Student Accommodation Plan
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I writing to share with you that our school is no longer listed on the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) Three-Year System Student Accommodation Plan (SSAP) as our school’s enrolment and utilization is now in an appropriate range.
The SSAP identifies schools facing student accommodation challenges, such as high enrolment pressure, a decline in enrolment, or a change in the demographics of students at the school. The solution to these challenges may affect one or more schools and needs careful consideration.
In developing the SSAP each year, CBE reviews current enrollment trends, demographic changes, community growth or decline, birth data, and other relevant factors to understand educational opportunities for students based on where they live.
Our school has been included in previous versions of the SSAP. However, University School is no longer part of the SSAP as our school’s enrollment and utilization are now within the appropriate range. This means that no further action is required at this time.
If you want to learn more about the SSAP process or read the 2024-27 SSAP, please visit the Three-Year System Student Accommodation Plan page on the CBE website. If you have any further questions about student enrolment and utilization at our school, please reach out to me at jplang@cbe.ab.ca.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Lang - Principal
Terry Fox Walk/Run
Thank you to everyone who joined University School on Friday for the Terry Fox Run.
We started the morning with a whole school assembly before heading outside to run between the school and the pond. The students wore signs sharing whom they were running for. It was great to see the determination the students were showing as they ran back and forth.
Thank you to everyone who has donated as we have already raised over $7500 which is incredible and far above our goal. The link will remain live for another few weeks for those families still wishing to donate to this cause. To donate click on the direct link for University School: schools.terryfox.ca/university
Fun Snack - Kernels Popcorn
The first fun snack of the year is Kernels Popcorn and it will be on Thursday, October 10. Orders must be placed at least 5 days before the delivery date so for this fun snack that is Saturday, October 5
Also, we are continuing the highly successful option in Healthy Hunger for families to donate / buy snacks for friends so that the school can purchase items for those students who are unable to do so themselves. It is wonderful seeing University School community coming together to help each other out. Thank you!
Please go to Healthy Hunger to order your fun snacks and fun lunches. Most items have been added for the year so you can order ahead. For more information about how to do this check out last week's update.
Fall Ball Family Dance Party
What: Family Dance Fundraiser hosted by School Council
When: Thursday, October 24th, from 6-8PM
Where: University School gymnasium
How to attend: Purchase your tickets ahead of time by using the Healthy Hunger website (https://healthyhunger.ca/). The suggested cost of admission is $20. We are again doing a ‘pay-what-you-can’ format to ensure that every family can join. Healthy Hunger allows you to pay in increments of $5. Tickets can also be purchased at the door on the evening of the dance. The Fall Ball is a community event that also functions as a fundraiser for our School Council.
There is food available to order from the Healthy Hunger site (pizza and/or a treat). Food orders are due by Saturday, October 19. The DJ will be spinning fun tunes. There will be a door prize, best costume prize, and guess-the-candy jar prize.
This is a family dance - all children must be accompanied by adults, no supervision is provided.
To volunteer, please visit the SignUp.com link https://signup.com/go/sQuNKht or contact universityschoolcouncil@gmail.com. We need more volunteers to make this event happen!
School Safety
We wanted to share a few updates and also some things that we have been noticing.
Currently, the sidewalk directly in front of the school, at the crosswalk, is being upgraded to improve ease of access and safety for everyone. Please be mindful that we have moved where students are crossing and are asking drivers to be extra aware as we now have our student patrollers out. Also, we are asking all students and families not to cut through the area or pass through the railings as it is not safe.
We are seeking your help by not entering through the student doors in the morning or at the end of the day as all guests must enter through the front of the school. This is not only a safety concern but it makes it difficult for us to support all students and create independent and self-sufficient learners and thinkers. If you feel as though your child needs additional help to enter the school or take off their shoes please speak to their teacher so we can make a plan. We know you are trying to help but it really does make thinks much more difficult for school staff and it takes your child(ren) longer to settle and regulate once in the school.
If you need to speak to a teacher we ask that you email them to make an appointment as pick-up and drop-off times are not conducive to quality conversations.
As a reminder, student entry doors open at 7:55 am and close at 8:00 am as that is when learning is supposed to begin. It is important that students arrive at school and enter by 8:00 am. Students arriving after 8:00 am are asked to go to the front doors of the school to enter. They must stop in at the office to say hello to Mrs. Hugi or Mrs. Robins so that proper attendance can be taken. Your child(ren) are capable of making their way to their classes by themselves and if they need support we are able to help them at the office. Please do not go with your children down to their classrooms.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to contact the school office.
Alien In-Line Residency
We are looking forward to having Alien In-Line helping all of our students learn to skate beginning on Wednesday, October 9 and running until October 24. Each class will have an opportunity to experience rollerblading three times.
Many basic and advanced skating skills are taught during the Alien In-Line program. Skills introduced will vary based on the student’s abilities and may include; standing on skates/basic position, simple forward motion, several ways to stop, several ways to turn, safe skating strategies, road/pathway etiquette, and non-aerial jumping. Instruction time is followed by games chosen to use the skills in a more active situation. Some sessions may end with a period of free skating time, often accompanied by music.
Alien In-Line provides protective gear for each student (knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, helmet). All protective equipment is required to be used at all times and equipment is disinfected between each use. Students are encouraged to bring their own helmets on the days they have in-line skating.
CBE Survey
University School will be participating in an online school perception survey for students called the OurSCHOOL Student Survey for students in Grades 4, 5 and 6. This anonymous survey is completely voluntary for all CBE students. Please find the details of the survey implementation below. The survey will run this week.
CBE’s Education Plan prioritizes student voice and well-being in our decision-making processes. Responses from this survey will be utilized at the system and school level to recognize and improve what is necessary for students to feel safe, welcome and cared for when at school.
Grades 4-5 students (elementary survey) provide feedback on a sense of belonging, positive relationships, anxiety, and feeling safe at school
Grades 6 -12 (secondary survey) students to provide feedback on: sense of belonging, positive relationships, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, feeling safe at school, life satisfaction, general health, orientation to well-being, goal-oriented, self-regulation, cultural awareness
In addition, demographic questions are asked on this survey for norming purposes.
Grades 4-5 (elementary survey): age, gender, Indigenous status, immigrant status, home language.
Grades 6-12 (secondary survey): age, gender, Indigenous status, immigrant status, home language, grade repeater, reasons for changing schools, disability or medical conditions that limit participation in school activities or learning.
If you have questions or about the upcoming implementation of the OurSCHOOL Student Survey, please contact Lori Bonanno (ljbonanno@cbe.ab.ca).
This Week
Tuesday, October 8
- Grade 1 Outdoor Walk
Wednesday, October 9
- Grade 6 Handbell Club
- Alien In-line Residency Starts
Thursday, October 10
- Fun Snack - Kernels Popcorn
- Grade 2 Outdoor Learning
Friday, October 11
- AM Kindergarten Attends - No PM Kindergarten
- Flex Fridays - Buddies
Month Ahead
Oct 9 - 23 - Aline In-Line Skating Residency Begins
Oct 10 - Fun Snack - Kernels Popcorn
Oct 14 - No School - Thanksgiving Day
Oct 15 - School Wifi Upgrade
Oct 16 - Grade 6 Field Trip - Wordfest
Oct 21 - Oct 24 - Pond School
Oct 24 - Photo Retakes
Dates of Significance
Oct - German Heritage Month
Oct - Canadian Islamic History Month
Oct- Women’s History Month
Oct - Down’s Syndrome Awareness Month
Oct 7 - 11 - International Walk to School Week
Oct 10 - World Mental Health Day
Oct 11 - International Day of the Girl Child
Oct 11 - Yom Kippur
Oct 12 - Dussehra
Oct 14 - Thanksgiving Day
Accommodation