Week Ahead

  Upcoming Important Dates

Principal’s Message

“A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” 

~William Arthur Ward 

The smiles were abundant this week as we returned to school and staff reconnected with one another, students excitedly recognized familiar faces while finding their teachers on the school field, and families said good-bye to their children for their first day.   

While visiting classrooms, it was easy to see the power of a smile. A smile elevates your mood and reduces feelings of stress, makes others feel more comfortable and valued, and often causes a chain reaction producing smiles all around. We know that our cheeks hurt a bit from the large smiles on our faces all throughout the day as we had a chance to catch up with students and families.  

As we begin this school year, we also have the opportunity to foster new relationships through the simple act of smiling. Today at our Kindness Kick Off Assembly, we challenged students to smile at someone new. As your children come home from school over the next few weeks, use this opportunity to ask them about any new friendships they’ve formed and encourage them to smile and engage with someone they haven’t had the chance to talk to yet. By fostering these interactions, we can strengthen the network of kindness that makes our school community supportive, understanding, and encouraging. 

Lisa and Denise 

Entry and Exit Doors   

Students are welcome to use any entry doors in the morning when arriving at school. At the end of the day, students will exit through their designated doors to meet their parents.  

Kindergarten – Parking Lot Doors  

Grade 1and 4 Doors – Compound Doors  

Grade 3 and 5 Doors – North Doors 

Grade 2 and 4B Doors – East Doors 

Parking & Staff Parking Lot  

We kindly ask that parents do not do drop-off or pick-up in the staff parking lot at any time. This is strictly a staff parking lot, and staff arrive at all times of the day. 

The area directly in front of the school is the bus zone and parents are not able to park in front of the school for drop-off and pick-up as a bus may arrive at any time.  

Parking is available past the school parking lot on Cranford Drive SE and along Cranford Square SE. Please be mindful of our neighbours and do not block driveways in the area. There is also a loading zone to the east of the bus zone on Cranford Drive SE for brief stops. 

When dropping off your child at school in the morning, they are welcome to come into the building anytime between 7:50 and 8:00 AM. This is designed to reduce congestion near our doors. 

MyCBE/PowerSchool Account Set Up

Having an active MyCBE/PowerSchool Account is critical for accessing everything from fees to report cards to booking Parent / Teacher Conferences. To access your account or to create an account please go to the Student and Parent / Legal Guardian Sign In page on the CBE website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school office. 

School Fees

Once school fees have been uploaded by the CBE, they will appear on your PowerSchool Account. These fees are usually uploaded in early October. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school office. 

Lunchroom

All students may stay at school over the lunch break to eat their lunch and have an active living break. Once the system has been updated, you will be able to register and pay for the lunchroom program via your MyCBE / PowerSchool Account.  

Please note, that we are operating under the assumption that all students will be staying for lunch. If your child will be going home for lunch, please let the school know so we do not include them on our lunchroom attendance lists. 

Severe Allergies

Our school is a nut aware school. Several students at our school have severe and, in some cases, life-threatening allergies to various nuts and nut products. Out of respect for these students and their families and in the interest of allowing all students to be safe at school we are asking that you do not pack lunches or snacks that contain these products. 

School Council and Parent Society

Upcoming dates and information regarding our School Council / Parent Society can be found on our website. The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 11 at 6:30 PM. This meeting will be held in person, at the school. 

As a parent at our school, you are welcome and encouraged to attend any of the School Council and Parent Society meetings. More information about the role of the Council and the role of the Parent Society will be given at our first meeting, including ways in which you can be involved. 

School Council has set up Healthy Hunger for the school year. You can now log in to your Healthy Hunger accounts to order fun lunches and snacks for the year!  For those new to the school, it's time to create your Healthy Hunger accounts to get started. If you are the parent or caregiver of a kindergarten student, be sure to only order for the dates your child attends school. 

Don't forget, this account is also used for some of the other school fundraisers, such as dances, so even if you're not ordering fun lunches, it's a good idea to set up your account. 

Our first snack is coming up on Friday, September 13 (Tues/Thurs Kindergarten attends). Make sure to place your orders by September 8. 

Back to School Packages 

Back to school packages have been sent home with students. This package includes information about the forms that need to be filled out for this school year. Please refer to the package for the forms that you need to complete. Please note: The CBE has transitioned to using online forms for the Annual Authorization and Demographic forms. These forms need to be filled out on your MyCBE/PowerSchool Account, as they give us important contact information in case of an emergency.  

Student Code of Conduct

Parents are encouraged to read the CBE’s Student Code of Conduct. This document outlines guiding principles and responsibilities as to what is expected from students and parents concerning the school. Our teachers have been reviewing the concepts contained within this document with our students this week, using developmentally appropriate language and examples. 

Bussing

Information regarding your child’s bus route has been directly uploaded to your MyCBE/PowerSchool Account. If you have any concerns or questions regarding registration or routes, you can go to the main transportation website or email transportation@cbe.ab.ca. 

Away for the Day Cell Phone Policy

Starting Aug. 29, CBE students will not be permitted to use personal mobile devices during instructional time as directed by the Alberta Government Ministerial Order. As such, Sibylla Kiddle School will be using ‘away-for-the-day’ guidelines, which aligns with our practices for the past few years. Students will not be permitted to use personal mobile devices during the school day. Mobile devices must be kept in their backpacks for the entirety of the school day and turned off. If you need to get a message to your child during the day, please call the office and one of our staff members will be sure to inform your child. 

Opt In for Messaging 

In order to stay connected, and in accordance with anti-spam legislation, parents will need to opt in for messaging to receive commercial information (ex. field trips) which you can do HERE. If you have any questions about this, please refer to CBE Q+A document. 

Dogs on School Property

We have seen lots of your furry friends on our school grounds this week. While you love your dog and we love your dog, they should not be on school grounds according to City of Calgary Bylaws. If you have a concern in this area, please contact 311. It is acceptable to have a leashed dog on the city sidewalks around the school and the upper part of the fields to the north and west of the school.  

Birthday Treats

We know that birthdays are important to our students. Considering student food allergies and preferences, we ask that families do not send in food-based treats for birthdays. Please keep food treats for home-based celebrations. However, non-food-based treats such as a special pencil or a new book for the classroom can be great alternative ways to celebrate the day. Teachers will also celebrate student birthdays in their own individual ways in classrooms. Thank you for your support and understanding.