Queridas familias,

I hope you had the opportunity to have new adventures and to rest over the summer break. As we begin the month of September, it is my pleasure you welcome you back to the new school year! It was wonderful to welcome families yesterday and to feel the excitement of students as I visited classrooms. We look forward to an amazing school year full of learning and growth!

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 2023-24, Citizenship Information Update 2023-24 and Annual Authorization 2023-24. Please ensure that these forms are completed by September 15, 2023.

New Curriculum

As many of you are aware, this year all schools across Alberta will continue implementing the new curriculum as follows: Grade 4 – Grade 6 English Language Arts and Literature, Grade.4 – Grade 6 Mathematics and K – Grade 3 Science. 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: https://cbe.ab.ca/get-involved/volunteer/Pages/volunteer.aspx 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. 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: https://calgary.schoolmessenger.com/cbe_subscribe

Apple Fundraiser

Our parent council has begun their first fundraiser of the year (Apple Fundraiser with apples 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 18. A digital copy is attached here as well. Pick up is scheduled for October 4, 2023.

School Absences

Please remember to call the attendance line to let us know of your student’s absence – 403 777 6100 ext. 0. 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.

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 Liz Styan lmstyan@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/

WO Mitchell School Council

WO 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

With gratitude,
Erick Noriega,
Principal

Important Dates

September 4 – Labour Day (No School)
September 8 – PM Kindergarten
September 15 – AM Kindergarten
September 21 – Meet the Teacher Evening and School Council AGM (more information to come)
September 22 – Parent-Teacher IPP Conferences
September 29 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (No School)
October 6 – PM Kindergarten