physical Activity (DPA)
on days when they do not have the gym. Some of these activities make great use of
internet resources like gonoodle.com and take place right in the classroom. In better
weather, teachers make use of our track or playground area. As well, our classrooms
engage in conversations and activities that focus on health and wellness. As a parent, you
might already subscribe to the many free online newsletter subscriptions that provide
tips for healthy lunches and activities that kids can participate in on their own time. 
Check out the What´s For Lunch resource from Alberta Health for tasty recipes and tips.

● While healthy bodies are a focus, healthy minds are an equally important part of our
Chinook’s Edge school communities. Classroom teachings, Hooper’s Code, and social-emotional
skill building programs allow exploration of strategies that enhance our safe and caring
school cultures and keep us mentally well.

○ Our family wellness worker, Ms. Lynne Lafreniere (Ms. Lynne), offers a confidential
environment with a focus on mental wellness and learning strategies for both our
students and families. Ms. Lafreniere works alongside individual students and families
to address many complex issues and serves as an advocate and connection to various
support structures throughout central Alberta.

○ Our two amazing admin assistants, Lisa Ormann and Lisa Hallett help our students,
parents/guardians and staff each and everyday. The "Lisas" support healthy minds and
bodies in ways that are too many to count. Whether it be with ice packs, extra food,
pep talks or just a listening ear, they provide vital social emotional guidance to our
very large school community.

○ Through CESD´s Youth Empowerment & Support (YES) program, we are fortunate to
have Jesse Stoddart (Mr. J) as part of our staff. Jess engages students through
targeted group work and whole class learning by designing programs that encourage
positive self-esteem, confidence and coping skills. We always see him throughout the
school building positive relationships and pro-social skills.

On behalf of the staff at École Olds Elementary, I would like to wish you a holiday season filled with
laughter, happiness and good health!

Alanna Sampson 

Principal