What's Up, Whelihan?
September 3, 2021
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tues, Sept 7 - Full day of classes Grades 1-9
JUNIOR HIGH OPTIONS WILL BE CHOSEN THIS WEEK
Thurs, Sept 23 - Parent Teacher Conferences
Thurs, Sept 30 - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (No Classes)
Principal's Greeting
Dear parents,
Following in this email is information on:
- Canteen News
- Junior High Options
- Class List changes
- Masking / Health measures
Staggered entry has concluded, and students will be at school full time on Sept 7th. Most of the feedback from the process has been positive. With the smaller groups, students have had a more gentle introduction to the school, and we have worked out routines that should accommodate the larger groups next week.
One important change will be the expected addition of another class in Grade 7 to reduce our class numbers. At the same time we will rebalance the Grade 8 & 9 classes, if needed, to make numbers more or less equal.
It's been great to meet parents in the mornings, and I'm working on learning the students' names! Only 412 of 610 left to go!
Blessings! Mr. Gallant
THANK YOU FOR NOT USING THE STAFF PARKING LOT FOR PICK-UP AND DROP OFF!
It might seem convenient, but it creates hazards and congestion!
Canteen News
You will be able to buy CanteenCredits via an email ink coming to you next week. There is a minimum $20 purchase, with most items costing $1. The week after that, we will open for business with drinks and snacks available at lunchtime.
Stay tuned for Healthy Hunger! Coming to a Friday near you, soon!
JUNIOR HIGH OPTIONS - New Information
On September 7th, teachers will review the choices with students and the Google form will open for them at 4:00 on that day. When an option is full, it will disappear from the list.
Each student chooses one "A" option that will run for the whole year.
Grade 7 choices: Art, Band, Drama, Recreation Leadership
Grade 8 choices: Art, Band, Drama, Recreation Leadership, French
Grade 9 choices: Art, Band, Drama, Recreation Leadership, French
At the same time, students will choose their two "B" options that run for half-year terms. These will be based on Career & Technology Foundations curriculum (Read more about CTF) and are more hands-on and career oriented. Some examples are Cartooning and Animation, Tourism Studies, Spanish Language and Culture, Social Justice and School of Rock.
Thank for your patience!
Class List Changes
There will be an opportunity to re-balance some classes when we switch to our new timetable the week of Sept 13th.
Faith Formation - September
Help the District renew its Vision Statement
As you may be aware, the district began a vision renewal process last school year in December and January. The goal of the engagement is to renew the district vision statement in a way that results in a vision statement that is more succinct, easily identifiable, and readily recalled. Phase 1 of this process was completed, however, Phase 2 was suspended due to the impact of COVID in our schools. The district is now ready to begin Phase 2 of this engagement. You do not need to have participated in Phase 1 to participate in Phase 2. Phase 2 of the process will afford participants the opportunity to prioritize the themes that emerged in Phase 1 oof the engagement. Participation in this process is anticipated to take approximately 10-15 minutes of your time. You can participate by clicking the link below.
Masking and Health Measures
Many of these activities will be run in a way we are calling a "better normal." This is not the old way, but we are hoping to offer a more complete experience that includes the 5 Health Measures explained by our Superintendent, Dr Szumlas, in a recent email. This includes:
1. Daily health checks and health monitoring (using this checklist)
2. Handwashing
3. Sanitizing
4. Wearing masks. CCSD is requiring all students from kindergarten to Grade 12, as well as staff, to wear masks indoors for the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year. Staff at non-school worksites are asked to wear masks in common areas but may remove it when they are in their office or workstation.
5. Physical distancing, where reasonable and possible.
Thank you for your cooperation and support!
About us...
Email: fatherwhelihan@cssd.ab.ca
Website: https://fatherwhelihan.cssd.ab.ca
Location: 70 Sunmills Drive SE Calgary , AB T2X 2R5
Phone: 403-500-2087
Twitter: @fjw_ccsd