Welcome Back Assembly

During our first assembly of the school year, we had the pleasure of welcoming students back to school, introducing our dedicated staff members, and setting the tone for the year ahead. One of the key highlights was a discussion about our Pillars of Care, emphasizing the values that guide us as a school community: care for ourselves, care for others, and care for our place. A memorable moment of the assembly was when Mr. Barkley shared an inspiring story about "impressions". His message encouraged our students to think about the impact they can have on others and how every interaction leaves an impression. We are pleased to report that students came to the assembly with a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and excitement for the year ahead. As we embark on this new academic journey together, we are confident that the energy and positivity displayed during our first assembly will continue to flourish!

 

Library Orientations & Book Exchange

Library orientations, led by the intrepid library assistant Ms. Gwen Sjogren (pronounced SHO-gren), will begin next week. Visiting the library isn't just about books; it's a journey where students develop essential skills for life. They enhance their reading, research, and critical thinking abilities, all while discovering the joy of reading. Responsibility, creativity, and social interaction are also fostered in the library. Returning to our three pillars of care, the library provides a place to “care for self”, by nurturing intellectual growth and personal development; “care for others” is embodied through the shared resources of the library, as students are encouraged to return books on time, respecting the needs of others. Lastly, “care for our place” might look like maintaining a clean and orderly space, ensuring that borrowed books are returned in good condition, and volunteering to replace damaged items. In this way, the library experience encapsulates a holistic approach to care, addressing the well-being of self, fostering community consideration, and safeguarding the place we share.

 

Student Voice

We are excited to announce our first "Student Voice" meeting of the school year, where students from all grade levels will have the opportunity to share their ideas, class requests, and concerns, while providing input on upcoming school activities. Student Voice meetings are a great way for students to have a say in what happens at our school. When students actively participate in these gatherings, they not only contribute to shaping their educational experience but also helps develop confidence and leadership skills. Student Voice meetings will take place once a month and will feature different students each time, allowing us to hear from a diverse group of young voices. We encourage all students to participate in Student Voice, as it's a great way to develop valuable skills and make a positive impact on our school community. We look forward to our students taking the lead in these meetings and working together to make our school an even better place for everyone.

 

Playground Safety During School Hours 

With the return to school, we have noticed parents and children continuing to use the playground during the school day. We want to remind parents of the importance of maintaining a safe environment for our students. We kindly ask that you refrain from bringing children to play on school grounds during school hours. Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our students, and having unfamiliar adults on campus, or small children on our playground, can be a concern for our students and staff. Additionally, our supervisors need to focus on watching over our students and ensuring they have a productive and safe learning environment. For everyone’s safety, the Education Act (Section 256) affirms that no one other than school staff should be on the schoolyard when students are present. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work together to provide the best possible learning experience for our students. 

 

Digital Citizenship Policy 

Thank you for your support when it comes to our digital citizenship policy in the building. Students who bring a cellphone need to put it away for the day. That could be in their locker or backpack turned off or on airplane mode. As part of our ongoing work on wellness in the building we want to lessen the distractions and promote a safe and caring learning environment. Students have access to use school phones in the office and classroom if they need to contact you. The office can also relay urgent messages to students if needed. More information can be found on the Digital Citizenship page of our school website. If students bring expensive electronics to the building, for example a video game device, they do so at their own risk as we are not liable for any damages or technical issues that occur. If you haven’t had a chance, please review our Admirable Use PolicyAdmirable Use Policy. 

 

Garden Club Harvests!

Exciting news from the OHS Garden Club! We harvested the vegetables we planted in the spring in the two garden boxes kindly donated by the Strathcona Community Center. Beautiful and nutritious carrots, beets, potatoes, green beans, and corn were dug up, pulled, and picked with enthusiasm and wonder.  As part of our Three Sisters Planting, the squash is still flowering and we will wait to see if will produce before the frost.  Over 56 pounds of our OHS-grown fresh produce was donated to the Calgary Food Bank and distributed to Alpha House.  A special thank-you to the dedicated group of Grade 4 students who tended to the garden in the spring, and to their families who helped throughout the summer to keep our veggie gardens thriving. 

 

Air Quality Health Index

In light of the recent smoke-related air quality concerns, students were kept indoors on Tuesday to minimize their exposure to any harmful air pollutants. This decision was based on the Government of Canada’s Air Quality Health Index (AQHI). This index helps us make informed decisions to protect the health and safety of our students and staff. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we navigate these situations together. The safety of our students is paramount, and we are committed to providing a safe and healthy learning environment.

 

Yearbooks Have Arrived!

The 2022-23 yearbooks have arrived at OHS! The books have turned out beautifully, and we can't wait to share them with you. Distribution will begin in the coming days, with delivery to your child, right in their classroom. We appreciate your patience as we prepare to get these memories into your hands. We would also like to take this opportunity to again congratulate Emma Z., Jain K., and Zoe A., for their winning artwork that graces the covers and inside spread of the yearbook. A big thank you goes out to grade two’s Ms. Jennifer Thorpe, parent volunteer Jenna Robertson, and everyone who contributed their time and effort to put the yearbook together. Your hard work has resulted in a keepsake that our students and families will treasure for years to come. Gratitude!

 

Demographic Verification Forms in MyCBE Account

Please complete the ‘Demographic Verification’ forms on your MyCBE Account by September 30th.  This is a requirement for all families even if there are no changes. Please find further information and support here. If your child has a medical condition that the school and staff should be aware of, please let your child’s teacher know and we can provide the appropriate documentation.

 

School Council

Please be reminded of the upcoming School Council meeting on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at 6:30 PM in the learning plaza. The School Council plays a pivotal role in our school community, as it is a platform where parents, caregivers, and guardians can actively participate in shaping the educational experience for our children. Together, we can make a significant impact on our children's education. Check out the School Council page on our website for further information. See you next Thursday!

 

Important Dates

Sept. 14           School Council – 6:30pm

Sept. 15           Learning Conferences booking portal opens (details to come)

Sept. 20           Terry Fox School Run (Kindergarten in AM, Gr. 1-6 in PM)

Sept. 21           Learning Conferences (details to come)

Sept. 22           Non-Instructional Day – No School

Sept. 22           Learning Conferences (details to come)

Sept. 23           Healthy Hunger Fun Snack orders due (details to come)

Sept. 28           Orange Shirt Day

Sept. 28           Fun Snack

Sept. 29           School closed - in lieu for Sept. 30 

Sept. 30           National Day for Truth and Reconciliation