Eid al-Adha – A Time of Reflection and Celebration
To all our families observing Eid al-Adha, we wish you a joyful and meaningful celebration. Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the most important holidays in the Islamic calendar. It is a time to reflect on values such as compassion, generosity, and community.
Traditionally marked with special prayers, gatherings with family and friends, and acts of giving, Eid al-Adha is also a time when many share meals and give to those in need. This year, Eid al-Adha is being observed today, June 6, and celebrated over the weekend. From all of us at Capitol Hill School, Eid Mubarak to those celebrating!
Stampede Pancake Breakfast - What a Morning!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who came out to our Stampede Pancake Breakfast this past Tuesday morning - it was an incredible turnout, and the energy on the field was fantastic! Over 700 people were served pancakes and sausages (and that’s not even counting second helpings!). It was such a joy to see so many students, parents, grandparents, and community members gathered together to kick off our Stampede Spirit Day.
We’re incredibly grateful to the Calgary Stampede Downtown Attractions Committee for running the grills, and to our amazing CHS staff for all the behind-the-scenes support - from setting up tables and garbage bins to supervising students and working the serving line. The Stampede volunteers commented on how polite and well-behaved our students were, and how welcoming our staff and families made the event feel. Thank you for helping us create such a memorable morning for our school community!
Outdoor Lunch Routine Off to a Great Start!
Last week, Capitol Hill School launched our new outdoor lunch routine for all students, and we’re happy to share that it’s been a big hit! Students and lunch supervision staff alike have enjoyed the chance to eat and play outside together during the midday break.
As a reminder, we will always make a decision each day based on weather, temperature, and air quality to determine if outdoor lunch will proceed. If conditions aren't ideal, we’ll stick with our usual indoor routine. Thank you for helping students come prepared with hats, water bottles, and blankets - it’s making all the difference!
Capitol Hill Students Take on the STEMC!
This spring, students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 at Capitol Hill School took part in the Speed Turn Elementary Math Contest (STEMC) for the very first time! The STEMC is a free, school-based competition designed to foster a love of math in students from Grades 1–6. It’s organized annually by a team of students from the University of Calgary, who create, administer, and mark the contest with the goal of making math both fun and challenging.
The 2025 contest marked its fourth year and saw over 2,000 students from across Calgary participating across three levels. We’re so proud of all our CHS students who took on this new challenge with curiosity and confidence. A huge thank you to Ms. Moore for facilitating Capitol Hill’s participation in the contest, and to Ms. Moore and Ms. Charlesworth for going the extra mile by attending the Saturday awards ceremony on May 31 at the Calgary Public Library to support our students.
A special shout-out goes to two students who received Bronze Awards:
- Sukhneel B. (Grade 4) – Level 2 Bronze
- Alice J. (Grade 6) – Level 3 Bronze
Way to go to all our young mathematicians! We’re already looking forward to next year’s contest.
Crunching It with the MRU Math Contest
We’re proud to share that our Gr. 4-6 students also participated in the Mount Royal University Math Contest - a city-wide math competition that saw over 3,100 students from across Calgary take part this year. Similar to the STEMC, this contest offers a great opportunity for students to challenge themselves and apply their problem-solving skills in new and exciting ways.
We are incredibly proud of all our students who took on the challenge of the MRU Math Contest with enthusiasm and determination. A special congratulations goes out to the many CHS students who scored in the Top 25% of participants across the city and will be receiving Certificates of Distinction! Every student who participated will also receive a Certificate of Participation, handed out by their classroom teacher. Before the end of June, we’ll take some time as a school to recognize the hard work, growth, and mathematical mindset shown by all of our fantastic young problem-solvers.
A big thank you to Ms. Moore for once again facilitating our school's involvement in this wonderful learning opportunity!
Celebrating Indigenous Education in June at CHS
Capitol Hill School is proud to celebrate Indigenous Education this June, a month filled with opportunities to honour Indigenous ways of being, belonging, doing, and knowing. As part of National Indigenous History Month, students and staff will continue engaging in meaningful learning that highlights the richness and diversity of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures. These efforts reflect our ongoing commitment to Truth and Reconciliation through land-based learning, respectful relationship-building, and the creation of ethical spaces in our classrooms.
We also invite all CHS families to participate in city-wide celebrations during Indigenous Awareness Week (June 14–21), which includes a variety of public gatherings, cultural events, and educational opportunities. A special highlight is the Powwow at Elbow River Camp on Saturday, June 14 - a powerful celebration of tradition, dance, and community. June 21 marks National Indigenous Peoples Day, which coincides with the summer solstice, a day of great significance in many Indigenous cultures. It is a time to honour Indigenous histories, languages, and traditions, and we encourage families to take part in local events and reflect on the importance of this day across the country.
Puppetry Showcases – Monday, June 9
We’re excited to invite families to our Puppetry Showcase happening on Monday, June 9, as a celebration of student learning in Drama this spring. Over the past several weeks, students have been working with Mr. K to explore the world of puppetry - developing characters, crafting stories, and learning performance techniques. Now, it's time to share their creativity and hard work! Families are welcome to attend during their child’s performance slot - no tickets required. The showcases will be held throughout the day in the gym:
- 8:40 AM: Grade 6
- 9:40 AM: Grade 4
- 10:40 AM: Grade 2
- 12:40 PM: Grade 5
- 1:40 PM: Grade 1
- 2:10 PM: Grade 3
We’re looking forward to seeing our students step into the spotlight and bring their puppet characters to life. We hope you can join us for this celebration of dramatic arts!
Food Trucks & Families – June 18
We’re excited to invite you to “Food Trucks & Families”, a fun-filled after-school event organized by our amazing School Council, happening on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, from 3:30 - 5:30 PM on the field behind Capitol Hill School.
Whether you bring a blanket and a homemade picnic or plan to sample from the tasty lineup of food trucks, this is a perfect way to connect with other CHS families and kick off the summer vibe together. And thanks to the generosity of School Council, every student will receive $10 in food truck tickets, making sure all students can participate in the delicious fun! (Tickets will be handed out by classroom teachers on the day of the event.)
A few quick notes:
- Food trucks will begin setting up around 3:00 PM. Please use extra caution during dismissal, as vehicles will be moving near the field.
- The school will be accessible for washroom use and water bottle filling, but will not be open for other activities.
We can’t wait to see you there for an afternoon of great food, community spirit, and summer celebration!
Sports & Activity Day – “I Am Canadian!” – June 20
Get ready for one of the most exciting days of the year - CHS Sports & Activity Day is happening on Friday, June 20, and our theme this year is “I Am Canadian!” The day will be packed with fun, games, and team spirit, as students rotate through a series of engaging outdoor stations.
To make the day run smoothly, we’re looking for parent volunteers (with CBE clearances) to help supervise the stations. If you’re available, please sign up using this link:
Volunteer Sign-Up – Sports Day
Each shift is just one hour, starting at 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM, and includes a quick summary of what to expect at each station.
We're also on the lookout for a few household items you might have tucked away - old flat sheets or blankets (2–3), large towels (4–6), and pillowcases or potato sacks (4–6). These will be used for some of the activities, and may not be returned in their original condition - so feel free to send ones that have seen better days!
Kindergarten families, take note! Both AM and PM Kindergarten classes will attend together on this special day, so be sure to mark your calendars and prepare for a full morning of fun.
Thanks so much for your support - we can’t wait to celebrate with our students and make this a truly memorable event. If you have any questions, reach out to Mrs. Gordon at tlrabie@cbe.ab.ca.
Reminder: Check and Pay Outstanding School Fees
As we near the end of the school year, we kindly ask all families to log in to their MyCBE account and check for any outstanding school fees, including those related to off-site activities and field trips. Unpaid fees directly impact our school’s ability to support students and provide enriching learning opportunities. For system-assigned fees, such as transportation and noon supervision, please note that the CBE may refer unpaid amounts to collection agencies. If you’re experiencing financial difficulties or need to explore payment options, please don’t hesitate to contact Ms. Gratto at 403-777-6160 - we’re here to help. Thank you for your timely attention to this important matter!
Upcoming Changes to the School Field: City of Calgary Dry Pond Project
This project was first shared with our school community during the School Council meeting in November 2024, as part of a broader conversation about upcoming developments in our shared community space.
As part of the City of Calgary’s Stormwater Management Strategy, the first stages of construction will soon begin on a dry pond on city-owned property behind Capitol Hill School. This initiative is part of a city-wide effort to reduce flood risk and improve stormwater drainage during extreme rain events. Dry ponds are designed to remain dry most of the time and temporarily fill with water only during unusually heavy rainfall. Once the water is collected, it drains away - typically within 24 hours - helping prevent flooding in nearby homes. When not in use for stormwater, the area functions as regular green space.
As part of this project, the current softball diamond area (sometimes referred to as the “middle field”) will first be redeveloped. The softball backstops will be removed, and the shale infields will be replaced with sod to create a full-sized soccer field with new goalposts, oriented north-south between 21st and 22nd Ave. This redeveloped field area will be accessible to the school during the dry pond construction phase (on the “far field”, in 2026) and is expected to be ready for school and community use at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year. The project will also include the installation of a new sidewalk along 22nd Ave, connecting two existing sidewalk sections. While this is a City project, the CBE is advocating for the addition of a crosswalk at 17 Street NW to enhance safety; this has not yet been confirmed.
Families should be aware that fencing may go up around the middle field at some point in June, with designated walking paths created along both sides of the site to allow continued access to the far field. While we have been told the City will aim to minimize disruptions during the school day, students and families can likely expect some visible activity and equipment around the construction zone in the final weeks of school.
Rest assured, we’re currently working with the CBE’s Property, Leasing & Rentals department to monitor the project and will adjust any school events if needed. This summer construction work will prepare the site for the larger dry pond installation planned for the far field in 2026, when this newly redeveloped field will serve as the school's alternate outdoor play space. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’ll continue to share updates as they become available
You can learn more about the City’s dry pond and stormwater work by visiting: calgary.ca/water/stormwater.
Try Something New at Sport Calgary’s “All Sport One Day”
We’re sharing about an opportunity from Sport Calgary, a non-profit partner of the City of Calgary that supports community sport across the city. Their annual event, All Sport One Day, gives youth the chance to try out up to four different sports - for free! This is a fantastic way for kids to explore new activities without the commitment of a full-length program.
This year’s event takes place on Saturday, June 21, at ten locations across Calgary, including VIVO, Seton YMCA, Glenmore Athletic Park, Trico Centre, and more. Registration opens on Tuesday, June 10 at 6:00 PM, and spots fill up quickly - so mark your calendar!
You can learn more and register at sportcalgary.ca/all-sport-one-day. It’s a great way to get kids moving, trying new things, and having fun! Check out last year’s highlights here: Watch the 2023 Recap
Upcoming Dates
June 9 Student Puppetry Showcases (see times above)
June 10-11 K - Gr. 2 Fluoride Treatments
June 11 Grades 1 & 4 Heritage Park field trip
June 13 Grade 6 PAT: Math Part A (Operations)
June 13 IPPs sent home for final review and signature
June 14 Father’s Day
June 16 Grade 6 PAT: ELAL Part B
June 17 Grade 6 PAT: Math Part B
June 17 Grade 2 Calgary Zoo field trip
June 18 Grade 6 PAT: Social Studies
June 18 Deadline to return IPP final review signature pages
June 18 Food Trucks and Families Event presented by School Council (3:30 PM - 5:30 PM)
June 19 Student Talent Show (led by Ms. Whitehead)
June 20 CHS Sports & Activity Day
June 21 National Indigenous Peoples Day
June 23 CHS Annual Mini Golf Experience (Put on by Grade 5)
June 24 Grade 6 Farewell Ceremony (9:00 AM)
June 25 Report Cards available for viewing in MyCBE
June 26 Last Day of Classes – Early Dismissal at 12:41 PM
June 27 Appeals Day until 12:00 PM
June 27 Main Office closes for Summer Break – 12:00 PM