Dear Woodman Families:

We are thankful for the many families who attended the “Meet Woodman Night” on Thursday evening. Building positive relationships between home and school is a key component to helping your child feel well supported in the middle years.

Take note of a few important messages for the week of Sept. 25-29. There is no school for students on Friday, as part of the commemoration of National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

Welcome, Mme. Zekri

We are pleased to confirm the assignment of a new lunch supervisor for Grade 5-6 students.  Mme. Zekri began her position on Thursday and supports active, safe, and healthy lunchtime practices for our students, together with Ms. Ginger.

IPP Conferences and Communication with Teachers

Thank you for all of the important perspectives that were exchanged between parents, students and teachers in meetings on Friday, regarding the formation of Individualized Program Plans (IPP) for students with special education designations. These perspectives will be incorporated into the development of IPP priority learning cycles.  A final draft of the IPP will be circulated to parents by mid-October for your records, and to sign agreement to.

For all families, not just for those with students on IPPs, the best way to communicate about learning is through D2L and email.  The upcoming seven week period of learning between the end of September and the Learning Conferences of Nov.23-24th is vital. 

To reach any of your child’s teachers, note that all staff email addresses are posted to the school website: https://school.cbe.ab.ca/school/woodman/about-us/contact/staff/Pages/default.aspx

Orange Shirt Day – Thursday

We have launched the school year by focusing on classroom learning related to our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation through education.  Woodman’s commitment this school year is: “Each student will learn on the land at a site which holds significance for Indigenous peoples. Each student will engage in an individual or small group novel study by a select Indigenous author.” Specific learning related to the significance of Orange Shirt Day will occur on Thursday.  Students are encouraged to wear an orange shirt, as a sign of solidarity. Families may wish to visit the Orange Shirt Society website with their children to learn more about what inspired the movement: https://orangeshirtday.org/phyllis-story/

Special Keynote Speaker: Sam Demma

Empty Your Backpack; A Message of Hope, Mental Health and Kindness

Woodman School, together with the generous financial support of the School Council, invites renowned motivational speaker, Sam Demma, to speak to our students on Thursday, 2:30-3:30 pm. X As part of a larger framework inspired by Orange Shirt Day, he will weave the values of “each child matters” into his presentation to students.  His focus on fostering hope and personal self-worth is intended to set a positive course of adolescent development throughout the 2023-2024 school year. To learn more about Sam, please visit his website: https://samdemma.com/.

Grade 7 Field Trips: Three Herons Conservation Site

Early next week, Grade 7 students will receive parent consent forms to participate in a Science-related field trip to Black Diamond, approximately 45 minutes outside of Calgary. All the needed information will be communicated in the paperwork. Note the corrected dates from last week’s memo:

Mon. Oct. 2     Grade 7D/E         
Tues. Oct. 3    Grade 7ABC (if you have already ordered Healthy Hunger, please cancel it before Fri. Sept. 29)

Last Week for Terry Fox Donations

Many students have already contributed to the “Toonies for Terry” campaign by bringing $2 in to their homeroom teacher.  Continued online donations are being collected under the Woodman School category until the end of September.  Help us reach our goal of $1500.00 of donations towards a good cause. Visit the following link: https://schools.terryfox.ca/30017.

School Council Mingling Event – Tuesday, 6:30-8:00

Join this casual event to connect with other Woodman parents, the council executive, and the school administration : Invite Sept. 26.  We look forward to a large turn-out! 

Invite | National Day for Truth and Reconciliation & Orange Shirt Day Event - Sept. 30

CBE students, staff and their families and friends are invited to join an event being hosted by the City of Calgary in partnership with the Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary Catholic School District. The third annual ceremonial opening is taking place on Sept. 30 from 9-10:30 a.m. at Fort Calgary (750 9th Ave SE). This year's gathering will include a smudge tent, in-person Indigenous speakers and performers, an aerial salute ceremony, and other events. The events will also include an intertribal dance demonstration featuring Indigenous students from the CBE and CCSD. Participants are encouraged to wear orange. See poster under Resources for details.

Following the YYC, CBE & CCSD event, all are invited to join the Pokaiks – The Children Commemorative Annual Walk and Gathering 2023. The walk will begin at 11 a.m. at City Hall (15-minute walk from Fort Calgary or 2-minute drive) and continue to Shaw Millenium Park (30-minute walk). The walk will be followed by drumming/dancing, Indigenous community speakers, artisan booths, and food sales.

Athletics Updates

This week the basketball game season commences.  All CBE middle schools have set similar expectations for games that promote safety, respect, and a positive experience for all.  They include:

• All student spectators must be under the direct supervision of a designated adult
• Student spectators without adult supervision will be directed by the hosting school administration to leave the building
• All spectators - students or adults - are expected to cheer and support players/coaches/referees/parents/guardians in a positive manner
• Disrespectful behaviours will be addressed by school administration promptly and may result in spectators being directed to leave the game and the school building

See the game and practice schedules for the week ahead, below.  More details and requirements will be communicated in consent forms that will be circulated to students.  Please contact your volunteer coach directly if more specific information is needed:

Mon. Sept. 25
Sr Girls BB (AM)
Jr Girls BB (PM)
Boys Soccer (PM)
X-Country Meet at North Glenmore Park (PM)
Sr Boys BB Game at Dr. George Stanley School

Tues. Sept. 25
Sr Boys BB (PM)
Jr Boys BB (AM)
Girls Soccer (PM)
Boys Soccer Game at Willow Park School
Sr Girls BB at Dr. George Stanley School

Wed. Sept. 26
Jr. Girls BB (A<)
Sr. Girls BB (PM)
Girls Soccer Game at RT Alderman School
Jr Boys BB Game at Dr. George Stanley School

Thurs. Sept. 27
Jr Boys BB (PM)
Sr Boys BB (AM)
Girls Soccer (PM)
Boys Soccer Game at RT Alderman School
Jr. Girls BB Game at Dr. George Stanley School

Important Dates

Tues. Sept. 26                        Grade 6 AHS School Nurse Presentation
                                                School Council Parent Mingling Night, 6:30-8:00 pm
Thurs. Sept. 28                       Orange Shirt Day
                                                Sam Demma Guest Speaker, 2:30-3:30
Fri. Sept. 29                            National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – No School
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
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 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 Option Classes
Mon. Oct. 23-26                      Overnight Fall Mountain Journey (more information to follow)