University School Council’s ‘Fall Ball’ Family Dance

Dear University School Families,

University School will be hosting a Family Dance on Thursday, October 26 from 6 PM to 8 PM. Every child attending needs to come with their own adult supervision, as childcare is not part of the event.

We have renamed our Halloween Dance as the ‘Fall Ball’ this year to make it more inclusive. While the dance will look the same as other years, there is no pressure to wear a costume or celebrate Halloween. We will have a rockin’ DJ, a costume contest, food and snacks, and several other fun activities!

The dance is a big fundraiser for the school each year. Using the Healthy Hunger website, families can pre-purchase tickets ahead of time. Our suggested amount per family is $20. The dance is a ‘pay-what-you-can’ style, meaning you can choose the amount that works best for your family. On the Healthy Hunger website, you can also order food for the evening. Due to the high demand in food that we experienced last year, we ask that every family order their food under ONE student in their family. Please DO NOT order per child. This will streamline the process. Please visit https://healthyhunger.ca/index...

The dance cannot happen without the help of volunteers. This is a School Council event, not a University School event. This means it is the responsibility of the community to plan and run the dance, not on the staff of UES. We will need several volunteers to set up during the day, run different stations during the evening, and take down at the end. It takes a whole community! Please sign up for a spot here: https://signup.com/go/opkkTAf

If you have suggestions, comments, or concerns, please direct them to School Council at universityschoolcouncil@gmail.com We are always open to suggestions!

 

University School Merchandise

We have some exciting news! In collaboration with Big Mountain Activewear, University School now has an online store that features school merchandise available to purchase such as t-shirts, hoodies, hats, toques, bags, pants etc. All items listed are available in youth and adult sizes. 

Click here to access the University School Spirit Wear 2023 - Online Store

The online store will be open until Sunday, October 15 and orders will be paid directly to Big Mountain Activewear. No orders will be accepted after this date. Purchased items will be individually wrapped and delivered to the school and handed out to students during school hours on Wednesday, November 15. Please note there are no exchanges or refunds. We will have another opportunity for the online store to be open again in the Spring of 2024. 

To support sizing, we will have some t-shirt samples available near the office.

Child and Youth Well-Being: A Webinar Series for Parents and Guardians

The Calgary Board of Education invites all parents and guardians to join us in an online series focusing on child and youth well-being. These sessions will be hosted in partnership with experts from Alberta Health Services and will explore topics such as vaping, brain development, mental health, and sexual health.

Click the link below to learn more:  

Child and Youth Well-Being:  

A Webinar Series for Parents and Guardians

CBE educators believe that parents and guardians can inspire their kids to make healthy lifestyle choices and increase protective factors – in order to do so, they need the right tools and information.

Well-being is a precondition for learning. As our understanding of student well-being continues to evolve, it is important for those that support children and youth to stay up to date on the same information so everyone can support student success. 

The intention of the series is to advance student well-being by raising family and caregiver’s understanding of a variety of health-related topics. 

Thank you for your time and consideration to join us. 

 

Terry Fox Run

Thank you to everyone who joined University School today, Friday, October 6, 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 $4500. 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

Below is the slideshow that was shared at the assembly. You can use it to support conversations with your children.

Fun Lunch – A & W – Oct 19

The first fun lunch of the school year is A&W and they are offering choices such as cheeseburgers, chicken burgers, Beyond Meat burgers, and french fries.

The last day to order the A&W fun lunch is Saturday, October 14. Please go to Healthy Hunger to place your order.

The fun lunch will be distributed on Thursday, October 19.

Morning Kindergarten students can wait until 11:15am to receive their fun lunch if ordered. If they attend Summit they will have their food brought to them there. 

Camp Chief Hector – Grade 5 & 6

The Grade 5 & 6 students returned from camp on Thursday afternoon exhausted yet somehow still full of energy and excitement. We would like to thank the Grade 5 & 6 teachers for taking the students to Camp Chief Hector for the 4 days and the parent volunteers who came for the week because without them this experience would not have been possible. While there the students made new friends, explored nature, and most importantly learned a great deal about themselves and what they are capable of when given the opportunity.

 

Free YMCA Membership – Grade 6 Students

The Calgary Flames Foundation for Life and Calgary YMCA have again teamed up to offer students in Grade 6 a no-fee General Youth Membership (valid from August 1, 2023, until August 31, 2024). Students whose parents sign them up for the membership will enjoy member benefits at all YMCA locations in Calgary, including advanced program registration and discounted rates for programs, plus special Grade 6 programs and activities.

Parents and guardians can fill out a YMCA Membership form at any YMCA Calgary location or online. Bring your form along with your child’s Grade 5 report card, school ID, or a signed letter from a school administrator or teacher to any YMCA location.

Click here for more information!

Upcoming Survey - OurSCHOOL Student Survey

University School will be participating in an online school perception survey for students called the OurSCHOOL Student Survey.  Grade 4-6 students will be participating in this anonymous survey and completely voluntary for all CBE students.  At University School, the OurSchool Student Survey will occur from October 10 – 17.

Please find the details of the survey implementation below. 

CBE’s Education Plan prioritizes student voice and well-being in our decision-making processes.  Responses from this survey are used 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 4-12 students provide feedback on: sense of belonging, positive relationships, anxiety, feeling safe at school, life satisfaction, general health, orientation to well-being, goal-oriented, self-regulation, cultural awareness of others

Additionally, Grades 6-12 students provide feedback on: depression, self-esteem, cultural awareness of self

Demographic questions are also asked on this survey for norming purposes.

These are: Grades 4-12 general: age, gender, Indigenous status, immigrant status, home language. Grades 6-12 specific: grade repeater, reasons for changing schools, disability or medical conditions that limits participation in school activities or learning.

This Week

Monday, October 9

• Thanksgiving Day – No School

Wednesday, October 11

• Grade 5/6 Patrol Training

Friday, October 13

• Rm 18 – birdhouse building

 

Month Ahead

Oct 19 - Fun Lunch – A & W

Oct 20 - No School – Non-Instructional Day

Oct 26 - School Photo Retakes

Oct 26 - Fall Ball – School Dance

Oct 27 - School Assembly (Grateful) - Celebrations of Learning

Nov 8 - Remembrance Day Assembly

Nov 9 – No School – Indigenous Education Professional Learning Day

Nov 10 – 14 – Fall Break

Nov 15 – Classes Resume

 

Dates of Significance

Oct – German Heritage Month

Oct – Canadian Islamic History Month

Oct – Latin American Heritage Month

Oct – Women's History Month

Oct 9 –Thanksgiving Day

Oct 10 – World Mental Health Day

Oct 11 – International Day of the Girl Child

Oct 16 – Persons Day

Oct 19 – Take Me Outside Day