Gratitude in Bloom at Capitol Hill
Our Volunteer Appreciation Tea was a lovely and successful gathering, and we were so pleased to welcome volunteers and community members into the school to celebrate the many ways they support Capitol Hill. This year’s theme, Blooming with Gratitude, was reflected throughout the morning in student artwork, musical performances, thoughtful words of thanks, and the warm sense of community in the room.
A special thank you to the staff members who helped plan and prepare the event, to Ms. Whitehead and our student performers, to our student MCs and servers, and to everyone who contributed behind the scenes. Most importantly, thank you to our volunteers for the time, care, and energy you give to our school. Your support helps our students, classrooms, and community bloom.
Thank You, School Council & CHEES
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended this past Wednesday’s final School Council and Capitol Hill Elementary Enhancement Society (CHEES) meeting of the year. We are so grateful for the time, energy, ideas, and care that families bring to these meetings throughout the year. Your involvement helps shape the experiences, opportunities, and sense of community that make Capitol Hill School such a special place.
A very special thank you goes to the parents and caregivers who have been part of School Council or CHEES for many years and are now moving on as their children head into older grades or new schools. The work you have done, often quietly and behind the scenes, has made a real and lasting difference for our students and school community. No matter where you go next, you will always be part of the CHS family. With sincere gratitude, thank you for everything.
Approved Volunteers Needed for Grade 1 Open Minds
Our first Grade 1 class is scheduled to begin the Open Minds Program at City Hall School next week, and we still do not have enough approved volunteers to fully support the experience. This week-long field trip is a meaningful hands-on learning opportunity for students, but we need additional adult support to help make it happen safely.
We are now reaching out to our wider CHS community. If you are a parent, guardian, or approved volunteer from any grade level and have current CBE volunteer clearance, please consider helping. Volunteers would support students from 8:40 AM–3:10 PM Monday to Thursday, and until 12:30 PM on Friday. Even helping for a single day would make a big difference.
- Mr. Evan’s class: May 25–29
- Mrs. Gosse’s class: June 1–5
If you are able to help, please email the teacher directly with your availability:
- Evan Careclakis: evcareclakis@cbe.ab.ca
- Corrie Gosse: clgosse@cbe.ab.ca
Grade 6 Provincial Achievement Tests
Grade 6 students will begin writing Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs) on Monday, May 25, starting with English Language Arts and Literature Part A. These assessments are developed by Alberta Education and are used as large-scale assessment tools to gather information about student achievement across the province. PATs provide one snapshot of learning in specific subject areas at a particular point in time.
It is important for families to know that PAT results do not determine report card grades or school-based achievement reporting. Student achievement on report cards is based on classroom learning, ongoing assessment, teacher observations, assignments, projects, and demonstrations of learning over time.
Families of Grade 6 students are encouraged to note the following PAT dates:
- English Language Arts and Literature Part A: Monday, May 25
- English Language Arts and Literature Part B: Thursday, June 4
- Science: Friday, June 12
- Mathematics Part A: Monday, June 15
- Mathematics Part B: Thursday, June 18
Please help your child be prepared by ensuring they arrive at school on time and ready to participate.
Kindergarten Program Update for 2026–27
We wanted to share a planning update with our wider school community regarding Kindergarten organization for the 2026–27 school year. Incoming Kindergarten families have already received this information directly, but we know that school organization and enrollment planning are of interest to many families across Capitol Hill.
Based on current Kindergarten enrollment, we are now planning for one morning Kindergarten class next year, rather than separate AM and PM classes. This is connected to lower-than-expected registration numbers and the need to align staffing and classroom organization with enrollment across the school. We recognize this may affect childcare planning for some incoming families, and information about local before and after school care providers is available on our website: https://capitolhill.cbe.ab.ca/before-after-school-care.
As always, enrollment can continue to shift through the spring, summer, and into September. We will monitor registrations closely and respond as needed if circumstances change. Our focus remains on creating a positive and supportive start for our newest CHS learners next year.
Eid al-Adha
Next week, many Muslim families in our community will be observing and celebrating Eid al-Adha, one of the major holidays in the Islamic calendar. Eid al-Adha is often known as the Festival of Sacrifice and is a time connected to reflection, generosity, family, community, and care for others. This year, Eid al-Adha is expected to begin on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, following the Day of Arafah on Tuesday, May 26. Because the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, exact dates may vary slightly depending on local moon sightings and community traditions. Celebrations may continue through Friday, May 29, or in some cases into Saturday, May 30.
To all of our Capitol Hill families observing Eid al-Adha, we wish you a joyful and meaningful celebration. Eid Mubarak!
Apply Now for Yellow School Bus Service
Families can now apply for yellow school bus service for the 2026–27 school year through their MyCBE account. To have students added to bus routes for the start of the next school year, families must apply by Sunday, June 14, 2026. Registrations will continue to be accepted after the deadline, but students will be added only to the closest existing bus stop with available space, and processing times will be delayed. In some cases, students registered after June 14 may not be able to ride the bus until mid-October. Confirmed routes will be posted in MyCBE in August.
Upcoming Dates
May 25 - Grade 6 PAT I ELAL Part A
May 25–29 - Grade 1 Off-Site Activity (City Hall School - Careclakis)
May 28 - Edo Japan Fun Lunch
Jun. 1–5 - Grade 1 Off-Site Activity (City Hall School - Gosse)
Jun. 4 - Grade 6 PAT I ELAL Part B
Jun. 8–12 - IPPs Sent Home for Final Review & Signature
Jun. 10 - Dental Screening (K–2)
Jun. 10 - Grade 4 Off-Site Activity (Calgary Farmyard)
Jun. 11 - Talent Show, 1:30 PM
Jun. 11 - McDonald’s Fun Lunch
Jun. 12 - Grade 6 PAT I Science
Jun. 15 - Grade 6 PAT I Math Part A
Jun. 17 - Student Voice
Jun. 18 - Grade 6 PAT I Math Part B
Jun. 18 - Food Trucks & Families (School Council event, 3:16–5:30 PM)
Jun. 19 - Sports & Activity Day (*both AM & PM Kindergarten attend*)
Jun. 23 - Grade 6 Farewell
Jun. 24 - Gr. 5 Charity Mini Golf Course
Jun. 25 - Report Cards Viewable Online in MyCBE
Jun. 26 - Year-End Assembly
Jun. 26 - Last Day of Classes for Students (Dismissal at 12:46 PM)
Jun. 29 - Appeals Day (until 12:00 PM)