Dear Woodman Families 

At the conclusion of the first month of school, we reflect on the substantial advances made.  Students have begun to form relationships with teachers and peers. Teachers have begun to know their learners through conversations, literacy/numeracy formative assessments, and Individualized Program planning.  We have all begun to assimilate the needed routines and rituals that form the foundation of a successful year of learning together. 

Take note of a few important messages for the week of Sept.30-Oct.4.  Mon. Sept. 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, in which there are no classes: 

Coming Home Youth Competition Powwow

We wish to share an update from our friends at Tsuut'ina Nation. The event, “Coming Home Youth Competition Powwow”, as hosted by Brown Bear Women Events, is this Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Grey Eagle Event Centre.  The Grand Entry will be at 12:00.  All are welcome! 

Moh’kins ‘tsis | City of Calgary, Calgary Board of Education, Calgary Catholic School Division National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Ceremonial Opening

This Monday Sept. 30 at 9:00 the Moh’kins ‘tsis event is hosted at the Confluence Historic Site and Parkland to commemorate residential school victims, honour survivors and their families, and commit to acting on reconciliation. If you are unable to attend in person, the event will be live streamed on the City of Calgary website.  

Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth at Woodman

We are pleased to welcome the return of a valued community partner to work alongside the school in offering new-to-Canada students with vital supports and resources.  The program offers eligible youth and their families with assistance in transitioning to a new school system, translation services, making friends, accessing medical and psychological services, etc. There will be two portions of the programming delivery model:

  • Weekly In-School Settlement Worker (Wednesday afternoons)
  • Lunch time youth program (Tuesdays) at Woodman, commencing Oct.11

The team will be visiting select classrooms on Tuesday to provide more program information to students.  An optional presentation will be offered at 1:30 in the Learning Commons for all newcomers to Canada to learn more about the lunch time youth program.

Grade 7 Wellness Day Retreat – Calgary Farmyard, Thurs. Oct. 3

This will be a memorable day of team building and fun.  Our goal is for each Grade 7 student to make new friends and increase self-confidence and rapport with their teachers. Please check the MyCBE fees platform to pay the $20 in advance of the trip date. Dress for the weather! 

Grade 9 Quebec Trip Parent Interest Meeting – Oct. 3, 6:30 pm

Please be reminded of the important Quebec trip interest meeting in the Learning Commons. The meeting is to gauge interest in travelling to Ottawa, Quebec City, and Montreal from April 19 to April 24, 2025. We look forward to seeing many families in attendance.  

IPP Conferences and Communication with Teachers

Thank you for all of the important perspectives that were exchanged between parents, students and teachers in meetings today, 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 two-month period of learning between the end of September and the Learning Conferences of Nov.28-29 is vital.  

CBE Required Online Forms

At this time, approximately 35% of students do not have a completed Demographic Verification Form for the 2024-25 school year. These forms are a legal requirement from Alberta Education. Forms may be found on SchoolEngage, which is one of the applications found in the MyCBE account. This is the same account used to pay fees, view academic information, book school conferences, etc.

To complete all required forms:

1 | sign in to your MyCBE account

2 | click on the SchoolEngage icon

3 | select the form (see types of forms, below)

4 | complete or review and update the form

5 | click on Submit to send the form electronically to the school

6 | repeat steps 3-5 for each form 

Demographic Verification - 2024-25 – This form includes your child’s personal information as well as parent / legal guardian contact information.

Citizenship Information Update - 2024-25 – This form becomes available if you change your child’s citizenship information on the Demographic Verification form.

Annual Authorization - 2024-25 – Combines the following forms:

  • School District Use of Personal Information - explains how CBE uses personal information in providing education services.
  • Consent for CBE Use of Student Information – provides an option to grant / not grant consent for additional use of student information by school/district and third parties.
  • Consent for Use of Student Information by News Media and Outside Groups (Third Party) - provides an option to grant / not grant consent for additional use of student information by outside groups and third parties. 

Woodman Music Parents’ Association Minutes

Thank you to the high turn-out of families at the Annual General Meeting on Sept. 19.  See minutes of the meeting here: September 2024 Minutes. Congratulations and thank you to the parent volunteers that comprise the association executive! 

First Woodman School Council Meeting

We thank families for joining an engaging first meeting of the school year last Tuesday.  CBE Trustee Close and CBE Area 6 Education Director Yeung joined us and provided important perspectives on both system and school-based priorities.  Draft minutes will be finalized and communicated with all families shortly. 

Cross Country Team Updates

The Cross Country Team has had a successful season, finishing its last meet with several very high finishing times.  Take note that fees for having participated on the team will be uploaded within the next week. We thank you for your timely payment. A date for the upcoming season-end party will be announced soon.  This will also be a time for announcing the Most Valued Player and Heart-and-Hustle awards. Mme. Walker and Mme. Couture thank everyone for their positive participation.

Important Dates  

Mon. Sept. 30                         National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – No School

Tues. Oct. 1                            Healthy Hunger A&W

Thurs. Oct. 3                           Grade 7 Wellness Day at Calgary Farmland

                                                Healthy Hunger Opa! (Grade 7 students should not order, due to the field trip)

                                                Gr. 9 Quebec Trip Interest Meeting, 6:30 pm

                                                            -More information coming soon!

Fri. Oct. 4                                A Day Option Classes

                                                Healthy Hunger Booster Juice

Oct. 4-5                                   Jr. Basketball Hoopfest Tournament

                                                            -Mackenzie Highlands School

Oct. 7-19                                 School Council Prairie Gourmet Fundraiser

Tues. Oct. 8                            Healthy Hunger Chachis

Thurs. Oct. 10                         Grade 8 Wellness Day at The Confluence (former Fort Calgary)

                                                Healthy Hunger Mary Browns (Grade 8 students should not
                                                order, due to the field trip)

Fri. Oct. 11                              B Day Option Classes

                                                Healthy Hunger Kernels

Fri. Oct. 18                              A Day Option Classes

Oct. 18-19                               Sr. Basketball Legends Showdown Tournament

                                                            -Mackenzie Highlands School

Mon. Oct. 21                           School Picture Re-Take Day

Oct. 23-24                               Grade 9 Wellness Day at Kamp Kiwanis

Thurs. Oct. 24                         CBE Horizons Student Leadership Conference

Fri. Oct. 25                              CBE Professional Learning Day, no school for students