Week Ahead         

 Upcoming Important Dates 

Principal’s Message 

“Everyone has a place in the circle, and everyone should feel safe and respected in it.” 

~Theresa “Corky” Larsen-Jonasson, The Sharing Circle 

As part of our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation we made last June on National Indigenous Peoples Day, our school has committed to building on our understanding of Indigenous circle processes; the incorporation of talking circles to facilitate discussions with and amongst students, staff, and families. As a staff, we began our school year with a sharing circle to build our sense of belonging and team. Classes are also engaging in their own sharing circles to build kindness, empathy and listening to build positive classroom communities.  

As we enter National Truth and Reconciliation Week, which includes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as well as Orange Shirt Day, it is a time for us to come together as a community to listen, learn and reflect upon the history and ongoing legacy of residential schools. Through this collective work, we continue our journey toward reconciliation, and work toward building and strengthening relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.  

In the coming week, each of our classes will take up work around Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day in a developmentally appropriate way through their learning in English Language Arts and Literature, Social Studies, Math and Science. This may include listening to stories, sharing in circle or reflecting in sit spots on the land. It is our hope that through listening to and reflecting on the stories associated with this week, that we foster and build our connections and belonging as a school community. Students are invited to wear either an orange shirt or their favourite shirt on September 25.   

Lisa and Denise 

Outdoor Play 

Outdoor play and games at recess are an important part of our day at school. They provide ways for students to be active, cooperate with peers and engage in social activities. We are lucky to have several games painted on our compound for students to use during recess and outdoor play. One of these, wall ball, has become a popular activity with students.  

We enjoy seeing students coming together to play this game, and we are working to ensure that wall ball can remain an enjoyable and safe activity for all students. We are asking that students leave their own wall balls at home (the moon balls), just as we ask students to keep other toys at home. By doing so, we can avoid lost, misplaced or broken balls. We will still have school wall balls that students will be able to use to play wall ball during recess times.  

We are also asking that students do not play wall ball before school or immediately after school. The gym wall is a great place to play, however many families are walking to and from the doors to drop off and collect their children. To keep others safe, we ask that wall ball is not played during those times.  

Please help us by talking to your children about these evolving expectations. 

Terry Fox Run 

On October 3, Sibylla Kiddle will hold our annual Terry Fox Run. Students will take part in the run outside on the school field in the afternoon. 

We are looking for approximately 12 volunteers to help support our Terry Fox Run on Thursday, October 3 from 12:30-2:30. Duties include helping decorate the goal posts with balloons and streamers and helping our students navigate the run in the soccer field. If your police clearance is up to date and you would like to volunteer, please email Andrea McLean at aemclean@cbe.ab.ca. 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day Event| 

CBE staff and their families and friends are invited to attend a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event. The 4th annual City of Calgary, Calgary Board of Education, and Calgary Catholic School District ceremonial opening of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation & Orange Shirt Day will be held on Monday, Sept. 30 from 9 - 10:30 a.m. at The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland (750 9th Ave. S.E.). 

You can click on the link for more information:  

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day Event 

School Council/Parent Society Notes

The School Council and Parent Society have many great activities planned for the year, including their first event, the Welcome Back Picnic, on Thursday, September 26. To receive emails with information related to fundraising opportunities, council events such as dances and fun lunches, families must subscribe to commercial messages.  

To receive commercial electronic messages on these topics, please subscribe here: https://calgary.schoolmessenger.com/cbe_subscribe.