Woodman First Day of School

Dear Woodman Families

The excitement is mounting, as teachers prepare for the big arrival of our almost-500 incoming students. All Grade 5-9 Woodman students return to classes on Thurs. Aug.31.

The following additional points will be helpful for families to reference before Thursday:

Arrival Information

  • Students should begin arriving from 8:45 am onward (it is not necessary to arrive earlier)
  • Teachers will meet students at specific locations, by grade, at 8:55 am
  • Teachers will be standing beside their grade and homeroom letter (example: Grade 7A), and class lists will be posted around the areas in which students are requested to report:
    • Grade 5               Meet at Upper NE Back Field Doors, report to M. Mouhmoud
    • Grade 6               Meet at Upper NE Back Field Doors, report to Mme. French           
    • Grade 7               Enter at Main Doors, report to Main Gym
    • Grade 8               Enter at SW Elbow Dr. Doors, report to Learning Commons
    • Grade 9               Enter at the Rear Parking Lot Doors or the Courtyard gate on Elbow Dr., to gather in the Courtyard
  • If you arrive late and teachers have already entered the building, please report to the main office
  • Middle schoolers enjoy arriving at school independently on the first day. Rest assured, parents, we will take good care of them!

Student Drop-Off and Parent Parking

To maintain student pedestrian safety, please refrain from dropping off or picking up your child from the staff parking lot.  The school has two handicapped bus drop off locations – in the staff parking lot and on Elbow SW, close to the school ramp.  These locations must be free and accessible for students at all times. Families of students in Grade 5-6 are encouraged to access the church parking lot on the south side of the school, which allows for an easy walk up the hill to their entry door.  Another alternative is across the street from the school, west of the crosswalks on Elbow Drive.  Dismissal time from Monday to Thursday is 3:34 and Friday is 1:14.

CBE Bus Routes and Stops

Bus route, stop location and stop time information are available through MyCBE to registered students who have been added to a route. The stop time provided is the time the bus leaves the stop. Please be at the stop at least five minutes before the scheduled departure time. Buses will not wait at or return to stops once they have left. CBE Transportation Information

Snacks and Lunches – Thursday, Aug. 31 and Friday, Sept. 1

Students are reminded to bring the following to school:

  • A refillable water bottle
  • Thursday - A light, healthy snack and lunch (garbage free, if possible)
  • Students in Grade 7-9 who wish to leave the school property are welcome to purchase lunch from one of our many community businesses.
  • Friday school hours extend from 9:08-1:14 with a 15 minute break; a wholesome snack is needed, as students do not leave campus on Fridays
  • We will postpone the Woodman Student BBQ (originally communicated in late June) to a later date

Suggested Student Supplies Information

If you have not already done so, please visit the Back-to-School link on the Woodman website, which has all the details about suggested student supplies. Suggested supplies have been categorized by grade and program; please ensure you are referencing the correct list. It is not required for students to have these supplies on the first day of school.
Back to School Information

Student Classes/Schedules in MyCBE/PowerSchool

For families who reference PowerSchool (or the PowerSchool app) to view classes and assigned teachers, please note that this information may not be accurate. We are experiencing high levels of enrollment in some grades that may require making adjustments into September.  Teachers will carefully construct the best class composites possible, pairing students with other compatible learners to maximize a positive classroom environment.  Parent requests for class changes cannot be accommodated at this time. Login to MyCBE.

2023-2024 Woodman Forms Package

On the first day of school, your child will come home with a package of essential information for your review and subsequent response.  The cover checklist provides details regarding which documents are informational and which require being returned to your child’s teacher, no later than Fri. Sept. 8.    Of particular importance is the Student Health Plan for any student that has a severe medical condition or allergy that requires staff to be aware of. This document should also be accompanied by any required epi-pen for the main office to store (each student with a severe allergy should always carry an epi-pen on their person).

The Woodman School Handbook 2023-2024 is also included in the package. It contains all the essential information for you to refer to throughout the school year regarding the values, structures and protocols of the school.  Take time in reviewing the School Handbook with your child, taking particular note of the Digital Citizenship Contract that is signed by students and parents. This contract is retained in the main office to reference with students should reminders of our processes be needed.

Looking for Athletic Coaches – Fall Season

We are a mid-sized school, yet we aim to offer a rich array of extra-curricular opportunities. This year, we have been able to do so - with the generous contributions of skilled and committed parents, former students, and community members.  Consider joining this vibrant group of volunteer-coaches!

The athletic season has been modified for middle schools in Calgary, with the basketball season starting in the fall, and the volleyball season moving to the winter.  Any volunteers require a current CBE police security clearance. If you are available and interested in coaching a team, please take note of the timelines and email our new PE/Athletics Learning Leader, Mr. Heron, for more information (woodman@cbe.ab.ca).

Soccer                        Aug. 29-Oct.31
Cross Country             Aug. 31-Oct. 15
Basketball                   Sept. 11-Dec.3

Important Dates

Thurs. Aug. 31                        First Day of School
Fri. Sept. 1                              A Day Options
Mon. Sept. 4                           Statutory Holiday – No School
Wed. Sept. 13                         Cross Country Team Meet
Fri. Sept. 15                            Terry Fox Run
Mon. Sept. 18                         Lifetouch School Picture Day
Thurs. Sept. 21                       Meet Woodman Night, 6:30 pm – everyone invited!
                                                Woodman Music Parents’ Association AGM
Fri. Sept. 22                            CBE Non-Instructional Day
                                                            -IPP meetings between parents/teachers/students
Mon. Sept. 25                         Cross Country Team Meet
Tues. Sept. 26                        School Council Family BBQ
Fri. Sept. 29                            National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – No School

Sincerely,

Ms. Krickhan, Principal

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