Dear Altadore Families

This year we are working to improve student achievement and well-being through a holistic approach that addresses the needs of the whole child- emotional, physical, and intellectual. To help us in the endeavour we are using the CBE’s Indigenous Education Holistic Lifelong Learning Framework. The circle at the center of this framework represents each individual and is surrounded by the following four interconnected domains: Spirit – To Be, Heart – To Belong, Body – To Do, Mind – To Know. 

With Black History Month, Valentine’s Day and Pink Shirt Day this month we are focusing on the Heart Domain and Belonging. Our emphasis is on fostering and strengthening relationships and the efforts we all need to make to accept, include others and create a welcoming, respectful, safe and caring community. 

Questions you might wish to discuss with your child on this topic include:

  • How can you show belonging?,
  • How can you include others?
  • How can you be a good friend?,
  • How can you appreciate differences?
  • How can being kind to someone (even to those who are unkind) change how they might act in the future?

We hope the conversations you have with your child(ren) about belonging will help “make our circle strong” (Elder Saa’kokoto). 

Sincerely, 

Kelly Christopher                         Karlee Zelmer

Principal                                      Assistant Principal
kdchristophe@cbe.ab.ca          kmzelmer@cbe.ab.ca 

Parent Feedback Engagement Survey   

We know we make better decisions to support student learning when we build understanding and work together. That’s why we are asking you to share your perspectives about our school development plan, school budget and school fees.

  • We shared information about these items at our School Council meeting on February 21. You can find the presentation slides here.
  • Please click here to complete the survey.
  • The survey is open from February 21 to March 22, 2024 

Your input is important to us, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your perspectives. 

School Council Meeting Update 

A big thanks to everyone who jumped in to join the school council meeting! We had lots of fresh faces joining the fun, whether in person or virtually. Kids had a blast with the grade 6 babysitters across the hall, filled with arts and crafts, games, and some very fun imaginative play! Consider bringing your kiddos to the next meeting for some fun with new friends (and the school always seems a bit more magical to the kids after hours). 

Meeting Highlights

  • Curriculum updates, highlighting a this year’s school development plan related to help students recognize if they are actively engaged (seeking learning or participating in learning) or not (avoiding learning or disrupting learning)
  • Close to capacity with 393 students, but class sizes remain reasonable
  • Grade 7 lottery at Mount Royal - Draw happened mid Feb and families can expect to hear soon (please note - Altadore is not notified of results)
  • Overview of the School Development Plan, aiming to enhance student learning outcomes by focusing on the child as a whole and their engagement in learning
  • Reviewed school budget to provide transparent insight into funding allocation and fundraising impacts on students
  • Garden committee highlighted our two amazing garden spaces: Sipistoy’pakaiks (the Owl’s nest), where classes often go to explore, connect with the land, and bring their learning outdoors, as well as our exceptional edible garden used for various education activities
  • The garden committee continues to work hard to preserve these two spaces that are unique to Altadore, and hope to build a new curriculum with the school to best leverage this amazing resource! 

Participate!

  • Help make our meetings as useful as possible by letting us know what you might like on the agenda! Click HERE to send us an email with any new business ideas, questions, or thoughts. The more input we can get from you, the more effective we can make these meetings for everyone!
  • Share your perspective on the school development plan and school budget & fees to help us plan for the following school year. Just fill out this short 3 min survey HERE before March 22! 

Rock Your Locks!

You may remember this Kids Cancer Care Foundation fundraising event from last year when it was called “The Big Brave.” This year it is called “Rock Your Locks.” 

On the afternoon of Wednesday, March 20, those who wish may shave their head, cut their hair, or temporarily dye their hair to raise money for Kids Cancer Care. To sign up to participate by shaving, cutting, or dying your hair, or to donate, please click here! 

Lunch Supervision and School Supply Fees

The School Supply Fee and Lunch Supervision Fees are now posted in MyCBE for all students. The Student Supply Fee is $40 for Grades 1-6 and is $20 for Kindergarten. This fee covers notebooks, looseleaf, binders, pencils, erasers, crayons, markers, glue, rulers, etc. The Noon Supervision Fee is only paid for students who stay for lunch. It is $30.50 per month or $305 for the year and is used to pay for lunch supervisors.

We have had a great increase in the fees that have been paid since this message went out before teachers convention. Thank you! 

If you have not already done so, we ask that you go to MyCBE to either pay the fees or apply for a waiver. 🙂 

Moving or Thinking of Moving?

As you all know, we are very, very close to capacity at Altadore School. This means that we do not accept any students who are living outside of our catchment area. If your child is currently attending Altadore and you move outside of our boundaries, your child will be able to stay until the end of June. As much as we wish they could, they will not be able to continue on at Altadore next year. It is also important to know that if you do not inform us of a move over the summer, your child could be required to change schools mid-year. If you have any questions, please let us know.

Pink Shirt Day

Pink shirt day is this Wednesday February 28!

This is a day where we talk about the importance of being kind to others. This day fosters a message of belonging and creating a welcoming, respectful, safe and caring community. Students are encouraged to wear a pink shirt and there will be some school wide activities around this next week!

Register Now for 2024-2025! - Spread the Word!

Do you have a child who will be coming to Altadore for Kindergarten or Grade 1 next year? Do you have a friend or neighbour who wants to send their child to Altadore School next year? If they are not yet registered, it would be a good idea to do so as soon as possible. Not only is it done, it helps us in our planning for next year.

Fun Lunch - March 20

Subway Fun Lunch is coming Wednesday, March 20, 2024! Place your orders by Friday March 15 HERE!

Want to volunteer to hand out lunches? Sign Up HERE for March 20!

Notes of Thanks

Thank you to the following individuals for their recent contributions to our school…

  • Everyone who brought in delicious goodies for all of the teachers and staff on Valentine’s Day!
  • Ms. Duthie and Ms. Howard for providing an update on what our students are learning and for answering questions at the school council meeting on Wednesday night!
  • Thank you to everyone who participated in the council meeting on Wednesday, both in person and virtually.
  • Thank you to the Grade 6 babysitters who made sure that all of the kids at the council meeting had such a fun time!
  • To all of the parents who have ensured that their school fees are paid or who have applied for a waiver.

Questions?


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