Open House Meet and Greet
On Thursday, September 26, from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, there will be an opportunity to meet other University School families while enjoying some music and treats outside before heading inside to see child(ren)s classrooms and look around teh school. We are hoping to have all 385 students and their families attend.
Please note, this is not a conference and there is no time allotted to speak one on one with your child’s teacher about your child and their learning. If this is required, please email your child’s teacher to set up a meeting at another time.
Beginning at 5:30 pm there will be music playing on the compound/playground area and we will be providing treats to students and any adults that would like one.
At 6:00 pm, we will announce that families can begin heading inside. Teachers will be available if you have questions and you will get a sense of the magic that happens each and every day in their classrooms. Since we have changed the format to more of an open house, you are welcome to tour the school and visit the gym and Learning Commons during this time.
We look forward to seeing everyone out on Thursday, September 26 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm.
Medical Forms
If your child has a health condition or allergy we should know about or if you would like to leave emergency medication at the school office, please complete the Student Health Plan form.
Also, if your child has significant health concerns or life-threatening allergies please fill out the Emergency Response Protocol form as well.
If you would like a hard copy of either form please let the school know and we can send one home with your child.
School Council & Parent Association Meeting
We would love to see all University School families represented at the first School Council and Parent Association meeting of the 2024-25 school year. The meeting is on Wednesday, September 25 @ 6:30pm. The meetings will again be held virtually as it allows for more of you to join and participate.
Mr. Lang and Ms. Bonanno will also be sharing some of the plans and structures for the 2024-25 school year and the path forward, as well as some general updates regarding the school. There will also be updates from School Council including several positions that still need to be filled.
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.
Take a Book, Leave a Book – the University School Book Shelf
The University School Book Shelf was created last year as a result of the many incredible books that were donated from University School families and the desire for students to have greater access to books at home.
There are numerous studies that support the notion that children who grow up with an extensive home library tend to have higher reading comprehension and better mathematical and digital communication skills as well as a higher overall level of educational attainment.
The University School Book Shelf allows all students to take books home to keep and to their own library as well as share books they may no longer want with other students. The books have all been labelled with a green sticker so they are easily identifiable and are different than books from the classrooms or Learning Commons.
We encourage all families to take a look at what's available and enjoy reading as a family.
Supporting Learning at Home - UES Board Game Library
Did you know that University School has a Board Game Library where you can sign out literacy and numeracy based board games to use at home. The purpose of the Board Game Library is to provide resources for parents to support student learning at home in a fun way while enhancing family relationships.
To see what is available and to sign out a game please click on this link and fill out a quick form. Board Games will be signed out for one week. They will be sent home on Tuesdays and returned on Mondays so that we can prepare them for the next family. We ask that you please look after the games and ensure all of the pieces remain with the games when they are returned. If something goes missing, please leave a note with the game so we can try to replace it.
Currently, we have 15 games and two copies of each to sign out. Though the resources are being categorized into either Literacy or Numeracy games there are elements of both literacy and numeracy in the majority of games. We plan to add even more games to the Board Game Library including cooperative games where everyone has to work together to win.
Literacy games include:
Apples to Apples - making comparisons and connections between words (contains some mature words)
Apples to Apples Junior - making comparisons and connections between words (less complex and more child-friendly words)
Boggle - find as many connected words as possible
Boggle Junior - teaches letters and spelling in two games of increasing difficulty.
Bananagrams - players work independently to create their own 'crossword'
Spot It! Basic English - matching sight words to illustrations
Sequence Letters - is the traditional Sequence game retooled to help children learn their letters and letter sounds.
Zingo Word Builder - use letter tiles to complete three-letter words
Quiddler - create words from an ever-increasing number of letter cards
Numeracy games include:
Spot It! 1, 2, 3 - number and shape recognition
Blokus - abstract strategy game using different shapes
Qwirkle - matching patterns and shapes, identifying patterns
Mobi - play numbered tiles and symbols to create simple equations
Yahtzee - classic dice game trying to score in 13 categories
Sleeping Queens - players need to use strategy, quick thinking, and some math skills to awake queens from their slumber
Prime Climb - players use four basic arithmetic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to progress around the board
Community Movie Night
Please join UHCA for a Movie in the Park! on Saturday, September 21, 2024
What: The Super Mario Bros. Movie
When: set-up about 5:00 PM - movie about 7:00 PM
you are encouraged to bring a blanket and a picnic, set up early to meet your neighbours
Where: Ungava Park, SW corner (near Ungava Rd & Uralta Rd, https://maps.app.goo.gl/9hRjdhsGDXFuRbZY9)
Cost: Free! Thanks to a grant from Servus Credit Union as well as organizing & volunteer efforts by UHCA.
Food: They will be selling a few treats (popcorn, small chips, chocolate bars, etc) and glow items for $1.00 and $2.00. Please arrive with coin change (not large bills!!) if you’d like to purchase anything.
Also, feel free to pack your own picnic!
School Calendars
To view the calendars for University School please visit the calendar page on the website (https://university.cbe.ab.ca/calendar) and scroll down to locate them in the bottom left-hand corner. We have also linked them below for your convenience.
Please click here for the Universy School Calendar
Please click here for the Kindergarten Friday Calendar
If your Child is Absent
It is important for the school to keep accurate attendance to ensure all students are safe and accounted for. To help us with this we ask that you please call the school’s attendance line if your child will be absent for any reason (ie. illness, holiday, appointment). To call dial 403-777-6240 and enter “1” when prompted. Please remember to include your child(ren)’s first and last name, their teacher’s name, and also the reason they are absent.
Snacks and Lunches for Students
Thank you to everyone who has already donated snacks for students. We have many students who come down for snacks throughout the day and are still in need of more snacks.
If your family is able to help, we would be grateful for donations of healthier food items such as fresh fruit (apples, bananas, oranges), packs of goldfish crackers, granola bars, apple sauce packets, fruit bars, etc. All items need to be single-serve and pre-packed. Items can be brought to the main doors of the school or your child can bring them down to the office. Thank you so much for your help!
Also, University School is part of the Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids (BB4CK) program which provides prepared healthy lunches to Calgary Schools for students who are in need. Through this program, we will be able to provide daily lunches to some of our students. If you feel as though your family would benefit from this program, please contact Ms. Bonanno (ljbonanno@cbe.ab.ca).
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
Wednesday, September 18
- Room 18 Outdoor Education
Thursday, September 19
- Grade 1 Community Walk
- Grade 2 Outdoor Education
- Grade 4 Community Walk
Friday, September 20
- AM Kindergarten classes attend (8:00 to 12:05) - No PM Kindergarten
- Flex Time - Mixed Grade Groups
Month Ahead
Sept 23 - School Photos - Lifetouch
Sept 23 - Sept 26 - Orange Shirt Week
Sept 26 - School Open House Meet and Greet Evening (5:30 pm)
Sept 27 - No School - Non-Instruction Day
Sept 30 - No School - Truth and Reconciliation Day and Orange Shirt Day
Oct 4 - Terry Fox Run and Assembly
Oct 14 - Thanksgiving Day - No School
Dates of Significance
Sept 13 - 22 - Welcome Week
Sept 16 - 18 - Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving)
Sept 16 - 23 - Sukkot
Sept 17 - Mid-Autumn Festival (Zhongqiu Jie), Mooncake or Moon Festival
Sept 20 - National Trades Day
Sept 22 - Treaty 7 Day
Sept 22 - Fall Equinox
Sept 22 - 28 - Gender Equality Week
Sept 30 - National Day of Truth & Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day
Oct - German Heritage Month
Oct - Canadian Islamic History Month
Oct- Women’s History Month