Good Afternoon CMAC Families

This week at CMAC, I am happy to report that the teachers were able to deliver a decisive victory against the senior basketball teams! I was sadly not able to attend, but must say that the energy in this building was incredible. I love when we are able to come together and have some fun. It was also great seeing so many students wearing red today to celebrate the approaching lunar new year, and hearing about the fun activities that went on in many of our classes.

I would like to welcome some staff members who have joined us recently. Josh Overland joined us in the start of December, and is doing some incredible work revitalizing our wood shop. Allan Diewold has taken over Mrs. V. Wong’s classes as she begins her maternity leave and will be with us until the end of the year. Dawson LaDuke is covering Mrs. Quinlan’s classes, and is currently expected to stay with us until early March. Edie Buchart has retired (congratulations Mrs. Buchart!), but is substituting to help us in the office during this time of transition. Lacey Brown will be starting with us on Monday to fill her role as admin. secretary. Our replacement bookkeeper is expected to start in early March.

The CBE lottery date fast approaches. If you or anyone you know is looking to join the lottery for our TLC program, or any other CBE alternative program, an expression of interest must be completed in School Engage by 12:00 noon on Tuesday February 13.

Upcoming Calendar and Events 

Monday February 12 – Day 1 – TLC Formal
Tuesday February 13 – Day 2 – TLC Informal – Designated Gr. 9’s to Diefenbaker
Wednesday February 14 – Day 3 – TLC Informal
Thursday February 15 – Teacher’s Convention, no school for students
Friday February 16 – Teacher’s Convention, no school for students

Monday February 19 – Family Day
Tuesday February 20 – Day 4 – TLC Informal
Wednesday February 21 – Day 1 – TLC Informal
Thursday February 22 – Day 2 – TLC Informal
Friday February 23 – Day 4 Odd – TLC Casual

Housekeeping 

• Morning Drop Offs – If you drive your child to school, please drop them off on the far (west) side of the street. Do not drive into the staff parking lot, as this creates a hazard for kids getting off the bus. Also do not park on the East (school) side of the street as that interferes with bus drop off. An excellent alternate, low traffic, dropoff spot is the rec centre parking lot across the field. Just enter on 13th avenue and drive to our field and you can avoid the busyness at the front of the school.
• TLC Uniforms: If your child is in the TLC program, please remind them of the uniform requirements, including wearing black shoes. We are working to ensure all TLC students are following uniform standards each and every day. Please support us in this. If you need replacement uniform pieces, and cost is a barrier, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
• Cold Weather: As we sometimes don’t know when the temperature will drop, please help your children dress for the weather. This includes a warm jacket, warm hat, and gloves. Our relaxed entry begins at 7:45. Class activities, and lunch time, often find our students outside, and it is important that they are able to stay warm. Fresh air is good for us all, we just need to dress for it.
• Lunch: Please, if you send your child with a meal that requires cutlery (fork, spoon), also send them with the required cutlery. We don’t not have cutlery to provide them with.

High School Visits

Tuesday February 13 – John G. Diefenbaker High School for designated students

School Council – Thank you! 

We have an incredible group of committed parents who show such great care for our school community. Our new cart of 32 Chromebook Computers and two Smartboards, purchased with money approved by Council, have arrived! Thank you for helping make our school such a great place. We are always looking for more parents who are interested in learning about and supporting our school, so please, if you have been considering coming, join us for our next council meeting, online, on Tuesday February 20 at 6:30. A Teams link will be sent closer to the date.

Sports Teams

Volleyball season is in full swing and our teams are doing great!

If students wish to attend sporting events as a spectator, they need to come with a parent. This helps our coaches to keep their focus on the athletes who are competing

If your child is playing on a sports team, or volunteering, please pick them up right at the end of their games and practices. Our teachers generously volunteer their time, and like the kids, are tired by the end of the day. If students cannot be picked up on time, they will not be allowed to participate.

To participate in games and practices, students must be present for the duration of the school day, as per Calgary Middle Level Schools Amateur Athletics rules. They must also represent themselves as positive members of the school community, as per the standards set by our school for students in leadership roles.

Volunteers 

We need your help! Our teachers are doing a great job organizing exciting field trip opportunities for your kids. With the new volunteer clearance process, we are running short on volunteers. Please, if you are able to volunteer, complete the new volunteer process (link below) so we can keep offering these experiences for our students.

https://www.cbe.ab.ca/get-involved/volunteer/Pages/volunteer.aspx

Fees 

For families with low incomes, the CBE provides a fee waiver program. Please see the following link for details: https://cbe.ab.ca/registration/fees-and- waivers/Pages/Waivers.aspx

If there is a field trip or other learning opportunity with a fee, and this fee will prevent your child from participating, please connect with the principal. No child should miss a learning opportunity offered to their class due to financial reasons.