Dear Woodman Families:

We thank the School Council for their financial support in bringing renowned motivational speaker, Sam Demma, to present to our students yesterday.  Sam spoke about the thoughts and opinions that other people can place on students that stop them from accepting themselves and expressing who they truly are. The theme tied in very well with Orange Shirt Day. Our gymnasium was a sea of orange, and students were very active participants in the event. We will follow up with students for further reflection on Monday, and invite parents to do the same this weekend.

Take note of a few important messages for the week of Oct. 2-6.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Families are invited to attend an event being hosted by the City of Calgary in partnership with the Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary Catholic School District. The 3rd annual ceremonial opening is taking place on September 30 from 9:00-10:30 a.m. at Fort Calgary (750 9 Ave SE). This year's gathering will include in-person speakers and performers, a live stream broadcast, an aerial salute ceremony, and other events. More information on the event is available on the City’s website.

Upcoming Field Trips

We wish to highlight several upcoming field trips.  Check the parent fees account in Power School on a frequent basis, in order to pay for the costs related to these off-site learning experiences:

• Mon. Oct. 2 Grade 7D/E Three Herons Conservation Site

Numerous students have still not submitted parent consent forms, without which they will not be permitted to participate; please email forms to the Science teachers today

• Tues. Oct. 3 Grade 7A/B/C Three Herons Conservation Site
• Tues. Oct. 10 Grade 5 Field Trip to Fish Creek Park

Tues. Oct. 10 Grade 7 ENVOE Canoe Trip
            -Forms for Oct. 10 trips will be circulated early next week

Upcoming Parent Interest Meetings: Overnight School Trips

Earlier this week, parents of grade 8 and 9 students were invited to interest meetings:

• Sailing Trip (Grade 8), Wed. Oct. 4
• Quebec Trip (Grade 9), Thurs. Oct. 5 

Parent attendance at these meetings is vital to informing the school about the viability of proceeding with trip planning. They will be held in the Learning Commons from 6:30-7:30 pm

First Healthy Hunger Lunch - Tues. Oct. 3

For the families who ordered prior to the Friday midnight deadline, Healthy Hunger lunches will commence on Tuesday, with distribution in the Lunch Room. Grade 5-6 students will have their lunches delivered directly to their classroom.  Lunches may be ordered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with an optional snack order on Fridays. Note that full offerings will commence after the Fall Break in mid-November. We request that families study the calendar of important dates and ensure they are not ordering lunches on days in which students may have a field trip. Because the school is not permitted to save prepared food overnight, lunches for students who are absent from school on the day of delivery will be donated to another student. If families are interested in donating a lunch for a student in need, please contact our coordinator and lunch room supervisor, Ms. Ginger (vigarlough@cbe.ab.ca). 
Families interested in benefiting from Healthy Hunger lunches and who have not already registered, may still do so through the following link:
https://healthyhunger.ca/parent-help

Clubs and Lunch Time Activities

Teachers have interactive plans to support healthy friendships, skill exploration, and physical activity over the lunch hour.  Please speak with your children about the following:

Learning Commons Drop-In (second half of lunch hour)

• Read, student with friends, play piano, and relax
              Mondays         Grades 5/6
              Tuesdays        Grade7
              Wednesday     Grade 8
              Thursday         Grade 9

Intramural Sports, Main Gym (second half of lunch hour)

• Participate in low-organized and competitive games
              Mondays         Grade 7
              Tuesdays        Grade 8
              Wednesdays   Grade 9
              Thursdays       Grades 5/6

Clubs

Numerous clubs will be launched over the upcoming weeks with daily announcements provided to students regarding details. Types of clubs will include: Debate, Student Newspaper, Sewing, Yoga, Science Fair, Book Club, Drama and more.  Commencing next week are the following:

Mon. Oct. 2     Knitting & Crocheting Club, Room 3, Mme. Breuer

For those new to knitting and and crocheting, basic knitting skills will be covered in semester 1 along with a beginner-friendly project.  Basic crocheting skills will be covered in semester 2. Materials will be provided by the school. Experienced knitters and crocheters can bring their own project to work on. All grades invited!

Thurs. Oct. 5   Girls Excel in Math (GEM) Student Interest Meeting, Room 28, Mme. Bailer

Girls Excel in Math (GEM) Calgary is a Saturday enrichment program for grades 6 - 9 students, who will have fun exploring mathematical topics that they would not normally see in the classroom. Students will begin in a large lecture hall with a session led by University of Calgary Professor, Lauren DeDieu. They will then split into a smaller classroom with other students from their school. This smaller session will be led Mme Bailer, with support from University of Calgary undergraduate/graduate student volunteers. 

Volunteers Needed: Jacket Racket Calgary

Jacket Racket Calgary is dedicated to providing clean, gently used winter jackets to children and youth. Thanks to the collection of donations from 50 + schools and businesses in 2022, warm winter wear was provided to just under 2000 students in 100 + schools across the city. Their annual campaign will be running once again through the months of October and November. If you are a Woodman parent with time and interest in organizing a collection campaign at our school, please email woodman@cbe.ab.ca.

School Council Updates

Thanks to everyone who came out to Bitter Sisters this week for our Woodman Council social gathering! 

Our first virtual meeting will be October 24 (7:00 pm) and at that time we will be looking to fill several vacant positions.  We would love to have parents step forward to help with these important roles.  Any questions can be directed to Tara W at ParentCouncilWoodman@gmail.com. 

Volunteer Coordinator  The volunteer coordinator works with Woodman office staff to set up a volunteer database, to organize available and cleared volunteers, and to consistently communicate with Woodman office staff regarding all volunteers.

Key Communicator  The key communicator works to build and enhance a connection between school communities and the Calgary Board of Education.  The key communicator will attend COSC meetings held by the CBE throughout the year and report at school council meetings what was shared.

Vice Chair  The vice chair will assist the chair as required.  In the absence of the chair, the vice chair will chair any meetings.  In the event of the resignation, incapacity, or leave of absence of any council member, the vice chair shall fulfill their duties.

Fundraising Coordinator  The fundraising coordinator will develop a yearlong fundraising plan in coordination with other parent groups’ fundraising initiatives.  The fundraising coordinator will then execute the fundraisers, including advertising and reporting back to school council.  

Staff Appreciation Coordinator  The staff appreciation coordinator will develop a yearlong plan to ensure that Woodman staff feel consistently appreciated throughout the school year.  The staff appreciation coordinator will then execute the events, recruiting other parents to support as needed.  

Members at Large  Members at large will attend school council meetings, share their knowledge and opinions, and encourage participation of other parents and representatives from the school community. 

Woodman Music Parents’ Association (WMPA) Updates

Woodman thanks the WMP for their support of the instrument clinics for beginning Grade 7 players on Sept. 27. Students had very positive feedback about how helpful these clinics were in improving their sound production.

Following the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sept. 21, we are pleased to announce a new slate of executive positions, held by Woodman parents:

Chair: Dean J
Co-Chair: Julia B
Treasurer: Judy Y
Secretary: Tara W
Fundraising/Volunteer Coordinator: Melissa M

We thank Tiffany A and Patty B, for all their work in their executive roles last school year.

Please see the minutes of the AGM here:

Athletics Updates

We have had a very positive week of soccer and basketball games.  Woodman Wolves have strong skills and teamwork!  We could not do this work without the faithful support of volunteer teacher and parent coaches.

Please be reminded of the CBE-wide expectations for spectators at games, as communicated last week.  Student spectators who enter other schools without a parent or adult supervisor will be asked to leave.

Mon. Oct.2
Sr Girls BB (AM)
Jr Girls BB (PM)
Boys Soccer (PM)
Sr Boys BB Game at Dr. George Stanley School

Tues. Oct. 3
Sr Boys BB (PM)
Jr Boys BB (AM)
Girls Soccer (PM)
Boys Soccer Game at Robert Warren School

Wed. Oct. 4
Jr Girls BB (AM)
Sr Girls BB (PM)
Girls Soccer Game at RT Alderman School
Jr Boys BB Game at Dr. George Stanley School

Thurs. Oct. 5
Jr Boys BB (PM)
Sr Boys BB (AM)
Girls Soccer (PM)
Jr Girls BB Game at David Thompson School

Important Dates 

Mon. Oct. 2                             Grade 7DE Field Trip – Three Herons Conservation Site
Tues. Oct. 3                            Grade 7ABC Field Trip – Three Herons Conservation Site
                                                Healthy Hunger – Extreme Pita
Wed. Oct. 4                             Grade 8 Sailing Parent Interest Meeting, 6:30-7:30 pm
Thurs. Oct. 5                           Healthy Hunger – Saucy Bread Company
                                                Grade 9 Quebec Trip Parent Interest Meeting, 6:30-7:30 pm
Fri. Oct. 6                                B Day Options
Mon. Oct. 9                             Thanksgiving – No School
Tues. Oct. 10                          Healthy Hunger – A&W
                                                Grade 5 Fish Creek Park Field Trip
                                                Grade 7 ENVOE Canoe Field Trip
Thurs. Oct. 12                         Grade 8 Wordfest Field Trip (Calgary Public Library)
                                                            -select students; more info to follow shortly
Fri. Oct. 13                              A Day Options
                                                Grade 7 Wordfest Field Trip (Calgary Public Library)
                                                            -select students; more info to follow shortly
                                                IPPs Circulated
                                                A Day Option Classes
Fri. Oct. 20                              CBE Professional Learning Day – No School
Mon. Oct. 23                           Lifetouch Picture Re-Take Day
Oct. 23-26                               Overnight Fall Mountain Journey (more information to follow)
Tues. Oct. 24                          Woodman Virtual School Council Meeting, 7:00 pm
Wed. Oct. 27                           Wellness Day
Wed. Nov. 1                            Grade 6 Field Trip to Calgary Police Interpretive Centre (YouthLink)