Dear Woodman Families:   

Woodman staff enjoyed a delicious luncheon on Friday afternoon. Thank you to everyone who contributed such a wide range of dishes. Special thank you is extended to Tara W, school council chair, for sharing words of appreciation, on behalf of families. 

The Woodman Winter Concert on Thursday evening was a wild success – raising over $1400.00 in cash donations and through the purchases of snacks!  These funds will be directed towards upcoming music programming, including festivals, clinics and camp. 

Note the important messages for the week of Dec. 8-12: 

Digital Citizenship and Social Media Safeguards

The school has been supporting students (especially in Grades 8-9) in addressing an increased number of unhealthy social media interactions which are taking place outside of school but are affecting student well-being and social interaction during the school day. Student generated social media accounts and group chats can cause an escalation of gossip, bullying and artificially generated images/videos. School support and intervention include:  focussed conversations, lessons in Health class, and social media guest speakers.

Family awareness and support is requested in the following ways:

• Maintain regular and open communication as a family about values related to social media access and activity
• If allowing access to social media, adhere to the minimum age requirement of 13 for sites such as Instagram, SnapChat and TikTok
• Be vigilant about any unsafe or predatory activity on gaming sites
• Maintain active parental control and supervision with all online social activities
• Establish clear times and limits of usage
•  Our website references the Woodman Digital Citizenship contract that students signed at the beginning of the school year: Student Personal Mobile Devices

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

This is a last call for families to consider adding a few extra items to their shopping carts this week, 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  
• Chocolates, candies and gum  

Please bring items directly to the homeroom class and teacher, by Fri. Dec. 12.  This is a “Wolf Pack Challenge” and the class with the highest number of donations will be awarded a small celebration.

Friday Wellness Day Plans

The December Wellness Day is focussed on giving back to our close and extended communities in meaningful ways, while also enjoying time together with each other:

Student Holiday Market Logistics – Dec. 15-18

Over 80 students have been crafting and making in preparation for the annual Student Holiday Market. The market will be open daily over the lunch hour.  Woodman students are encouraged to participate by bringing cash to school to make purchases of snacks, crafts and other small handmade items which could serve as holiday gifts for family and friends.  Proceeds will support the Make-a-Wish Foundation and Kids Cancer Care.  Note the following logistical items:

• Table set up and decoration – Thursday, Dec. 11 lunch time 
• Final decorations and set up – Fri., Dec. 12, 1:00 (parents who are assisting students are welcome to come in between 1:00-1:30 to complete set up)
• Mon. Dec. 15 – Thurs. Dec. 18 – vendors will be dismissed from Period 4 class at 12:20 to give time for eating lunch in advance of the market opening at 12:35
• Thurs. Dec. 18 – Market take-down and clean up (parents who are assisting students may come to the Learning Commons in between 3:45-4:30)
• Money collected from sales will be stored in the school main office for safe keeping daily
• Thank you to Mme. Heron-Mykyte (library assistant) and Ms. Ginger (school assistant) for their leadership and organization; any questions may be directed to Mme. Heron-Mykyte (heheronmykyte@cbe.ab.ca)

Lost and Found Items 

Student lost and found items are on display in the hallway by the office. Ask your student to look carefully for their items. Anything remaining before the winter break will be donated.   

Important Dates