Dear Woodman Families 

It has been a memorable week, as we celebrated Earth Day, participated in the HWW Jazz Night, enjoyed our first Family Movie Night, and hosted a local book fair with Owl’s Nest. 

David Bouchard, the artist-in-resident who worked with students this week, had encouraging words to share with the planning committee. He stated that in all of his years of working in schools across the country, he had never encountered a student body as kind and as respectful as at Woodman.  We know he has enriched student voice and engagement in the writing process. 

Take note of the important messages for the week of April 29-May 3: 

Grade 9 Quebec Trip

The 48 students, who are leaving for Quebec tomorrow morning, will have a once-in-a-lifetime experience – en français.  The following teachers are supervisors on the trip, and will be away for the week ahead: Mme. Rugama, M. MacCarl, Mme. Reeves, Mme. Wister. Several guest teachers will be in the building, with modified schedules in some Grade 9 French Immersion classes.  M. Marquis, retired administrator, returns to Woodman to support the main office while M. MacCarl is on the trip. 

Staffing Updates

We wish to communicate several temporary staffing updates, as follows:

  • Mr. Kelba is away and we have secured two replacement teachers in a job share.  Mr. Walter is taking over Environmental and Outdoor Education classes (Mondays/Wednesdays) and Mr. Falconar is taking over Construction classes (Tuesdays/Thursdays).  The teachers will share Physical Education classes and alternate Fridays
  • Mme. Howlett will be away, with Mme. Ghamrawi taking over her classes, effective Monday

These temporary teachers will begin to have access to D2L and Power School in order to ensure a continuous flow of learning for students. 

Wellness Day Fees – May 3

Friday is the “Choose Your Own Adventure” Day. Students will be participating in a wide range of adventures that foster physical health and overall well-being. Any students who selected an off-site activity must return their consent forms to their PE teacher as soon as possible, and by Thursday at the latest.  Associated costs for these activities have been communicated to parents, and advance payment in Power School Fees is requested. 

Grade 7/8 English and French Year-End Exams

At Woodman, we see value in having students practice writing in a test environment in Grades 7-8, to best prepare them for the provincial, standardized exam setting in Grade 9.  To that end, teachers have worked in teams to develop common year-end assessments in English and French that reflect the core outcomes of each grade level. Most Grade 7-8 exams will follow a similar schedule as the Grade 6/9 PAT dates, with the exception of the written exams, which will take place in between May 9 to May 29. Exam results will be communicated on Power School for students and teachers to reference. These assessment situations should be embraced within a supportive environment and to assist with developing skills in managing healthy levels of stress.  Students have been well prepared to succeed. 

School Council and Parent Society Minutes

Important conversations were hosted at the School Council meeting on Tuesday.  The following Principal Report was shared. Draft minutes may be read here:

Owl’s Nest Book Fair – Online Sales Still Open

The final tally from in-person sales is $965.75. Online sales are still open until May 2 (use promo code WOODMAN). Thanks to everyone that supported our in-person sales, and especially the Grade 9 students who ran the bookstore over the lunch hours. 

2023-2024 Yearbook

Students always enjoy receiving a memory of the past school year on their last day of school. Yearbooks cost $40. To purchase a yearbook from your parent account, please follow the steps outlined below:

  • Scroll to the bottom of the Fees page
  • Select School Based Optional Fees tab
  • Click on ‘Yearbook’
  • Submit

This fee is now available in your fees list to select and pay for. 

Important Dates                                                           

April 27-May 2     Grade 9 Quebec Trip 

Wed. May 1          Grade 9 Junior Achievement Field Trip, SAIT 

Fri. May 3              Wellness Day – Pick Your Own Adventure 

May 3-13               WMPA Growing Smiles Plant Fundraiser  

May 6-8                  Grade 7-9 Band Camp

May 9                     Dr. EP Scarlett Guidance Counsellors – Course Check 

Fri. May 10           Slam Poetry Assembly with David Bouchard 

                               A Day Option Classes 

                               Grade 7 Badminton Divisionals, HWW High School

Mon. May 13         Grade 9 PAT, English Language Arts Part A, 9:30-11:30 

                                Special School Council Presentation, 6:00-7:30pm 
                                 -AI and Education, Dr. Eaton, U of C 

Tues. May 14         Grade 7/8 Design Studies Field Trip, SAIT 

Wed. May 15          Grade 7-8 Math Gauss           

Thurs. May 16        ENVOE Rock Climbing Field Trip 

May 17-26               School Council Kernels Popcorn Fundraiser            

Fri. May 17              CBE Non-Instructional Day 

Thurs. May 16        Grade 9 PAT, French Language Arts Part A, 9:30-11:30 

Tues. May 21          Grade 9 Design Studies Field Trip, SAIT 

Thurs. May 23        Feeder School Visit, 10:00-11:00 

Fri. May 24              Grade 8 Field Trip, Calaway Park 

                                  B Day Option Classes 

Tues. May 28            Grade 5-6 Field Trip, Telus Spark 

                                     Grade 9 Farewell Evening, Heritage Park (Students &

                                     Staff) -More information coming soon! 

Fri. May 31                 A Day Option Classes 

Thurs. June 6            Woodman Track Meet (Foothills) 

                                    Spring Concert, Henry Wise Wood School 

Fri. June 7                   ENVOE Canoeing Trip 

                                    B Day Option Classes 

Tues. June 11            Grade 9 PAT, French Language Arts Part B, 9:30-10:45 

Wed. June 12             Grade 9 PAT, English Language Arts Part B, 9:30-10:45 

Thurs. June 13           Grade 9 PAT, Mathematics Part A, 9:30-10:00 

Fri. June 14               A Day Options 

Tues. June 18             Grade 9 PAT, Mathematics Part B, 9:30-10:50 

Wed. June 19              Grade 6 PAT, Social Studies, 1:30-2:30 

                                     Grade 9 PAT, Social Studies, 9:30-10:50 

Thurs. June 20            Grade 6 PAT, Science, 1:30-2:30 

                                      Grade 9 PAT, Science, 9:30-10:45 

Fri. June 21                  National Indigenous Peoples Day 

Thurs. June 27            Last Day of School (half day) 

Fri. June 28                 Appeals Day