Dear Woodman Families 

We trust that our students are enjoying the sunny weather and the opportunity for a mental break from school.  

Thousands of teachers were inspired yesterday and today, through the workshops and keynote speakers offered at the annual Calgary City Teachers’ Convention.  Of particular interest was the future of Artificial Intelligence and the role it may take on in the evolution of learning.  It is vital for teachers to maintain current with the rapidly-changing world we live in.   

We thank the many family members who participated in the Celebration of Musical Learning on Tuesday, in which our younger musicians – and the Jazz Band – impressed us with their well prepared repertoire. The video recording will be creating and circulated to families within the next week. 

Take note of the following messages regarding the week ahead, Feb. 20-23.  There is no school on Mon. Feb. 19, as it is Family Day in Alberta.  

Welcome!

As was mentioned last week, M. MacCarl will be away for a period of time. We welcome M. Marquis, acting Assistant Principal, to Woodman, beginning on Tuesday. Additionally, we welcome back final-year University of Calgary student teachers:

  • Mr.Kososvan (supporting some of Mme. Maxx and Mr. Homewood’s classes)
  • Mme. Mackie (supporting some of Mme. Howlett and Mme. Zalucki’s French-as-a-Second Language classes). 

The culture of teaching is strengthened when seasoned and pre-service teachers learn from each other, which also increases supports for students. 

IPP Signature Page Reminders

If you have not already done so, please return the IPP parent signature page to homeroom teachers on Tuesday. 

Student Helpers for Woodman Open House – Thursday, Feb. 22

Your child may have been invited by their teacher to participate in the upcoming Open House.  We know that the best promoters of our school are the very students who are excited to be here.  We expect a full house.  As such, only current Woodman students who have received confirmation from their teacher should be in attendance.  Parents are asked to drop off students at 6:15 and retrieve them again at 8:15.  Wear your Woodman clothing if you have it!  If not, teachers may be able to provide a loaner.

We ask Woodman families to invite any neighbours or other interested contacts to join us for this exciting evening showcase of our school, and consider registering for 2024-2025: Open House Feb. 22 

School Council / Parent Educational Society Updates

Thank you to the families who attended the virtual meeting on Tuesday evening.  Important discussion was had, and motions were made for the funding of various enhancements.  To date, the following funds have been generously approved for the 2023-2024 school year:

  • $500.00                       Grade 9 Farewell
  • $1000.00                     Maple Taffy (each student, Francophone Month)
  • $4100.00                     3-D Printers for Design Lab
  • $4000.00                     Wellness Days
  • $2500.00                     French/English Library Books
  • $10,000.00                  30 Djembe Drums – Music Program
  • $15,000.00                  Fitness Centre Revitalization

Learn more about the new Fitness Centre through the presentation that was given in the meeting: Fitness Centre Proposal 

Draft minutes from both meetings can be read here:

Unpaid School Fees – Grade 7-9 Option Classes, Semester 1

In the school council meeting, we discussed how provincial funding, combined with approved parent fees, work together to provide the best learning experiences possible.  We request to families that they check their MyCBE account this weekend.  Only 67% of fees for option classes in Semester 1 (September-January) have been paid.  Please help us improve this statistic, in order to be able to continue to have the needed financial resources for funding Art, Ceramics, Photography, Construction, Design Studies, and Foods classes. 

Cancelled – Grade 7 Field Trip Journey 2050

Unfortunately, as a result of not being able to secure yellow school busses, the planned Grade 7 field trips to Journey 2050 have been cancelled.  Yellow school busses are in very high demand for the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games, held in Calgary from Feb. 27-March 2. 

Meals from the Heart – Food Drive

The Leadership 9 class invites students and their respective homerooms to bring in food donations for the Calgary Food Bank.  The campaign will run until Feb. 29. 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. 

Healthy Hunger Survey

We would like to respond to student preferences for the ordering of Tuesday, Thursday and Friday Healthy Hunger. This is a last reminder to complete the survey through the following link: Healthy Hunger Survey. 

Mois de la francophonie – Poutine and Beavertail Food Truck Order

March is the month to celebrate all things Francophone!  Exciting plans are being finalized, which will also commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the French Immersion program in the CBE.  As an annual tradition, the Beavertail Food Truck has been booked for Wed. March 6. Students and staff will have the opportunity to order a poutine/beavertail and a drink. Students have until February 28th to bring cash to their homeroom teacher, along with their order. See the menu items and prices, below:

  • Poutine (plant-based gravy) $9
  • Beaver tail (cinnamon and sugar) $6 
  • Drink (Coke, diet coke, pepsi, diet pepsi, ginger ale, iced tea, orange crush, water) $1  

Francophone Winter Festival – March 2-3

The ACFA Régionale de Calgary is organizing a Francophone Winter Festival to be held at La Cité des Rocheuses (4800 Richard Road, SW, Calgary) on March 2 and 3, 2024.  The Calgary Francophone WinterFest  will bring together the public and display the history and diversity of Francophone cultures of Calgary, including the Métis Nation and First Nations. The mission of the event is to offer the public a memorable cultural experience in French while forging intercultural links. See the poster under Related Information for more information and add the date to your family calendar. 

Vaping Awareness and Prevention | Family and Caregiver Session

Join the Alberta Health Services Healthy Schools and Population Health Promotion team on Wednesday, March 6 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. for a virtual parent learning session on the youth vaping epidemic.  

In this session, parents will learn about what vaping is, current vaping trends among youth and the harms and risks associated with it. We'll explore what legislation is in place at the local and provincial level to combat youth vaping use and what you and your child's school can do about it. Ideas on how to talk to kids and help them quit, as well as where to go for more information will also be covered.  

Link: Registration Link 

Important Dates                                                          

Mon. Feb. 19                           Family Day (No School)

Wed. Feb. 21                          City of Calgary Presentation, New-to-Canada Students

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

Wed. Feb. 28                          Pink Shirt – Anti-Bullying Day

                                                Grade 9 Pascal Math Contest

                                                Deadline: Food Truck Orders

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!

March 2-3                                Festival D’Hiver, Franco Winterfest Calgary

Mon. March 4                          Winds From the South, Jack Singer Concert Hall, 7:00 pm

Tues. March 5                         Semi-Finals, Concours d’arts oratoire, 11:00 am

                                                Woodman Survey School Planning – Deadline

Wed. March 6                         Poutine & Beavertails Food Truck Event

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