Week of Nov 4 - Veterans' Food Bank Drive, Remembrance Day Assembly, School Council & Parent Association Meeting, Child and Youth Well-being Series, . . .

Posted on 2024-11-02 04:44:27.148 +0000 UTC

Veterans’ Food Bank Food Drive

University School would like to invite all families to participate in the Annual University School Veterans’ Food Bank Food Drive taking place from October 21 to November 7. For a number of years, we have supported our Calgary Veterans by hosting this Food Bank Drive.

If you, your relatives, or your neighbours would like to donate food items, please send the food items to school with your children to drop off in our food donation boxes.

Some examples of much needed items would be:

meal kits or canned meals (ie.hamburger helper, canned chili, canned soups),
canned meats (ie. ham / tuna / salmon / other)
pasta (ie. spaghetti, noodles),
spaghetti sauce
canned fruits
canned vegetables
canned pork and beans
baking items (ie. flour, sugar, salt )
pancake mix

instant coffee
peanut butter, jam
condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise/Miracle Whip, relish, salsa)
salad dressing
cereals, oatmeal, crackers.
Fruit cups, pudding cups
For their pets, pet food
toiletries (shampoo, laundry detergent, toothpaste, … )

There are many other examples, and any non-perishable food items are gratefully accepted and appreciated! You can find more examples here https://veteransfoodbankalberta.ca/needed-items-listmembers

Remembrance Day Assembly

University School is recognizing Remembrance Day on Thursday, November 7. Students will be engaging in conversations, reflections, and other learning experiences to honour and remember those who served and sacrificed for our country.

We will be hosting an assembly on this day at approximately 10:15 am that will include student artwork, poems, and other information to help provide context and develop a deeper understanding of Remembrance Day.

We are also inviting veterans, community members, and families to join us for this assembly.

Students involved in Guiding, Scouting, or Cadets are welcome to wear their uniforms to school on this day.

All students will be provided a poppy on November 7 and University School will be accepting donations on this day for the Royal Canadian Legion.

School Council & Parent Association Meeting

We would love to see all University School families represented at the upcoming School Council and Parent Association meeting. The meeting is on Wednesday, November 6 @ 6:30pm. The meetings will again be held virtually as it allows for more of you to join and participate.

The meetings are a great opportunity to find out more about University School, ask questions, and be a part of something bigger. You can be an active participant in the meeting or just listen to what is being said, all from the comfort of your own home! It is with the support of University School Families and the community that we can provide such wonderful learning opportunities for all students.

Click here to attend the meeting (Microsoft Teams) on Wednesday, November 6 at 6:30pm

Click here for the meeting agenda and minutes from the previous meetings.

Also, the University School Council and Association needs to fill two more roles this year. Filling these positions is integral to the success of our Council & Association. Without these groups, we would not be able to do fundraising which has a huge positive impact on your children (funding residencies, technology, buses for field trips, etc.) They are also in charge of school community events like the dance and movie nights. Currently we are functioning with very few people - we need the help of others in our community to continue to have fun community events and raise funds for University School. Please help us help your children have another incredible year!

No volunteer clearance is needed for these roles. If you are interested, please reach out to universityschoolcouncil@gmail.com or attend the meeting.

1) Association President - Plan the agenda and facilitate all meetings of the Association in coordination with the School Council Chair - Act as a spokesperson for parents association - Attend monthly executive meeting with the School Council chair, Treasurer and school administration team (Principal / Assistant Principal)

2) Secretary - Keep accurate minutes and records of the school council meetings - Keep an accurate list of names and school council members - Check Council email and distribute emails to appropriate Council or Association board members.

Child and Youth Well-Being Series 2024/2025

The Calgary Board of Education invites all parents and guardians to join us in a pre-recorded and live online series focusing on child and youth well-being. These sessions will be hosted in partnership with experts from Alberta Health Services and Recovery Alberta and will explore topics such as Peer Pressure, Healthy Relationships, Mental Health for Highly Sensitive Teens, and navigating Parent-Teen relationships. Acting on feedback from participants who joined us during our live online sessions over the past two years, moving forward we invite all guardians and parents to listen to the pre-recorded or live sessions at their convenience. Suggestions from the Well-Being team are listed below:

Upcoming Live Sessions:

1| November 20 | 1:00-3:00pm | Can we Talk: Healthy Relationships | Diana Wark (She/Her), Parent Program Coordinator for Centre for Sexuality – Register Here

2| November 21 | 12:00-1:30pm | Building Resiliency in Today’s Youth | Andrea Halwas Larsen, PhD, CT, REACE – Register Here

3|November 28 | 10:00am-11:30am | Mental Health for Highly Sensitive Teens; Unique Struggles for those Emotional Feelers | Tracy Fields, MSW, RSW – Register Here

Pre-Recorded Sessions:

1| Adolescent Brain Development and Navigating Parent-Teen Relationships

Erin Dawson Myers

Description: In this session we will discuss the adolescent brain, how to support healthy brain development, promoting resilience, and navigating the ways that your relationship with your teen will evolve as they slowly but surely become little adults.

2| Screen Time: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly | Dr. Caroline Buzanko

Description: The effects of screen time on the developing brain. The behavioural outcomes of too much screen time and how and when technology can be beneficial.

3| Understanding Autism & ADHD to Promote Long-Term Success

Dr. Caroline Buzanko

Description: This session focuses on the complex nature of Autism and ADHD, as well as the associated strengths and challenges.

Mental Health Literacy Series (Pre-Recorded):

1| Focused and Engaged: Finding Balance through Self-Regulation | Information Sheet - Click Here

2| Sleeping Your Way to Better Mental Health | Information Sheet - Click Here

3| Behavioural Challenges of School Aged Children | Information Sheet - Click Here