Remembrance Day

University School is recognizing  Remembrance Day on Wednesday, November 8. Students have been 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 10:20 am that will include student artwork, a story, 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 8 and University School will be accepting donations on this day for the Royal Canadian Legion.

Book Fair

The University School Book Fair begins on Monday, November 6. Students will be able to browse through a large selection of books and accessories on Monday to see if anything piques their interest. Then beginning Monday after school, students, along with families will be able to start purchasing items. Students wishing to purchase items are encouraged to bring money on Tuesday or Wednesday. There will also be a debit machine available if that is a preferred method of payment. The fair will be open the following days and times and is open to families after school:

• Monday, November, 6 - 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Tuesday, November 7 - 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
• Wednesday, November 8 - 8:00 am to 12:30 pm

Indigenous Veterans Day - November 8

Wednesday, November 8 is also National Indigenous Veterans Day and we are acknowledging it to better understand the role Indigenous Veterans have played in Canada. 

In the War of 1812, Indigenous leaders, like Tecumseh, helped to ensure the safety and security of Canada. Some of these veterans are some of the highest decorated soldiers, aviators and sailors in our military history. Sergeant Tommy Prince was a member of 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, and is one of the most decorated aboriginal soldiers in Canada.

Where there has been conflict or where peace, security and safety have been threatened, Indigenous people from across Canada have supported.  We thank the thousands of First Nations, Inuit and Métis who have played pivotal roles in Canada's military.

For more information, please visit the Canadian Indigenous Veterans website.

Student Patrols & Street Safety

You may have that our Grade 5 & 6 students are back on school patrol! They are so excited to take on these roles to support student safety. Over the next couple of weeks, students will be completing their training. Please drive carefully when near the school and use the crosswalk whenever possible. This sets a good example for your children and other children while helping to keep everyone safe.

Drop off and pick up is often a busy time with increased congestion. We would like to thank families for parking in the appropriate spaces and being mindful of keeping the Bus zone area free as well as not parking in the parking lot as those are designated for staff. We encourage families to have conversations with their child(ren)  to use the crosswalk when crossing the street as it provides a well-marked spot for students and their families to cross.  Please help us by also modelling this behaviour when you are dropping off or picking up your child.

If you drive your child(ren) to school please be aware of where you are parking so that you do not block community driveways. Thank you for your attention to this.

Fun Snack - Booster Juice - Nov 16

The next fun snack is Booster Juice and the smoothies will be distributed on Thursday, November 16. The last day to order this fun sanck is Saturday, November 11. Please go to Healthy Hunger to place your order and also see what is available for the rest of the year.

There are a few different smoothie choices such as Strawberry Sunshine, Mango Hurricane, and Pirate’s Nectar. All three of these smoothies also have dairy-free options.

Casino Fundraiser – Needs Volunteers 

Want to help generate key funds to support and enhance learning for students at University School? Volunteer Saturday 9th & Sunday 10 December at the Elbow River Casino 

University School Parent Association has been awarded dates for the most significant and major fundraising event in the school community and it only happens every 18-24 months.  

Saturday, December 9 & Sunday, December 10 at the Elbow River Casino (218 18 Ave SE, Calgary, T2G 1L1). 

Proceeds from this fundraiser are used to support and enhance learning for all children at University School. Prior year proceeds added books to the library, Chromebooks and iPads, replaced recess playground equipment and supported school residences; allowing students to experience new activities and learning. 

If you are looking for a way to help support these initiatives, here is your chance!  We require approximately 36 volunteers to be scheduled for a variety of casino support roles over two days in the following shifts 11am-7pm, 7pm-3:30am & 11pm-3:30am.  

Come, meet and work the casino with our community of parents, grandparents and friends of University School.  

Anyone over 18 is welcome, no prior experience or volunteer clearance is required, we just need your time! We'll even feed you too!  

Please assist us by committing to volunteer by clicking the link below: 

UES Casino Fundraiser (Dec 9 & 10) 

Thank you, 

University School Parent Association 

Fun at Home

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. 

Take a Book, Leave a Book

The University School Book Shelf was created last year as a result of the many incredible books that were donated by University School families and the desire for students to have greater access to books at home.  The Uniiversity school Book Shelf is located by the office and is open to all students and families to select books to take home. It is currently overflowing so please encourage your children to come grab a book. They can access this throughout the day as well as after school. 

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. 

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. 

School Council and Parent Association Meeting 

Thank you to everyone who attended the School Council and Parent Association meeting last Wednesday. We had another pretty good turnout and appreciate the questions that were asked and the suggestions that were provided. The meetings are a great way to find out what is going on at University School and also have a say in your child’s education. Below you will see the presentation that was shared. The minutes from this meeting, when available, will be posted on the school website and also emailed out prior to the next meeting. 

This Week 

Monday, November 6

• Scholastic Book Fair begins - viewing (purchasing 2:40 pm to 5:00 pm)
• University of Calgary Practicum Students begin

Tuesday, November 7

• Scholastic Book Fair - purchasing - 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
• Grade 3 Field Trip
• Student Council meeting at lunch
• Inuit Day

Wednesday, November 8

• Scholastic Book Fair - last day
• Remembrance Day Assembly - 10:20am - Families and Community Welcome
• Indigenous Veterans Day

Thursday, November 9

• No School - Indigenous Education Professional Learning Day

Friday, November 10

• No School - Fall Break (Nov 10 to Nov 14)

 

Month Ahead 

Nov 11 - Remembrance Day

Nov 15 – Classes Resume

Nov 16 - Fun Snack - Booster Juice

Nov 20 - Gymnastics begins

Nov 23 - No School for Kindergarten

Nov 23 - Student Learning Conferences

Nov 24 - No School - Student Learning Conferences

Nov 28 - Gymnastics with equipment

Nov 29 - Grade 6 Field Trip

Nov 30 - Spirit Day - Jersey Day

Dates of Significance 

Nov - Hindu Heritage Month

Nov 5-11 – Veterans Week 

Nov 7 - Inuit Day 

Nov 8 – Indigenous Veterans Day 

Nov 11 – Remembrance Day 

Nov 12 – Diwali 

Nov 13-19 – Metis Awareness Week 

Nov 19 to 25 - National Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week 

Nov 20 - National Child Day

Nov 20 - Transgender Day of Remembrance

Nov 20 to 26 - Canadian History Week