Altadore School Bi-Weekly Update February 9 - 20, 2026
Admin Message
Oki Hello Altadore Parents and Guardians,
We are amazed and grateful for the warm weather we have experienced this week! As a friendly reminder, please ensure students arrive with indoor shoes so wet and muddy footwear can be removed upon entering the school.
It has been a busy week at Altadore. Ms. Bigelow’s class participated in the MindFuel AI Story Challenge—an online presentation hosted by MindFuel. Using Canva and TestingBeta software, students created digital storybooks. This activity marked their first AI-related learning experience, aligned with our School Development Plan (SDP) goal of designing authentic, real-world, and multidisciplinary writing tasks.
Ms. Norman’s Grade 6 class recently presented a Reader’s Theatre performance of a teacher-created play, Hatshepsut and the River That Ruled Egypt. This engaging presentation connected their learning about the Nile River with oral performance while highlighting the legacy of Egypt’s first female Pharaoh. The students were well prepared and delivered a wonderful performance!
On Tuesday afternoon, students will be immersed in the culture of opera through a touring production of Little Red Riding Hood Opera. This lively performance brings a beloved childhood story to life and invites audience participation through song. Be sure to ask your child about this exciting experience!
February 25 is Pink Shirt Day. A reminder, if you are looking to order pink shirts, you may do so here.
Finally, a reminder that this is a short week, as teachers will be attending the annual Teachers’ Convention, followed by Family Day on Monday, February 16. There will be no school on Thursday, Friday, and Monday.
School Council Meeting | Feb 11, 6 PM
You’re Invited! Parents and guardians of Altadore School are welcome to join our next School Council meeting on February 11 at 6:00 pm. If you can’t attend in person, click here for the Teams meeting link.
This is a relaxed way to connect with other families, share ideas, and help create a positive school experience for our kids.
An online option is also available for those unable to attend in person (a Teams link will be shared closer to the date), and complimentary childcare is available for all school-aged children.
Everyone’s welcome — we’d love to see you there!
Altadore Clubs
Iikiinayookaa’s Reading Club has concluded. Thank you to those students who came to begin the week with reading and community.
Intermural Club meets on Tuesday for grades 2, 4, & 6, and on Thursday for grades 1, 3, & 5. Unfortunately, registration for this club is now closed. This club will end on March 5.
Lego Club meets every Wednesday at lunch hour for grades 1,3 & 5 in Rm 7 with Ms. Predika. No registration is required for this club. This club will run until Feb. 25.
Crochet Club with Mrs. B. Miller will begin on March 2. Watch for more information on this club.
Trex Southwest Traveling Exhibition
The travelling art exhibit has arrived at Altadore School. Remimagining Fire: The Future of Energy is a book and exhibit featuring a fine art print portfolio (Energy Futures) by a collective of 20 Albertan artists and writers. The exhibit explores pressing questions that arise as we imagine solutions to climate change and global energy transitions. Classes will visit the exhibit throughout the month to extend their learning in core subject areas, acknowledging varied and valuable cultural relationships to the earth, climate, and future-building.
Our Big Altadore Family
This year, Altadore School is engaging in a schoolwide inquiry focused on connection and belonging. Together, we are exploring the question: “Who are we?”
As part of this work, we are encouraging students to share their diverse perspectives and backgrounds as we celebrate culture and diversity. To support this at home, we invite you to talk with your child(ren) about:
- Your family’s culture and traditions
- What makes you and your family special and unique
- How can we make space for everyone to feel included
We want Altadore School to reflect all of our families. In recent student surveys, about 4 out of 5 students said they see their culture reflected at school, and only 1 in 4 felt their culture influences their learning. At Altadore School, every student matters, and we want to feel like an extended family.
There are two things you can do to help with this.
- We are creating a Welcome Wall at the entrance of our school, featuring messages in all the languages spoken by our students. Help us celebrate culture and belonging at Altadore School by sharing how to say ‘welcome’ in your language in this form.
- 2. We are creating a Student Family Wall. If you would like to participate, please send in a 4x6 photo of your family to the office.
We hope this project will help:
- Spark curiosity and inquiry into our diverse backgrounds
- Amplify student voices and stories
- Build a strong sense of community and belonging
- Encourage shared experiences and dialogue
- Connect students and teachers across all grades
- Celebrate culture and diversity
- Inspire meaningful conversations about inclusion
Thank you for helping us make Altadore a place where everyone feels seen, valued, and connected.
The HOOT! | March 6
Tickets for The HOOT fundraiser are officially LIVE for Friday, March 6 – grab your crew and snag your spot for Altadore’s favourite grown‑ups‑only night out before it sells out (because it always does)! This is your chance to dress up a little, laugh a lot, and support our students at the same time.
This year’s HOOT has all the hits: delicious snacks, wine and other beverages for purchase, a super‑fun student art sale, silent auction, raffles, and plenty of surprises. Every ticket, bid, and raffle ticket helps fund amazing learning opportunities, residencies, and classroom resources for all Altadore students.
To purchase tickets please click HERE
And back by popular demand the legendary HOOT wine raffle! One lucky winner will take home a giant stash of bottles, all donated by our amazing community.
Please consider donating a couple of unopened bottles of wine or liquor you’re not likely to use. Drop them at the front office, or email theHootChair@gmail.com and we’ll happily arrange a porch pickup. (Just a reminder: no wine or liquor in student backpacks, please!)
Fun Lunch (Mar 11 - order deadline Mar 6)
Please save the following dates for our upcoming 2026 Fun Lunches. These are all available for ordering in the Healthy Hunger system.
- Wednesday, March 11 - Via Cibo (deadline to order is Friday, March 6)
- Wednesday, April 22 - Subway
- Friday, May 8 - Fun Snack - Booster Juice Wednesday, June 10 - Panago Pizza
Volunteers Needed!
March 11 - Via Cibo Fun Lunch Volunteer sign up HERE
*Just a reminder that if your child is sick or absent on the day of a fun lunch or snack, please note that you have until the end of the day bell to pick up their order. It will not be held overnight. If you have any questions or need help, please contact altadorefunlunch@gmail.com
Drop off and Pickup Reminders
A friendly reminder to be mindful of bus zones when dropping off and picking up students. Disabled students who arrive by bus are unable to board or depart on time when the bus zone is unavailable. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Blue Day
Blue Day signs on the outside doors indicate it is a Blue Day. These signs are posted when the temperature drops lower than -20 degrees Celsius, the doors will be open to welcome students into the school, and they do not have to wait for the 8:39 AM bell. The doors are then locked to comply with CBE policy after all students have entered the school and classes are in session.
Polar Bear Club – Winter Recess Option
The Polar Bear Club is an optional opportunity for families who wish for their child to participate in outdoor recess when temperatures fall between −20°C and −25°C, in accordance with school guidelines.
Teachers and Lunchroom Supervisors will supervise students who choose to participate in the Polar Bear Club during these conditions. If you would like your child to take part this winter, please email your child’s teacher to provide your consent.
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
We wanted to give Altadore parents/guardians a heads-up on some of the school-wide volunteer opportunities coming up over the next 6 months. Hopefully, this can help you to plan ahead if you need to book days off from work! More details about each event will be shared closer to the date.
- February 24: Ski day (18 volunteers)
- March 2 - 8:Gymnastics set up and take down (4 volunteers)
- March 6 - The HOOT (Volunteers TBD)
- March 10 - 11: Indigenous games (Volunteers TBD)
- April 6-17: Theatre residency (Sharing day will be the last Thursday & Friday)
- May 19: Vaccines for grade 6 (2-3 volunteers)
- May: Volunteer Tea (Volunteers TBD)
- June 1st & 2nd week: Swimming (2 volunteers per class - one male/one female)
- June 23: Grade 6 Farewell
- June 24: Sports Day (15 volunteers)
Thanks in advance to all who can volunteer and help us enrich our students' learning experiences!
Altadore Gear
Altadore School works with Summarized Design to provide Altadore Gear for purchase in all sizes all year long. This is a fun initiative that many of our families enjoy. Please note this is NOT a fundraiser and the school does not benefit financially from the purchase of Altadore gear. T-shirt and hoodie colours are changed periodically, making them great gifts. You can order yours here.
Notes of Thanks
Thank you to the following individuals for their recent contributions to our school…
- Thank you to all the amazing individuals who volunteered for our Fun Snack on February 6th: Christiana Hawkins, Ashily Allan, Morgan McDonald, Laura Bird, Heather Shepherd, Christina Hergert, Julie McArthur, Nora Morris, Kristi McAllister, Megan Gough, Danielle Marshall and Lorraine McGowan
- Thank you to Ms. Zelmer and the parent volunteers supporting the Altadore Intermural Club.