Dear Parents & Guardians:

Important Dates –

• August 31 – Parent Social (aka Muffin Mixer) and first day of school (7:45 a.m.)
• Aug 31 – First day of classes (Grades 1-6)
• August 31 – Kindergarten (surnames A-J) 8:15-10:50
• September 1 – Kindergarten (surnames K-Z) 8:15-10:50 (not noon dismissal)
• Sept 4 – Labor Day – No Classes
• Sept 7 – Meet the Teacher (6:00 p.m.) in the gymnasium
• Sept 13 – School Council Meeting (1:30-3:00)
• Sept 15 – Fall Fair (Elbow Park Parent Society hosting) 4:30-7:00 p.m.
• Sept 21 – Terry Fox Run
• Sept 22 – Organizational Day – No Classes

We are excited to welcome you to the 2023-24 school year at Elbow Park!

Our first day of school for students is Thursday, August 31 and our entry bell rings at 8:15 every school day. This allows five minutes for entry prior to our late bell at 8:20 when instruction begins. 

You will be receiving an email from your child’s homeroom teacher on Wednesday, August 30, by 4:00 p.m. welcoming you to their class. They will inform you of where you can meet them outside on Thursday morning.

On Thursday morning (August 31), there will be a parent social gathering called the “Muffin Mixer” starting at 7:45 a.m.. This is a time for parents to meet, mingle and reconnect after the summer. Our parent volunteer committee will be bringing a variety of baked goods to enjoy on our front lawn while students meet their teachers.

Teachers will be gathering their homeroom students at their meeting place prior to entering the building at 8:15. We ask that parents say their “good-byes” prior to this and to not follow students into the building. This makes for a much easier transition to the teacher and establishes a routine from day one to alleviate separation anxiety.

Principal’s Message

We are very excited to be returning to another school year. Students will be excited to see a new section of our playground on the west field be built. This will happen between August 29 and September 8.

Before our teachers went on summer holidays, they were securing field trips and residencies for our students this year. They include an author visit in September, our Grade 5-6 outdoor school at Camp Chief Hector (October 16-19), a hip-hop dance residency by Pulse Dance Studios at the end of January and a science residency put on by Evergreen Theatre. Many of these experiences are funded by parent donations through the Elbow Park Parent Society.

Do not miss our “Muffin Mixer” parent social activity on the morning of our first day of school, August 31, 2023 (7:45 a.m.)

Sincerely,

Jason Fech

Staffing Updates

You will see a new face in the office as Mr. Jason Fech, principal, will be on a 4-month sabbatical leave to take some graduate level courses relating to administration and teaching practice. He will be returning to Elbow Park School in January 2024 after the winter break. To replace him, we have two retired principals covering that time: Mr. Dave Williams (August 23-October 6) and Mr. Jeff Campbell (Oct. 9-Dec.22).

We are also excited to welcome Mr. Messer back to our school after a leave of absence since January 2023.

We also want to welcome Ms. T. Hanratty to replace Miss Karly who is on maternity/parental leave for this school year. Ms. Hanratty will be taking over the teaching position that includes Grade 1 literacy instruction, Grade 5 mathematics, Grade 1-2 Physical Education and Grade 5-6 Health and Wellness.

Meet Our New Staff

Mr. Williams:

I am very excited to be joining the community of Elbow Park School as Acting Principal. I retired just over two years ago as the principal of Riverside School, one of four science alternative programs within the Calgary Board of Education. I was also principal of Rosemont School, assistant principal of Simons Valley School and Pineridge School and taught at North Haven School and King George School. Since retiring, I have had contracts at Twelve Mile Coulee School, Colonel McLeod School and worked on the COVID Response Team. These contracts have taken place between some amazing trips to a variety of corners of the world. I love working with young people and their families and I hope that I can add to an already excellent learning environment during my time at Elbow Park School.

Sincerely, Dave Williams  jdwilliams@cbe.ab.ca

Ms. Hanratty:

I am looking forward to working with you and your child this year. Last year I taught at Queen Elizabeth Elementary in grade 5 and loved every minute of it. Prior to that, I taught grade 2. My passion is to make learning fun and memorable, creative and engaging. I have a background in the arts and will be integrating many creative ways to learn. Please feel free to reach out to me anytime, as I believe communication is key to your child's success.

Warm regards, Tammy Hanratty, B.F.A., B.Ed. www.mshanratty.com

Meet the Teacher Night

Please save the date to attend an assembly for parents (students are welcome) to meet our teaching staff and to hear about classroom routines and expectations on Thursday, September 7 at 6:00.

We will start in the gymnasium at 6:00 p.m. with a general introduction to our staff and this will be followed by a scheduled rotation to visit different Grade Teams.

Bell Times

Our start and end times remain the same for Grades 1-6: Monday to Thursday (8:15-3:10) and Friday (8:15-noon).

Kindergarten times are Monday to Thursday (8:15-10:50) and Friday (8:15-noon).

Read more on our Back to School webpage for revised recess and lunch times, school supplies, calendar of events, noon supervision details and access to PowerSchool for fee payment.

An opening package of payment and forms will be coming home with students during the first week of school. You will also be receiving an email with permission forms that need to be filled out online using School Engage.

Please view the weblink above to access or create your School Engage account.

If there is anything you need to discuss about your child, please call the office.

Sincerely,

Jason Fech

Principal

Dave Williams

Acting Principal