Staffing and Class Configuration Updates
Throughout the school year University School has grown in size and diversity. It was anticipated that University School would begin the 2023-24 school year with 320 students however by the end of September we had 355 students as part of the learning community. Now that we are almost at the end of June we have nearly 380 students working and learning together.
For the 2024-25 school year, University School is projected to be at 390 students. We are currently starting under that though we imagine we will again have more students join over the summer and will likely begin the school year close to projections. The funding we will receive for the 2024-25 school year is based on the number of students we have in the school as of September 30, 2024. This can allow us to make further changes at that time if required as our spring staffing was based on having 376 students.
At the May School Council and Parent Association meeting, we informed those in attendance of the initial planning that we had done including school organization and composition. We had some time to reflect, look at recent data, further explore the new curriculum, and share and discuss as a staff how this year went. As a result, there are some organizational changes being made with the intent of better supporting student learning.
For the 2024-25 school year, we anticipate having an AM and PM Kindergarten class, an EES class, and we will be moving from combined grades in Grades 1 and 2 to straight grades like the rest of the school did for this year.
Because of these changes, we want to share some staffing updates and the anticipated teaching assignments for the 2024-25 school year. We are so fortunate to have such incredible staff who support each other and love your children each and every day.
We would like to recognize the following staff members who at this time will not be returning to University School in the Fall:
- Ms. McEachern - Teacher (Grade 1/2 - moving to Eric Harvie School)
- Ms. Smart - Teacher (Grade 4 - retiring)
- Ms. Kurchak - Teacher (Grade 6 - maternity leave)
- Ms. Wrighte - Teacher (Grade 5 and additional support - temp)
- Ms. Hill - Teacher (Grade 4 - temp)
- Ms. Bailey - Teacher (Grade 1/2 - temp)
- Ms. Barclay-Ward - Teacher (Grade 6 - temp)
- Ms. Cheng - Educational Assistant (additional support Grade 5/6 - temp)
- Ms. Buschert - Educational Assistant (additional support Grade 1/2 - temp)
Current Teaching Assignments for 2024-25:
- Enhanced Educational Support (EES) - Ms. Nouri
- AM & PM Kindergarten - Mrs. Gunn
- Grade 1 - Ms. Hancock and TBD
- Grade 2 - Mrs. Gibson, Mrs. Sera, and Mrs. Smith
- Grade 3 - Ms. Kim, Ms. Stevenson, and TBD (additional Grade 3 class being added)
- Grade 4 - Ms. Rowely and TBD
- Grade 5 - Ms. Connellan and Mr. Cater
- Grade 6 - Ms. Roa and TBD
We are excited to have Ms. Connellan returning to a full time teaching assignment, Ms. Funmi (Educational Assistant in EES), and Mr. Zylka (Lunch Supervisor) both joining in continuous roles, as well as Ms. Brown (Lunch Supervisor) supporting University School for the year while Ms. Duck is on maternity leave.
Similar to last year, student class placements will be communicated in late August as there are many moving parts and unknowns at this time.
Coins or a Cut Culminating Campaign Celebration
This Monday, June 17 we will hosting an assembly celebrating the success of this incredible campaign. Together we have raised awareness of this important cause, collected an impressive amount of funds, and found individuals willing to donate their hair to be made into wigs.
We will be acknowledging the accomplishments of compassion, camaraderie, and community while wearing gold, orange, or yellow for the awareness colour of Children’s Cancer.
If you wish to donate please go to this donation link: https://my.childrenshospital.ab.ca/UES. Donations are invested in the health and well-being of our kids in our community and the advancement of care for children across Alberta and the world: Patient and Family Centred Care, Advancing Child Health, Education, Training and Research.
Choosing to Promote Kindness
Mr. Mergen, who works with the Calgary Police Service Hate Crime Prevention Team, presented to students in grades 4, 5, & 6 about the impacts of hate and bullying. The presentation included the topics of diversity, racism, hate, discrimination, bullying, prejudice and bias, social media concerns, as well as some strategies to stop bullying situations and prevention.
Students were engaged throughout the presentation, recognized the impacts that these things can have on their peers, and acknowledged how they can make a difference through their choices to promote kindness.
We would like to thank Mr. Mergen for taking the time to come and share with our students.
Field Hockey Residency
Students in Grades 1 through 6 had an opportunity to explore the sport of Field Hockey with the help of Field Hockey Alberta this past week. They learned specific skills like how to hold a field hockey stick properly and how it is different from a hockey stick while playing games to hone their skills. It was fun watching students try something new and seeing some of our hockey players realize only using one side of the stick changes how they have to stick handle.
Sports Day & Family Picnic - June 24
On the morning of Monday, June 24 our school will be having its annual sports day. The event will run from approximately 10:00 AM to 11:40 AM, and it will be followed by a family picnic. We are inviting all families to join their child’s class for a picnic at 11:40 am, which will be held outside on the school field. Lunch will NOT be provided on that day, so students and families will be required to bring their own food.
To ensure that the day is a success, we are still looking for parent volunteers to help run various activity stations and support staff members. If you are interested in volunteering and have up-to-date volunteer clearance with our school, please reach out to either myself or your child’s teacher at your earliest convenience.
Matthew Cater -mdcater@cbe.ab.ca
Summer Solstice: A Time Of Celebration
June is a month of celebration for all living beings. The long rains come, encouraging growth and transformation. Green grass carpets the ground, animal mothers nurture their young, scented blossoms invite pollinating friends, and water sparkles under rays of light. Na’a (Mother Earth) is awake and Niipo (summer) is near! Soon, Na’toosi (Grandfather Sun) will reach his most northerly point in our sky, shining from above the horizon for longer than any other day of the year. We call this the summer solstice. In many Indigenous communities, the solstice indicates a time for renewal and connection – a time for ceremonies intimately related to land and spirit. Blackfoot Elder, Saa’kokoto, has shared that the summer is a season of abundance and a time for harvesting. He reminds us to harvest life itself - the things we experience make us who we are. When the sun rises on the morning of the solstice, let us look to the East and feel gratitude for all the gifts that summer will bring and look forward to the possibilities that lie ahead. This year, Summer Solstice takes place on June 20.
Grade 6 Farewell
We are celebrating our Grade 6 students as they transition to junior high with a Farewell Assembly at 1:30pm on Tusday, June 25, followed by a celebration in the Learning Commons. Information has already been sent out to Grade 6 families.
School Travel Planning Follow Up Survey - Student Safety
In order to make things safer for students to go to and go home from school, we are continuing to work with Ever Active Schools and the City of Calgary on a School Travel Planning (STP) project. STP is a process that involves school staff, parents and students working with transportation/traffic staff, police and public health to develop a plan to address parental concerns and challenges about school routes, and get more students walking and cycling for the school journey.
You can already see some of the impacts including the new schoolyard entrance, street paint, and the sign on the crosswalk.
To help us see if there has been an increase in positive travel behaviours of our school community, we ask that you complete this Follow Up Family Travel survey https://forms.office.com/r/ykHYGMBHrW by Wednesday, June 19 .
To find out more about STP and to answer your questions, clink on this link for a School Travel Planning for Parents information page.
City of Calgary - Free Summer Programs
The City of Calgary will be running free summer programs for children ages 3-12 years old at various locations across the city. Some activities offered in the program include crafts, games and active play. Click here for more information
Ultimate Summer Challenge
The Ultimate Summer Challenge is a free summer program through the Calgary Public Library that encourages children ages 0 – 12 and teenagers ages 13 – 17 to read, learn, and create all summer long! There are even chances to win some pretty cool prizes.
Students can look forward to an under the sea themed challenge maps and activities in addition to free, in-person and virtual programs and reading challenges.
To find out more about this event please click this link: Ultimate Summer Challenge 2024
Grade 6 PATs
Grade 6 students will soon be writing the official Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs.)
The PATs are a snapshot of student learning and do not always reflect the success of the students or the amount and level of learning that has taken place. Students will use the skills and knowledge they have acquired since beginning kindergarten not just what was learned this year or even at University School for that matter.
The dates for the upcoming PATs are as follows
- Wednesday, June 19 - Social Studies
- Thursday, June 20 - Science
Individual Student Profiles (ISPs) are available to schools in the fall of the following school year. School staff then share the ISPs with parents or parents can access results directly using myPass. A record of the ISP will be retained electronically in the student record. This profile is prepared by Alberta Education after the marking and scoring of tests has been completed and the final scores are calculated; it will present your child’s performance on each test in relation to provincial standards.
Reports that show how well our school’s students did as a group in relation to provincial standards, will be available at our school and on our school’s website in the fall. Parents/Guardians are invited to our fall School Council Meeting to discuss the results at that time.
LEGO for UES Maker Space
University School is looking for LEGO to add to our Learning Commons and Maker Space! This will allow students another tool to create and build with as a way of demonstrating their learning.
If you have any spare LEGO or LEGO that you no longer want University School would be happy to have it. All donations can be brought down to the office. Thank you for your help!
This Week
Monday, June 17
- Coins or a Cut Celebration Assembly
Wednesday, June 19
- Grade 6 PAT - Social Studies
- Frisbee Rob - Presentation and workshops
Thursday, June 20
- Summer Solstice
- Grade 6 PAT - Science
Friday, June 21
- National Indigenous Peoples Day
- Grade 6 - Math Part B Practice PAT
Month Ahead
June 24 - Sports Day and Picnic
June 24 - Spirit Day - Wear a jersey or hat from your favourite team
June 25 - Grade 6 Farewell Assembly and Celebration (1:30 pm)
June 25 - Sprit Day - Formal Dress Up Day - dress to impress
June 26 - Kindergarten Last Day
June 26 - Spirit Day - Wear your University School spirit wear
June 26 - Whole School Farewell Assembly
June 26 - Report Cards Available Online - PowerSchool Account
June 27 - Last Day of Classes (Early Dismissal - 12:05 pm)
June 27 - Spirit Day - Wear sun glasses - “Too Cool for School!”
June 28 - No School - Non-instructional Day
Dates of Significance
June - Pride Month
June - National Indigenous History Month
June - Italian Heritage Month
June - Filipino Heritage Month
June - Portuguese Heritage Month
June 17 - Eid al-Adha
June 20 - World Refugee Day
June 20 - Summer Solstice
June 21 - National Indigenous Peoples Day
July 1 - Canada Day