Reaching New Heights!
Our first few days back with students have been fantastic and the energy in the building is extremely positive. Students and staff are getting back into the routines of school and remembering some habits that may have been washed away with summer. We’re really excited to have many new faces in our building and we look forward to what this year will bring. Please be sure to check our website regularly for information regarding school staff, upcoming events, school council, digital citizenship, and much much more.
https://olympicheights.cbe.ab.ca/
Returning Reminders
While summer is perfect for unwinding, the seasonal break can sometimes disrupt our usual school routines. As we wrap up our first full week and settle back into the academic year, please keep these essential reminders in mind:
• Lunchbox essentials: Please remember to pack all necessary utensils in your child's lunch, as the school is unable to supply them. Additionally, ensure all lunches are ready-to-eat, as we cannot reheat food or provide hot water. Ideally, students should be able to have containers that they are able to open independently
• Label everything: It is wonderful to see so many students proudly wearing their OHS gear, hoodies, and t-shirts alongside their daily water bottles. To ensure lost belongings make it back to their rightful owners, please clearly label your child's items.
• No dogs on campus: As a gentle reminder, dogs are not allowed anywhere on school property. We have several students with severe allergies or intense phobias, so we ask that you leave all pets at home regardless of how friendly they are.
• Proper footwear for gym and recess: Students will be heading outdoors daily for physical education and recess. For their safety during these active times, proper athletic shoes are required. Sandals and flip-flops are not safe for physical activities, even on warm days (seriously, ask Mr. Barkley about flip flops…).
• No birthday snacks/treats please: Please refrain from sending birthday cakes, cupcakes, or treats to school to celebrate your child's special day. Due to severe student allergies and dietary restrictions, as well as the risk of accidentally excluding children with food sensitivities, school staff are not permitted to distribute external food items to classrooms.
Parking Lot & Crosswalk Safety
Now that the school year is fully underway, we recognize that arrival and dismissal parking can be quite a puzzle. We want to extend a huge thank you to all the families utilizing our Kiss & Drop zone, which keeps the student drop-off and pick-up process moving efficiently. To keep everyone safe, please review these vital traffic rules:
• Staff parking lot is off-limits: We strictly ask that students and parents do not park in, drive through, or cut across the employee parking lot. This area is reserved for school staff who have assigned stalls. Mixing pedestrian traffic with moving vehicles in a parking lot creates severe safety hazards.
• Respect our neighbours: Please do not use the Community Association (SCA) parking lot for student drop-offs or pick-ups. The SCA is an incredible partner to our school, and we need to honour their request to keep their local lot clear.
• Lead by example at crosswalks: With 450 impressionable students watching the adults around them, it is crucial that we model responsible behaviour. Please use designated crosswalks to cross the street safely. Jaywalking teaches children that ignoring traffic safety rules is acceptable.
• Utilize safety patrols: Once our student safety patrols officially begin their service, please make a point to use their crossings and follow their direction!
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our streets and school zones secure for every child.
Reminder - School Playground During the Day
Dear Kindergarten and Childcare Group Families,
School playgrounds are exciting, fun places! Unfortunately our school playground is for school use only during school hours. Kindergarten parents, please ensure that children leave the school grounds immediately following dismissal and do not remain to use the school playground.
While our kindergarteners finish their day early, the school day is still actively running for our older grades. Students in grades 1 through 6 use the playground and school grounds for their lunch and natural breaks during this time. Because the playground is not open to the public during school hours, it is critical that we keep the space clear.
Having extra children and families on the property poses two major safety challenges:
• Student Safety: Small children can easily get hurt running among the much larger, older students playing during their breaks.
• Campus Security: Our supervising staff must be able to clearly identify who authorized adults are at all times. Extra parents and guardians on the grounds make it difficult for staff to monitor the area effectively.
To help us keep our school secure and ensure our older students can play safely, please guide your child directly to your vehicle or walking path immediately after pick-up. We greatly appreciate your cooperation and support in keeping our entire school community safe!
Individualized Program Plans (IPPs)
As we begin the school year, our staff are getting to know students, reviewing learning profiles, and collecting information to support student success. For students who have an Individualized Program Plan (IPP), classroom teachers will be the first point of contact and will reach out to families during September to discuss goals, supports, and programming for the year. We value the important role families play in this process and look forward to working together to ensure each student's strengths, needs, and learning goals are reflected in their IPP. If you have information you would like to share about your child's learning, please connect directly with your child's classroom teacher.
Welcome Back, OHS Families!
The OHS School Council and Parents Association is excited to welcome everyone back for another great year at Olympic Heights! We're looking forward to connecting with our school community and have some exciting updates to share.
Our playground revitalization initiative website is now live! Visit https://ohsplay.ca/ to learn more about our exciting initiative to create a more accessible and inclusive space for all, and be sure to follow us on Instagram @ohsplay.
Interested in getting involved? We'd love to have you join us! Whether you can volunteer, attend meetings, or help with special projects and events, every contribution makes a difference.
Watch for more updates coming soon, and if you'd like to learn more, reach out to us at chair@ohsparent.com. Together, let's make it an amazing year at OHS!
OHS School Gear Is Here!
Show your OHS pride with our official Olympic Heights School gear! The OHS Shop is excited to offer a variety of apparel and spirit wear for students, staff, and families. School gear is a great way to build community, celebrate school spirit, and show your OHS pride throughout the year. Free delivery till Sep. 20.
Upcoming Dates
Sept. 7 Labour Day Holiday
Sept. 17 School Council, 6:30 – 8:15
Sept. 19 Healthy Hunger Kernels Popcorn orders due
Sept. 23 Terry Fox run 1:00 assembly
Sept. 24 Open House 4:30 – 6:30
Sept. 24 Kernels Popcorn snack day
Sept. 25 Professional Learning Day – no classes
Sept. 30 National Day of Truth & Reconciliation – no school
Oct. 12 Thanksgiving Day Holiday
Oct. 19 Professional Learning Day – no classes
Nov. 11 – 15 Fall Break
Nov. 26 – 27 Conferences
Dec. 19 – Jan. 3 Winter Break