A Very Edgemont Christmas, in Seussian Style!
Every Who down in Edgemont, the big ones and small,
Have gathered together to share joy with all.
It's a time to reflect on the year that has passed,
From adventures and learning, to memories that last.
Elder Saa’kokoto came to share and to teach,
With wisdom and stories that truly did reach.
Our buddy classes ventured to Nose Hill so tall,
Connecting with Na’a, Mother Earth, blessed us all.
We wore jerseys and PJs, and on Twin Day, we’d cheer,
With Fun Lunches sprinkled throughout the school year.
Coach Tyler and Jake brought their lacrosse Elev8,
Teaching teamwork and skills—it was nothing but great!
Provincial tests? Oh, we didn’t like those,
But we tackled them anyway, as every student knows.
We had two fire drills and a lockdown to learn,
Safety first always, at every turn.
Circle Fridays brought us together with pride,
Building bonds in our school, standing side by side.
Our Pumpkinella display was truly first-rate,
With gourds big and small—it was something great!
We learned the Incredible 5-Point Scale so clever,
For emotional smarts that will help us forever.
We paused to remember on Remembrance Day,
Honoring heroes in a meaningful way.
Quest Theatre brought magic to the school one day,
With stories that whisked us away to play.
But the biggest surprise? A flood in December!
An adventure of resilience we’ll always remember.
Five different schools welcomed us with open arms,
They shared their space and their wonderful charms.
We learned to adapt and made friendships anew,
The Edgemont spirit carried us through.
And sneaky elves? They worked their kind deeds,
Fulfilling in secret the holiday's needs.
Straightening boots, fixing chairs, spreading cheer,
Kindness ninjas have truly made their mark this year.
So as the break nears, we wish you delight,
May your days be merry and your hearts feel light.
From all of us here, with a grin ear to ear—
Happy Holidays to you, and a Happy New Year! 🎄
The school office will be closed from Friday, December 20th at 2:00pm. We will resume classes on January 6th.
Dear Edgemont Families,
We are thrilled to share that our first day back after the water main break has been a wonderful success! Students returned to their classrooms today, and by all accounts, everyone is delighted to be "home" again.
Our staff has been exceptional through all of this, framing the entire experience as an adventure for our students. This perspective has made a significant difference, helping students feel confident and resilient as they navigated the change. It was a unique opportunity for them to experience another school community, gaining strength and perspective that only lived experiences can provide.
We want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to our incredible host schools for their amazing accommodations. All of these schools went above and beyond to make sure learning could continue for our students. From clearing spaces in their already full buildings to welcoming us with banners, signs, and high-fives in the hallways, their generosity was truly inspiring. Some were even disappointed that we only stayed for two days!
We want to recognize the outstanding work of Alberta Fire and Flood, who worked tirelessly to get us back up and running. Their compassion toward our staff, as they worked through spaces that are deeply personal to us, did not go unnoticed. Their work with us will continue as they as they carry on with repairs on our second floor. Construction crews will come into the school after dismissal to minimize any further disruption to student learning.
Huge thank-you go out specifically to our Transportation Department and Area 1 personnel. These departments were on the ground with us December 5th and 6th! Managers, directors, system principals, strategists, planners, and analysts put on safety vests, directed traffic, managed bus loading, and ensured that our staff could focus entirely on supporting students. If you were at the school, you likely noticed dozens of additional personnel on-site, working together to make the transition smooth and safe.
We also want to acknowledge the quick accommodations of our CBE Technology Services and Facilities teams for setting up Smartboar
ds and furniture at the host locations and equipping classrooms back at Edgemont. Thanks to their efforts, our grade 3 classrooms—although temporarily relocated—are functioning smoothly.
Behind the scenes, we also had invaluable support from other CBE departments, including Finance, Security, Safety and Risk, Insurance, Legal, Buildings and Grounds, Employee Health and Communications departments. Their efforts in managing the logistics of a full school relocation ensured we could focus on teaching and learning while feeling fully supported.
Lastly, we want to thank you, our amazing parent community, for your encouragement during this relocation. Your understanding and appreciation of our efforts mean the world to us.
As we settle back into our routines, I am filled with gratitude to be part of this community. This experience has deepened my appreciation for the strength and values of the CBE, where the focus on putting learners first was evident in every step of the past week.
We will provide another update before the winter break to confirm timelines for the second floor repairs. Until then we thank everyone for their patience and ongoing support.
Lori Holford
Principal
Returning to Our School: Pick-Up Procedures and Parent Cooperation
As we transition back to our school at the end of the day, we kindly ask for your patience and understanding during pick-up times.
It is essential that parents wait at the regular pick-up locations for students to arrive at the end of the day. Having parents in the bus unloading area makes it difficult to keep track of students as they get off the bus and to manage those who need to board community buses.
For safety and accountability, parents must speak directly to their child’s teacher when picking up their child. This ensures that all students are accounted for and return home safely.
Your cooperation will help us reduce stress for our teachers, who are already working hard to accommodate this transition. Thank you for your support in creating a smooth and safe process for everyone!
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in supporting a smooth and safe dismissal process.
Lori Holford
Principal
No Classes for Edgemont School Students on Dec. 4
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Thank you for your understanding as we deal with the unexpected water damage that has occurred at the school. We continue to assess the damage and expect there will be some disruption to our regular school schedule for the coming weeks.
There will be no school for students tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. This will give us additional time to make contingency plans for in-person learning to resume.
At this time, we are looking at how to accommodate students at other schools in the northwest. Tomorrow, we will provide details of the short-term plan for a return to in-person learning on Thursday, Dec. 5.
On Thursday, all students will start and end their day in the Edgemont School gym before they are transported by yellow school bus to alternative schools. This should allow child care arrangements for families to remain in place. Specific details will be provided tomorrow afternoon.
Students will be unable to access any personal items in the school. We encourage you to bring a pair of shoes that can be worn indoors while we are at the temporary schools.
On Friday, we will update you on any changes to the contingency plan for the following week.
We thank you for your patience and flexibility as we work though this plan to support student learning until the school is safe to welcome students back.
Please watch for the next update tomorrow afternoon.
Sincerely,
Lori Holford
Principal
December 3rd
Important Update: Edgemont School Closed Today
Dear CBE Families,
Due to a significant water main break at Edgemont School, we have made the decision to close the school for today, Dec. 3, 2024. The flooding has impacted multiple areas of the building, and the Calgary Fire Department has determined it is not safe for students and staff to be on-site.
As a result, all busing for Edgemont School is also cancelled for today. If students arrive at school they will be supported until parents can pick up.
While we understand this decision may cause inconvenience, the safety of everyone in our school community remains our top priority.
We will provide an update to families later today regarding the status of the school for tomorrow and going forward.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this unexpected situation.
Lori Holford
Principal