Dear Woodman Families,
Students and staff had great fun with Halloween festivities yesterday. Thank you for the adherence to creative, school-appropriate and safe costumes!
Daylight Saving Time ends on Sun. Nov. 3, and the clock falls back one hour. Take note of a few important messages for the week of Nov.4-7.
Fri. Nov. 8 is a non-instructional day for students and an Indigenous Professional Learning day for staff:
Student Enrollment and Increased Staffing
Due to increased student enrollment and criteria based resource funding, Woodman has been able to create new student cohorts for English Language Learners (Grade 8 and Grade 9) who are in the early stages of acquiring English. This will commence on Monday. Families of affected students have already been notified. In addition to providing more intense supports where they are most needed, class sizes in Grade 8-9 English cohorts will be reduced as a result.
Funding has also allowed us to increase teacher and support staffing in very positive ways:
- 1 new teacher
- Increased part time teacher to full time
- Increased hours for existing support staff
- New school assistant and behaviour support worker positions
We are optimistic that these additions will directly improve the quality of student learning at Woodman.
Welcome, Mme. El-Sedfy
Mme. Massey is on leave and we wish her all the best. During her absence, we welcome Mme. El-Sedfy to the Gr. 8-1 and 9-1 French Immersion classes. We are fortunate to continue to recruit strong talent to Woodman.
Belcanfran Exchange Program – Alberta and France/Belgium
As was mentioned last week, we encourage families to explore real-world opportunities for increased French language and culture. Families are invited to an important information Belcanfran session to learn more about the program:
What
- Belcanfran Exchange Program Information Meeting
When
- Sunday, Nov. 3/ 2024
Where
- Haysboro Community Center, 1204, 89 Ave SW, Calgary, AB
Time
- 2:00-3:30 pm
November 4-7 is Spirit Week
We encourage students to have a little fun during the week before the Fall Break. Leadership 9 students have organized the following:
- Monday - Backwards Day
- Tuesday - Anything But-a-Backpack
- Wednesday - PJ Day
- Thursday - Glo Day
Lunchtime Clubs This Week
Monday
Student Holiday Market Learning Commons
Grade 5/6 Drop In Learning Commons
Grade 7 Intramurals Main Gym
Tuesday
Grade 7 Drop In Learning Commons
Grade 8 Intramurals Main Gym
Wednesday
GSA Room 15
French Conversation Club Room 12 (2nd half of lunch)
Grade 8 Drop In Learning Commons
Grade 9 Intramurals Main Gym
Thursday
Student Council Learning Commons
Grade 9 Drop In Learning Commons
Grade 5/6 Intramurals Main Gym
Remembrance Day Ceremony, Thurs. Nov. 7, 10:45 am
We are finalizing details of a thoughtful Remembrance Day commemoration. Students are encouraged to:
- Email Assistant Principal MacCarl (woodman@cbe.ab.ca) if they wish to wear a Cadets, Guides or Scouts uniform, and participate in the entry of flags and wreaths.
- Dress more formally, as a sign of respect for the occasion
- Bring a cash donation to homerooms to receive a poppy; all proceeds will be directed towards supporting Canadian veterans through the Poppy Fund. Every student will receive a poppy and wear it for the ceremony.
Digital Citizenship Plans 2024-2025
Each year, schools are required to create and implement a plan that focuses on developing student digital competencies and citizenship. Note the two documents that have been added to our school website: Digital Citizenship page under Related Information..
Grade 9 High School Transition D2L Shell
Grade 9 students will soon be added to a D2L shell which will house all information related to their transition to high school. Open House information for various high schools will be uploaded to this site shortly. Further conversations will be held with students in class in the upcoming weeks. The focus of the Nov. 26 School Council Meeting (7:00 pm) will include a special presentation on High School Transition. We encourage all Grade 9 parents to attend.
Child and Youth Well-Being Family and Caregiver Fall Series
The Calgary Board of Education invites all parents and guardians to join us in a pre-recorded and live online series focusing on child and youth well-being. These sessions will be hosted in partnership with experts from Alberta Health Services and Recovery Alberta and will explore topics such as Peer Pressure, Healthy Relationships, Mental Health for Highly Sensitive Teens, and navigating Parent-Teen relationships. See the poster for more details.
Gratitude for Departing Council Executive Members
We acknowledge the dedicated volunteerism of out-going Secretary, Alice H and Treasurer, Olivier A. They have filled vital roles on the School Council and Parent Educational Society executive for several years, and have been important voices in the decision making process on behalf of all Woodman students. And, thank you to the creative and much-welcomed contributions of the Staff Appreciation Lead, Nicole M, for keeping staff fed during special occasions and Learning Conferences. Executive positions are still available! Email parentcouncilwoodman@gmail.com to express your interest.
Canadian Parents for French
During the school council presentation on Tuesday, families learned about the wealth of free resources, tutoring and community outings that members can benefit from. For all our parents interested in supporting their students’ French language learning, this is the organization to belong to! Check out the website and sign up for a free membership: https://ab.cpf.ca/en/ and French for Parents Classes
School Council and Educational Society Minutes
It was an important meeting, with voting in new executive members at the Annual General Meeting. Significant funding decisions were made, as follows:
$500.00 Grade 9 Farewell Support (end of May)
$1000.00 Maple Taffy (Francophone Month)
$2500.00 Bilingual/Heritage Language Library Books
$5000.00 Wellness Days (off-setting transportation costs to families)
$7500.00 3 New Computer Carts
$13,000.00 New Science Lab Space - Room 30
See the draft minutes on the School Council and Parent Society pages for more information.
Wrestling Season Ahead
This week, Woodman students from Gr. 6-9 were invited to learn more about the wrestling season during a lunchtime meeting. The wrestling season runs from early November to early February. Teacher coaches are: Mr. Homewood and Mr. Collings. Talk to your child about participating; this is a no-cut team. More information about practices and meets will be shared soon.
Important Dates
Sun. Nov. 3 Belcanfran Exchange Program Information Meeting, 2:00
Haysboro Community Centre
Mon. Nov. 4 Grade 7 Field Trip, Field of Crosses (7-3, 7-4, 7-6, 7-7)
Students will depart by 12:30, and will eat lunch before; please pack a hearty lunch and snacks
Tues. Nov. 5 Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth at Woodman
Postponed: Calgary Police Service, “You and the Law”, Newcomer Students (1:30)
Virtual WMPA Meeting, 6:30 pm
Perogies & Sausages Order Delivery, 4:30-6:30 (note changed time)
Wed. Nov. 6 Take Our Kids to Work (Grade 9)
Thurs. Nov. 7 Grade 7 Field Trip, Field of Cross (7-1, 7-2, 7-5)
Remembrance Day Ceremony, 10:45 am
Fri. Nov. 8 CBE Indigenous Education Day, No School for Students
Nov. 11-13 Fall Break, No School for Students
Mon. Nov. 18 Dr. EP Scarlett Visit to Woodman (Gr. 9 Students), 2:30
Tues. Nov. 19 Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth at Woodman
Welcome, St. Mary’s University Student Teacher, A. Ghebreyohannes (Host Teacher: Mr. Homewood)
Wed. Nov. 20 Jill-of-all-Trades Event, SAIT
Henry Wise Wood IB Program Info Nigh, 7:00 pm
Thurs. Nov. 21 Dr. EP Scarlett High School Student Leadership Event
Sailing Trip Student Lunch Meeting (Room 28)
Fri. Nov. 22 B Day
Breakfast With the Wolves
Mon. Nov. 25 Grade 6 AHS Immunizations
Tues. Nov. 26 Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth at Woodman
School Council Meeting, 7:00 pm
Thurs. Nov. 28 Learning Conferences, 4:00-8:00 pm
Fri. Nov. 29 Learning Conferences, 9:00-2:00, no school for students
Mon. Dec. 2 Guest Speaker: Canadian Mental Health Association
Tues. Dec. 3 Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth at Woodman
Wed. Dec. 4 Wrestling Quad #1, 6:30 pm
Fri. Dec. 13 Wellness Day
-Keep posted on valuable activities that are being planned!
Tues. Dec. 17 Wrestling Quad #2, 5:00-7:00 pm
Fri. Dec. 20 Last Day of Classes
Dec. 23-Jan. 3 Winter Break
Mon. Jan. 6 Classes Resume