Dear Woodman Families:            

We trust that our Wolves have enjoyed the day off school, and the snow. 

Teachers were busy learning together, with a specific focus on how to ensure our assessment practices are ongoing, personalized, actionable, and transparent. Professional learning days are invaluable for teachers, in order to respond to the continually changing landscape in education.

We extend our congratulations to the Senior Concert and Jazz Bands, as well as select Guitarists, for their exemplary performance at the Winter Concert yesterday evening.  The cash donations collected at the door reached just over $1000.00.  The Woodman Music Parents’ Association (WMPA) thanks families for their generosity in supporting diverse music programming opportunities for our students this year.

Take note of a few important messages for the upcoming week of Dec. 11-15:

Last Week – “Fill a Sock” Donations for Calgary Drop-In Centre

We send a last call for families to consider adding a few extra items to their shopping carts this weekend, in support of the Calgary Drop In Centre. Donations of new items may include:

• $5 Tim Horton’s gift cards
• Gloves, mitts, hats and toques
• Socks and underwear
• Travel mugs
• Deodorant
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Throat lozenges
• Handwarmers
• Lip balms
• Razors
• Calgary Transit tickets
• Cloth face masks
• Chocolates, candies and gum

Please bring items directly to the homeroom class and teacher.

Processes for Student Absences from School

We remind families of the communication shared through the Woodman School Handbook (P.8) at the start of the school year, regarding lates and absences from school:

“If a student must be absent or late, parents/legal guardians are asked to contact the school office by emailing woodmanattendance@cbe.ab.ca.  Our office is open at 8:30 a.m., and the email address/attendance line is available 24 hours a day.  It is the responsibility of parents and students to make sure all absences and lates are explained.”

“In the event that students will be absent as a result of family travel outside of regular holidays, students will be responsible for making up any missed assignments by checking the information posted on the teachers’ web-based platform (D2L, blog, etc.).”

Plans for Wellness Day – Friday, Dec. 15

The Woodman Wellness Committee has designed a day full of active learning, centered on Citizenship and Community. It is a regular school day, from 9:08-1:14.  Each grade group will be engaged in a different aspect of contribution, as follows:

Grade 5/6        Building Positive Community Relationships
                        -Holiday card making and distribution to Haysboro residents
Grade 7           Building Empathy
                        -Calgary Drop-In Centre presentation and “Fill a Sock” work bees
Grade 8           Promoting Volunteerism
                        -Field trip to Calgary Dream Centre
Grade 9           Building Community With Other Schools
                        -Classroom visits and holiday cheer to Janet Johnstone, Haysboro and Chinook Park Schools

A PJ, popcorn and movie time is being planned for Grade 5-6 students. A school dance will take place in the main gym for Grades 7-9. This will be a fun opportunity to incorporate the many new dance moves that students have acquired through the current Sound Kreations dance residency.

Parent Volunteers Needed – Student Holiday Market

Student committees are busy preparing the final details of what will be largest Student Holiday Market event ever.  More than 30 students are participating!  Classroom visits by student leads will take place on Monday in order to tell all Woodman students more about the event.

We are still looking for parent volunteers, who have valid police security clearance, to assist student vendors with counting their proceeds.  This would occur from 1:30-2:30 on Thurs. Dec. 21.  Please email Ms. Jamieson, library assistant, at woodman@cbe.ab.ca to indicate your interest and availability.

Purdys Fundraiser Results and Library Book Selection

The Woodman School Council thanks all the families that purchased Purdys chocolates!  We are very excited to announce that we have raised over $1,200 for our Woodman School Library.  Congratulations to homeroom classes 8E, 9B, and 7B for having placed the most orders; these groups received a small prize this week. 

In January, students will become involved in the selection of new books for our school library shelves.  We would like new books in the hands of adolescent readers as soon as possible.  In the meantime, we encourage families to support our literacy efforts in promoting daily reading for pleasure over the winter break.     

Important Dates

Dec. 4-14                                Sound Kreations Dance Residency
Tues. Dec. 12                         Lake Louise Ski Trip (7:00 am departure, 6:00 pm return)
Wed. Dec. 13                          Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth Parent Information Meeting, 7:00-8:30 pm, Learning Commons
Thurs. Dec. 14                        WMPA CocoBrooks Fundraiser Pick Up, 3:45-6:00 
Fri. Dec. 15                             Breakfast With the Wolves, 8:00 (select students)
                                               Wellness Day – Citizenship and Community
Mon Dec. 18                           Purdy’s Chocolate Fundraiser Delivery
Dec. 18-21                              Student Holiday Market (Lunch Hour- Learning Commons)
Fri. Dec. 22                             B Day Option Classes
                                                Last day before the winter break
Dec.25-Jan.5                          Winter Break – no classes
Mon. Jan. 8                             Classes resume
Thurs. Jan. 11                         Wrestling Quad Meet, Ernest Morrow School
Mon. Jan. 15                           CBE Non-Instructional Day
Tues. Jan. 16                          Woodman School Council Meeting
Jan. 19-20                               Parent Educational Society Casino Nights
Tues. Jan. 23                          AHS Grade 9 Immunizations
                                                Wrestling Quad Meet at Woodman School, 4:00
Wed. Jan. 24                           Dr. EP Scarlett Guidance Counsellors, Registration Info, 9:30 am
Mon. Jan. 29                           Henry Wise Wood High School Open House
                                                Dr. EP Scarlett High School Open House
Tues. Jan. 30                          Semester 1 Report Cards
                                                Jazz Workshop at Dr. EP Scarlett, 9:00 am
                                                Wrestling Divisional Finals
Wed. Jan. 31                           Semester 2 Beings