Kipohtakaw Education Centre
The Alexander First Nation Education (AFNE) is guided by our Elders, Chief & Council and supported by our members of the Alexander First Nation. We continue to advocate the Treaty Right to Education in pursuing quality academic education programming for our members, while enriching our traditional values.
Education Goals
- To provide academic success in a caring and safe environment.
- To maintain the continuation of our traditions and culture.
- To promote lifelong learning and experiences that will have a positive impact on our community.
- To identify strengths in our community which promote our values and attitudes.
- To develop and provide programs that will offer opportunities to community members to empower their personal goals and skills.
- To provide a fair and equitable program for our community.
Culture and language programming
AFNE’s number one goal in our five-year plan is to ensure students have access to culture, language, Alexander history, land-based education, and elder support daily.
Below are some examples of what we offer.
- Daily elder support
- Cultural Camps
- School Round Dance
- School Pow wow
- Medicine Harvesting
- Land-based Education
- Daily Cree classes for staff and students
- Daily smudging
Alexander Achievement Certificates
& Awards Presentation
Monthly white feather award
White feathers are awarded to students who display respect, courtesy and good citizenship.
Every first Wednesday of the month during the General Assembly these names from each class go into a draw for Student of the Month. Gift certificates are awarded to two students, 1 from elementary and 1 from junior / senior high. At the end of the year all the names go into a big draw for Student of the Year.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT CERTIFICATES AND AWARDS PRESENTATION
Three times a year, at each reporting period, we have academic achievement awards for students receiving Merit, Honor and Distinction in each grade level. This is presented at the General Assembly. Every June we honor our students at K.E.C. and students of Alexander attending the Provincial schools with achievement awards for Best Attendance, Academic Improvement and Academic Achievement for the school year.
GENERAL ASSEMBLIES, AWARDS PRESENTATIONS AND CLASS PERFORMANCES, K5, GRADE 1 – GRADE 12
We have an all school General Assembly on the first Wednesday of each month. We come together as a whole school to present perfect attendance awards to students in each grade. Every month we have one grade do a performance of a song in Cree, dance, or present poetry. Announcements of upcoming activities or other recognitions. Elders and parents are invited.
MEET The KEC staff!
K.E.C. Programs
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Life Skills & Student Support Programming
At Kipohtakaw Education Centre, we recognize that every student has different learning needs and abilities. Our Life Skills programming focuses on building independence, confidence and essential everyday skills while providing a safe, supportive and inclusive learning environment.
Our goal is to help students develop the skills they need to succeed in school, at home and within their community, while incorporating Cree culture, traditions and land-based learning.
Our Programs Include:
Life Skills Programming
- Developing everyday living skills, independence and confidence.
- Building communication, social and problem-solving skills.
- Hands-on learning through practical activities and real-life experiences.
- Incorporating Cree culture, traditional teachings and land-based education.
Complex Needs Classroom
- Individualized learning and support for students with complex learning and developmental needs.
- Adapted activities and learning strategies based on each student’s abilities.
- Focus on communication, social interaction, independence and personal development.
- Providing a safe, structured and supportive learning environment.
Strategies Classroom
- Additional academic, behavioural and social-emotional learning support.
- Individualized learning strategies to help students overcome learning challenges.
- Developing self-regulation, organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Supporting students in building confidence and achieving their learning goals.
Land-Based Education
- Connecting students to the land through traditional Cree teachings and activities.
- Hands-on opportunities to learn cultural practices, survival skills and respect for the environment.
- Working with our Land-Based Education Lead to incorporate cultural knowledge into student learning.
- Encouraging students to strengthen their connection to their identity, culture and community.
Our Commitment
We are committed to creating an inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued, supported and encouraged to reach their full potential. Through individualized programming, cultural connections and hands-on learning, we help students build important skills for lifelong success.
Individual and small group counselling
Elementary & Jr/Sr High Girls/Boys groups
Behaviour Coach
Strategies & Complex Needs Classroom
Wellness Team with Mental Health Supports
At KEC we provide:
- Personal/social counselling
- Educational and career counselling
- Support to all the students.
To the left is what we were able to offer this past year.
APPLE Schools
We partner with APPLE Schools to create a sustainable healthy school community. APPLE Schools is an innovative school-focused health promotion initiative proven to make a difference in schools. It impacts the lives of more than 20,000 students annually in schools across Western Canada by improving their healthy eating, physical activity, and mental health habits. Visit appleschools.ca to learn more.
Community Partnerships
At Kipohtakaw Education Centre (KEC), we believe strong partnerships help create meaningful learning experiences and opportunities for our students. By working with organizations, educational institutions and community partners, we are able to provide additional programs, resources and hands-on learning opportunities that support student success.
Our Partnerships Include:
- Thrive: Supporting student development, wellness and opportunities for personal growth.
- Spirit North: Encouraging healthy, active lifestyles through outdoor recreation, land-based activities and experiential learning.
- Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT): Creating connections to post-secondary education, career exploration, trades and future employment opportunities.
- APPLE Schools: Supporting student wellness through healthy eating, physical activity and positive school environments.
- Yellowhead Tribal Council (YTC): Supporting student nutrition through access to dietitian services and healthy meal planning.
- K4 & K5 Montessori Teaching & Literacy Intervention
Building Opportunities for Our Students
Through these partnerships, KEC continues to expand learning opportunities beyond the classroom. Our students benefit from exposure to new experiences, practical skills, healthy living initiatives and pathways to future education and careers.
Our Goal
To build and maintain strong partnerships that support student achievement, promote health and wellness, strengthen cultural connections and create meaningful opportunities for the students of Kipohtakaw Education Centre and Alexander First Nation.
K.E.C. Newsletter
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Mental Health & Student Wellness Team
At Kipohtakaw Education Centre, we recognize that student mental health and emotional well-being are just as important as academic success. Our dedicated Mental Health & Student Wellness Team provides support, guidance and programming to help students feel safe, supported and connected to their school community.
Our approach focuses on building positive relationships, encouraging healthy choices and creating a welcoming environment where every student feels valued.
Therapists
Our therapists provide mental health and emotional support to students who may be experiencing personal, social or emotional challenges.
- Providing individualized emotional and mental health support.
- Helping students develop healthy coping skills and emotional awareness.
- Supporting students through personal challenges and difficult experiences.
- Working with students, families and school staff to encourage positive mental health.
Restorative Practices Program
Our Restorative Practices Program focuses on building relationships, accountability, respect and understanding within our school community.
- Encouraging positive communication and respectful relationships.
- Helping students understand the impact of their actions.
- Supporting conflict resolution through restorative conversations.
- Promoting accountability, healing and personal growth.
- Creating opportunities for students to repair relationships and move forward in a positive way.
Wellness Coaches
KEC has six Wellness Coaches who support students throughout the school day, helping create a positive and supportive learning environment.
- Providing daily emotional, social and behavioural support.
- Helping students develop confidence, self-regulation and positive coping strategies.
- Encouraging healthy relationships and positive decision-making.
- Supporting students in classrooms and throughout the school.
- Building meaningful connections with students through encouragement, guidance and cultural awareness.
Junior & Senior High Chief and Council
Our Junior and Senior High Chief and Council provides students with opportunities to develop leadership skills, represent their peers and have a voice in their school community.
- Encouraging student leadership, responsibility and teamwork.
- Providing opportunities for students to share ideas and concerns.
- Supporting student-led activities, events and school initiatives.
- Promoting positive relationships, respect and school pride.
- Helping students develop confidence in public speaking, decision-making and leadership.
- Encouraging students to understand leadership through the values of community, culture and responsibility.
Our Commitment
At KEC, we are committed to supporting the whole student academically, emotionally, socially and culturally. Through our Mental Health & Student Wellness Team, restorative practices and student leadership opportunities, we continue to build a school environment where students feel heard, respected and supported.
Healthy Minds, Strong Students, Strong Community.