Dear Families,
We hope you enjoyed the Fall Break! It’s hard to believe we’re already in mid-November. We are happy to have your child(ren) back at school and look forward to the learning experiences ahead. We want to remind you that if your child is going to be away, please let the office know by calling the 24-hour attendance line at 403-777-8250 extension 1. If you are planning an extended holiday (more than 2 weeks), you must notify the office and complete and extended absence form.
Parent Teacher Conferences November 28th and 29th (In-Person)
Student Learning Conferences are an opportunity for you to see your child's progress in relation to the Curricular or Program of Study outcomes at this time in the school year. During the meeting, you will see some of your child's learning evidence and be able to ask questions to your child's teacher. Mrs. Skibbe and Mr. Hawken will be available for conferences so you can learn more about how your child is doing in music and phys-ed. Conference Booking will be available starting Thursday November 21st at 9:00 am. Please log into your MyCBE account to book a conference time.
With student learning conferences just around the corner, many parents ask how they can help their child at home with their literacy and numeracy skills. There are many ways for you to support your child at home and stay connected to their learning. For example:
-help them to build a solid foundation in their first language by emphasizing the importance of oral communication
-sign out books from the public library
-play card games and board games with your child(ren)
-take a genuine interest in their learning and ask lots of questions
-provide the routines and structures they need to build healthy habits for lifelong learning
-Alberta Education offers resources for parents including e-tutoring, Student Learning Hub (resources to support student growth and learning. Find links for educational materials to develop literacy and numeracy, along with health and wellness information)
If you are looking for more ways to support your child in their learning, please reach out to your child’s teacher.
Métis Week November 10th – 16th
Métis Week is an annual commemoration held in November to honour the culture, heritage, and contributions of the Métis people, in Canada. This week of recognition centers on Louis Riel Day, marking the anniversary of Riel's execution in 1885.
Louis Riel was a leader of the Métis, a people of mixed Indigenous and European descent. He tried to protect their rights when the land that was their home became part of Canada.
Bullying Prevention Week November 18th – 22nd
On November 18-22, the Calgary Board of Education recognizes National Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week. During this week and throughout the school year, CBE staff and students collaborate to learn about, promote and implement bullying prevention strategies in an effort to maintain school spaces that are safe, inclusive and where students feel as though they belong. Together, staff, students, parents, caregivers and the community all have a role to play in ensuring our schools are safe.
Welcome Pre-Service Teacher!
Valley View School welcomes Taryn Dyck from the Werkland School of Education. Taryn will be doing her pre-service practicum experience at Valley View School and will begin on Monday November 18th.
Cell Phone Policy Reminder
We want to remind all families that there is Provincial Legislation that cellphones and personal devices are no longer allowed in Alberta classrooms during the 2024-25 school year. Effective this fall, all personal devices for students between kindergarten and Grade 12 will need to be turned off and out of sight during class time. Unless your child qualifies for an exception for having access to a personal device for learning purposes, they are not permitted at school.
Medication Reminder
If your child needs to take medication at school, you must fill out a Health Form and leave the medication with the front office staff. Students are not permitted to have their medication with them during the day.
Toys and Other Personal Belongings at School
Students are not permitted to bring their own toys, personal belongings, or personal sports equipment to school. Please remind your child(ren) to leave these items at home. Oftentimes, these items may become the focus of conflict, they may be lost or even stolen. Our staff want to ensure that maximum time is spent on supporting students with their learning and well-being. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Upcoming Dates:
Tuesday November 19 – School Council Meeting at 6 p.m. (link to be shared with families that morning)
Thursday November 21 – Parent-Teacher Conference booking opens at 9 a.m.
Friday November 22 - Early Dismissal at 12:15 PM (Grades 1-6 attend; Tues/Thurs Science Kindergarten attend; no school for Community Kindergarten)