Dear Families, 

Thanks to all families who participated in the Meet the Teacher opportunity and Fall BBQ. The event was a big success, and we thank all of you for your support and commitment to your child’s learning at Valley View School. We also thank the Valley View School Council and the Rotary Club of Calgary for organizing the Fall BBQ. It was wonderful to have the school community together to kick off this school year. 

Today our teachers had a non-instruction day to begin looking at the School Development Plan process for this school year. As we start to dig into the data from last year, we’re looking ahead to what our goals will be for this year. There will be more engagement in the coming weeks, as well as an opportunity for families to learn more. Teachers also spent time working on student supports, like Individual Program Plans (IPPs), Student Support Plans, and reviewing transition summaries.  

Complete Important Demographic Verification 

Each year, schools have a variety of forms that parents / legal guardians are required to complete or review and update, some of which are paper and others online. In CBE, the forms in an online format (SchoolEngage) are: 

-Demographic Verification - 2023-24 – This form includes your child’s personal information as well as parent / legal guardian contact information. 

-Citizenship Information Update - 2023-24 – This form becomes available if you change your child’s citizenship information on the Demographic Verification form. 

-Annual Authorization - 2023-24 – Combines the following forms: 

-School District Use of Personal Information - explains how CBE uses personal information in providing education services. 

-Consent for CBE Use of Student Information – provides an option to grant / not grant consent for additional use of student information by school/district and third parties. 

-Consent for Use of Student Information by News Media and Outside Groups (Third Party) - provides an option to grant / not grant consent for additional use of student information by outside groups and third parties 

SchoolEngage is one of the applications found in your MyCBE account. This is the same account that you use to pay fees, view academic information, book school conferences, etc. 

If you do not have a MyCBE account, on the MyCBE page click on Create a MyCBE Account. For online help refer, to MyCBE - Creating an Account (includes instructions and a video). 

To complete these forms: 

1 | sign in to your MyCBE account 

2 | click on the SchoolEngage icon 

3 | select the form 

4 | complete or review and update the form 

5 | click on Submit to send the form electronically to the school 

6 | repeat steps 3-5 for each form 

Please submit the Demographic Verification and Annual Authorization forms in SchoolEngage for your child by Monday, September 25. These forms are mandatory every year for Alberta Education to confirm student funding.  -Thank you for completing them. 

If you have any other students with the Calgary Board of Education, you may proceed with completing their forms too. 

Orange Shirt Week September 25 - 29 

Orange Shirt Day is on September 30 annually. It began in 2013 when residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad shared how her orange shirt was taken away on her first day at residential school. This story is an opportunity for students and staff to reflect on history, legacy and implications, to discuss stories of survival and strength and to share ways we can work together toward truth and reconciliation. It is also an opportunity to commit to commemorating the children who attended residential schools, recognizing their experiences, honoring them and sharing a collective commitment to ensure that every child matters and that each student is welcome, safe, respected and cared for in their learning community every day. 

In the spirit of reconciliation and hope, all CBE schools will be acknowledging Orange Shirt Week. We have planned activities and learning opportunities for students throughout the week as we engage in purposeful learning. The intention of the week is to recognize and honour residential school survivors, their families and communities. On Thursday October 28, we encourage all staff and students to wear orange shirts to school to acknowledge Orange Shirt Day.  

Please note that Friday, Sept. 29 will be a non-operational day to commemorate truth and reconciliation across the Calgary Board of Education. This means there will be no classes and schools and workplaces will be closed for the day. 

Pre-Service Teachers from Mount Royal University 

We are happy to welcome 4 pre-service teachers from MRU’s B.Ed. Program with opportunities to observe learning and teaching in our school and engage in practical experience.  The field experience and practicum are critical to the understanding developed by practicum students, and it is a very exciting and rewarding experience for them. 

Terry Fox Run 

Thanks to all families who donated to the Terry Fox Foundation and supported the Terry Fox Run at Valley View School. We raised over $500 in support of cancer research and our students took part in various learning activities related to the event. It's not too late to donate, if you'd like to send a toonie to school next week.

Intramurals  

We are happy to be starting soccer intramurals for students in Division 2 next week. Students in grades 3-5 will have an opportunity to participate in this lunchtime activity. Forms were sent home last week and must be signed prior to students playing this sport. 

Patroller Training

Our grade 5 students will receive training on Monday to become school safety patrollers. They will have an important role to play in keeping our crosswalk on 41st street safe. When they begin their duties, please be respectful of their work and obey all traffic safety signals and signs.

Upcoming Dates: 

Tuesday September 26 – Virtual School Council Annual General Meeting (AGM) at 6:00 pm (link to be shared that morning) 

Thursday September 28 - Orange Shirt Day

Friday September 29 – Non-Operational Day to Commemorate Truth and Reconciliation Day (No School)