Important Fall Dates:
Sept. 8 = Q1 Options Begin
Sept. 19 = PD Collaboration Day
Sept. 24 = Hot Lunch Orders for October Due
Sept. 26 = Terry Fox Run fieldtrip
Sept. 25 = Class & Individual Pictures w/ Lifetouch
Sept. 30 = National Truth & Reconciliation Day (stat holiday)
A Note from Mrs. Rawlinson:
Dear IRJC Families,
On behalf of our staff, I am very pleased to welcome you to a new school year at IRJC! Whether you are joining us for the first time or returning for another year, we are so glad to have you as part of our school community.
At IRJC, we are deeply committed to creating a safe, caring, and supportive environment where every student can thrive. Junior high is an important time of growth and discovery, and we want every student to feel respected, valued, and inspired to do their best each day.
For our new Grade 7 students and families, the transition from elementary to junior high is an exciting step. While it can feel like a big adjustment, please know that our staff are here to guide and support students as they build new routines, friendships, and confidence. For our returning Grade 8 students and families, we look forward to working together as your children continue to grow as learners and leaders in our community.
We believe strongly that education is a partnership between home and school. Your involvement—whether by encouraging your child, attending school events, or staying in touch with us—makes a tremendous difference. We encourage all parents and guardians to stay connected, ask questions, and share ideas. Together, we can ensure the very best for our students.
Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education. We look forward to an exciting and rewarding year ahead filled with learning, growth, and positive experiences for all.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Nicole Rawlinson
Principal, IRJC
Please make sure to check your parent portal and pay new fees ($40.00 tech, options, sports, etc.) and complete the Demographic Form.
We kicked off the year with another fantastic Open House on August 28!
It was wonderful to see so many of our students and families come to meet our staff and community partners.
A very special thank you to:
Blackfalds IGA - for donating all the hot dogs!
Sanjel - for donating the BBQ
We are grateful to all of our Community partners for taking the time to be with us and for your generous donations towards our door prizes!
A Bit of Fayth Designs
FCSS
Youth Unlimited
Family Resource Network
Servus Credit Union Public Library
Blackfalds Protective Services
UBAKA
Food Bank Society
Mayor Jamie Hoover
Staffing for 2025/2026:
Homeroom Teachers
7A — Mrs. Joosse kim.joosse@wolfcreek.ab.ca
7B— Mrs. Eklund meghan.eklund@wolfcreek.ab.ca
7C — Miss Simkin emily.simkin@wolfcreek.ab.ca
7D — Miss Vollans kennedy.vollans@wolfcreek.ab.ca
8A — Miss Townsend beth.townsend@wolfcreek.ab.ca
8B — Mrs. Riddle carly.riddle@wolfcreek.ab.ca
8C — Mrs. Shannon kayla.shannon@wolfcreek.ab.ca
8D — Mr. Lachapelle bryan.lachapelle@wolfcreek.ab.ca
8E — Mr. Berdan michael.berdan@wolfcreek.ab.ca
Band — Ms. Holoboff joyce.holoboff@wolfcreek.ab.ca
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER
Welcome to the 2025/2026 school year. I know we are going to have a great year. I look forward to seeing the grade 8’s again, and meeting the grade 7’s.
As the School Social Worker at Iron Ridge Junior Campus, I have the privilege of supporting students and families through the ups and downs of life. With guardians signed consent I can meet 1-1 with students. Working together we come up with goals, and action plans, that move students through the challenges they may be facing. Building resilience and opportunities to develop a growth mindset is critical in supporting youth mental health. Understanding how to regulate and navigate difficulties in Junior High helps students develop independence, learn life lessons from making mistakes, and develop responsibility. This is not an easy process, so providing a safe space to be heard is something I am able to assist students with in a confidential environment.
IRJC provides grab and go breakfast to all students that will start the week of September 8. Lunch is available to students who require it with verbal permission from parents. Supporting parents with the challenges of parenting is part of the SSW role, working as a team to foster your child's maturity and strengthen your family. I am available to connect families with community resources.
If you would like to connect please call my direct line 403 783 5441 ex 4739 margo.froehlick@wolfcreek.ab.ca You can also check out some of my favorite resources at Margo's Gems.
Principal — Mrs. Rawlinson nicole.rawlinson@wolfcreek.ab.ca
Assistant Principal — Mr. Armstrong taylor.armstrong@wolfcreek.ab.ca
Social Worker — Mrs. Froehlick margo.froehlick@wolfcreek.ab.ca
Admin Assistant— Mrs. Miller shelly.miller@wolfcreek.ab.ca
Educational Assistants: Mrs. Krause, & Mrs. Veuger
Educational Assistant/Librarian: Mrs. Campbell
Custodians: Mr. Leary & Mrs. Newman
STUDENT DEMOGRAPHIC FORMS
have been assigned in the
Parent Portal- under the SCHOOL ENGAGE tab.
These forms must be completed within the first week of school to ensure all student information is correct in Powerschool. Once completed, parent and emergency contact information are updated along with allergies and permissions for walking off campus, Health classes, POPA, Chromebook and internet use…and more.
*Please fill these out ASAP to ensure your student continues to have full access to all of these opportunities!
Parent Portal https://wolfcreek.powerschool.com/public/home.html
This is where all information is shared, from Student Demographic forms, student grades, hot lunch orders. field trip consents and payments. When you receive a Power Announcement, often you will go to the Parent Portal to follow up.
TO ACCESS PARENT PORTAL (FORMS & PAYMENTS)
Go to: irjc.wolfcreek.ab.ca (our school homepage)
-Click on QUICK LINKS
-Click on “Parent Portal”
-Log in
-Click on the left hand side of the screen on STUDENT FEES
-Click on your STUDENTS NAME
-view fees owing OR
-Scroll to the BOTTOM OF THE PAGE
-Click on a form
-Complete the form and then go to your cart to complete the payment
� If you have any questions or need assistance in accessing the Parent Portal, please contact the school at 403-885-1885.
WCPS COMMUNICATION POLICY– for staff and parents
· All communication (electronic (Power Announcements), phone, text, social media, etc.) should take place between 7AM & 7PM on regular weekdays only. Please schedule emails to be delivered during these times.
· Please make sure your email contact information is correct in the Parent Portal and check your messages often. See link below for details.
A $40 Technology User Fee has been applied to all IRJC student accounts. This fee covers a small percentage of the costs of online learning tools and subscriptions, apps and/or enhancements, software, as well as repairs & maintenance on school-owned resources. These digital learning tools can be accessed at school and home, allowing students to be further supported in their learning and development.
Additionally, certain Options will have fees attached. Please check your child’s Rycor account (Parent Portal—Student Fees) to see what is owing. Term 1 Option fees will be added this week. Fees are due by September 30th!
NOTE: If there was a credit/overpayment on your child’s account, per Wolf Creek policy, it will be automatically applied to any fees owing
Attendance…...consistent and regular attendance is expected at Iron Ridge Junior Campus. Parents have the responsibility to see that students attend, study and are positively active in the school-approved, teacher-directed, learning experiences.
Please notify IRJC at 403-885-1885 or irj@wolfcreek.ab.ca if your child is going to be absent.
Note: Voicemail messages can be left if calling outside school hours.
***If the school does not receive notice, the parent/guardian will receive an automated phone call at home, on cell and/or at work to verify the student absence. These calls are based on attendance in Periods 1 & 5; calls are set to go out at 8:30 am & 12:30 pm for students marked ABSENT.
TERRY FOX RUN –September 26th
This year’s IRJC Terry Fox Run date is Friday, September 26th. We will be joining schools all across Canada to carry on Terry’s legacy to help end cancer. All of our staff and students will be heading out on buses to complete a walk between Heritage Ranch and Bower Ponds and back on the trails in Red Deer. This will be a school wide event, all students are expected to attend, bringing our school community together as we begin the year in support of the Terry Fox Foundation.
As part of this mission, IRJC is hosting a few exciting ways to raise donations.
Students can bring in contributions for Cancer research and a chance to win prize donations (TBA-stay tuned!!) from September 15-26th. Students can watch our daily announcements for more details on prizes.
Permission forms will be available in the Parent Portal starting September 8th(This is a free field trip) This trip will take place during regular school hours- students will be back for regular dismissal and buses. Look through our newsletter for more information on accessing your Parent Portal.
DOORS OPEN: 7:55am
AM CLASSES BEGIN: 8:05am
PM CLASSES BEGIN: 12:15pm
Permission forms will be in the Parent Portal starting September 8th and must be completed by Friday September 19 at 8am!
We are excited to announce an upcoming Grade 7 field trip to the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller, Alberta! This will be a fun, engaging, and educational experience for students as we explore Alberta’s rich prehistoric history and connect our visit to upcoming science units.
Trip Details:
Planned Activities:
Cost: $19/ student
Volunteers Needed: We are seeking at least 10 parent volunteers to assist with trip supervision. If you are available and interested, please let us know as soon as possible.
Important Reminder:
Please contact the school office for volunteer forms or with any questions about the application process.
We’re looking forward to a fantastic trip full of learning, exploration, and discovery. Thank you for your continued support in making this opportunity possible for our students.
Grade 7
Field trip!!
Payment and permission forms can be found online through PowerSchool starting September 8th!
Forms are due to be completed by 8 AM on October 8th!
*NEW* Option Classes - 2025/26
We are thrilled to announce that we are now offering DAILY Options programming!
With our continued commitment to offering a robust option program, our team has been intentional in creating an option menu that provides variety and is exciting and engaging for our students. We also ensure that we are delivering choices that are directly connected to the Alberta Education CTF skills, knowledge, and technologies that the curriculum requires.
One exciting new option class is Construction (woodworking)! Our goal is to offer students a hands-on learning experience that fosters practical skills, creativity, and problem-solving through woodworking and introductory construction tasks. This program will align with the Alberta Education Career and Technology Foundations (CTF) and CTS Construction (CON) curriculum, particularly emphasizing outcomes related to basic tool use, shop safety, material handling, and project planning. Introducing students to the trades early builds both foundational skills and career awareness, in line with provincial goals for experiential learning.
In collaboration with IRSC, our students will now have access to a number of different options located in the new high school throughout the year!
Parent Teacher Interviews
October 21 & 23
Time: 3:00-7:00 pm
Watch for an email with the booking link or check back on our website in October. https://irjc.wolfcreek.ab.ca/
FIRCS is a volunteer fundraising body for Iron Ridge Junior Campus. Our main goal is to provide IRJC students with EXTRA’s that are not in the school budget. (We are the sister-board of PIRIS from IRIC).
· We are looking for new board members!
Recently FIRCS has been able to purchase the following items for our children: new band instruments and instrument case, library books, classroom activity kits & so much more!!
FIRCS holds approximately 4 meetings and organizes 1-2 fundraisers each year. We do run a casino every few years which is where most of our fundraising dollars come from.
This year, Iron Ridge Storm teams will be participating in the Red Deer Middle School League for volleyball and basketball. This change allows our teams to compete in a league that is more age and skill appropriate, helps reduce travel time, and ensures we are competitively matched with similar schools.
We will continue to compete in the Wolf Creek League for golf, cross country running, badminton, and track and field, as these sports are grade-specific and still a great fit for our athletes.
We’re excited to trial this new league alignment and anticipate it being a better fit for our teams overall. Go Storm!
A HUGE thank you goes out to FIRCS for sponsoring *NEW* volleyball and basketball team uniforms! Watch for big reveals when teams have been selected!!
Storm Athletics information is posted around the school, on Instagram/Facebook, the website calendar and daily on the announcements!
Iron Ridge
Storm Athletics Update
*IRJC Student & Parent Handbook*
Please take a moment to read through our handbook, it is full of important information for students and their parents.
*Know Before You Go*
1. Student cell phones and/or personal electronic devices (with the exception of parent purchased Chromebooks) are not allowed in learning spaces - this includes classrooms, gym, and library.
2. All students have access to school-owned Chromebooks as necessary.
Students must keep their cell phones and other electronic devices secured in their locker during instructional times.
3. Students are permitted to use their devices responsibly at break or lunch but all devices will be secured in lockers before students return to class.
4. Students are responsible for their own cell phone or electronic device and the school does not accept responsibility for any loss or damage if it is brought to the school.
5. Electronic devices are never allowed in change rooms or washrooms.
6. No pictures or recordings are permitted in instructional areas without the explicit permission from teachers.
7. Students may not utilize electronic devices while serving suspension or detention.
8. Parents are asked to respect this policy and only contact their child on their device during break times or by contacting the main office to get a message to the student.
*Ministerial Order states that no student devices are to be used during instructional time. As such IRJC will be implementing a progressive consequence policy in regards to device infractions:
Offence #1 Device is take away and stored in the office until end of day.
Offence #2 Device is taken away and parents will be contacted to discuss possible solutions
Offence #3 Device is taken away and parent meeting is arranged to retrieve phone and discuss a plan moving forward.
*Smartwatches are not permitted in learning spaces. Additionally, no smart watches will be permitted with students during exams/ quizzes. Students will store their smartwatch in lockers during class time.
*Corded or wireless headphones or earbuds are not permitted in any learning space.
Alberta Education - Ministerial Order regarding use of cell phones in schools*
IRJC students and staff are required to dress in attire which is considered acceptable for a workplace. Our dress code mirrors workplace dress code that is acceptable within Blackfalds and the surrounding communities. Students are expected to dress in a fashion which is considered respectful to others in the school as well as themselves.
*The final determination on what is acceptable or unacceptable remains with the IRJC staff during school hours and events and any student deemed to not be dressed appropriately will be asked to change into something more appropriate.
*Students who have dress code needs that are medical, religious, or cultural should contact the school for an accommodation.
Click here for the LIVE link
Meeting starts @ 3:00 sharp
Click here for the LIVE link
Meeting starts @ 3:00 sharp