April Updates
Check back weekly to see updates to the monthly messages.
Why not bike to school?
With the warmer weather finally coming in, we are starting to see students walk and cycle to school. This is so awesome to see as it develops independence, makes a healthy start to the morning (and end of day), and connects your child to their community (they can ride with friends). Could you please check to make sure they have a working lock, and know how to use it, as well as a helmet that fits (Calgary Bylaw).
Please also remind your children to walk the bike when they get on school grounds, because in the morning and afterschool, we have many children about.
So parents/guardians, promote health and independence, and save yourself the frustration and anxiety of that drive and drop off! Heck, some of you may even be able to sleep in a bit! Bike to school!
Special Presentation:
May is Asian Heritage Month and we are excited to invite Jing Wo Cultural Association, a local Lion Dance Group to our school for a live performance! According to their website, “Lion Dance is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture and other Asian countries in which performers mimic a lion's movements in a lion costume to bring good luck and fortune.” http://jingwo.com/ They will be coming to perform afternoon of Thursday, May 2nd. Thank you to our Edgemont Parent Fundraising Society for providing the funds for this event!
Help us help the kids!
You may be surprised to know that most incidents that happen between students outside of school involve students who are engaged in online behaviors. You may also be surprised to know that OUR students tell us that students as young as grade 1 have social media accounts, have had negative behaviors online and reveal to us that they access their devices after bedtime when their parents have gone to sleep. In some of our grade 3 classes, over half of the students have said they have their cell phones with them in their rooms at night.
We know social media platforms have become an integral part of our daily lives. We know that social media offers opportunities for connectivity and information sharing, but they also pose significant risks. Students are very motivated to use these platforms even though most have a posted age requirement of 13 years and older.
Research is clear. Early regular use of social media during childhood has adverse effects on children’s mental health, social skills, and overall well-being.
We need parents to talk to their children about social media boundaries and limit their exposure to these platforms, especially at such an early age. We urge you to consider the following steps to help regulate your child's access to social media:
- Open Communication: Talk to your child about the importance of responsible online behavior and the potential dangers of social media. Encourage them to come to you with any questions or concerns they may have.
- Set Clear Rules: Establish clear guidelines regarding when and how your child can use social media. Consider setting time limits and designated usage times to prevent excessive screen time. Be very clear with which friends they accept into chat rooms/game rooms. We have many children talking with strangers online.
- Monitor Activity: Regularly monitor your child's online activity and ensure they are not engaging in inappropriate content or interactions. Utilize parental control tools and privacy settings to safeguard their online experience.
- Lead by Example: Be mindful of your own social media habits and set a positive example for your child. Show them how to use technology responsibly and prioritize real-life interactions over virtual ones.
- Encourage Offline Activities: Encourage your child to participate in offline activities such as sports, hobbies, and spending time with family and friends. Foster a healthy balance between screen time and real-world experiences.
By working together and implementing these strategies, we can help protect our children from the potential harms of social media while fostering a safe and nurturing environment for their growth and development.
We are planning on having an expert on Online Safety speak to our parents in an online presentation. If you have any questions or concerns or are seeing something that you are unsure of with your children’s online activities, please reach out to Mr. Quinney or your child’s teacher for support.
Don’t Forget: No School, Friday, April 19.
Parent Request
We are looking for any dads that could come on Monday, April 22 to help set up the risers. It shouldn’t take too long. If you are able, please come into the school for 8:30am.
Dates to Remember:
May 24 & 25 – Grade 1 and 2 Celebration of Learning
EID MUBARAK TO ALL OUR FAMILIES WHO CELEBRATED EID THIS PAST WEEK!
School Council Meeting: Wed. April 17 at 6:30pm. Watch your email next week for the meeting agenda from our council chair. It is time to start thinking about plans for the 2024 – 2025 school year.
Grade 1 and 2 Celebrations of Learning
SAVE THE DATE: Do this for only this grade
CELEBRATION OF LEARNING PERFORMANCE
Dear Parents
Please join us to enjoy “Walking Together: Viewing the World through Two Eyes"
Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 for the following classes:
Ms. Virk
Ms. Ismail
Ms. Gulas
Ms. Zaharichuk
Thursday, April 25th, 2024 for the following classes:
Ms. Hassam
Ms. Choi
Ms. Duteau
Ms. Ang
Ms. Rai
Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Please send your child to the classroom. Parents will be seated in the gym.
There will be singing and dance performances, showcasing land-based learning. The gym will be able to accommodate all grade 1 and grade 2 families who wish to attend.
Our students are very excited to share their learning journey with you!
Non-Instructional Day April 19th, 2024 – there will be no school for students.
Solar Eclipse on Monday, April 8th
There is a solar eclipse on Monday, April 8th. We know this is a unique event, however, it is unsafe to look at the partial eclipse through unfiltered glasses, cameras, telescopes, binoculars or any other optical device. Curious students may not fully understand the danger of viewing the eclipse and the potential damage to their vision caused by viewing the harmful rays of the sun. Viewing a partial eclipse does not cause immediate pain which would typically cause the viewer look away. Instead, permanent eye damage is sustained without any immediate signs, until it is too late.
Parents, please be advised that schools have been asked to keep all students indoors during class time, over recess and lunch breaks, as well as away from windows to the outside between the hours of 11:50 a.m. – 1:50 p.m.
Plastic Spoons and Forks
The CBE no longer can supply plastic spoons and forks. Please remember to send your children with utensils for their lunches.
Change of Clothing - during the Spring Time Weather
During this time of year we have lots of wet and muddy clothes on students. If we have given you child a change of clothes please wash and send them back to us. We would also appreciate if you could send a change of clothes for your students. Pants, socks and under garments. Please leave these clothes in their backpacks as a back up.
Students Not Taking the Bus
If on any given day your student who normally rides the bus does not take the bus. We require a hand written note, an email or phone call. Please try and advise us by noon if possible to make sure our records are accurate for the end of the day.
We do not rely on messages from students.
Car-Pooling
We would like to encourage parents to consider carpooling with neighbors or friends at pick up / drop off times. This would help with the density of cars at busy times.
IMPORTANT: Information specific to your child’s classroom can be found on Google Classroom. Please read the messages on the Google Classroom Stream regularly as information about upcoming field trips and other activities will be posted here.