Dear Parents & Guardians:
Our Fall Fair is in great need for parent volunteers to make this event successful. If you are able, please help us out by signing up to help out at the Fall Fair coming up this Thursday, Sept 10 @ 4:30!
SchoolMessenger took an early weekend and was not working on Friday when we normally send communications. You should have your “Friday emails” today.
In this post you will find information for the following:
· Important Dates
· Principal’s Message
· From School Council
· Centennial Time Capsule Update
· Volunteer Opportunities
· Cell Phone & Apple Watch Policy
Important Dates –
· Sept 7 – Labour Day (No School)
· Sept 10 – Fall Fair (4:30-6:30)
· Sept 11 – Terry Fox Assembly & Run (9:30-10:30) Parents are welcome
· Sept 17 – School Council and Parent Society (EPPS) Meeting (1:30-3:00)
· Sept 24 – Picture Day
· Sept 25 – Organizational Day (No School)
· Sept 29 – Orange Shirt Day
· Sept 30 – Truth & Reconciliation Day (No School)
· Subscribe to our Web Calendar (link on bottom left)
Principal’s Message
We have had a great start in our first week of school. With it being a 5-day week, our students and teachers are pretty tired! Our turn out for the Meet the Teacher was quite strong and we thank parents for coming in to hear expectations and to better understand how our timetable works. If you were unable to attend last night, please feel free to reach out to our teachers through email with any questions that you may have (visit Our Staff webpage for contact information). Thank you as well to Meghan and Erin and the Teacher Appreciation Committee for spoiling us with a dinner of delicious sub sandwiches!
A reminder to please help your child dress for the weather. We go outside every day unless it’s -20C, high smoke or active lightning. We had some very wet students yesterday and today in the rain during recess.
Next week we look forward to our annual Fall Fair and the Terry Fox Run. Students have already started to learn about Terry and with the topic of cancer, we do notice some of our students have emotional reactions for differing reasons. Please speak with your children about this important event at our school and watch for our fundraiser that some Grade 6 student leaders will be helping with.
Again, please remember to label jackets, hoodies and lunch kits with student names as we do end up with many in our lost and found. Please ensure that you have completed all online and paper forms that went home in your “opening package”.
From School Council
Help us out with planning by getting your tickets and signing up to help out at the Fall Fair coming up Thursday, Sept 10 @ 4:30!
Ensure you're getting communications from your room parent by completing the form here.
We've also got the first council and society meetings Thursday, Sept 10 @ 1:30 to 3:00 (virtual or at the school) - if you only join for one this year, let it be this one.
Centennial Time Capsule Update
With our school operetta behind us, we are now moving on to celebrate the 100th anniversary of our school that happened in the Fall of 1926. Just imagine that 100 years ago, kids were running around on the same school field where your kiddoes are – wild to think!
Our time capsule celebration is on Friday, October 2 at 9:30. We will have a formal ceremony that students, parents, alumni and the community is invited to. This will be followed by an open house format to tour our classrooms for all visitors until noon dismissal.
Please visit our School Spirit webpage for more information and resources about our school’s history.
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.
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.
Please find the QR code in your opening package that went home today to find out ways you can help out.
Cell Phones & Apple Watch Policy
As you may have already heard, CBE has implemented restrictions on Personal Mobile Device & Social Media Use in Schools. 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.
Thank you for supporting us with this policy. 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.
Have a great evening,
Jason Fech
Principal