Academic Programs & Curriculum

Children from Grade 1 to Secondary 1 are to take part in the Ski Program; this activity is compulsory and is part of the Physical Education curriculum at K.A. and generates marks for Term 3.

Ski equipment (boots, skis, poles) will be provided by the school free of charge for students who need it; adult/parent volunteers will supervise small groups (1 adult for 3 children in grade 1/ beginner; up to 8 for more experienced skiers) for the entire day, and will cover the mountain code of conduct as well as some basic skills and maneuvers on skis. Each student will benefit from 90 minutes of instruction a day with a qualified CSIA ski instructor and receive an evaluation/certification at the end of the 5 days.

• Children MUST wear a properly fitted ski helmet and we strongly encourage adult volunteers to wear one too.
• Students who wish to use their own ski equipment may do so providing they can get it to school/hill and back home for every ski day (NO SKI EQUIPMENT ON BUSES).
• Students are expected to be dressed for cold weather, have appropriate clothing and have a ski helmet.
• To keep feet warm and comfortable, we encourage students to wear ski socks: they must be knee high and you must absolutely AVOID COTTON! A good time to get them is during after Xmas specials in sports shops where ski equipment is sold.
• Children need to pack a healthy lunch for the day to keep their energy level optimal and fuel body heat!!! This year, the K.A. cafeteria will prepare healthy lunch bags that will include a sandwich, a fruit, a snack, a cookie and a drink, all for $6.00/day. Orders to be done  in the morning, on a ski day. Note that children will not have access to fried foods/junk food in the main cafeteria at the hill.
• Children who wish to stay until the end of the ski day must make transportation arrangements and have a SIGNED NOTE FROM PARENTS AS THEY WILL BE UNSUPERVISED once we leave at 14h00. Please note that school equipment must be returned to school at the end of the ski day, no later than 17h00.

Each child who meets the deadline will earn a chance at a draw (January 22nd, 2024): win your fees! (1 winner per cycle and 1 in Sec. 1)

This fee covers transportation from school to Mont Sutton and back along with a full day lift ticket (good until 16h00) and a 90 minute lesson. In an effort to save time and simplifying the management of fees, payment must be made in full, NO LATER than January 19^th , 2024, in one of two ways:

1. One lump sum, PREFERABLY BY CHEQUE, to Knowlton Academy Ski Program, for 5 days of skiing (see table below);
2. Five (5) post-dated cheques corresponding to each of the ski days (see previous table for dates, and the table below for the amount that applies);

Procedure:

• Please write your children’ FULL NAME & homeroom on the cheques to help us keep track of fees. Ex; Mary Jones(2C), Johnny Jones(4L) and Bill Jones(6G)

• A student who misses a ski day due to a serious illness or any other event deemed valid by the Principal may get a refund providing a written request is made before March 15^th, 2024;
• All refunds for the above-mentioned items will be issued after March 15^th, 2024, once the Ski Program is over and the request deadline has gone by.

2023-24 Rates for KA Ski Program – No Later than JAN 19^th,  2024

*Because KA benefits from group rates for lift tickets, transportation and lessons, all students must pay their fee even if they hold a season’s pass and/or have transportation to Mont Sutton to take part in the KA Ski Program. A big thanks to the KA HS&A’s financial contribution in helping off-set the increase of fees for families!

• Planned departure from school is 9h00 and arrival at Sutton is 9h30; departure from Sutton is 14h20 and arrival at KA is 14h50.

Note: Tuesday, February 25 and Thursday, February 27 are back-up days.

If you are uncertain if a ski day is on or not, you can go to: TO SKI OR NOT TO SKI, THAT IS THE QUESTION!

• Call the Mont Sutton Snow School after 7h00 at 450-538- 2545 #231

We will only cancel skiing in case of extreme weather conditions, if the ski hill or school is closed. Note that the weather and temperature can vary greatly between Knowlton and Mont Sutton.

COME SEE WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT; GET INVOLVED!

VOLUNTEERS… are the back-bone of the KA Ski Program and are one of the reasons it has lasted for more than 50 years. This year is  no different. There are many tasks that we need help with: supervision in the ski lodge, transportation of ski equipment and of course skiers of all levels who will supervise and do a little teaching (technique and safety) just to name a few!

• Adult volunteer skiers who can take a group of students (maximum of 10) get a free lift ticket for the full day. For the sake of management and consistency, priority will be given to skiers who can commit to 5 Tuesdays, 5 Thursdays or both. Keep in mind that a ski instructor will work with you and your group for 90 minutes a day!

• Volunteer skiers are strongly urged to take part in a two-part ski workshop;

1. The first part (indoor) will take place at Knowlton Academy on Thursday, January 9th, 2025 from 18h30 to 20h00 in the Bistro. We will view a short video and discuss topics such as the objectives of the ski program, safety issues to cover and review with students, procedures on how to lead and organize a group of skiers on the mountain, teaching tips and techniques (all parents and Staff welcome).

2. The second part (outdoor) will be given on Friday January 10th, 2025 at Mont Sutton. We will meet at the Snow School Desk at 12h30, next to the rental shop*. We will be skiing until 15h00. We will put in action topics discussed in the “indoor session”. This will also be a chance for skiers to get to know the mountain and the facilities and also to cover some technical points on ski teaching and try some skills & exercises to use with students.

HELP ME PLAN THE SKI GROUPS BY SENDING IN YOUR VOLUNTEER SLIP EARLY!!!

*Lift tickets provided free of charge by the Mont Sutton Snow School to pre-registered participants only.

If you are unable to volunteer your time but know of people who can and are available, please forward this information to them and get them to send me an e-mail.

Contact me to participate!

Nicolas Lemaître
Physical Education & Health
Canadian Ski Instructor Alliance (CSIA/AMSC) Level 3
Knowlton Academy
450-243-6187 / lemaitren@edu.etsb.qc.ca