Week Ahead         

 Upcoming Important Dates 

Principal’s Message 

“Challenge yourself; it’s the only path which leads to growth.” 

~Morgan Freeman 

Learning challenges, though sometimes they seem like obstacles, can facilitate learning and personal growth in many ways. Learning challenges often require students to employ critical thinking and problem-solving skills to find alternative approaches to learning and understanding concepts. This process enhances their ability to analyze situations, identify solutions, and adapt their strategies as needed. 

A large component of our School Development Plan this year has centered on engaging students in tasks that develop independence, collaboration, resiliency and risk-taking. This week, I witnessed a group of grade three students working diligently on a math problem intended to promote productive struggle. The problem was open-ended, had many solutions and encouraged collaboration. It was impressive to witness them working in small groups, communicating their thinking and identifying solutions.  

Throughout these tasks, students are provided with feedback that supports them in self-reflection and goal setting. Successfully navigating learning challenges can lead to significant personal growth and development. Students become more confident in their abilities, develop a positive attitude towards learning, and cultivate a growth mindset that emphasizes effort, perseverance, and continuous improvement. 

Overall, while learning challenges may present initial difficulties, they ultimately contribute to the holistic development of students by fostering resilience, problem-solving skills, self-awareness, creativity, empathy, and personal growth. 

Grade 3-5 Spring Concert 

On the evening of Thursday, April 18 we would like to welcome families of students in Grade 3-5 to our Spring Celebration. This will be an opportunity for families to see their children on the stage as they share in song and performance.  

We will be holding three concerts, each featuring a specific grade of students. Families are invited to watch the concert of their child(ren)’s grade. This format allows you to enjoy your child participating in every song, rather than feeling the need to watch the performances of students from other grades. The concerts are designed to be about 20-25 minutes in length before the group is cycled out and a new group takes the stage.  

The concerts will run at the following times: 

• All Grade 4 classes 5:30-6:00pm (Front doors will open at 5:15pm) 
• All Grade 5 classes 6:15-6:45pm (Front doors will open at 6:00pm)   
• All Grade 3 classes 7:00-7:30pm (Front doors will open at 6:45pm) 

We look forward to having you join us on April 18 to watch our greatest young performers take the stage. 

First Class Childcare April 18 Notice 

If you have a child who attends First Class Childcare after school, there will be an adjustment to your pick-up doors on Thursday, April 18. Due to the Grade 3-5 Spring Concert, students should be picked up at the Grade 1 Exit Door (Northeast Doors). Please note: Grade 3-5 students must be picked up from First Class, leave the building and then enter the school for the Celebration through the front doors at their given time. 

Solar Eclipse Precautions 

On Monday, April 8 a partial solar eclipse will be visible in Calgary. The solar event will begin just before noon and conclude by 2:00 p.m., with the maximum coverage occurring at 12:43 p.m.    

We know that this provides a unique learning experience for students and staff in our schools; however, there can be serious impacts to vision as a result of viewing the eclipse in an unsafe manner.  

To ensure that students are safe, we will refrain from allowing students exposure to this event. All students will remain indoors during class time, over recess and lunch breaks, as well as away from windows to the outside between the hours of 11:50 a.m. – 1:50 p.m.      

If you decide that your child will walk home for lunch on Monday, please discuss with your child not to look at the sun to protect his/her eyes from damage by the solar eclipse.     

During a solar eclipse, looking directly at the sun is dangerous. Safe viewing of the eclipse requires wearing specialized glasses or watching through a telescope or solar binoculars that have specialized lenses and should only be performed under the direction of a professional.     

For more safety information can be found on the NASA website or from the Canadian Association of Optometrists.   

If you have further questions, please contact the school office. 

Gymnastics/Movement Education 

Our gymnastics/movement education unit will be running from April 3-18 in your child’s scheduled Physical Education class. Over the next 3 weeks, we will use a combination of trestles, ladders, large and small mats. Throughout the year, teachers have provided students with various experiences to establish safety routines and promote cooperation and sportsmanship. We will review gym conduct and safety starting April 3 and ask parents to be aware of and review the following student expectations with their child (ren). 

Student Expectations: 

• No jewelry, loose clothing, skirts or dresses 
• Bare feet or proper running shoes only 
• Tie back long hair 
• Students work independently or in small groups quietly as noise can distract others and    may cause falls 
• Children do what they are comfortable doing. No showing off or daring allowed 
• Pyramids, headstands, handstands, dive rolls, and aerials (flips) are not permitted  
• Students must land on their feet (or seated on the crash mat) 

As you can see, safety is of the upmost importance for this unit. Students must conduct themselves in a cooperative and safe manner. Please review these expectations at home with your child. 

Healthy Sexual Development | Family & Caregiver Well-Being Session  

As part of a continued effort to support the well-being of students, CBE is committed to sharing valuable information about child and youth well-being with families and caregivers. This is the last (of five) sessions available for families and caregivers, this time focusing on 'healthy sexual development'.  Please feel free to join this session. 

Date: Thursday, April 11 
Time: 6:30-8 p.m.  
Link: Health & Wellness in School