Dear Woodman Families 

The main gymnasium at Henry Wise Wood High (HWW) High School was full last Wednesday, for the year end music concert. It was an impressive culmination of the musical learning this school year. We extend special thanks to our colleagues at HWW for the use of their space.  Over $1000.00 in donations from audience members were collected, which will all be re-directed into future music programming initiatives. 

We wish to share the good news of our school visit by CBE Chief Superintendent Joanne Pitman on Friday.  It was a moment for our students to show their school pride and their enjoyment of the rich learning choices they are offered.  Chief Superintendent Pitman noted the high level of parental support in enhancing programs and learning spaces.  The staff is grateful for the time and positive feedback she provided, which encourages us to continue to work together as a learning community, as we have until now. 

Please note a few important messages for the week of May 26-30:

Upcoming Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs)

Students in Grade 6 and 9 will participate in their first round of PATs on: 

  • Tues. May 27              Grade 9 French Language Arts, Part A, Writing
  • Wed. May 28               Grade 6 English Language Arts, Part A, Writing 
  • Thurs. May 29             Grade 9 English Language Arts, Part A, Writing 

Teachers have worked diligently in teams to prepare students to both show their strengths in writing, but also to maintain stamina and a positive mindset during a formal exam setting.  We request assistance from parents in the following ways:

  • Re-schedule any other activities and appointments, to ensure your child is present at school on PAT days
  • Support punctual arrival to school; PAT instructions and log-in information commence at the bell (9:08); late arrivals compromise a positive exam launch
  • Ensure your child is well rested, well-hydrated and with snacks/water to sustain them through the period of the exam
  • Bring a favourite book from home or the library to read upon completion of the exam, and before students are permitted to leave the exam space  

Regular Afternoon Classes Following PAT

Given the length of some of the Grade 9 PATs, lunch times may be modified for those students requiring extra time.  The school plan includes sufficient rest time between the end of the exam and the commencement of afternoon classes. It is imperative that students remain at school for regular afternoon classes.  Teachers are still busy covering curriculum and providing review opportunities for the remaining PATs in mid-June. If a parent has an unavoidable cause and wishes to excuse their child from afternoon classes, regular communication processes are in place.  This includes sending an email to woodmanattendance@cbe.ab.ca with your child’s last name, first name, grade and homeroom, and reason for absence.  

May 30 – Feeder School Visits

As was communicated last week, we look forward to welcoming several hundred new students into the school on Friday for a tour, assembly, and participation in the CTF Symposium. Specific information has been shared with feeder schools and individual families who will be new to Woodman next school year.  Note the following times for visitors in the building:

9:15-10:45       Grade 6 students, Chinook Park School

9:45-11:30       Grade 4 students, Janet Johnstone School

10:15-12:00     New Late French Registrants

10:30-11:45     Grade 6 students, Haysboro School

Many current Woodman students will be participating in the event, through leadership roles on the tours and symposium.  We encourage all Woodman students to wear their Woodman gear or school colours (red/black). 

CBE Transportation Registration

The CBE communicated with families last week regarding new provincial legislation for walk zones and eligibility for yellow school bus services. Many Woodman students who come to school on the yellow school bus are in the French Immersion program.  For these students the congregated bus stop model remains unchanged, however annual registration is still a requirement. Students in the Gr. 7-9 English program who live outside of the 2 km. driving distance may now be eligible for yellow school bus access. Due to its central location in the city, many Woodman students commute to school through other means – walking, public transit, parent rides or cycling.

For families interested in accessing CBE transportation services, note the following important messages:

  • Registration is available using the MyCBE account. (if families do not already have an account, click here to learn how to create one.) 
  • Registration is now open
  • To be added to a route in time for the first day of school, students must be registered by the deadline, Sunday, June 22
  • Transportation can be cancelled with no financial impact by submitting the cancellation form by Sept. 30
  • Fees have increased to $360/year
  • Fees are due later in October with flexible payment options
  • Families can apply for waivers if they cannot afford to pay fees 

More discussion on Woodman bell times and transportation will occur during the Tues. May 27 School Council meeting (7:00 pm). 

Final School Council Meeting, Tues. May 27, 7:00 pm

Please join us in person (Learning Commons), or virtually through Microsoft Teams, for the final School Council meeting of the 2025-2026 school year.  Discussions will include: class configurations for 2025-2026, future funding priorities, an important new security camera project.  See the agenda here.

Coffee With the Principal – Thurs. June 12, 2:30-3:30pm

At various points throughout the year, we invite parents to attend an informal visit with school administration.  There is no set agenda. This is a time to share, reflect on highlights of the school year, and provide parent input on future school planning for 2025-2026. Parent voice and involvement is a strength at Woodman, and we wish to continue strengthening home-school partnerships.  Please confirm your attendance by emailing woodman@cbe.ab.ca. 

Important Dates                                                           

Tues. May 27                          Grade 9 PAT, FLA Part A, 9:30 

Woodman School Council, 7:00 pm 

Wed. May 28                           Grade 6 PAT, ELA Part A, 9:30 

Thurs. May 29                         Grade 9 PAT, ELA Part A, 9:30 

Fri. May 30                              Feeder School Tours 

June 3-4                                  The Honey Merchant, Grade 7 

Tues. June 3                           Grade 9 Farewell, Heritage Park 

Thurs. June 5                          VR Core On-Site Science Experience, Gr. 9 

Fri. June 6                               Deadline: Library Book Return

Flag Football Tournament, New Brighton Athletic Park 

Mon. June 9                            VR Core On-Site Science Experience, Gr. 9 

Tues. June 10                         CMLSAA Track Meet, Foothills Athletic Park 

Wed. June 11                          Grade 9 PAT, FLA Part B, 9:30 

Thurs. June 12                        Grade 6 School Immunization Program 

Fri. June 13                             Grade 9 PAT Math Part A, 9:30 

Grade 6 PAT Math Part A, 11:30 

Mon. June 16                          Grade 9 PAT ELA Part B, 9:30 

Grade 6 PAT ELA Part B, 1:30 

Tues. June 17                         Grade 9 PAT Math Part B, 9:30 

Grade 6 PAT Math Part B, 1:00  

WMPA Meeting, 6:30  

Wed. June 18                          Grade 9 PAT Social Studies, 9:30 

Grade 6 PAT Social Studies, 1:30 

Thurs. June 19                        Grade 9 PAT Science, 9:30 

Mon. June 23                          Cultural Potluck, Grade 5/6/7, Lunch Time 

Tues. June 24                         Cultural Potluck, Grade 8/9, Lunch Time 

Wed. June 25                          Wellness Day 

CBE Semester 2 Report Cards 

Thurs. June 26                        Year End Assembly, 9:30 

Last day of school (1:14 dismissal) 

Fri. June 27                             Appeals Day 

Main Office Closes for Summer 

Tues. Sept. 2                          First Day of School 2025-2026