Principal Trevor Barkley Receives Alberta Distinguished Leadership Award
This week, we are delighted to share a noteworthy achievement within the Olympic Heights School community. Our principal, Trevor Barkley, has been honoured with the Alberta Distinguished Leadership Award by the Council for School Leadership of the Alberta Teachers’ Association. This prestigious accolade recognizes individuals who demonstrate exemplary leadership qualities and who have made substantial contributions to their communities.
Under Trevor's leadership, our school has flourished, embodying his vision for an inclusive and dynamic learning environment. His innovative approaches and steadfast commitment to excellence have not only enriched the lives of our students but also set a high standard for educational leadership. The Alberta Distinguished Leadership Award is a testament to Trevor's profound impact and dedication. We are incredibly proud to have Trevor at the helm of Olympic Heights, leading by example and inspiring educators and students alike.
Upon receiving news of the award, Trevor expressed, “I am deeply grateful, honoured, and thrilled to receive this award. The recognition means a great deal to me, especially coming during my tenure at Olympic Heights. I sincerely appreciate the acknowledgment from the ATA and the Council. I have always tried to surround myself with excellent people, and give them the opportunity for voice and responsibility; clearly, I have done so here with the staff, students, and families of Olympic Heights. I view leadership as often being a collective responsibility, and it is made that much easier working alongside an incredible school community. It was a true honour simply to be considered, and I'm sincerely humbled by the acknowledgment and trust placed in me through this selection. Thank you for this incredibly meaningful opportunity.”
Congratulations, Trevor, on this well-deserved honour!
Educational Transition Requests for 2024-25
School staff (including teachers, support staff, and administration) will be working collaboratively through May & June in order to form balanced classes for next year. Significant time and effort go into this endeavour. Multiple perspectives guide and inform the work, including student voice, in order to create equitable classes to best support learning for all students. This Microsoft Form is an opportunity to provide the school and staff some valuable insight that would support your child's educational needs.
The information entered here will be reviewed to gain insight from the parent perspective. A request is not a guarantee, as there are numerous factors to be considered when creating groupings. OHS will not take teacher requests for next year as all of our teachers are incredible, teachers change grade assignments year to year, and it is very difficult to facilitate. Requests can include helpful information such as "Please try to keep my twins in different/the same class next year," or "My child benefits from a highly structured classroom," or "Billy and his friend Sarah tend to distract each other. If possible, please try to have Billy in a separate class."
Unfortunately, transition requests that are not entered in the form by Monday, May 13, 2024, will not be considered. Thank you for your support of our students and their learning!
Please enter your educational transition requests for 2024-25 here: https://forms.office.com/r/RAERTt7Ea5
RSVP for the Volunteer Tea
Olympic Heights School is delighted to invite all our volunteers to the annual Volunteer Tea on June 7, 2024 at 9:15 AM. We are immensely grateful to everyone who has dedicated their time this year to our school community. Whether you have helped with off-site student activities, contributed to fundraisers like the book fair or casino night, collaborated with the School Council & Parents Association, supported our school library, ensured student safety at the Kiss & Drop zone, or participated in the many other volunteer efforts, your contributions have made a significant impact. Thank you for your invaluable support.
We kindly ask that you RSVP for this event by May 17 so we can plan appropriately, and we look forward to celebrating all that you've done for OHS!
Link to RSVP: https://forms.office.com/r/3607kSMD3x
Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week!
Next week, May 6 – 10, marks Teacher Appreciation Week, a special time to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible contributions of our educators. Teachers play a pivotal role in nurturing and developing the minds of our children, and this week offers a wonderful opportunity to express our gratitude. We encourage all families to join us in showing appreciation through thoughtful gestures. Consider sending a thank-you card, a small token of appreciation, or even a note of gratitude to let our teachers know how much their hard work and dedication mean to us. Let’s come together to make this week memorable for those who educate and inspire our students every day!
Kindness in Mind: Celebrating Mental Health Week at OHS
Olympic Heights School is proud to observe the Canadian Mental Health Association's 73rd Mental Health Week from May 6-10. This year's theme, "A Call to be Kind," invites us to embrace the healing virtues of compassion. We recognize that kindness is a powerful agent for change, nurturing our collective mental well-being.
On May 8, we will celebrate Hats On! for Mental Health. We encourage students and staff to wear their favorite hats to school to raise awareness and show solidarity for mental health. This day will also feature a coordinated lesson focusing on understanding mental health and challenging the stigma associated with mental illnesses. Your participation is a testament to our community's commitment to nurturing a supportive and empathetic environment for all.
Book Bonanza: A Reading Gift for OHS Families
Thanks to the popularity of our complimentary book station near the plaza glass wall, we've decided to leave this "Book Bonanza" in place. If you're visiting OHS over the next several weeks, please help yourself to any of these books that have been retired from our library. Books range from novels for students of all ages to home reading books; we'll be adding additional titles every few weeks. This initiative supports ongoing reading and literacy, giving students the chance to dive into stories that might be new to them. Any books you take are a gift from us to you, with no returns necessary.
School Council | Spring Dance at Olympic Heights School
The OHS School Council and Parents Association are thrilled to invite you to our annual Spring Dance! Let’s shake off the winter blues with some groovy moves.
Date: Thursday, May 9, 2024
Time: 6:15 PM to 8:15 PM
Location: Olympic Heights School
Prepare to get down with our fantastic DJ spinning the hottest tracks an capture the memories with friends at our fun photo booth. It’s going to be a great night!
Note: This is a family event, so all students must be accompanied by an adult – please remember that no supervision will be provided.
We’re also looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help with decorating and various other tasks to make this night unforgettable. If you’re interested in lending a hand, please reach out to Shannon Gillett at shannonwhalan@gmail.com. So, mark your calendars, dust off your dancing shoes, and get ready to have a blast! See you on the dance floor!
Upcoming Dates
May 4 Mary Brown’s Chicken fun lunch orders due
May 6 Bus Driver Appreciation Day
May 6 - 10 Teacher Appreciation Week
May 6 - 10 Mental Health Week
May 8 Hats On! for Mental Health
May 8 Gr. 5 Off-Site at Leighton Art Centre
May 9 Mary Brown’s Chicken fun lunch
May 9 School Council & OHSPA Spring Dance
May 13 Gr. 3 Off-Site at Calgary Zoo
May 14 Gr. 1 Off-Site at Calgary Zoo
May 16 Student Voice Meeting
May 16 School Council & OHSPA Meeting 6:30 – 8:00 PM (Last meeting for 2023-24)
May 17 Non-Instructional Day
May 18 Saucy Bread Co. Pretzel fun snack orders due
May 20 Victoria Day – school closed
May 22 & 23 Gr. 2 Off-Site at Bow Habitat Station
May 23 Kindergarten 2024-25 Orientation
May 23 Saucy Bread Co. Pretzel fun snack
May 27 & 28 Knowledge Keeper “Elder Hal” Visits OHS
May 27 - 30 Gr. 6 Outdoor School – YMCA Camp Chief Hector
May 29 Gr. 1 & Gr. 4 Off-Site at Sam Centre (specific classes only)
June 1 Subway fun lunch orders due
June 4 Gr. 4 Off-Site at Weaselhead Flats
June 6 Subway fun lunch
June 7 Volunteer Tea
June 12 & 13 Gr. 4 Off-Site at Weaselhead Flats
June 14 Kindergarten Celebration 10:30 AM
June 15 Kernels Popcorn & Panago Pizza orders due
June 19 Gr. 6 Provincial Achievement Test – Social Studies
June 20 Kernels Popcorn fun snack & Panago Pizza fun lunch
June 20 Gr. 6 Provincial Achievement Test – Science Studies
June 25 Grade 6 Farewell (AM)
June 26 Sports Day
June 26 Report Cards Viewable to Parents in MyCBE/PowerSchool
June 27 Last day of school for students – early dismissal at 12:23 PM
June 28 Appeals Day / Org. Day – Office closes at 12:00 PM