Welcome Back!

Happy New Year, and welcome to 2025! We hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable break. It’s been great to see the students back and ready to jump into the second half of the school year.

Our first week back has gone smoothly, and we’re looking forward to keeping the momentum going. Some of the exciting events coming up include swimming lessons, the ELEV8 Lacrosse program, and a visit from Elder Shirley Hill. As well, report cards will be available online at the end of the month!

Here’s to a great year ahead!

Kindergarten to Grade 4 Swimming Lessons – January 13–16

We are excited to remind you that our Kindergarten to Grade 4 students will be participating in swimming lessons at Winston Churchill Pool from Monday, January 13, to Thursday, January 16. This activity is part of our Physical Education & Wellness program and provides students with essential water safety and swimming skills.

Important Reminder – Be Prepared!
Please ensure your child comes to school each day with the following items:

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Plastic bag for wet items

We want to extend thanks to all the parent volunteers who have signed up to help with supervision and changerooms. Your support is priceless in making this program a success!

If any male volunteers are available to assist in the boys’ changeroom, we could still use your help. Please contact your child’s teacher or the main office if you’re able to join us.

ELEV8 Lacrosse Program for Grades 4, 5 & 6

We are pleased to announce that our Grade 4, 5, and 6 students will have the opportunity to participate in the ELEV8 Lacrosse program, coming to Capitol Hill next week, from January 14–16. This program offers a comprehensive introduction to the sport of lacrosse while exploring its rich Indigenous roots and cultural significance in Canada and North America.

Led by professional coaches and National Lacrosse League players, the ELEV8 Classroom Lacrosse program provides a highly engaging and hands-on learning experience. Students will learn fundamental lacrosse skills, such as passing, catching, throwing, and cradling, while also developing essential physical literacy skills, including agility, balance, and coordination.

The program emphasizes not only the mechanics of the sport but also core values like teamwork, leadership, and respect. This experience will enhance students’ understanding of a sport deeply tied to Canada’s heritage and encourage physical development in a safe, supportive environment.

ELEV8 Lacrosse will provide all necessary equipment, including real lacrosse sticks and soft balls, ensuring a safe and fun experience for everyone. We look forward to an exciting week of learning and play!

Mandatory K–3 Literacy and Numeracy Assessments

As required by Alberta Education, our school will be administering the second round of mandatory literacy and numeracy screening assessments for Kindergarten to Grade 3 students this month. These assessments are intended to identify areas where students may require additional support in foundational skills and to provide valuable information on their progress. Students identified as requiring additional support will also participate in follow-up assessments in June.

Students in Grades K–3 will complete a selection of the following assessments:

• Phonological Awareness Screening Test (PAST)
• Rapid Automatized Naming (RAN) Digits Test
• Letter Name-Sound (LeNS) Test
• Castles and Coltheart 3 (CC3) Reading Test
• Provincial numeracy screening assessments

For more detailed information, please refer to Alberta Education's General Information Bulletin 2024–2025 Literacy and Numeracy Screening Assessments.

January School Council & CHEES Meeting

Our January School Council and CHEES meeting is coming up next week on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 6:00 PM. We’ll be discussing a range of important topics, including upcoming events, staffing updates, and plans for the remainder of the school year.

We’re also pleased to announce that our Area 2 Education Director, Martine Sawatzky, will be joining us for this meeting. This is a great opportunity to hear from her and ask any questions you may have. We hope to see you there!

Kindergarten Registration Opens January 13

If you haven’t heard, Kindergarten registration for the 2025-26 school year opens on Thursday, January 16, 2025! If your child will be five years old on or before December 31, 2025, they are eligible to start Kindergarten in September.

For details about the registration process, documentation requirements, and programming, visit our website: Get Ready, Get Set – Kindergarten 2025-26.

Upcoming Dates

Jan. 13-16 – Swimming for K-4

Jan. 14 & 16 – Elev8 Lacrosse (Div. II)

Jan. 16 – Fun Lunch (Subway)

Jan. 16 – School Council & CHEES Meeting @ 6:00 PM

Jan. 21-23 – Elder Shirley Hill Visits (K-6)

Jan. 23 – Grade 1 Off-site Activity at North Hill Fire Station

Jan. 23 – Camp Chief Hector Information Meeting (mandatory for Gr. 5/6 parents)

Jan. 27 – Report Cards available for viewing through MyCBE

Jan. 27 – Parents invited to sign updated IPPs

Jan. 30 – Fun Lunch (Papa Johns)

Jan. 31 – Non-Instructional Day (no classes for students)