Monday was Earth Day 🌎, many of our classes will be engaging in tasks around environmental stewardship this week. You may wish to extend this learning at home by engaging in eco-friendly activities that further instill a love for our planet. Consider doing a small recycling project, going electricity free for an evening, working in the yard, or doing your own neighborhood clean-up. These simple actions can make a big impact and foster a conservation mindset. Did you see that the school parking lot was empty on Friday? We joined over 100 CBE staff members who were updating their first aid at Chaparral School. This is something we do every three years. If you have any questions or would like more information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Kelly Christopher
Principal
Karlee Zelmer
Principal Assistant
Orff the Wall
Congratulations to Ms. Brown-Wolfe, Ms. Hutton, Mr. Fraser and 39 Grade 6 students who participated in Orff the Wall this past Monday. This was a music concert involving eight elementary schools from all parts of Calgary at the Jack Singer Concert Hall. Students in this club have been practicing during lunch hours since January. Some sang, some danced, and some played the ukulele for our performance of Riptide by Vance Joy. They all sang two ensemble songs that involved students from all the schools. Everyone’s hard work showed and the evening was a beautiful tribute to all the talent and hard work of our students. You all made us very proud!
Fun Lunch (April 24)
Panago is Wednesday, April 24! If you purchased lunch for your child, it will be delivered to their class on Wednesday, but be sure to supplement your child’s lunch with drinks or snacks as needed.
Altadore Garden Event (April 25)
Master Gardener Virtual Presentation (April 25th 6-7:30pm) Always wanted to grow your own veggies? Learn what to plant, when, where, and how in 2024, with Janet Melrose, Calgary’s Cottage Gardener. Plus, she will discuss many tips and tricks we can use to combat what promises to be a hot and dry growing season this year - whether or not you are gardening in a school garden bed or homes. Her tips allow brown thumbs, or experts to make the most of even a plant pot to grow something delicious & nutritious.
Calling all Volunteers!
We’re on the lookout for nine new volunteers for next year’s school council and garden! There are lots of positions to fill, so please scroll down to the end of this newsletter to see all the positions we are trying to fill. Don’t hesitate to reach out by emailing altadoreparentcouncil@gmail.com with any questions, or if you just want to learn more. Scroll DOWN to check out all of the volunteer roles!
Pretty Please :)
Yearbooks
Atladore Yearbooks (2023-2024) are on sale through Lifetouch! The cost is $15 and you will need to use the ID code 14522224. When you order please ensure you include your child’s name and their grade.
Orders are due Friday, May 10! We do not anticipate having any extras available for purchase in June.
Altadore Gear
Celebrate Spring with some new Altadore Apparel! From a crisp white t-shirt featuring an ombré logo for only $15, to a brand new sweatshirt for $30 that your child can grab out of their backpack for a light layer as they run to find their besties at recess. Great prices, great quality, and celebrate an amazing community! Check out the site (Please note that this is not a fundraiser, but a fun way for everyone to feel a part of the Altadore community. The school does not profit from the purchase.)
Instagram for Altadore_School_Parent
Check out our Altadore School Parent Instagram account! Because it is a private account, you will need to search for it on instagram under Altadore_School_Parent, and request permission to access the account. That way you can follow along with updates on events, news, volunteer call outs, spirit day reminders, and much much more!
Sharing Back | School Planning
Thank you to everyone who participated in our school planning engagement. We know we make better decisions to support student learning when we build understanding and work together. The feedback we received is compiled at the links below and will be thoughtfully considered in making decisions about school planning.
Online survey results:
Comments Report:
In-Person Meeting Feedback:
Safety
Please be aware of traffic in the parking lot as well as traffic coming in and out of the parking lot. As always there are lots of vehicles and children on 45 Avenue at entry and dismissal times. We want to make sure everyone is safe and that we are being good role models for our children.
Volunteers Volunteers and more Volunteers!
School Council Positions to Fill
We’re currently on the lookout for volunteers for next year’s school council! Check out the positions below, (with time estimates in addition to a monthly council meeting).
If you want to find out more about any of the positions, check out the parent handbook where they’re explained in more detail HERE, or you’re highly encouraged to reach out to our current chair altadoreparentcouncil@gmail.com if you want to chat about any of the positions, or how to get involved! We need lots of help, so don’t be shy!
Vice Chair Role
Supports the Chair throughout the school year as needed, and often, but not required, becomes the Chair the following year.
Time Commitment: ~2-4 hours/month
Treasurer Role
Provides oversight of the Parents’ Association’s financial transactions and the financial status of Parent Association accounts. The processes have been simplified, streamlined and digitized this year! Please volunteer soon to participate in developing the budget in May for the 2024/2025 school year, and to learn from our current Treasurer! This role is a 2-year term.
Time Commitment: 8 hours/month
Secretary Role
Drafts the agenda for the Parent Association meetings, and generates minutes from Parent Association and Executive meetings, as required.
Time Commitment: ~2-4 hours/month
Volunteer Coordinator Role
Oversee the volunteer program at the school, maintain communication with Classroom parents, help organize volunteers for school wide events.
Time Commitment: ~2-4 hours/month
Communications Role
Compile information from various school committees and what is happening around the school, and draft the council's portion of the weekly newsletter.
Time Commitment: ~ 4-6 hours/month
Garden Positions to Fill
We are looking for the following garden positions to be filled as soon as possible! If you or someone you know might be interested, please email the garden committee HERE!
Garden Committee Co-Chair Role Description
Collaborate with existing chair to lead garden maintenance, programming, and special events.
Membership & Communications Coordinator Role Description
Oversee the assignment of edible garden beds, membership fees, and communications with gardeners and volunteers to maintain both the naturalistic & edible garden.
Communications Lead Role Description
Assist with ongoing social media posts, work with Master gardener/ student to collaboratively create educational garden signage, and special events communications.
Notes of Thanks
Thank you to the following individuals for their recent contributions to our school…
- Thank you to Lisa Kujath for keeping everyone informed via the Altadore_School_Parent instagram account! I know her friendly reminders have saved a few students from being dropped off on a PD day :)
- Happy Support Staff Week to all of our incredible support staff! They include: our lunchroom supervisors Andreia Monteiro, Rob Bruce, Junko Matsuzaki, Sarah Sumner, and Donna Swalm; our library assistant Anita Watson; our educational assistants Brenda Richardson and Natalie Paterson; our office staff Tori Wychick and Katrina McCoy, and of course Jerry Dizon our facility operator. You are all a vital part of making our school function! We couldn’t do it without you!
- Questions? Looking for school information you can’t find here? Please contact: Kelly Christopher, Principal (kdchristophe@cbe.ab.ca) Karlee Zelmer, Assistant Principal (kmzelmer@cbe.ab.ca) Julia Hikita, Altadore School Council Chair (altadoreparentcouncil@gmail.com)
Important Dates
April 22 & 25 Randy Turning Robe-Blackfoot Residency
April 24 Panago Fun Lunch
April 25 Master Gardener Virtual Presentation
May 10 Yearbook Orders Due