Dear Parents & Guardians:

In this post you will find information for the following:

·         Important Dates

·         Meet the Teacher

·         Volunteer Opportunities

·         Cell Phone & Apple Watch Policy

Important Dates –

·         Sept 2 – Labor Day – No School

·         Sept 3 – Classes resume

·         Sept 5 – Meet the Teacher (6:00 – 8:00 p.m.)

·         Sept 13 – Terry Fox Assembly & Run

·         Sept 19 – School Council Meeting (1:30-3:00)

·         Sept 20 – Fall Fair

Principal’s Message

What a great start-up to the 2024-25 school year! It was great that the weather cooperated for our Muffin Mixer and thank you so much for everyone who contributed to make that event happen. It is parent involvement that helps create a welcoming atmosphere for all and makes this such a special place. Please consider finding a way to contribute throughout the school year. More information about that is below.

Our student enrolment has increased from 217 last year to 233 this year. Our staffing complement was able to increase proportionally and has allowed us to implement a timetable for our students that prioritizes class size and straight-grade instruction.

I was able to tour our classrooms and get a lay of the land over the last two days. Our Kindergarten students had a staggered entry meaning that only half of the class came in each day yesterday and today. They were all very calm and settled in their room by the end of their day and they look like an amazing bunch of kids! Our Grade 1-2 students dove right into math by graphing their first- and second-day feelings about school. They voted on if they were mad, sad, shy, happy, worried or surprised and they all voted feeling better today with none feeling worried or sad today. Our Grade 3-4 students were given a team building activity/challenge to see how fast and long of a paper chain they could make. Unofficially, Mr. Messer’s class won with a paper chain that went from the old music room upstairs all of the way to the Grade 5-6 stairwell! Our Grade 5-6 classes completed scavenger hunt bingo to get to know other students in their classrooms and did some reading that covered off some of their healthy relationship learning outcomes in the Wellness curriculum.

Mrs. Hodgson wants to remind everyone to label jackets, hoodies and lunch kits with student names as we do end up with many lost and found items.

Have a safe and fun long weekend. See you on Tuesday!

Meet the Teacher

Please attend our assembly for parents (students should not attend) to meet our teaching staff and hear about classroom routines and expectations on Thursday, September 5 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 in their classrooms. This will conclude by 8:00 p.m.

Volunteer Opportunities!

Parent volunteers are an essential part of our school community. Please consider contributing some time to help provide a fantastic year for our children. Volunteering is a fun and rewarding way to become involved in the school. Time commitments vary from a few days per year to more regular involvement. We hope the 2024-2025 school year allows us to continue the social activities that have created fond memories for our students.

All parent volunteers are required to complete a yearly school volunteer form as well as a Police Information Check. Police Information Checks are valid for 5 years. Checks must be completed before you can volunteer in any capacity within the school or on school outings (including field trips). You are encouraged to sign up as a volunteer, even while you wait for your Security Check clearance. Instructions for receiving clearance are available on the link provided below.

Our 2024 - 2025 Volunteer Form has moved online this year. Please use the following link to sign up and help out our learning community: https://forms.gle/EnMR8sgcEtBErTsy8

Cell Phones & Apple Watch Policy

As you may have already heard, CBE is implementing restrictions on Personal Mobile Device & Social Media Use in Schools effective Aug. 29. This policy will comply with the Ministerial Order provided by the Government of Alberta this past June based on survey feedback provided by families.

CBE cares about the mental health and well-being of students. Restricting access to personal mobile devices and social media is expected to improve student achievement and learning outcomes. CBE strongly recommends students simply leave their devices at home, because in most cases, personal mobile devices are not needed to support student learning.

For students in kindergarten to Grade 9, CBE will use ‘away for the day’ guidelines similar to what many schools have been using in recent years.  Personal mobile devices brought to school including cell phones, tablets, gaming devices, laptops, smart watches, Bluetooth speakers/headphones or any personal electronic device that can be used to communicate with or access the internet must be powered off or set in silent mode and stored out of sight in student lockers, backpacks or other designated area for the duration of the school day.

If a student is found to be using a personal mobile device in class without permission from the teacher, the teacher will work with the student to ensure the rules are understood. We rely on good communication and other existing processes to ensure students know what is expected. When necessary, schools will use a progressive student discipline approach in working with students.

These new rules will apply to all students, with exceptions for students using devices for health and medical needs, to support specialized learning needs and for educational purposes as directed by the teacher.

For students who require access to a personal mobile device for health and medical needs, it is advised that parents complete and submit a Student Health Plan as soon as possible or contact.

For students who require access to a personal mobile device to support an identified educational need, families should contact the school to discuss this being included as an accommodation or support in the student’s individual program plan (IPP).

Also, aligned with the Ministerial Order, the CBE will restrict student access to all known social media platforms on the CBE network.

This policy will be in place for the first day of school. However, it is set to be reviewed in December, 2024. At that time, any feedback from schools will be considered before the Administrative Regulation is finalized as of Jan. 1, 2025.

Thank you for helping us to make this transition successful. If you need to contact your student during the school day (including lunch hour) please contact the school office at 403-817-3408 (extension 0).

For further resources, please view additional information on our website.

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

Sincerely,

Jason Fech
Principal