First Fire Drill of the Year Conducted Successfully
Today, Capitol Hill successfully conducted its first fire drill of the year, after postponing it from yesterday due to weather concerns. The sunny conditions made for a smooth evacuation, with students calmly exiting the building at noon and proceeding to the muster point on the school field. Teachers efficiently checked attendance, reported to administration, and ensured all students were safe. The entire building was evacuated in just over one minute, and the drill was completed in under 15 minutes. Overall, it was a well-run drill and a strong start to the year’s safety practices.
Terry Fox School Run
Our school continues to be a dedicated supporter of the Terry Fox School Run and we are excited to run in Terry’s memory! We believe that Terry Fox is a true Canadian Hero who demonstrated the qualities of perseverance, resilience, and selflessness while waging his own personal battle against cancer. Through nurturing these qualities in our students, we hope that they might be better equipped to succeed as they face many small and large challenges in their lives. On September 20 at 11:00 AM, we will kick off our Terry Fox School Run with an assembly led by some of our Grade 2 and Grade 5 students. We are asking families to donate online to the Terry Fox Foundation at www.terryfoxrun.org and search for Capitol Hill School. Or click this link! Although our four-legged friends are members of the family, please do not bring them onto the school field because we must abide by the City of Calgary bylaws. Thanks to everyone for supporting this important event.
“Even if I don’t’ finish, we need others to continue. It’s got to keep going without me”. - Terry
Open House with Grade Team Presentations
Capitol Hill School is excited to host an Open House on Thursday, September 26, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. This event is structured to allow parents with children in different grades to attend multiple presentations. Grade-level teams will be presenting at the following times: Division 1 (Grades 1, 2, 3) will present at 4:00 PM and again at 5:00 PM, while Division 2 (Grades 4, 5, 6) will present at 4:30 PM and again at 5:30 PM. The presentations will cover topics such as curriculum plans, field trips, classroom routines, and what to generally expect this year. There is no need to attend both presentations, as each grade team will be repeating the same content at their second time slot.
Before and after the presentations, teachers will be available in their classrooms for informal visits with families. However, this is not an opportunity for discussing student-specific concerns, such as Individualized Program Plans (IPPs). Teachers will reach out to families individually to schedule private meetings to discuss supports and accommodations for students on IPPs. We look forward to welcoming families and sharing our plans for the year ahead!
Read All About It: Book Fair Coming Soon!
Capitol Hill School is thrilled to announce the return of the Scholastic Book Fair, running from September 23-26, 2024! This year’s book fair will be held in the Intellectual Development Centre (IDC), located across from the office. Families can expect a great selection of books for students of all ages. Purchases can be made during the public portion of the fair, which will be open during our Open House on September 26 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. During the week, however, students will have the opportunity to peruse the book fair with their class, make note of titles they are interested in, and build up the excitement.
As part of our efforts to streamline the process, we are going cashless this year. All purchases can be made using credit card, debit card, or ApplePay—no cash will be accepted. (Please do not send any form of payment to school with students, as the only opportunity to make purchases will be during Thursday’s Open House.) This event is not only a wonderful way to foster a love of reading, but it is also a fundraiser for our school. Proceeds will go towards adding new titles and resources to our school library, benefiting students for years to come.
Ms. Ploeger, our library assistant, is looking for a few amazing parent volunteers to help out with Thursday evening portion of the event – if you are willing and available, please sign up for a 30 minute slot using the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4FA8AC2BA3FEC43-51372645-scholastic
A Successful Start: Soft Entry Guidelines and Reminders
Our "soft entry" in the morning has been a great success, and we want to thank all families for their support! Students arriving between 8:20 AM and 8:30 AM have contributed to a calmer, quieter start to the school day. Many students have shared that they appreciate the extra time to settle into their classrooms and prepare for the day ahead.
To ensure a smooth process, here are a few reminders: Students are welcome to arrive any time between 8:20 AM and 8:30 AM. However, after 8:30 AM, the various entry doors will close, and students will need to go through the main office to receive a late slip before heading to class. While each grade level has designated entry and exit doors, students are welcome to enter through any open door. Teachers will be stationed at these doors to greet students and guide them in. Please refrain from using the main office doors unless arriving late, as students will be re-directed to their usual entry doors.
Automated Attendance Notifications Begin Monday, September 16
Capitol Hill School is introducing a new attendance notification system using SchoolMessenger, starting Monday, September 16. This automated system will notify parents and guardians when their child is absent or late, and the school has not been informed. Currently, over 200 Calgary Board of Education schools are using SchoolMessenger to improve communication with families about student attendance.
SchoolMessenger works by sending automated phone messages to the contact numbers listed in our student records. This system helps ensure student safety by informing parents or guardians when a student has missed school. It is crucial that parents respond to these messages so that we know your child is safe. You can also provide a reason for the absence when responding to the call.
If your child will be absent, we ask that you notify the school in advance by calling the Attendance Line at 403-777-6160 ext. 1. When calling, please leave the following details:
- Student's name
- Grade and teacher
- Reason for absence or lateness
- Expected length of absence (if known)
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and responsive school environment!
Volunteer Process and Police Clearances
We welcome volunteers in the classroom, on field trips, and with certain tasks at school. Certain activities or field trips would not be possible without the active participation of our volunteers. Visit the CBE website for more information on volunteering, including the required registration and Police Information Check. If you think you may have a current police clearance on file with the school, please contact the office for confirmation. The police clearance process can occasionally be lengthy, based on the volume of requests, so please be sure to complete this step well in advance of the intended volunteering dates.
Welcoming Martine Sawatzky: Area 2 Education Director Visits CHS
We are excited to announce that on Monday, September 16, Capitol Hill School will be welcoming Martine Sawatzky, the Area 2 Education Director for the Calgary Board of Education (CBE). In addition to overseeing schools in Area 2, Martine also leads the Languages portfolio, which supports schools across the CBE in enhancing and fostering inclusive French and International Language programming, regardless of language background. During her visit, Martine will be meeting with our administration team to discuss school development planning and will have the opportunity to visit classrooms, engaging with both staff and students. We are looking forward to a productive and inspiring visit!
Capitol Hill School Joins the DWF Legacy Schools Program!
We are proud to announce that Capitol Hill School is now officially a Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund Legacy School! As part of this initiative, we will be participating in various events throughout the school year aimed at raising awareness and taking meaningful steps towards reconciliation with Indigenous communities. One of our key events will be Secret Path Week, which runs from October 17-22, honouring the lives and legacies of Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack.
Throughout the year, students will engage in ReconciliACTIONs—actions that move reconciliation forward by creating awareness, sharing stories, and fostering meaningful connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. These activities are designed to bring our community together in a shared commitment to learning the true history of residential schools and building a path towards a more inclusive future.
When visiting Capitol Hill School during our Open House at the end of September, we encourage families to check out our DWF Legacy School bulletin board located outside the office. This board will showcase student-led initiatives, upcoming events, and our school’s progress in supporting reconciliation. Keep an eye out for more updates as we continue to take action towards reconciliation.
Important Health and Medical Forms for Parents
As we prioritize the safety and well-being of all students, we kindly remind parents to complete two essential health forms for any child with severe allergies or medical conditions. The Student Health Emergency Response Protocol Form must be submitted every September to inform staff of any medical concerns, including allergies. This helps ensure that all staff are aware of your child’s needs. In cases where medication must be administered during school hours, parents must also complete a Student Health Plan. This plan, once approved by the principal, allows staff to safely store and administer the necessary medication, which will be kept in a locked cabinet in the office. Please note that the school cannot provide general medications (such as pain relief or allergy pills) to students under any circumstances.
Additionally, we remind families that we are a Nut Aware School. Several students have life-threatening allergies to nuts, including peanuts. To ensure the safety of all students, we ask that parents avoid sending any foods that contain nuts or nut products to school. Even trace amounts of nut oils or nut-based ingredients can pose serious risks to these students. Please be mindful when packing lunches and snacks, and remind your children not to share or trade food with others. Your cooperation is essential in creating a safe environment for everyone.
For any questions or to contact our school health nurse, provided by Calgary Regional Health, please reach out to the school office.
Upcoming Dates
Sept. 20 – Terry Fox School Run
Sept. 23-26 – Scholastic Book Fair
Sept. 25 – Orange Shirt Day
Sept. 26 – Meet the Teacher Open House (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
Sept. 26 – School Council & CHEES (6:00 PM)
Sept. 27 – Non-Instructional Day – No School
Sept. 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – No School