Good Afternoon CMAC Families,

It has been a big week at Colonel Macleod School. As we approach the holidays, we have many students who are excited and ready for a break. We also know we have others who will miss the routines that school brings to their daily life. For all of our students, we are happy to work with them, and make the coming weeks a time of joy and celebration. Many cultures have holidays that fall close to the winter solstice, and I hope all of our students, and you, their families, feel welcome to share your traditions and beliefs.

I know a number of classes recently had Diwali celebrations. I especially enjoyed sampling the food in some of our Grade 6 classes during their pot luck last Friday. As Diwali has now been taken down from our bulletin boards, we have begun posting a display about Hanukkah. We also have Christmas decorations around the building and will have displays in the coming weeks and months about Kwanza, Chinese New Year, Eid, Ramadan and many more.

As I have stated before, our focus at CMAC this year is belonging, and we know for many students seeing their culture, heritage, beliefs and traditions represented in our school plays an important part in this. If there is a holiday significant to your family approaching, please let us know. It is incredibly important that each and every student feels like they belong here. Our strength is in our diversity, and each of your children are an important part of our community.

Upcoming Calendar and Events

Monday December 11 – Day 2 – TLC Formal – PE dance residency begins!
Tuesday December 12 – Day 3 – TLC Informal - Telus Spark Prototype Project Celebration of Learning for all grade 7s at the Telus Spark Science centre from 6-8pm
Wednesday December 13 – Day 4 – TLC Informal
Thursday December 14 – Day 1 – TLC Informal
Friday December 15 – Day 1 Even – TLC Casual

Monday December 18 – Day 2 – Casual dress – Spirit Week  
Tuesday December 19 – Day 3 – Casual dress – Spirit Week
Wednesday December 20 – Day 4 – Casual Dress – Spirit Week
Thursday December 21 – Day 1 – Casual Dress – Spirit Week
Friday December 22 – Day 1 Odd – Casual Dress – Spirit Week

Housekeeping

• TLC Uniforms: If your child is in the TLC program, please remind them of the uniform requirements, including wearing black shoes. In the new year, we will be working hard 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 the temperature continues to 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.

School Council – Thank you!

I want to thank everyone who came to our School Council meeting last week. We have an incredible group of committed parents who show such great care for our school community. The dance clinicians they approved for our Physical Education classes start next week. We have also ordered a new set of Chromebook Computers and two Smartboards with money recently approved by Council. 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 in the new year!

Holiday Hampers and House Teams

Thank you to everyone who has sent in items for our holiday hampers this year. The generosity we have seen so far has been incredible. We will be accepting items all through next week. If your family has been having a tough year and would like to receive a hamper, please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of your child’s teachers, or to us in the office. Students bringing items in is a great way for them to contribute points to their house team. Teams are below. I would especially encourage students on team blue to bring items in. I’d love to see us retake our lead

Purple House: 9-1, 8-3, 7-5, 7-4, 6-2, 5-3 Mrs Fehr, Mrs. Ondrus- 348
Blue House: 9-3, 8-1, 8-5, 7-2, 5-1, LEAD, Mr. Becker, Ms. Wong- 359
Green House: 9-4, 8-2, 7-3, 6-1, 5-2, Mr. Starnes, Mr. Scholpp- 393 
Orange House: 9-2, 8-4, 7-1, 7-6, 6-3, Mrs. Short, Mr. Clement- 301 

Sports Teams

Wrestling season is underway! The team meets to practice Mondays and Wednesdays at 2:30 outside the aux gym.

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 they 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.

CBE | Volunteer

Fees

For families with low incomes, the CBE provides a fee waiver program. Please see the following link for details: CBE | Fees and Waivers

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.