Good Afternoon CMAC Families,
Well CMAC, we just finished up our first talent show, and I think it is safe to say that this is going to become an annual event. Our students are amazing! I also must say that the CMAC Staff Band performing “Shake it Off” was something to behold. Stay tuned for more information about our first ever Celebration of Learning the evening of May 15… you just may get to see some of these acts for yourself!
In other news, we were so happy to welcome back our incredible facility operator, Ji You Gao today! Mr. Gao is an essential part of our school community, and he is already working hard to get the building back in shape for the kids’ return on March 31. Please talk to your children about showing respect for Mr. Gao and the work he does by minimizing mess, cleaning up after themselves, and taking good care of the building. It takes a village to keep a school running is optimal shape, and I truly appreciate it when students chip in and do their part.
I hope all of your children have a wonderful spring break. Please, make them get off the screens and go outside; the weather is going to be beautiful, and while they may moan and groan they will truly be happier for it in the long run. Maintain routines like a consistent bed time, and wake time, as well as meal times with family when possible.
Students will also benefit from a bit of practice and review alongside their rest, play and recovery. Above all, try to find some opportunities for joy and connection. These are the things that will carry them forward through the end of the school year.
Looking forward to seeing all of our students back at school on Monday March 31!
Upcoming Calendar and Events
- Monday March 24 – Spring Break, No School for Students
- Tuesday March 25 - Spring Break, No School for Students
- Wednesday March 26 - Spring Break, No School for Students
- Thursday March 27 - Spring Break, No School for Students
- Friday March 28 - Spring Break, No School for Students
- Monday March 31 – Day 2 – TLC Formal – Students Return to School
- Tuesday April 1 – Day 3 – TLC Informal
- Wednesday April 2 – Day 4 – TLC Informal
- Thursday April 3 – Day 1 – TLC Informal
- Friday April 4 – Day 3 Odd
School Council
We are looking forward to another Parent Council meeting on Tuesday, online on teams (link is below). Please know all are welcome, we really appreciate hearing from our parents, and for the support you provide our school. We do still have a few positions that need to be filled:
- Casino Coordinator – Urgent Need – without someone we risk losing our ability to raise over $70000 every 1-2 years! Please help!!!
- Social Media Coordinator
- Co-chair
- Help with Fun Lunches next year
You do not need any experience we have an awesome team that will help you learn. If you can help, please contact me at srbecker@cbe.ab.ca or join us at our next online meeting, the link is below. It is not a significant time commitment, and can have a big impact on your child’s school. Our next online meeting in Tuesday April 8, login information is below. We will look forward to seeing many of you then!
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Meeting ID: 227 313 301 159
Passcode: 2sP3ay6G
CMAC Bottle Fundraiser
Are you doing some spring cleaning?? Well, Colonel Macleod School is still collecting bottles at two bottle depot locations.
Sage Hill Bottle Depot, located at 70 Sage Hill Plaza NW,
Happy Can Bottle Depot, located at 700 33st NE, Unit 12
Both will be collecting bottles for Colonel Macleod School. The collected bottles will go towards building a new playground. If you would like to donate your bottles to Colonel Macleod School at either bottle depot, all you have to do is ask for the bottles to put on the Colonel Macleod School account when dropping off. They will give you a receipt showing how much you donated.
Thank you for your support and please reach out if you have any questions.
Safe Dropoff and Pickup
Please, parents, do not use the staff parking lot to drop off and pick up your children. We have a lot of students walking to and from busses across the drive ways in the morning and after school. Extra traffic in these areas increases the safety risk to our students.
Also, please do not park in the bus dropoff/pickup zones in front of the school. When parent vehicles block these spaces, entire busloads of 50-60 children are dropped off further away from the school.
The best spot for pickup and dropoff is the arena parking lot across the field. It is large, empty, quiet and safe. This parking lot can be accessed on 14th ave.
Social Media Tips for Parents & Guardians
The information below has been accessed from reliable sources and provides some good advice for parents, advice I follow with my own children.
Understand the Developmental Impact
Teens are at a stage where they’re forming their identities, making social media particularly influential. It can amplify insecurities by exposing them to unrealistic ideals or harmful trends. Encourage open discussions about how online content affects their self-esteem and teach them to critically evaluate what they see. For younger teens or pre-teens, delaying social media exposure can help build resilience and good habits before introducing these platforms.
From: Study International & Atrium Health
Balance Privacy and Oversight
While respecting a teen’s privacy is important, parents should maintain regular conversations about online activity. Questions like "How do you feel after using this app?" or "What do you find challenging about social media?" can open dialogue. Establishing clear expectations about device use, safety, and consequences for misuse can foster trust and mutual understanding.
From: Scope
Teach Intentional Usage
Help teens use social media mindfully by encouraging them to set boundaries—like limiting notifications, curating their feeds to focus on positive content, and taking breaks when needed. Research suggests that reducing screen time can lead to improved mental health and body image.
From: Atrium Health & Scope
Model Healthy Behaviors
Parents' online habits significantly influence their teens. Setting family-wide guidelines for tech-free times (like during meals or before bed) and reducing your own scrolling can make a big difference.
From: Atrium Health
Engage in Policy Awareness
Social media platforms are starting to incorporate safeguards like stricter privacy settings and age-appropriate content moderation. Staying informed about these changes and advocating for responsible design can empower families to use these tools effectively
From: Scope
Address Loneliness and Connection
Social media has potential benefits, like creating connections for teens who may feel isolated. Encourage teens to use these platforms to build positive networks and find communities that affirm their interests and identities, and to seek support immediately if something doesn’t feel right. Strangers are rarely a good idea when seeking connection.
From: Scope
Thanks parents. We are still learning so much about best practice for supporting our kids in the digital age. I appreciate all of your efforts to support them in navigating this ever-changing landscape.
Sports Teams
Volleyball season is wrapped up, after the break it is time for badminton!
- 1st Senior Tryouts (grades 8 & 9, boys & girls): Wed, April 2 (2:30-4:00)
- 1st Junior Tryouts (grades 6, 7 & 8, boys & girls): Thurs, April 3 (2:30-3:45)
*Grade 8s who try out for the senior team may also try out for the junior team, but they have to attend all tryouts.
- Sign up beforehand by the main gym doors. Be ready at 2:30 with proper gym clothes and running shoes.
- Make sure you arrange a ride home BEFORE the day of tryouts. Students who cannot be picked up or find their way home on time will not be allowed to play on the team.
- Please review expectations for spectators at all sporting events.
- All students/youth in attendance at games must be accompanied by a supervising adult who can bring them home if they are unable to follow the rules. Children must not be left unsupervised while in the school.
- If students do not have an adult to supervise them, they will be directed to leave.
- Please do not take photos or videos of players if other youth may be in the frame. I understand the desire to capture and share your child’s experience, but it violates the privacy of the other players.
- If you attend games at other schools, you may be directed to keep your phone in your bag at all times, and not to enter/exit the building once you have arrived. If needed, we will implement these rules here too.
- All attendees should be positive and supportive: disrespectful behaviour to players, coaches, referees or other spectators will be addressed by admin.
- Failure to follow rules and support a positive experience for may result in your being directed to leave, and possibly being barred from attending future events
We have an incredible community of students and parents, and I don’t expect any of this to be an issue. Clear expectations help set us all up for success, and keep our focus where it belongs: on our incredible student atheletes. Thank you in advance for another incredible year of CMAC athletics!
In further athletics news
Please have a look in your My CBE account and pay any unpaid fees.
If students want to try out for a team, they MUST first return their Annual Authorization for Athletic Tryout form Included in my email).
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 or find their way home 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.
Homework Hotel
Wednesdays at lunch, students in grades 7-9 can stay get extra help from teachers, or complete their homework in Room 4. Students in Grade 6 can attend Homework Hotel at lunch on Day 3 each week.
House Teams
Building from last year, homerooms have been split up into house teams. A huge thank you to Mrs. Fehr and Mrs. Dokimenko for the work they have put into this.
PURPLE- 5-1, 6-3, 7-6, 8-2, 8-4, 9-3
ORANGE- 5-3, 7-2, 7-3, 8-1, 8-6, 9-4
BLUE- 6-1, 7-4, 8-5, 9-1, 9-5, LEAD
GREEN- 5-2, 6-2, 7-1, 7-5, 8-3, 9-2
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 so we can keep offering these experiences for our students.
There is a new voucher process in place to pay for police security checks for volunteers, please connect with Karen Ondrus in the office to learn more.
Fees
Please pay your fees! A little bit from each family really adds up, and we need that money to support your child’s education. Log in to MyCBE now and pay any outstanding fees. While you are there, please complete your student demographic form for the year. This is what allows us to quickly contact you in case of an emergency!
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.
Healthy Hunger
Note: All orders, changes or cancellations must be completed no later than 5 days prior to the lunch date. Don’t miss those deadlines!
April 3 - Coco Brooks (order deadline March 29)
April 24 - Mucho Burrito (order deadline April 19)
May 8 - Mary Browns (order deadline May 3)
May 22 - Subway (order deadline May 17)
June 5 - Panago (order deadline May 31)