Students and their families can keep up to date with Woodman events in the following ways:

• Daily announcements before lunch break
• Woodman website
  On the web site, families will find school information regarding student fees, pertinent daily information, our school newsletter, important dates on the month ahead, samples of student learning, School Council and Parent Association information, agendas, and meeting minutes. Please mark this URL in your web browser so you can check it regularly.
• Woodman Instagram account
• Follow us and learn about school innovation, pride, and special student learning events.
• CBE website
• Access Calgary Board of Education system information, contact information, forms and fee information through this web site.
• CBE MyCBE/PowerSchool to pay fees, access class schedules and receive updated assessment information from core teachers.
• CBE Iristo access Individualized Learning Plans and student learning goals and updates
• Absences from School: School Messenger Email and Phone-out System
  The CBE-wide communication tool used in every school is School Messenger (SM). SM will send both email and phone messages regarding attendance alerts. We are always concerned about safety. If a student has not arrived at school and we have not received a message on our attendance line, we are required to make a direct call home.
• E-mail:
  Email is one of our most direct means of communication with families. As part of the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL), parents are required to provide their express consent to receiving emails and text messages. Once consent has been obtained, we will send out important information weekly about special events, try-out schedules, games, concerts and notices from the school council. In a blended family environment, ensure that families specify the email addresses they wish to have information circulated to. Families are required to log on to CBE School Engage at the start of every school year to verify their demographic information. It is vital that the school has the correct email addresses in our system. An information sheet with detailed instructions about how to access School Engage will be circulated on the first day of school.
• MyCBE Account - Electronic Booking System for Learning Conferences:
  We will send families related information by email two weeks before each conference (November and March) and give families the exact time the service is available, so everyone gets a chance to reserve the most convenient times. September conferences for students on IPPs will be scheduled directly between the parent and teacher at a mutually suitable time.
• Teacher D2L Shells / Google Classrooms:
  All core teachers post summaries of homework, assessment, and calendar information through an online forum. Teachers will post their email address to the site, for students and parents to have easy communication access when needed. Please review content together on a regular basis and especially in the event of extended absences from school due to illness.
• Telephone and Face-to-Face Communication with Teachers:
  We will ensure that ample opportunities are provided for parents to meet with the school, and with individual teachers throughout the school year. Attend the virtual “Meet Woodman Night” on Thursday, September 18, 6:30 pm, and obtain teachers’ school telephone number and email address. All parents – new and returning – are encouraged to attend.
  
  Additionally, there are three Learning Conferences in September (IPPs), November and March. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend School Council meetings. Private meetings with teachers or the administrative team may be requested by emailing teachers directly or contacting the main office. Please refrain from contacting either students or their teacher during instructional hours.
• Complaints to School Administration:
  To promote best communication practices, we request that parents connect directly with teachers first, before calling administration, to more effectively address any classroom-based themes. Teachers know students best, especially when topics of concern include student conflict, homework, assessment results, etc. An exception to this process would only occur in highly sensitive matters. The principles of the CBE Administrative Regulation 5007 Concerns and Complaints guide our approach for maintaining a strong home-school partnership.
• Information from Office Staff (8:30-4:00 Monday – Thursday and 8:30-2:30 Friday):

If information is required that cannot be accessed through any of these avenues, the main office is always pleased to provide accurate information to parents who call.

 Involvement of Parents/Guardians 

Successful, effective schools achieve a strong triangle between the home, the student, and the school. We know that good communication and positive relationships between parents and the school will result in a better education for students. Here are some ways for families to become involved:

School Council / Parent Society

School Council functions to provide meaningful parent input into the affairs of the school. The council serves as a communication mechanism between school and parents. We have an annual general meeting (AGM) in October of each year to elect the new executive. Please consider joining the council – every month (Tuesdays) or as a drop in. Families will enjoy an insider’s view of how the school functions and get to know some other parents in the school community. Council meetings will be held in the Learning Commons or virtually, through Microsoft Teams. There is no council meeting in December and June. All parents/guardians of Woodman students are welcome and encouraged to attend these meetings. 

Woodman Music Parents’ Association

The Woodman Music Parents’ Association (WMPA) is a vital group of parents who advocate and fundraise for the music program at the school. The group is open to all interested parents and meets every month, usually on Wednesday. The group creates and oversees fundraising events that complement those of the Woodman Parent Society. These funds off-set the many costs of running a music program at the school, including festivals, performances, instrument purchases, and field trips. 

Parent Volunteers

We welcome and encourage parents’ involvement and help in the office, library, sports teams, computer lab, classrooms, field trips, etc. Students whose parents are involved in different aspects of school life achieve more in school. If families are interested in volunteering their time, please call the school. The CBE requires that parents/legal guardians have a current police check. If they have had one completed at another CBE school within the past five years, they do not need to complete another one. In rare occasions more information is required (e.g. fingerprinting). This could cause security clearances to take longer to process. It is highly advisable to fill out a volunteer registration form at the very beginning of the year, to be prepared for September volunteering opportunities, such as field trips and coaching athletic sports.