Dear Families,
We wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! We hope you have a wonderful time celebrating with family and friends. We’re grateful for our amazing school community and appreciate your partnership in your child’s learning journey.
Student Voice
We were so excited to have the first student voice meeting with representatives from each class in our school this week. Students were asked to share their thoughts and opinions about the following questions and generated many wonderful ideas! Some of their ideas are included after the question:
Thinking about our School Commitment (We are peaceful with our words, and we are gentle with our actions):
1.What are some ways we can work together to celebrate our differences and learn from each other, so everyone feels welcome and valued at our school? having more kindness activities
-more kindness activities
-school talent shows
-inclusive culture days
-more clubs at lunch (like reading club, tutoring club, and writing club)
2. How can our school help everyone to feel included and supported, and what ideas do you have to make sure all voices are heard and respected
-initiating a welcome committee for new students
-having more whole school activities
-offering mental health supports
3.How can we help each other become better readers and writers in our school?
-offering after-school reading programs
-more buddy reading
-reading and writing clubs
Student voice is essential for building a positive school culture, and we look forward to continuing our work with students to make VVS an even better place to learn. Next steps include reviewing student responses and deciding on what we will implement together.
Individual Program Plans (IPP’s) - Review and Signature
Individual Program Plans are now being shared with families of students who have an IPP. It’s important for you to take the time to review the plan and sign the signature page at the end. Please return the signature page to school next week. Thank you.
No Cell Phones at School
We are finding that there are many students in the upper grades who are using their cell phones in the hallways and when they are out of class. There is a new Ministerial Order that clearly states that students are to limit their use of personal devices at school. Furthermore, in our K-6 setting, the expectation is that students are not to use their personal devices at school, unless they have an exception for learning purposes. If students are using their cell phones, they are given one warning to put it away. If they continue to use their cell phones, the supervisor will have the student turn it into the office until the end of the day. Please have a conversation with your child about this and also note that the school is not responsible for any lost or stolen personal devices. Thanks for your support.
El Sistema Multicultural Orchestra – some spots still available!
El Sistema Calgary still has a few spots for students in grades 2 through 5 at Valley View School Community.
El Sistema Calgary offers a transformative music education afterschool program at no cost to families. It provides four hours of music instruction per week, free use of instruments year-round, and covers all instructor costs. Funded 90% by the City of Calgary and the Calgary Foundation, the program aims to foster personal growth, enhance cognitive and social skills, and build a strong sense of community and teamwork among students.
Application is first come, first served. For more information, contact José Duque at josegduque@elsistemacalgary.com
Upcoming Dates:
Monday October 14 – Thanksgiving (School Closed)
Friday October 18 - Early Dismissal at 12:15 PM (Grades 1-6 attend; Mon/Wed Science Kindergarten attend; no school for Community Kindergarten)