Havana Cuban Dance Residency & Performances a Hit!
We are thrilled to share the resounding success of our week-long dance residency with the renowned Marcos Ravelo from Havana Cuban Dance Studio, a highlight that has come to life in our school's gymnasium. Supported by our School Council & Parents Association, students were immersed in an authentic cultural exploration through the engaging world of Latin dance. From the rhythmic steps of Salsa and Merengue to the expressive movements of Flamenco, Cha Cha, and Reggaeton, our students embraced each style with enthusiasm, guided by the expert and nurturing hands of Marcos and his assistant, Nichole. Emphasizing a growth mindset, this residency not only honed their dance skills but also instilled in them a deeper appreciation for dedication, practice, and the joy of learning. The culmination of this journey was a vibrant celebration of learning, where parents were invited into our school to witness the impressive growth and newfound abilities of their children. The performances were a testament to the students' hard work, showcasing their resilience in embracing challenges and their love for the rich tapestry of Latin culture. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Marcos Ravelo and everyone who made this unforgettable experience possible, reinforcing the importance of cultural diversity and the arts in education. Shout out to Ms. Schoenberger for her tireless efforts to make this great opportunity a reality!
Ramadan at Olympic Heights School
This month, many of our students and staff will be observing Ramadan, a sacred time of year for Muslims around the world. Ramadan is a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. It is observed by members of the Muslim community to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad, according to Islamic belief. During Ramadan, observers fast from dawn until sunset, refraining from consuming food or drink. It is a time for spiritual growth, self-discipline, and enhanced devotion and worship. In support of our students who choose to observe this important time, our school is committed to providing an alternate space during lunch hours for those fasting, ensuring they have a quiet and comfortable place to spend their time. Additionally, in support of those celebrating Ramadan, we have collaborated with the School Council to pause the scheduling of any fun lunches or fun snack days during this period, as we have in previous years. Our school community respects and supports the diverse ways in which our students and their families observe and celebrate their cultures and beliefs. We wish everyone observing Ramadan a blessed and peaceful month. For 2024, Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of Monday, March 10th, and end on the evening of Tuesday, April 9th.
Area 7 Education Director Visits OHS
We were honored to welcome Garry Tink, the Area 7 Education Director, to Olympic Heights School on March 8. During his visit, Director Tink engaged with our dedicated teachers, had insightful conversations with our students about their learning experiences, and observed the remarkable initiatives underway at our school. His visit was especially timely as we continue to focus on our School Development Plan (SDP), with a particular emphasis on enhancing assessment practices and the clarity of learning intentions and success criteria as they align with the curriculum. Director Tink observed the effective implementation of our “look fors” - from clearly posted WALT (We Are Learning To) statements to the utilization of success criteria exemplars, rubrics, and checklists, and the intentional reflection time allocated for students to contemplate the impact of these strategies on their learning. He witnessed students confidently articulating their learning objectives, a testament to our collective efforts to make learning intentions explicit and meaningful. Director Tink was impressed with the visible evidence of our commitment to these educational goals and encouraged us to continue our exemplary work. His feedback affirms our direction and the positive impact of our SDP work on student achievement and learning experiences.
March Student Voice & School Council / OHS Parent Association Meetings
Next Thursday, March 14, there’s a lot going on at OHS! We’ll be hosting our next Student Voice sessions, with students from all grade levels joining the discussion, and in the evening, parents and community members are invited to come out to the School Council & OHSPA meeting! If you haven’t attended before, don’t be shy! It’s a great way to learn about what’s happening at the school, as well as share you voice about any questions, concerns, or wonderings related to our school community. Click on the link for the minutes from February’s meeting.
If that wasn’t enough, Elder Hal Eagletail from the Tsuut’ina Nation will be stopping by to work with students again!
Student-Led Learning Conferences
As we approach the spring break, Olympic Heights School is proud to invite families to our upcoming student-led learning conferences. These conferences, set for Thursday, March 21, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and Friday, March 22, from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, are a showcase of the remarkable progress our students have made. It’s a chance for students to step into the spotlight and guide their families through their learning journey, illustrating their academic and personal growth since the beginning of the year. To ensure a smooth experience, access to the classroom will be limited to 5 families per hour. Note that these conferences are designed for students to be the presenters of their own work and are not the setting for one-on-one discussions with teachers about individual concerns. Should you need a private conversation, we kindly ask that you email your child’s teacher directly to begin the discussion about any specific matters. Booking for the conferences opens on March 15th at 1:00 PM and will close on March 21st at 4:00 PM, accessible online through your MyCBE/Powerschool account. In tandem with these conferences, we’re excited to announce that the Book Fair will once again visit OHS, so families are encouraged to peruse and enjoy the selection before or after their classroom visit!
Calgary Public Library Book Truck Visit
OHS School Council has an exciting announcement! On Friday, March 22nd in connection with student-led learning conferences and the book fair, the Calgary Public Library's Book Truck will be present just outside of the school. The Book Truck will be onsite from 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM on the right side of the school, near the main entrance front doors. The Council is hoping the truck will further celebrate literacy and reading excitement as the Book Fair will be taking place inside the school. We also want to send great appreciation to the Calgary Public Library for supporting our school and students with such a wonderful service. A big thank you to OHS parent Shaelyn Woods for making this great opportunity happen!
Have You Ordered Your 2023-24 Yearbook Yet?
Life Touch is ready for parents to place orders for our 2023 - 2024 OHS yearbooks. Pronted 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 in the 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!
Save the Date for the Spring Concert (Grades 1-3)
Mark your calendars for our spring concert, coming up on April 18, 2024! Performances will feature students in grades 1-3 and, similar to our fall concert, we will have a daytime “dress rehearsal” and an evening performance. Families are welcome to attend whichever performance works best for them! We will share more information as we get closer to the date. See you in April!
Casino Fundraiser Volunteers Still Needed!
Our casino on April 20 & 21 has just 10 spots left to fill. We could really use your support! This volunteer-run event has historically raised significant funds for the benefit of all children at the school. Fundraising efforts go toward phys. ed. equipment, music instruments, library books, additional classroom inquiry funds, technology, school and playground equipment, field trips, teacher appreciation, special events, and so much more! Over the past couple of years alone, these funds have allowed the school to:
- Upgrade the gymnasium audio/visual system
- Invest heavily in new playground equipment
- Fund field trip bussing costs to reduce fees for parents
- Bring in occasional special programs (artist-in-residence, dance, etc.)
- Purchase Chromebooks, iPads, Smart Boards, digital cameras, and robotics that students would not otherwise have in their classrooms
- Access additional subscriptions to enhanced learning platforms and tools
- Purchase library, phys. ed., music and maker-space supplies
Some info about volunteering:
- It’s easy - to volunteer at a casino there are no advance skills required – training is provided at the start of each shift.
- It’s fun – with such an incredible group of parents and community members that come out to volunteer, it’s really a lot of fun!
If we can’t fill the volunteer roles remaining and secure all the back-ups required by the end of March 2024, we will have to forfeit our spot this year.
Come on out to support the school! Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050F4AA9AC29A4FE3-47077490-casino#/
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Jane Radiff with any questions (or if you’re curious about how it all works) at fundraising@ohsparent.com. Thank you very much for your support of the school!
Are You Up to Date with School Fees?
Please check your MyCBE/PowerSchool account to ensure all school fees have been paid.
Fees are charged to cover the gap between the cost of programs and services and the funding provided by the province. No child is ever denied access to learning or activities because of an inability to pay. If you are unable to pay fees all at once, flexible payment options are available. Please contact the main office at 403-777-8370 to discuss, or drop by the school during regular hours. Thank you for keeping your account up to date!
Upcoming Dates
Mar. 10 Daylight Saving Time begins
Mar. 10 Ramadan begins
Mar. 14 Student Voice meeting
Mar. 14 School Council & OHSPA meeting 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Mar. 21-22 Book fair
Mar. 21 Student-led learning conferences (evening)
Mar. 22 Student-led learning conferences (morning; no school)
Mar. 22 Calgary Public Library book truck visit
Mar. 22 Last day before spring break
Mar. 25-Apr. 1 Spring break
Apr. 2 Classes resume
Apr. 3 Life Touch spring photo day (individual & class
Apr. 6 Panago Pizza orders are due
Apr. 8 Ramadan ends
Arp. 8 - 11 Swimming – Kindergarten and Gr. 1
Apr. 8 Gr. 2 Off-site at Calgary Zoo
Apr. 9 - 11 Gr. 3 & 4 – Alien In-Line skating residency
Apr. 10 Gr. 2 Off-site at Calgary Zoo
Apr. 11 Gr. 6 Vincent Massey Junior High in-class orientation
Apr. 11 Panago Pizza fun lunch
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. 18 Spring concert – Div. 1 students
Apr. 18 Vincent Massey Junior High open house
Apr. 19 Non-instructional day
Apr. 20 Tim Horton’s fun snack orders due
Apr. 20-21 School Council & OHSPA Fundraiser at Elbow River Casino
Apr. 22 Gr. 6 vaccination #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