Admin Message

Dear Altadore Families, We hope you all had a wonderful Spring Break, and welcome back to the last part of our school year! We start off this week with the solar eclipse! This rare event will occur on Monday. Some of our classes have already started learning about what eclipses and we will all be learning more about them on Monday. As looking at the sun can be dangerous during an eclipse, we will be keeping all students indoors and all blinds will be closed from 11:50 to 1:50. All students will eat lunch at their regular time, but will have their lunch recess from 11:15 to 11:45. If you have an afternoon kindergarten student, please be very careful as you bring them to school. We will bring them inside as soon as you arrive at school to minimize the time they are outside. Eid Mubarak to all our families who celebrate this week! This festival marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan during which Muslims observe a fast from dawn to dusk and engage in many acts of spiritual reflection. After dusk on Tuesday the breaking of the fast will be marked with a special meal as well as a celebration with friends and family. Alberta Education has announced that the Provincial Achievement Tests for Language Arts and Literature and for Mathematics will not be administered this year. The tests for science and social studies will take place at the end of June as previously announced. If you have any questions or would like more information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Kelly Christopher, Principal - kdchristophe@cbe.ab.ca

Karlee Zelmer, Assistant Principal - kmzelmer@cbe.ab.ca 

School Council

Our next School Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 10 at 6:30pm. We are hoping for a great turnout so it will be a hybrid meeting you can attend online or in person.

• The Grade 3 teachers will be talking about what is involved in implementing a new curriculum, using examples from the science curriculum that is new this year. You might be surprised.
• Help make decisions about how to allocate some of the higher than anticipated funding that was raised through the Direct Donation Campaign and the Hoot!
• Hear about the feedback that was provided to the school through the Parent Engagement Feedback Survey. (As mentioned above, you can still respond this week)
• There will be babysitting provided, snacks, the opportunity to meet new people, lots of fun, and a chance to learn much more about what is happening at the school.
• Please take a moment to review the meeting minutes from our last meeting.

Job Posting for the Gardens

Know a Post-Secondary Student looking for Summer Work? Our garden committee is looking to hire a post secondary student to work closely with the garden committee and master gardener to maintain the Owl’s Nest and the Edible Garden, as well as provide hands-on learning activities to the students.

Job Posting

Position Term: Preferred Start Date Late to August 31, 2024  (Possibility of part time hours in Sept/Oct)

Remuneration: $20-23/ hour

Hours: 35 hours per week, with some flexibility (in scheduling)

Location: Altadore School Community Garden

Job Description

• Deliver hands-on educational programming to elementary students 
• Maintain Altadore School’s Edible Organic Garden and Owl’s Nest Natural Garden; weeding, watering, controlling pests, seeding and helping with harvesting 
• Lead children in planting and gardening activities under the supervision of a Master Gardener
• Work with Master Gardener to refine processes and procedures relating to the garden/ curriculum
• Attain supplies needed for the garden
• Assist volunteers and community gardeners under the guidance of the Garden Committee
• Attend regular meetings and maintain close communication with the Garden Committee, Parent Council, and school staff
• Water and maintain student beds and overall garden in July and August
• Other duties as required

Qualifications            

• Experience leading or teaching K- 6 aged children
• Able to help with community garden events and volunteers 
• The ability to work independently, take initiative, while also being able to work with others
• Strong communication skills 
• Ability to prioritize tasks and problem solve 
• Horticultural experience with a preference for those with community garden or farming knowledge, preferred but not required
• Familiarity with traditional planting practices of aboriginal communities an asset
• Having your own vehicle is an asset 

Required

• Must be a student attending a post-secondary educational institution
• Must be able to obtain a Vulnerable Sector, CBE (Calgary Board of Education) Police Clearance

Deadline: April 19, 2024

Submit cover letter & resumé to (preferably as one document)

Hiring Committee: altadoregarden@gmail.com

Subject Heading: Application for Student Educator & Gardener

Apply early, interviewing will commence as we identify suitable candidates.

Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

The Altadore Elementary School Parents’ Association values employment and educational equality and welcomes applications from diverse groups including (but not limited to); aboriginal people; people of colour; people with disabilities; and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.

If you know someone who might be a good fit, please help us out by sending them the job posting. We need to find someone as soon as possible! Volunteer Positions to Fill The community garden committee is looking for the following garden volunteer positions to be filled as soon as possible. If you or someone you know might be interested, please email the garden committee!

Garden Committee Co-Chair Role Description

Collaborate with existing chair to lead garden maintenance, programming, and special events. Membership and 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.

Fun Lunch (April 24)

Panago Pizza (April 24) Place your order by Friday, April 19. Volunteers can sign up for the April 24 Panago lunch!

The book fair will not be open on Fri. March 22. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email Mrs. Watson at alwatson@cbe.ab.ca 

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

March 8 & 9

• Frisbee Funfit

March 9 & 10

• Eid al-Fitr

March 10

• School Council (6:30 pm)

April 15

• Off the Wall Performance

April 19

• Professional Learning Day

April 22 & 25

• Randy Turning Robe Blackfoot Drum Residency

April 24

• Fun Lunch