Planning Ahead for the 2026-27 School Year

As we begin planning for the upcoming school year, we are asking families to let us know only if their child will not be returning to CHS next year, or if plans are still uncertain. Having accurate information helps us plan classes, staffing, and supports to best meet student needs.

If this applies to your family, please complete the short form linked below. Families whose children will be returning to CHS do not need to respond, and families of Grade 6 students moving on to junior high do not need to complete the form. Thank you for helping us plan ahead.

Link to the Student Planning Form: https://forms.office.com/r/mimgfhzHr8

January School Council & CHEES Meeting – January 21

Our January School Council and CHEES meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 21. While School Council and CHEES are technically two separate groups, the meetings run back-to-back and feel like one continuous meeting. The School Council portion begins at 6:30 PM and typically runs until about 7:30 PM, followed immediately by the CHEES portion, which usually lasts 30 minutes or less. Families are welcome to attend one or both parts.

Minutes from previous meetings, the agenda for the upcoming meeting, and a list of current School Council executive members can be found on the School Council page of our school website. Information specific to the Capitol Hill Elementary Enhancement Society (CHEES), including executive members, is available on the Parent Society page. While the two groups work closely together, CHEES serves as the school’s fundraising organization and operates as a separate legal entity from School Council.

Upcoming Open Houses at Branton & Senator Patrick Burns

As Grade 6 students prepare for the transition to junior high, Branton School and Senator Patrick Burns School will be hosting open houses to welcome prospective students and their families.

Branton School’s open house for its French Immersion programs will take place on February 5, 2026, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. More information can be found here: https://branton.cbe.ab.ca/open-house

Senator Patrick Burns School will host its open house on February 11, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, highlighting its Spanish Bilingual and English regular/community programs. More information can be found here: https://senatorpatrickburns.cbe.ab.ca/open-house

Families are encouraged to visit both schools to learn more about the programs offered and to help determine the best fit for their child.

Mandatory K-3 Literacy and Numeracy Assessments

As required by Alberta Education, our school will begin administering the second round of mandatory literacy and numeracy screening assessments for Kindergarten to Grade 3 students, with the provincial assessment window opening on Monday. Students will be participating in these assessments throughout the window.

These screenings assess foundational literacy and numeracy skills. They are not intended to measure curriculum mastery, but are used to help identify students who may require additional supports and to monitor student progress over time. Some students may also participate in follow-up assessments later in the year.

Most assessments are completed one-on-one with a teacher. During the assessment window, classroom teachers are provided release time to work individually with students, and a substitute teacher will cover the classroom on those days.

Students in Grades K–3 may participate in a selection of the following assessments:

• Phonological Awareness Screening Test (PAST) – assesses awareness and manipulation of sounds in spoken language
• Rapid Automatized Naming (RAN) – Digits – measures automatic naming and processing speed related to reading fluency
• Letter Name-Sound (LeNS) – assesses knowledge of letter names and sounds for early reading development
• Castles and Coltheart 3 (CC3) Reading Test – assesses early word reading and decoding skills
• Provincial Numeracy Screening Assessments – assess foundational number sense (Grades 2 and 3 numeracy assessments are not one-on-one)

For more information, please visit the Literacy and Numeracy Screening section of the Alberta Education website.

Understanding Assessment & Reporting in CBE

The Calgary Board of Education has released a public version of its Assessment and Reporting in CBE document, which explains the shared approach used across CBE schools to assess student learning and communicate progress to families.

As we approach the February reporting period, this resource helps clarify that assessment in K–6 is ongoing and based on a range of evidence collected over time, including classroom observations, conversations, and student work. Report cards reflect this broader picture of learning, supported by teachers’ professional judgement, rather than a single test or assignment.

Families interested in learning more about CBE’s approach to assessment and reporting can read the full document here: Assessment and Reporting in CBE

​Volunteering & Security Clearance Reminder

We are grateful for the many families who volunteer to support learning experiences at Capitol Hill School. Several upcoming off-site activities will require parent volunteer support, including Kindergarten–Grade 4 swimming lessons in April at Sir Winston Churchill Pool, and Grade 5 & 6 skiing and snowboarding lessons at Winsport COP, coming up in early March.

If you are interested in volunteering - whether for these activities or others during the school year - please ensure your CBE volunteer registration and security clearance are up to date. Clearance is required for all volunteers working with students, both on-site and off-site. If you are unsure of your current status or need help with the process, the school office will be happy to assist.

More information about volunteering and the clearance process can be found on our website, or by contacting the school office. Thank you for helping make these experiences possible for our students.

Upcoming Dates

Jan. 20 – Grade 5 Off-Site Activity

Jan. 21 – School Council & CHEES @ 6:30 PM

Jan. 22 – Grade 1 Off-Site Activity

Jan. 22 – Fun Lunch (Noodlebox)

Jan. 29 – School Spirit Day (Eighties / ‘80s Day – dress like the 1980s!)

Jan. 30 – Non-Instructional Day (CBE Languages Symposium; no school for students)

Feb. 5 – Fun Lunch (Panago Pizza)

Feb. 12 – Teachers’ Convention (no school for students)

Feb. 13 – Teachers’ Convention (no school for students)

Feb. 16 – Family Day (no school for students)

Feb. 19 – Fun Lunch (Mucho Burrito)

Feb. 24 – Report Cards available on MyCBE

Feb. 26 – Student-led Learning Conferences (4:00 PM – 8:00 PM)

Feb. 27 – Student-led Learning Conferences (8:30 AM – 12:30 PM)

Feb. 27 – Non-Instructional Day (no school for students)