Good Afternoon CMAC Families,

Well… we knew it was coming but that first snap of real cold always comes as a bit of a shock! I hope you and your families have been able to stay warm and stay safe during this freeze. The good news is that next week it will be a whole lot warmer – please send students ready to head outside for lunch.

There are a lot of exciting things happening at CMAC right now. We are moving into the second phase of our School Development Plan. Our goal this year is to build a sense of belonging where students see themselves and their culture represented in our school. This fall we worked to develop our ability to create learning activities all students can access because learning is at the heart of what we do, and being able to participate is essential to students feeling like they belong here. Next, we are working to understand what culture means on a deeper level, and how we can include that deep understanding in our learning opportunities.

Thank you to all of the families who have shared your traditions, holidays, and food with our school and our classrooms this year. Please, if there is something important to you and your family that you want to see represented at Colonel Macleod, we want to hear from you. Later this year, we are looking to plan a cultural night where everyone can come, share what culture means to you and your family, and learn from others about theirs. We will share more information as we get closer to making this idea into a reality.

Upcoming Calendar and Events

Monday January 22 – Day 1 – TLC Formal – James Fowler High School Presentation for Grade 9’s (information below)
Tuesday January 23 – Day 2 – TLC Informal
Wednesday January 24 – Day 3 – TLC Informal – Diefenbaker IB Program Presentation for Grade 9’s (information below)
Thursday January 25 – Day 4 – TLC Informal – CMAC Open House!
Friday January 26 – Day 3 Even – TLC Casual

Monday January 29 – Day 1 – TLC Formal
Tuesday January 30 – Day 2 – TLC Informal – Crescent Heights High School Presentation to Grade 9’s
Wednesday January 31 – Day 3 – TLC Informal
Thursday February 1 – Day 4 – TLC Informal
Friday February 2 – Day 3 Odd – TLC Casual

Housekeeping

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. Note: sweat pants are not part of the TLC uniform. Students may choose the skirt with optional tights or knee socks, or the blue dress pants. Sweat pants are ok to stay warm on the way to and from school, but not as a part of the uniform in the building.

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.

High School Visits

On Monday January 22 a representative from James Fowler School will be coming to CMAC to help out the students designated to that school select options and give a brief presentation.

Also happening this week, on Thursday January 24, a representative from Diefenbaker’s IB program will be coming to CMAC and give a short info session on the program at lunch. This is open to any student that is interested in the IB program.

School Council – Thank you!

We have an incredible group of committed parents who show such great care for our school community. Our new Chromebook Computers and two Smartboards, purchased with money approved by Council, will be delivered next Wednesday. 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 13 at 6:30. A Teams link will be sent closer to the date.

Sports Teams

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

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.