Admin Message
Dear Altadore Families,
With the arrival of Spring, we’re delighted to see the first signs of nature awakening. We observed the first crocuses blooming in Sipistoy’pakaiks (The Owl’s Nest) and got our first refreshing rain. To protect the trees and newly budding plants, we are asking that all students refrain from climbing or hanging on the trees and to tread carefully to preserve the budding plants. We want to make sure this beautiful natural area stays intact so that everyone can enjoy it.
Each week, every class will be participating in lessons and planting in our garden. This will continue to grow a sense of appreciation and connection for the environment that we hope they can apply to all natural areas. Please see below for further garden updates.
With the milder weather, there’s no longer a need for indoor shoes. Instead, please ensure your child wears gym friendly shoes, like runners, to school each day. Additionally, with more students riding their bikes or scooters to school, we kindly remind everyone that there should be no wheels (other than wheelchairs) on the compound, even before or after school hours. Bikes and scooters should be locked up in the designated racks during the school day, and students are advised that these racks are off-limits to play on or near them to prevent any accidental damage.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Kelly Christopher Karlee Zelmer
Principal Assistant Principal
kdchristophe@cbe.ab.ca kmzelmer@cbe.ab.ca
Are you able to help?
The School Council and the Garden committee are recruiting volunteers for next year, and we need your help! We have lots of positions to fill with a large variety of time commitments, so find the perfect one for you. Our volunteers are what make it possible to offer the students at Altadore all of the extra programs that we currently do, so join in the effort to keep them all up and running!
Scroll down to the bottom to get more details on the current roles, or reach out to our current chair HERE if you want to chat about any of the positions, or how to get involved!
Grade 4-6 Replacement Field Trip Update
Unfortunately, due to extreme cold weather our grade 4-6 field trip to Winsport for ski lessons had to be cancelled earlier this year. We understand the disappointment this may have caused and we have been diligently working to provide alternative experiences for our students.
After facing challenges in securing a venue and bussing, we have decided to organize some in-school sessions instead. This past week, we were fortunate to have Randy Turning-Robe Jr. visit our school to share Indigenous teachings with all students. Additionally, for grades 4-6, Randy and Dianne Bird-Fuentes from Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society, led activities where students crafted their own drumsticks and participated in Indigenous drumming with them.
We are immensely grateful to have Randy as part of our Altadore School Family, and we appreciate the invaluable cultural experience he provided.
Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that we were also able to secure Evergreen Theatre to perform “Snow White and the Seven Regions” on June 11. This fun-filled environmental musical adventure will retell this traditional fairy tale and educate students on current social and environmental issues in Canada.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support as we strive to offer enriching experiences for our students.
Are you able to help?
The School Council and the Garden committee are recruiting volunteers for next year, and we need your help! We have lots of positions to fill with a large variety of time commitments, so find the perfect one for you. Our volunteers are what make it possible to offer the students at Altadore all of the extra programs that we currently do, so join in the effort to keep them all up and running!
Scroll down to the bottom to get more details on the current roles, or reach out to our current chair HERE if you want to chat about any of the positions, or how to get involved!
In the Classroom
Spring has sprung, and that means our school garden is coming back to life! We're thrilled to introduce our new interim student teacher, Julie Lowry, who's stepping in to help run our student horticulture program. This season, each class will have their own classroom bed to dive into the wonders of soil, learn the ins and outs of planting, and discover how to care for their very own vegetables. Every student at Altadore will begin working with our Master Gardener, Janet Melrose and Julie Lowry next week starting on Tuesday, April 30th. There’s so much green goodness in store, so stay tuned for updates each week and get ready to dig in! Don’t hesitate to reach out to the garden committee if you have any questions at altadoregarden@gmail.com
Plants for Sale (May 16)
Come get your seedlings! The school is bringing in a small family-run plant nursery, local to Calgary, to sell vegetable and flower seedlings just in front of the Altadore Garden on May 16th from 3:00pm - 7:00pm. This is a fun way to bring the community together, meet other gardeners in the neighbourhood, and get a kick start to your gardening while supporting a local small business!
Yearbooks
Atladore Yearbooks (2023-2024) are on sale HERE! 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 HERE!
(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 of these items.)
Instagram for Altadore School Council/Parent Society
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_Parents, 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!
Fun Lunch
Our final Fun Lunch of the year is coming up on May 15! Place your order for Jelly Modern Doughnut HERE by Friday, May 10.
Want to volunteer to hand out lunches on May 15? Signup HERE. A valid police check is needed.
Seeking Volunteers
School Council
We’re 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), or check out the parent handbook where they’re explained in more detail HEREand at the bottom of the School Council page on our website.
Reach out to our current chair HERE if you want to chat about any of the positions, or how to get involved!
Garden Committee
If you or someone you know might be interested, please email the garden committee HERE! Descriptions are at the bottom of the School Council page.
Notes of Thanks
Thank you to the following individuals for their recent contributions to our school…
- A heartfelt thanks to Randy Turning-Robe Jr, for bringing your teachings to us this week and to Dianna Bird-Fuentes from Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society and Damien for helping out!
- A huge thank you to all the volunteers, staff and lunch supervisors who helped with the April fun lunch. Without the volunteers, there wouldn't be a fun lunch for the kids. You are all greatly appreciated - THANK 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
May 6, 8, 16 – Saa’kokoto Visit
May 8 School Council Meeting
May 9 Walk, bike, or roll to school day
May 10 Yearbook orders
May 15 Fun Lunch
May 16 Neighbours Nursery Plant Sale in the Garden 3-7 pm
May 17 Non-Instruction Day – No School
May 20 Victoria Day – No School
May 27-31 Grade 3-6 Swim
June 3-7 Grade K-2 Swim
June 11 Evergreen Theatre Performance