Dear Woodman Families 

It was an action-packed week, with jazz band performances at Dr. E.P. Scarlett High School, leadership contributions at Janet Johnstone Carnaval, volleyball games at Wilma Hansen School, and presentations about the Late French immersion program in numerous south-west elementary schools.

Our students enjoy capturing the highlights of the month through a student-led newspaper, the Woodman Howl. The February edition can be read on our school website.

Take note of the following messages regarding the week ahead, Feb. 12-14.  There is no school on Thurs. Feb. 15 and Fri. Feb. 16, as teachers attend the annual Calgary City Teachers’ Convention.

Staffing Update

Assistant Principal MacCarl will be away for a period of time. In his absence, M. Marquis, retired CBE administrator, will join the Woodman School community again. M. MacCarl’s last day before his leave is Wednesday.  Careful interim plans are being developed between M. MacCarl and M. Marquis to ensure that the school will continue to be well supported. We will miss M. MacCarl and we wish him all the best.

Alberta Education Assurance Model (AEAM) and CBE Student Survey

Earlier this week, all Grade 7 families received an email with important information to complete the annual Alberta Education Assurance Model (AEAM) survey.  The survey deadline is March 1st.  Grade 7 students will complete the AEAM survey at school on Monday.  All remaining grades will complete the CBE Student Survey the same day.  See the following letter for more information about the content of the CBE Student Survey: See Resources.

Grade 5-7 Music/Band Celebration of Learning – Tues. Feb. 13, 2:15 pm

We look forward to enjoying student musical development in a relaxed, informal setting. Grade 5-6 students have a number of varied selections to share with their Grade 7 classmates. The Grade 7 band will have its first public performance.  The Jazz Band will perform the highlights of their concert, which was first shared at the Dr. EP Scarlett Jazz on Canterbury evening.  Parents of performing students are welcome to join in the main gymnasium.  A simple recording will be created to share following the event, knowing that many parents may not be able to attend due to work commitments.

School Council Meeting – Tues. Feb. 13, 7:00 pm

Come join us on Tuesday for our monthly virtual School Council and Parent Association meetings.  A focus of the Principal Report will allow families to learn more about the School Budget and Fees for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. Hear about our priorities and add your voice to decisions which still need to be made.  Exciting updates on Francophone Month (March) will be shared. And, parents are invited to vote on the rejuvenation plans of our well-used Fitness Centre.  See the agenda here: XX

Last Minute Opportunity: One Spot on Grade 8-9 Sailing Trip

An opportunity has arisen for any Grade 8 or 9 student who is not already confirmed on the overnight sailing trip to the BC west coast, to sign up!  The trip runs from April 8-12, and the total cost is $2400.00.  Anyone interested is requested to email their interest to Mme. Bailer (adbailer@cbe.ab.ca) by Wed. Feb. 14th, 9:00 am.

Meals from the Heart – Food Drive

The new cohort of Leadership 9 students has engaged in discussion about making a positive impact – not only in their school, but also in the wider community.  As such, they have decided to modify the traditional Valentine’s Day celebrations which typically occur on Feb. 14. Instead - running from February 12 through the 29 - students and their respective homerooms are being challenged to bring in food donations for the Calgary Food Bank.  All donations can be brought to their homeroom class and a running tally will be kept to determine which group brings in the most – whichever class comes out on top will have earned a heart-felt prize!  Let’s all show how much Woodman cares for our more vulnerable citizens.

IPPs- Return Signature Sheet by Tues. Feb. 20

We acknowledge the significant work of teachers in preparing updated Individualized Program Plans (IPPs) for the second half of the school year.  The team of teachers develop IPPs together, with the oversight of Ms. Stenhouse, Student Services Learning Leader. Student voice and ownership of IPP goals is key, particularly as we prepare students for high school and beyond. Please review the contents of the envelope together that your child, which was brought home today.  Families may keep the updated IPP and return the parent signature sheet to homeroom teachers by Tuesday following the long weekend. Retaining a parent signature sheet in students’ official CBE records is a legal requirement.

Healthy Hunger Survey

The Leadership 9 classes have been hard at work throughout the last few months to organize and distribute the hot lunch orders that families have been submitting.  We would like your input with respect to what vendors you would prefer to see us reach out to, in order to keep optimal sales.  We have listed all our current vendors first, along with a group of options that are servicing within our region.  While we cannot guarantee all the requested changes, we certainly want to ensure that we try to meet the pallets of our student body.  Parent and student submissions are both welcome; we will be collecting data through the week ahead.  Please take a few moments to complete the survey through this link: Healthy Hunger Survey

Grade 9 Pascal Math Contest

Each year, Grade 9 students are encouraged to challenge their mathematical skills by participating in the extra-curricular Pascal Contest from the University of Waterloo.  The contest will be held on Feb. 28 (Learning Commons). Questions are based on curriculum concepts common to all Canadian provinces, with a few questions designed to test mathematical ingenuity and insight. Interested students should pay $2 cash to their Math teacher.  The school will subsidize the remainder of the cost per student. 

Important Dates 

Sat. Feb. 10                            City of Calgary Chinese Lunar New Year Celebrations
                                                            -Chinese Cultural Centre 197 1st St. SW
                                                Belcanfran Exchange Program Parent Info Meeting, 2:00 pm
                                                Haysboro Community Association
Mon. Feb. 12                           Calgary Bridge Foundation City of Calgary Presentation, 10:00
Tues. Feb. 13                          Grade 5-7 Musical Celebration of Learning, 2:15 pm
                                                Woodman Virtual School Council Meeting, 7:00 pm
Feb. 15-16                               Calgary City Teachers’ Convention (No School)
Mon. Feb. 19                           Family Day (No School)
Wed. Feb. 21                          City of Calgary Presentation, New-to-Canada Students
                                                Grade 7A/B Journey 2050 Field Trip
Thurs. Feb. 22                        Grade 7 Alberta International Band Festival, 2:45 -7:00 pm
                                                Woodman Open House, 6:30-8:00 pm
Fri. Feb. 23                             A Day Option Classes
                                                Grade 8/9 Alberta International Band Festival, 1:15-7:00 pm
Mon. Feb. 26                           Grade 7D/F Journey 2050 Field Trip
Wed. Feb. 28                          Pink Shirt – Anti-Bullying Day
                                                Grade 9 Pascal Math Contest
Thurs. Feb. 29                        Grade 7C/E Journey 2050 Field Trip
Fri. March 1                             Breakfast With the Wolves, 8:00 am
                                                Woodman Wellness Day
                                                Due: Grade 7 Alberta Accountability Assurance Model Survey
                                                Mois de la francophonie commences!
Mon. March 4                          Winds From the South, Jack Singer Concert Hall, 7:00 pm
Fri. March 8                             B Day Option Classes
Tues. March 12                       Woodman Virtual School Council Meeting, 7:00 pm
Thurs. March 14                     SALTS Trip Mandatory Parent Meeting, 6:30 pm
                                                Learning Conferences Online Booking Opens, 5:00 pm
Fri. March 15                           A Day Option Classes
Tues. March 19                       French Speech Contest at Dr. EP Scarlett High School
                                                            -More information to follow soon
Wed. March 20                       Feeder School Francophone Celebration
                                                Grade 7 French Immersion Gala Event, Mount Royal University
Thurs. March 21                     Learning Conferences 4:00-8:00 pm
Fri. March 22                           No School, Learning Conferences, 9:00-1:30
March 25-Mon. April 1            Spring Break – No Classes
Tues. April 2                            Class resume