Book Fair Wrap-Up & Raffle Prize Winners
Another one in the books! On March 21 and 22, OHS hosted an in-school Scholastic book fair. A big thank you to our families, whose purchases topped $7,500 over the two days, generating funds for hundreds of new books for our school library and providing many happy hours of reading for our students in support of ongoing literacy. We owe another big thank you to our amazing volunteer crew, who did a super job setting up the fair, processing transactions, and helping shoppers find just the right books.
Congratulations to our lucky raffle winners: Family Prizes (Tito – Room 14 and Adrienne – Room 25), Grade 5/6 Prizes (Maynard – Room 22 and Euan – Room 23), Grade 3/4 Prizes (Noel – Room 9 and Oliver – Room 8) and Kindergarten and Grade 1/2 Prizes (Charleigh – Room 5 and Marlowe – Room 17). Also, congratulations to Ms. Radomski in Room 13 who won our teacher raffle!
Sharing Back | School Planning Survey Results
Thank you to everyone who participated in our school planning engagement. We know we make better decisions to support student learning when we build understanding and work together. The feedback we received is compiled at the links below and will be thoughtfully considered in making decisions about school planning.
We encourage your participation in future engagement initiatives. Your input is important to us and we know we make better decisions to support student learning when we build understanding and work together.
Solar Eclipse Preparedness
If you didn’t happen to see the News Story shared by CBE on April 2, please check it out here: Precautions for the Solar Eclipse on Monday, April 8. If you have specific questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher.
Grade 6 Provincial Achievement Test Update
Alberta Education has announced that Grade 6 PATs in English Language Arts and Literature and Mathematics will not be administered in May and June 2024. Grade 6 PATs in the subjects of Social Studies and Science will be administered as planned, on June 19 and June 20, respectively. Please reach out to your child’s teacher if you know your child will be absent on either of these dates.
As shared at last month’s School Council & OHSPA meeting, Alberta Education is transitioning to a new digital platform, known as Vretta, to enhance provincial student assessments. This new platform means that students will write provincial achievement tests using a computer, rather than pencil and paper. Digital assessments will be more interactive and engaging for students and offer a range of built-in learning supports and accommodations for a more inclusive test-taking experience. It will also streamline the process schools use to administer provincial assessments. For further information, please see https://www.alberta.ca/provincial-achievement-tests.
Kindergarten – Grade 2 Swimming Reminder
We're excited to remind you that our students in Kindergarten through Grade 2 will be participating in swimming lessons at the Killarney Aquatic & Recreation Centre at various times over the next two weeks. Please ensure your child comes prepared with all the necessary swimming gear, particularly a swimsuit and a towel. Should you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to contact your child's teacher directly. Huge thanks to our parent volunteers for providing their time to make these events possible. We're looking forward to a fun and educational experience for our students!
Alien Inline Skating for Grades 3 & 4
Get ready for an exciting week ahead as Alien In-Line brings their dynamic inline skating program to our school! Scheduled to take place in the gym, our Grade 3 and 4 students will have the unique opportunity to learn a wide range of skating skills. From mastering the basics like standing on skates and simple forward motion to more advanced techniques including various stopping and turning methods, road/pathway etiquette, and even non-aerial jumping, there's something for every skill level. Following instruction, students will engage in games that incorporate these new skills in fun, active ways, possibly culminating in free skating sessions set to music.
Alien In-Line is committed to safety, providing all necessary protective gear (knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, helmet) for our students, and emphasizing its importance throughout the program. We encourage you to discuss the value of protective gear with your child to reinforce its importance both during the program and in any future skating activities. Should you have any questions or wish for more details about the program, please feel free to reach out to your child's teacher.
ELEV8 Lacrosse Program for Grade 5 & 6
We are excited to share about the opportunity for our Grade 5 and Grade 6 students to participate in the ELEV8 Lacrosse program, coming to Olympic Heights on April 22-25. This program is not just an introduction to the sport of lacrosse; it's a deep dive into its indigenous roots and the significant cultural heritage of the sport in Canada and North America. Led by professional coaches and National Lacrosse League players, the Elev8 Classroom Lacrosse program is designed to engage students actively, ensuring a rich, hands-on learning experience. Beyond mastering the basics of lacrosse, our students will embrace core values such as teamwork and integrity, enhancing their physical skills that are fundamental to all sports.
ELEV8 Lacrosse is fully equipped, bringing all necessary gear, including real lacrosse sticks and soft balls, ensuring a safe and comprehensive educational environment. Students will not only learn the mechanics of lacrosse—passing, catching, throwing, and cradling—but also develop crucial physical literacy skills including agility, balance, and coordination. This experience promises not only to enrich their understanding of a historically significant sport but also to foster their physical development through engaging and respectful play.
Spring Concert Reminder
Our upcoming Spring Concert is approaching fast! As shared previously, the concert is scheduled for Thursday, April 18th and will feature performances by students in grades 1, 2, and 3. These young musicians have been diligently preparing in their music classes to present a captivating show for the community, with two showings at 2:00 PM and 6:30 PM. While our kindergarteners will have their spotlight in June, this event for Div. I students promises to showcase their hard work and talent, under the guidance of Mrs. Tran. If your child cannot attend, please inform Mrs. Tran at lmtran@cbe.ab.ca as soon as possible. The Spring Concert is a tribute to our students' dedication and our community's support, and we're looking forward to sharing this musical event with you. See you on April 18th!
Yearbooks for 2023-24 School Year
Lifetouch is ready for parents to place orders for our 2023 - 2024 OHS yearbooks. Printed in full colour, and featuring the amazing artwork of student artists, the yearbook is a steal of a deal at only $28. Head over to http://ybpay.ca/ and use the Yearbook ID code 14310924 to place your order. Yearbooks are printed during the summer and delivered to OHS in late September. If your child is attending another school in the fall (e.g., Vincent Massey Junior High) we will forward the yearbooks to the CBE school your child is attending. If your child is attending a school outside the CBE, we will contact you directly with yearbook pick up information in September. Order yours now before it’s too late!
School Council & OHSPA | Paul Davis Presentation Follow-Up & Resources
Thank you to all who joined us on April 3 for the virtual presentation featuring Paul Davis on "Online Safety: Generation Alpha." Your engagement in such an important conversation reflects the shared commitment we have towards creating a safer digital world for our children. Whether this was your first introduction to Paul Davis or a continuation of your journey in online safety education, we hope you found the session enlightening. Your participation and interest in events like these are what make our community stronger and more informed. If you are interested in a session for parents AND their kids, in Grades 3-6 – please check out this weekend’s video on demand session – April 7. For all other resources Paul offered at the session, please find them here: https://beacons.ai/paul.davis, including:
- Parental Control App (Qustodio)
- Screentime Video
- Discord Video
- Sextortion: A Parent Interview
- "First Social Network" Video
- Seniors and Passwords!
- Links to social media
- Newsletter subscription
- A social media contract can be found here: https://lnk.bio/smcontract
School Council & OHSPA | Next Meeting on April 11 @ 6:30 PM
Join us for the second-last School Council & OHSPA meeting of this school year, on April 11 at 6:30 PM. The Grade 4 team will share insights from their classrooms, and Principal Trevor Barkley alongside Assistant Principal Adam Eakins will update us on next year's staffing and budget. You'll also hear from our committees about special events, fundraising initiatives (like our casino event), volunteering, and reports from the chair and treasurer. We're also kicking off recruitment for key positions for the 2024-25 school year. Looking forward to seeing you there!
School Council | Join Us for Casino 2024 - A Game Changer for Our Kids!
Our Casino Fundraiser on April 20 & 21, 2024, at the Elbow River Casino is fast approaching, and we need your help! With just 5 volunteer spots left to fill, your involvement could make a world of difference.
Why Volunteer? Volunteering at our casino event is not just about giving your time; it's about creating opportunities for our children. Over the past few years, thanks to events like these, we've been able to:
- Enhance our gym with a new audio/visual system
- Invest in exciting new playground equipment
- Subsidize field trip transportation, making adventures more accessible
- Introduce special programs (artists-in-residence, dance, etc.)
- Equip our classrooms with Chromebooks, iPads, Smart Boards, digital cameras, and robotics
- Expand our library and purchase vital supplies for phys. ed., music, and maker spaces
It's Easy and Fun! No previous experience? No problem! Training is provided at the start of each shift, ensuring everyone is ready and comfortable with their roles. Plus, you'll be joining a fantastic community of parents and members who make these events memorable and enjoyable.
Critical Need: We are on a tight deadline to fill all volunteer positions by the end of March 2024. Failing to meet this requirement means losing our spot for the year, a missed opportunity for funding essential resources and programs for our students.
Perks for Volunteers:
- No experience required
- Free meal and parking
- A great chance to meet other OHS parents and community members
- Contribute to raising up to $70,000 for our children's learning resources
Volunteer Roles: From General Manager to Cashier and Countroom Staff, there are roles to suit everyone. Remember, these positions are crucial for the event's success, and training is provided for all volunteers.
Event Details:
- Location: Elbow River Casino, 218 - 18 Ave SE
- Dates: April 20 & 21, 2024
Sign Up Now: Click here to volunteer!
Questions? Ready to learn more about how it all works? Please reach out to Jane Radiff at fundraising@ohsparent.com. Your support means the world to us, and together, we can make Casino 2024 a tremendous success! Thank you for considering this opportunity to make a significant difference in our school community.
Upcoming Dates
Apr. 6 Panago Pizza orders are due
Apr. 8 Gr. 2 Off-Site at Calgary Zoo
Apr. 8 Partial Solar Eclipse (11:45 AM – 1:45 PM)
Apr. 8 - 9 Knowledge Keeper “Elder Hal” Visits OHS
Apr. 8 - 11 Swimming – Kindergarten and Gr. 1
Apr. 9 Ramadan Ends
Apr. 9 Grade 5 Off-Site at Leighton Art Centre
Apr. 9 - 11 Gr. 3 & 4 – Alien In-Line Skating Residency
Apr. 10 Gr. 2 Off-Site at Calgary Zoo
Apr. 10 Eid al-Fitr
Apr. 11 Gr. 6 Vincent Massey Junior High In-Class Orientation
Apr. 11 Panago Pizza fun lunch
Apr. 11 Grade 5 Off-Site at Leighton Art Centre
Apr. 11 Student Voice Meeting
Apr. 11 School Council & OHSPA Meeting 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Apr. 15 - 18 Swimming – Kindergarten and Gr. 2
Apr. 16 - 17 Gr. 3 & 4 Off-Site for Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
Apr. 18 Spring Concert – Div. 1 students
Apr. 18 Vincent Massey Junior High Open House
Apr. 19 Non-Instructional Day – no classes for students
Apr. 20 Tim Horton’s fun snack orders due
Apr. 20 - 21 School Council & OHSPA Fundraiser at Elbow Valley Casino
Apr. 22 Gr. 6 Vaccinations, Round #2
Apr. 22 Earth Day
Apr. 22 - 25 Gr. 5 & 6 – ELEV8 Lacrosse Residency
Apr. 25 Tim Horton’s Fun Snack
Apr. 29 - 30 Gr. 6 Off-Site at Police Interpretive Centre
Apr. 30 - May 2 Just Like You Disability Awareness Program (K-6)