Thank You for a Successful Terry Fox Run

Today’s Terry Fox School Run was a great success. Thank you to the families who joined us, as well as to all the students and staff who helped make the assembly and run such a positive school-wide event.

A special thank you goes to Ms. Moore and Ms. Adharsingh for the extra time and work they contributed to organizing the run and assembly. They also coordinated the visit from our Terry Fox Foundation representative, who spoke with students and provided a meaningful start to the day’s activities.

Fundraising for the Terry Fox Foundation will continue throughout September. Donations can be made through our Terry Fox School Fundraising Page. T-shirt order forms and exact cash payment are due to the school by Tuesday, September 15, so shirts can be ordered and distributed before the end of the month. Families can view the 2026 T-shirt and available sizes online. Thank you for supporting this important CHS tradition.

Reminder: Complete Your Annual School Forms

Families are reminded to complete the Demographic Verification and Annual Authorization forms in SchoolEngage by Monday, September 14. These forms are required each year to confirm important student information and support Alberta Education funding.

SchoolEngage can be accessed through your MyCBE account, which is also used to pay fees, book conferences, and register to volunteer. If you do not yet have an account, visit the MyCBE page and select Create a MyCBE Account.

The forms include demographic verification, contact information updates, annual authorizations, and citizenship updates if applicable. Thank you to the families who have already completed their forms.

Meet the Teacher Presentations – Wednesday, Sept. 16

We’re looking forward to welcoming families to our Meet the Teacher presentations on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, from 4:00–6:00 PM. This is a chance to hear from teachers about curriculum plans, field trips, classroom routines, and what to expect this year.

Grade-level teams will present at two different times so families with children in multiple grades can attend more than one session. Kindergarten and Grade 1/2 teams will present at 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM, while Grade 3/4 and Grade 5/6 teams will present at 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM. Each team will repeat the same presentation at both times, so families only need to attend once per grade level.

Before and after the presentations, teachers will be in their classrooms for informal visits. This is a great chance to connect, but please note it is not the time for student-specific conversations, such as IPPs or individual learning needs. Teachers will reach out separately to set up private meetings to discuss student supports in the coming weeks.

School Council Meeting and Casino Fundraiser

Our first School Council meeting of the year will take place on Wednesday, September 16, at 6:30 PM. School Council is an important way for the school to share information directly with families, gather parent perspectives, receive feedback on school planning and decisions, and respond to questions.

Every CHS parent and guardian is welcome and encouraged to attend. Coming to a meeting does not mean you need to accept a position, take on a task, or make any ongoing commitment. Those responsibilities belong to the elected executive members. Families are very welcome to simply come, listen, learn more about what is happening at the school, and connect with other parents and staff.

We will also share information about our AGLC Casino Fundraiser on October 28 and 29. This is our largest fundraising opportunity and can generate approximately $75,000 or more to support student programming, events, resources, and other school priorities. The casino requires volunteers to fill all assigned positions, and the school community could lose this fundraising opportunity if we are unable to staff it fully.

School Council representatives will be available during Meet the Teacher on September 16, before the meeting, to answer questions and help interested families sign up. Please consider supporting this important fundraiser if you are able.

Provincial Literacy and Numeracy Screening Assessments

As required by Alberta Education, all students in Grades 1–5 will participate in provincial literacy and numeracy screening assessments between September 14 and October 2. This is the first year the screening requirement has expanded to include Grades 4 and 5. Kindergarten students will complete their screenings during the winter assessment window.

These screenings provide teachers with information about students’ foundational literacy and numeracy skills. They are not intended to measure full curriculum mastery and are not used to determine report card grades. Instead, the results complement teachers’ ongoing classroom observations and assessments, help guide instruction, and identify students who may benefit from additional support.

Depending on their grade, students may complete the following:

• 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
• Castles and Coltheart 3 (CC3) Reading Test: Assesses word reading and decoding skills
• Maze Reading Screener: Assesses reading fluency and comprehension in Grades 4 and 5
• Provincial Numeracy Screening Assessments: Assess foundational number knowledge and skills appropriate to each grade

Screenings take place during the regular school day and are administered by certificated teachers. Some early-years tasks are completed individually, while others may be completed in small groups or as a class. Teachers will share screening results with families within six weeks. Students identified as requiring additional support will receive targeted intervention and may complete follow-up screening later in the year.

For additional information, please visit Alberta Education’s Literacy and Numeracy Screening page.

French Language Learning Continues at CHS

We are pleased to share that the grant applications submitted at the end of last school year were successful, and Capitol Hill has once again received funding through the Official Languages in Education Program (OLEP). This funding allows us to continue offering French as a Second Language instruction to students in Grades 4, 5, and 6. It also supports opportunities for younger students to begin developing French language skills through elements of the Neurolinguistic Approach to language learning.

Ms. Danielle Gauthier, whom we share with Cambrian Heights School, will continue in the FSL instructional role. Our French programming emphasizes meaningful speaking and listening, followed by reading and writing, to help students build confidence and communicate authentically. This approach has contributed to growing student engagement in French and helped prepare students who choose to continue into Late French Immersion at Branton School.

We are grateful to have Ms. Gauthier continuing this work across both school communities.

Emergency Preparedness Drills

Throughout the school year, we practice emergency procedures so students and staff are prepared to respond safely and calmly if an unexpected situation occurs. CBE schools are required to complete at least six fire drills each year, including one before the end of September, as well as two lockdown practices guided and supervised by the Calgary Police Service.

Our first fire drill will be announced in advance so all students and staff know which day it will occur. The date has not yet been confirmed. Student safety and trauma-sensitive practices will remain central to how we prepare for and conduct all drills.

If you arrive at the school during an emergency preparedness drill, please wait patiently outside. Visitors may not be able to enter the building until the drill has been completed.

For more information, please see Safety, Security and School Access on our school website.

Dressing for the Weather

As we move into fall, we are beginning to experience a wider range of weather, sometimes within the same day. Students will continue to go outside for recess and other activities when it is raining, unless conditions are unusually heavy or unsafe.

We strongly encourage families to check the forecast each morning and make sure children come to school with clothing and footwear suited to the day’s conditions. This may include a jacket, raincoat, rain pants, waterproof shoes, or boots. As temperatures become colder and we eventually transition toward winter, warm layers, hats, mittens, and appropriate footwear will also become important. Thank you for helping your child arrive comfortable, dry, and ready to learn throughout the changing seasons.

Reminder | Wheels on School Property

As we begin the new school year, many students are arriving by bicycle, scooter, or skateboard. To help keep our busy pathways, entrances, and gathering areas safe, students should walk their wheels once they reach school property.

Bicycles must be securely locked to the bike racks. Scooters and skateboards should also be locked outside or left at home, as wheels cannot be brought into the school. Families are also reminded that anyone under 18 must wear a helmet when riding a bicycle in Alberta. This is a good time to check that your child’s helmet fits properly and remains in good condition. More information is available through the City of Calgary’s cycling bylaws and safety tips.

Thank you for reviewing these expectations with your child and helping keep our school grounds safe for everyone.

Lost and Found

Although we have only been back at school for approximately nine days, our lost and found is already filling up. We encourage students to check it regularly if they are missing clothing, water bottles, lunch bags, or other belongings. Parents are also welcome to look through the lost and found. Please check in at the office before proceeding. It is located just past the office, across from the staff room.

Clearly labelling your child’s belongings is the best way to help us return items quickly. Unlabelled items tend to remain in the lost and found the longest. Families looking for labels can also support our ongoing Mabel’s Labels fundraiser (see our Fundraiser & Donations page for more information). Please remember that unclaimed items are donated to charity several times each year, typically before winter break, around spring break, and at the end of the school year.

Upcoming Dates

See our School Calendar for upcoming events and important dates.