Dear Woodman Families:

We trust that you have all had a memorable summer, and that your child is looking forward to the first day of school on Thursday.   Staff returned to work yesterday, and we are busily working to prepare everything for a smooth entry for everyone.

The following 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 (see below), by grade, at 8:55 am
    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. McCurdy 
    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
  • We request adherence to these entry doors on Thursday, allowing our many new Grade 7 students to have the needed space for accessing the school through the main entrance
  • Once inside the school, students will see teachers standing beside their grade and homeroom letter (example: Gr. 7-1); class lists will be posted around the areas for students to learn their homeroom class
  • If you arrive late and teachers have already entered the building, please report through the main school doors
  • 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

Here are some important safety reminders:

  • Refrain from dropping off or picking up your child from the staff parking lot
  • Elbow Drive is a no-stopping zone, and students may not be dropped off here
  • 86th Ave SW is a highly congested street with numerous school busses dropping off students; avoid 86th Ave if at all possible
  • 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 Gr. 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. Note that this is a drop-and-go solution, not a parking solution.
  • 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. 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. https://www.cbe.ab.ca/schools/busing-and-transportation/Pages/general-transportation.aspx 

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

Students are requested to bring the following items to school on the first day:

  • A refillable water bottle
  • Thursday - A light, healthy snack and lunch (garbage free, if possible)
  • Students in Grades 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

Suggested Student Supplies Information

If you have not already done so, please visit the Back-to-School page 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.

Student Classes/Schedules in MyCBE/PowerSchool

Designated teachers and class cohorts will be communicated on the first day of school.  The MyCBE/PowerSchool schedule and application will only be finalized and become live on Thursday.  We are experiencing high levels of enrollment, which require us to continually adjustment and balance classes.  Parent requests for class changes cannot be accommodated at this time. 

2024-2025 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 Friday, Sept. 6.    

The Student Health Plan, which is an essential document, will be sent out to families digitally (tomorrow).  Families should complete and return this form only if they have a severe medical condition or allergy that the school should be aware of in advance of the first day of school.   All students with a severe allergy should provide the school with the required epi-pen for the main office to store. These students should also carry an epi-pen on their person at all times. 

The Woodman School Handbook 2024-2025 contains all the essential information for you to refer to throughout the school year regarding the values, structures and protocols of the school.  The Handbook will be circulated electronically this year, once final information about Personal Mobile Device (PMD) protocols have been determined and communicated. Expect to receive information about PMDs in advance of the first day of school. 

Woodman Physical Education (PE) Clothing

Exciting news, Woodman School community! Our online store is now open and will be available until midnight on Monday, September 9th. This is your chance to purchase stylish, school-spirited apparel, including our official PE gym clothing. Some shorts may vary in design from last year. You can find the link below. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to show your school pride! Please email Athletics/PE Learning Leader, Mr. Heron, with any questions (caheron@cbe.ab.ca) Go, Wolves!

https://woodman-school-fall-2024.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Important Dates                                                         

Thurs. Aug. 29                        First Day of School

Fri. Aug. 30                             A Day Options

Mon. Sept. 2                           Statutory Holiday – No School

Mon. Sept. 9                           TREX Art Exhibit  Arrival (Learning Commons)

Wed. Sept. 11                         Cross Country Meet (Stanley Park), 4:00 pm

Fri. Sept. 13                            Terry Fox Run

Mon. Sept. 16                         Lifetouch School Picture Day

Tues. Sept. 17                        Cross Country Meet (North Glenmore Park), 4:00 pm

Thurs. Sept. 19                       Meet Woodman Night, 6:30 pm – everyone invited!

                                                Woodman Music Parents’ Association AGM

Mon. Sept. 23                         Cross Country Meeting (North Glenmore Park), 4:00 pm

Tues. Sept. 24                        School Council Meeting

Fri. Sept. 27                            CBE Non-Instructional Day

                                                            -IPP meetings between parents/teachers/students

Mon. Sept. 30                         National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – No School

 

The start of the school year is filled with hopeful anticipation, and some trepidation.  Between now and Thursday, please assure your child that they will be received by caring teachers and that we will do everything we can to help them enjoy their return to classes. 

Sincerely,

Ms. Krickhan, Principal