Queridas familias,
It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this amazing community and school year. It is with mixed feelings that I write my last weekly message before starting my new position next week. I thank you all for your warm wishes and support you have given me over the years. I will cherish my time and experience at WO Mitchell School.
Acting Principal
As you might be aware, today is officially my last day at WO Mitchell School. In the interim, retired Principal Lucie Lejeune, will be serving as Acting Principal. Ms. Lejeune brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to student success, and we are confident she will provide steady leadership during this transition. Please help me welcome her into our amazing community.
Personal Mobile Devices (PMD)
As of last year, the new government policy regarding PMDs for students in kindergarten to grade 9 was to have them “away for the day”. 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 CBE 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. More Information
Terry Fox Run
Terry Fox Run will take place on September 22 from 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Parents interested in volunteering for the event, please contact Srta. Imperadeiro (smimperadeiro@cbe.ab.ca ) for details.
Last year we raised an amazing $2,732.10 for the Terry Fox organization. Our goal this year is to raise $2,900. We will be collecting Toonies for Terry from students starting on September 8 until September 22.
Online donations can also be made to the Terry Fox organization through the School Webpage link: https://schools.terryfox.ca/98255
MyCBE Account
This year the CBE will be using SchoolEngage to complete some of the necessary yearly forms. In order to access SchoolEngage, you will require a MyCBE account. If you do not have a MyCBE account, on the MyCBE page click on Create a MyCBE Account. For online help refer, to MyCBE - Creating an Account (includes instructions and a video). The forms found in SchoolEngage include: Demographic Verification 2025-26 and Annual Authorization 2025-26. If you plan to volunteer this school year, you can also fill out the Volunteer Registration Form. Please ensure that these forms are completed by September 15, 2025.
Meet the Teacher Evening
Please join us on September 26 for our annual Meet the Teacher event. This is an informal opportunity to meet your homeroom teachers and build community at the school. This year, the School Council has coordinated with YYC Food Trucks to be on site and will be available from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm. Teachers will be in their classroom from 2 pm to 3 pm to meet families. There will be two 20-minute information sessions in your students’ homeroom. The first will start at 2 pm, and the second will start at 2:30 pm. At 3:00 pm, you are invited to stay for the School Council and Parent Society AGM.
New Curriculum
As many of you are aware, this year we continue to implement the new curriculum. Specifically, we will implement the KG – Gr. 6 Social Studies curriculum. Over the summer and the school year, teachers will participate in a variety of Professional Learning opportunities to facilitate the implementation of the new curriculum. For further information please visit: https://curriculum.learnalberta.ca/home/en (New Curriculum), https://www.alberta.ca/programs-of-study.aspx (Existing Curriculum).
Volunteers
We are happy to welcome volunteers back to school! If you would like to have the opportunity to volunteer this year, please make sure that you have your volunteer clearance up to date. Please take a look at this link for more information: CBE Get Involved | Volunteer If you are unsure of your volunteering status, please call the main office.
Soft Entry and Change of Designated Door
Similar to last year, we will continue our soft entry into the school from 8:55 am to 9:10 am. During that time, all student doors will be unlocked for students to come into the school. Teachers will be in their classrooms welcoming students and supervising them as they get ready for their school day. Doors will be locked again at 9:15 am. Students are reminded to continue using their assigned doors throughout their entry into the school.
Drop-off and Pick-up Safety
As we begin the school year, we would like to have the safety of our students and families in mind. Please remember to use the cross walks close to the school and not jay walk across the street. In addition, drivers, please ensure that when you park, you respect the neighbors’ properties by not blocking driveways or garages. As well, please remember to leave the required 5m distance between corners/intersections and crosswalks. As well, please do not use our parking lot for drop-off and pick-up. Over the year, we will seek assistance from our partners at the Calgary Police Services.
SchoolMessenger
SchoolMessenger will be the means of communication between the school and our families. There are two types of messages that you will receive over the year – General and Commercial. In order to receive all of our messages, please ensure that you subscribe to both types of messages. Please visit the following link for further information: Subscribe to Receive School Messages
Apple Fundraiser
Our school council has begun their first fundraiser of the year (Apple and Pear Fundraiser from Davison Orchard). I had the opportunity to try them last year and they were amazing! All order forms have been sent home with your students today and the due date to order is September 16. A digital copy is attached here as well. Pick up is scheduled for October 1, 2025.
School Absences
Please remember to call the attendance line to let us know of your student’s absence – 403 777 6100 ext. 1. This not only helps us as we complete daily attendance but is also a security concern in the case of emergencies. Just a gentle reminder to keep your students home if they are not feeling well.
Busses and Parent Pick Up
As we start the new school year, we would like to streamline the process for students that take the bus. All students who are registered for the bus are to meet in front of the school to board the bus. If parents need to pick up their child and they will not take the bus, please meet your child in front of the school and notify the bus attendant. If you know ahead of time, please email the school at womitchell@cbe.ab.ca.
Brown Bagging
W.O. Mitchell School participates in the Brown Bagging for Calgary Kids program, which is a charitable organization that provides a simple snack and lunch delivered to the school at no charge. If your family would benefit from this program please contact Eve Moreau ekmoreau@cbe.ab.ca. Continue to send food with your child until you receive confirmation that your child is included in the program. If you would like to know more about BB4CK visit their web site at https://bb4ck.org/
School Spirit Wear
We are happy to announce that we have Spirit Wear with our new logo available to purchase through our school website. In addition, we have added shirts for Orange Shirt Day. For more information, please visit:
Merchandise - W. O. Mitchell School (cbe.ab.ca)
We have been able to acquire a few samples for sizing. If you would like to try a sample before ordering, please visit the office. The turn-around time from order to picking up or sending the order is around 3 weeks.
WO Mitchell School Council
WO Mitchell School Council helps connect parents to the school and provides additional learning opportunities for all students. There are many ways to get involved that do not require you to hold a position on council. If you would like more information about getting connected or volunteer opportunities, please send an email to womparents@gmail.com The School Council and the Parent Society AGM will take place on September 26, 2025.
With gratitude,
Erick Noriega, Principal
Important Dates
September 12 – PM Kindergarten
September 17 – Individual Program Plans go home
September 19 – AM Kindergarten
September 22 – Terry Fox Run
September 22 – Individual Program Plans due at school (signed)
September 25 – Orange Shirt Day Assembly
September 26 – Meet the Teacher afternoon and School Council and Parent Society AGM
September 29 – Non-Instructional Day (No school for students)
September 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (School closed)