Pond School, Coyotes, and Lake University

What an incredible week of beautiful weather to help us enjoy the outdoors as we held our Winter Pond School this past week.  Having the entire school outside learning from the land between the school and the pond as well as the surrounding green spaces. This helps us build an understanding of community, which is important in understanding and acknowledging the land that we live and play on in hopes that students will in turn protect it. Please ask your children what type of learning they engaged in during Pond School and next time you are in the school, take a look at the display of this learning near the gym.

During this time outside, many students saw a variety of wildlife, including coyotes. With this, we have seen an increase in coyote activity around the school/community during the last few weeks. Some classes made some adjustments to their travel routes or the activity they were participating in outside as a result. For more information about how to minimize human and wildlife conflict relating to coyotes, please visit the Alberta Fish and Wildlife sites (https://www.alberta.ca/coyotes).

As you can see from the top photo below, Lake University has returned. Based on its current size, I can foresee it hanging around for some time like it has in years past. We do not stop students from interacting with the standing water, but we do encourage them to make wise choices as we do not have replacement footwear, socks, or clothes if they decide to play near or in the lake. We also stress the importance of washing or sanitizing their hands once they return inside. If you know your child enjoys a good puddle, then it may be worthwhile packing some extra clothes.

Lunchtime Behaviours

We are seeing an increase in negative or unexpected student behaviours during lunch. As part of the Welcome Package that goes home at the start of the year, and with all new students, there is information about lunchtime expectations for the school, students, and families. Below are the expectations for students:

• To show respect:
• • To yourself
  • To others (students, staff, and other adults)
  • To this place (articles belonging to self, school, and others)
• To demonstrate respect and care for following school regulations and Lunch Supervision expectations
• To display appropriate positive and polite behaviour;
• To resolve differences in a peaceful manner without physical violence or abusive language or gestures;
• To move in the hallways in an orderly fashion, that is quiet and non-disruptive to others.

We would appreciate families reviewing the student expectations with their child(ren). To view the full document, click here (Lunch Supervision at University School). By working together, we can continue to support all students in the best ways possible. Thank you for your ongoing support. 

Below is the poster that is in every classroom for staff to review and refer to with students.

Ramadan Mubarak!

University School wishes all of our families celebrating Ramadan peace and happiness. Ramadan Mubarak! Below is a message that a Univesity School student shared with the school community on Thursday:

“Hello University School, my name is Omar and I would like to inform you that beginning on March 1 Muslims from all around the world will be fasting. That means they won’t drink or eat from sunrise to sunset. We do this because we celebrate Ramadan. Muslims usually gather on this month and eat after sunset. In this month Muslims try their best to be more kind and respectful and they try there best to improve their manners. So if you are fasting and it is lunch time you could ask your teacher or supervisor if there is somewhere else to go. Have a great rest of your day!” - Omar - Grade 6 Student

University School will be providing alternate spaces for students who are fasting at lunch and do not wish to remain in their classroom. It is helpful if you can email your child’s teacher to make them aware of this request or if they are fasting.

Fun Snack - COBS Bread 

The next Fun Snack is from COBS Bread and is on Thursday, March 13. COBS Bread is offering cinnamon buns, chocolate croissants, pizza buns, and berry and white chocolate scones. 

The last day to order your fun snack is Saturday, March 8. COBS Bread was selected as the snacks can be easily brought home to share for any students who may be fasting. 

Please go to Healthy Hunger to place your order. 

Assurance Survey - Grade 4

Alberta Education is conducting its annual survey of grade 4, 7, and 10 students and their parents or guardians. This survey will gather essential information about students’ and parents’ school experiences, helping to drive continuous improvements in our education system. This survey will remain open until March 21, 2025.

 Parents or guardians of grade 4, 7, and 10 students should have received an email from School Improvement containing a link to the survey, along with a unique Random-Access Code and detailed instructions.

We strongly encourage all eligible parents and guardians to participate and share their feedback on their children’s education. Survey participants will be asked about various topics, including:
• creating welcoming, caring, respectful, and safe learning environments;
• student learning engagement; and
• parental involvement in children’s education.

If you require a paper survey or one in another language, such as Ukrainian, Punjabi, Cree, Korean, Denesųłįné, Tagalog, Chinese, Spanish, Arabic, or Urdu, please reach out to the school via email or phone.

By completing the survey, you are assisting Alberta Education, CBE, and our school in identifying both areas of strength and areas that need improvement. Please ensure that you complete the survey by March 21, 2025.

 If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Travel Safe Student Video Contest

Calling filmmakers of all ages and abilities. Whether you are an aspiring filmmaker, working on your stop motion skills, or you shoot videos as a hobby, this is the contest for you! The City of Calgary Travel Safe Student Video contest is open to Calgary students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. You can find more information about the contest and how to enter here: https://www.calgary.ca/roads/safety/travel-safe-video-contest.html.  The deadline to entry is April 30.

This Week 

Monday, March 3

• Visiting Teachers from Japan
• Lights, Camera, Action Club

Tuesday, March 4

• Junior Choir - Group A
• Senior Choir - Group A

Wednesday, March 5

• Senior Choir - Group B

Thursday, March 6

• Junior Choir - Group B
• Mindful Monstrosity Club
• Writing Club

Friday, March 7

• Flex Fridays - Mixed Groups

Month Ahead 

Mar 12 - School Council & Parent Association Meeting (Virtual - 6:30 pm)

Mar 13 - Fun Snack - COBS Bread

Mar 14 - Whole School Assembly

Mar 19 - World Down Syndrome Day Recognition - Wear Mismatched (different) Socks

Mar 20 - Kindergarten - No School

Mar 20 - Learning Conferences - Kdg (8:30am - 7:30pm) - Gr. 1 to 6 (3:30pm - 7:30pm)

Mar 21 - No School - Conferences

Mar 21 - Learning Conferences - Kdg to Gr. 6 (8:00am - 12:00pm)

Mar 21 - World Down Syndrome Day

Mar 22 - Mar 30 - No School - Spring Break

Mar 31 - Classes Resume

Dates of Significance

March - Alberta Francophnoie Month

March - Irish Heritage Month

Mar 8 - International Women’s Day

Mar 10 to 14 - Substitute Teachers’ Appreciation Week

Mar 14 - Holi

Mar 14 - Pi Day

Mar 20 - Spring Equinox

Mar 20 - Persian New Year (Nowruz)

Mar 20 - French Lanuage Day

Mar 20 - World Storytelling Day

Mar 21 - International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Mar 21 - World Down Syndrome Day