Welcome Back!
It has been a smooth and positive start to the 2026 - 27 school year, and we want to thank our students, families, and staff for helping everything begin so well. It has been wonderful to see students back in the building, reconnecting with friends, meeting new classmates and teachers, and settling into school routines.
This is our third year of sharing weekly school updates through the Capitol Hill Connection. Each week, usually on Friday afternoon, the update will be posted on our school website, and families will receive a notification when it is available. The online version includes a Google Translate option in the top-right corner, which may be helpful for families who prefer to read in another language. Thank you for being part of our Capitol Hill School community. We are looking forward to a great year ahead!
Kicking Off the School Year
Our first assembly of the school year was a great way to start 2026 - 27, bringing students and staff together to celebrate being back at Capitol Hill School. There was a positive energy in the gym as we welcomed returning students and new students joining our school community for the first time.
During the assembly, we reflected on our Pillars of Care: care for ourselves, care for others, and care for our place. We also introduced students to our upcoming Yellow Steps residency, which will support place-based learning and help students explore, notice, and connect with the land and community around our school. It was a great way to launch the year ahead, and we are looking forward to the learning, growth, and connection to come.
Check the School Website First
If you're ever looking for information, the school website should be your first stop. It’s where we post all of our updates, including this weekly message, and it’s also home to our online calendar, which is the most up-to-date source for school events. (For convenience, families can also access a PDF copy of the 2026 - 27 school calendar.) Whether you’re checking dates, looking for announcements, or trying to find general info, the website is the best place to start. It’s a quick and reliable way to stay connected to what’s going on at school.
Updated Street Signage Around the School
Families may notice updated street signage around Capitol Hill School to help support safer and more organized drop-off and pick-up. On 18 Street NW in front of the school, new signage now identifies the area as “No Parking Passenger Loading Zone, School Days, 7:00 AM–5:00 PM, Max 10 Minutes.” This space is intended for short-term passenger loading only, so families are asked to use it briefly and then move along to help keep traffic flowing.
Signage on 21 Avenue NW has also been updated and moved closer to 18 Street NW to provide improved accessible access for families with valid accessibility placards. This area is marked “No Parking Handicapped Passenger Loading Only.” Please note that this is separate from the existing school bus zones on 18 Street NW and 21 Avenue NW, which remain in place and are reserved for school buses during posted times. These signs are marked “No Parking, School Days, 7:00 AM–5:00 PM, Except School Buses.” Families should not stop, park, or use these bus zones for drop-off or pick-up. Thank you for following the posted signage and helping ensure there is always space available for our large school bus, our accessible bus, and safe access for students and families.
Capitol Hill Community Drainage Improvements Update
The City of Calgary has shared an updated timeline for the Capitol Hill Community Drainage Improvements project, including the dry pond construction on Capitol Hill School’s east field. Dry pond construction is currently scheduled to continue until October 23. The City has also noted that temporary fencing and flaggers will be used near Capitol Hill School as the school year begins to help support safety for students, families, and staff. Families are encouraged to use extra caution around the school, allow additional time when needed, and follow any posted signage or direction from crews.
Terry Fox Run – September Fundraiser
Capitol Hill School is proud to participate in the Terry Fox Run this September in support of the Terry Fox Foundation. Our school fundraising goal is $2500, and every donation helps support cancer research while helping students carry on Terry Fox’s legacy of courage, perseverance, and making a difference.
Families can support our fundraiser in a few ways. Donations can be made online through our Terry Fox School Fundraising Page. Students may also bring Toonies for Terry or any other donation to school throughout the month of September. Families also have the option to purchase an official Terry Fox 2026 T-shirt. Order forms will be sent home on Tuesday, September 8 and are due back to the school by Tuesday, September 15. Families can view the T-shirt style and sizes here. Please note that T-shirt orders are cash only, the exact amount is required, and change will not be provided. T-shirts will be shipped to the school approximately 2–3 weeks after the order deadline.
Our Terry Fox Run will take place on Friday, September 11, 2026. We will begin with an assembly in the gymnasium at 11:00 AM, followed by the run on the school field from 11:45 AM–12:30 PM. Families are welcome to attend the assembly and cheer on our students as they participate in the Terry Fox Run around the field. Thank you for supporting this important tradition at CHS.
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.
Student Health Forms
Families are reminded to complete and update student health forms when a child has a medical or physical condition that may affect their attendance, participation, or care at school. The Student Health Plan should be completed if a student has a health concern that may impact school attendance, or if medication needs to be taken at school. This form should be reviewed and updated each year, or sooner if there is a change in the student’s health concern or school registration.
The Student Health Emergency Response Protocol Form is used when a student health issue requires specific attention at school, including when there is a request for school staff to administer medication. If your child requires a health plan or medication support at school, please contact the school office so we can ensure the appropriate documentation is in place.
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.
First School Council Meeting & Casino Fundraiser Save the Date
Our first School Council meeting of the year is coming up on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 6:30 PM. School Council is a great way for parents, caregivers, and guardians to stay connected, share ideas, and work alongside staff to support our school community. Whether you are a returning member or thinking about joining for the first time, all are welcome.
We also want families to save the date for our upcoming AGLC Casino Fundraiser on October 28 and 29, 2026. This is our biggest fundraiser and has a significant impact on the opportunities and supports available to students at Capitol Hill School throughout the year. School Council members will be at our Meet the Teacher event to share more information and help sign up volunteers.
Volunteering at Capitol Hill School
Volunteers play an important role at Capitol Hill School, supporting classrooms, field trips, special events, and other school activities. Many experiences for students would not be possible without the time and support of approved volunteers. All adult volunteers require a valid CBE security clearance before volunteering with students, staff, or school property. Guest speakers, school visitors, or parents assisting only their own child are not considered volunteers and do not require clearance.
Families interested in volunteering should begin the process through MyCBE by selecting Online Forms and School Registration and completing the Volunteer Registration 2026–27 form. Once registered with the school, families will receive information about completing the Calgary Police Service online police information check. CBE covers the cost of online security clearance applications through a voucher system, so volunteers should wait for the email from Calgary Police Service before applying. Once the clearance is received, it must be shared with the school through SchoolEngage, in person, or by email. Families can learn more by visiting the CBE Volunteer Page.
Walking-Distance Field Trips
CBE has simplified the process for class trips that take place within walking distance of the school, excluding restricted activities such as swimming. This means families will no longer need to complete a consent form when a class is walking to a nearby location, such as a local park. Appropriate walking distance is determined by the principal and may vary depending on the age of the students.
Teachers will continue to provide families with at least 48 hours’ notice before a walking-distance trip, and this information will be shared by email through SchoolMessenger. Some nearby locations that may be used to support classroom learning include Banff Trail Park, West Confederation Park, and Louise Riley Library. As with any off-site learning experience, common hazards may include slips, trips and falls, street crossings, students becoming separated from the group, and pre-existing medical conditions or allergies. Families can review the full letter here.
CBE Administrative Regulations Supporting Safe and Caring Schools
As part of new annual requirements connected to CBE Operational Expectation 2: Learning Environment/Treatment of Students, schools are now asked to share and review several Administrative Regulations each year. These regulations help guide our shared responsibility to create welcoming, caring, respectful, and safe learning environments for students, staff, and families.
This year, we are sharing the following CBE Administrative Regulations with our school community: AR 6031 – Welcoming, Caring, Respectful and Safe Learning and Work Environments, AR 6005 – Student Code of Conduct, and AR 6006 – Progressive Student Discipline. These documents outline important expectations related to respectful conduct, student behaviour, safety, belonging, and how schools respond when concerns arise.
At CHS, these regulations will also be reviewed with staff and students in age-appropriate ways as part of our ongoing work to support a positive school culture. Families are encouraged to review the linked documents and contact the school office if they have any questions.
Reminder: Away for the Day – Personal Device Policy
A reminder that the "Away for the Day" policy is in place for all Alberta schools, including ours. Students in Kindergarten to Grade 9 are expected to keep personal mobile devices like phones, smartwatches, tablets, and earbuds out of sight, silenced, and stored during the school day - or ideally, left at home. This policy supports student focus and well-being by minimizing distractions during learning time. As always, there are exceptions for health, medical, or specific learning needs. Social media access is also blocked on CBE networks and devices.
Labeling Student Personal Items and Belongings
As we begin the school year, we encourage all families to clearly label their child’s belongings. Items like water bottles, lunch containers, hoodies, and indoor shoes are frequently misplaced at school, and labeling helps ensure they can be quickly returned to the right student.
To make this process easier, families can use Mabel’s Labels, which offers durable, waterproof labels suitable for everything from clothing to school supplies. If you choose to order through the Mabel’s Labels fundraising page and select Capitol Hill Elementary School (Calgary) as your school, a portion of the proceeds will go directly toward supporting school programs.
You can find the fundraiser at www.mabelslabels.ca by clicking “Support a Fundraiser” and searching for our school name.
Calgary’s Child Fall Issue
As families settle back into school routines, the latest back-to-school issue of Calgary’s Child may be a helpful resource. This issue includes information and ideas for families moving from summer into fall, with features connected to childcare, health and wellness supports, educational resources, extracurricular classes, and community programs.
Families will also find ideas for enjoying the fall season around Calgary before the weather changes. Families can explore the full Calgary’s Child Fall issue online.
Upcoming Dates
Please see the sidebar for upcoming dates.