Important Dates
- Monday, Sept. 29 – No school (Teacher Professional Learning Day)
- Tuesday, Sept. 30 – No school (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
- Wednesday, Oct. 1 – Classes resume
Orange Shirt Day – Wednesday, October 1
On October 1st, our school will join communities across Canada in marking Orange Shirt Day. This day honours the survivors of residential schools and remembers the children who never came home.
Teachers will take up this work in age-appropriate ways throughout September and October, ensuring students are guided with care and understanding. You may find more information about how your child’s class is approaching this learning through their Google Classroom.
We encourage all students and staff to wear orange on October 1st as a visible symbol of remembrance and commitment to reconciliation. Parents who wish to continue these conversations at home can access helpful resourceshere.
Fire Drills at Edgemont
On Thursday, Sept. 25, we held our first fire drill of the year. Fire drills are an important safety practice that allow staff and students to be prepared and confident in responding quickly and calmly in case of an emergency.
We will conduct five additional drills throughout the year, in different weather conditions, to ensure students know what to do no matter the circumstances. Our first drill went smoothly—students exited the building efficiently, and it was a beautiful day to practice this important routine.
Terry Fox Run – Thursday, October 2
We are excited to continue the legacy of Terry Fox at Edgemont School! This year marks the 45th anniversary of Terry’s Marathon of Hope, and our students are proud to help carry it forward.
Schedule for October 2nd
- 10:30 am – Student-led kick-off assembly (Gr. 5 students) – held outside the music room
- 10:45–11:15 am – Terry Fox Run in the school fields
If it rains, classes will complete the run during their regular gym time indoors.
Reminders for students:
- Wear outdoor clothing and running shoes suitable for the weather.
- Bring a water bottle (please label with your child’s name).
Families are invited to support our fundraising efforts. Donations can be made online at: Terry Fox Foundation – Edgemont School.
If you have questions, please contact Ms. Harvey at llharvey@cbe.ab.ca.
Strong Circle Assemblies
Last week we held our first ever Strong Circle Assemblies. Students gathered in two smaller groups—Grades 1, 3, and 5 in one, and Kindergarten, Grades 2 and 4 in another. The new format had students arranged in circles rather than in audience format.
These assemblies are designed to increase student participation and sense of belonging while honouring the changing seasons. Highlights included:
- Drumming led by our Grade 4 and 5 students
- Presentations by Grades 1 and 4 on seasonal changes and land-based learning
- The vision and guidance of Mrs. Zaharichuk, who worked closely with students to prepare
We are excited to continue to build on this format, with more opportunities for students to lead and share their learning throughout the year.
✨ Thank you, as always, for your support in helping us make Edgemont a place of learning, belonging, and care for every student.
This is a season of learning and change. We look forward to building on the strong start we’ve had and continuing to reach new heights as a community.
To Greater Heights Together!
Fun Lunch is Coming Next Week!
Information about how to order is available in your child’s Google Classroom. Be sure to check it so your child doesn’t miss out!
A GREAT Elev8 Week!
We had a wonderful week with our Grade 1, 3, and 5 students learning the sport of lacrosse! A huge thank you goes out to Coach Jake and Coach Lucas for their fun, engaging instruction. Students worked on the foundational skills of picking up ground balls, shooting, catching, and cradling the ball. It was inspiring to see their energy, perseverance, and teamwork shine through. Many students showed excitement at trying something new, and they encouraged one another as they built their confidence and skills. Lacrosse offered not only great physical activity but also important lessons in cooperation and determination. We’re grateful for opportunities like this that help students stay active, build confidence, and enjoy the benefits of healthy, active living. We’re excited that this learning will continue next week! This activity has been generously sponsored by our Edgemont School Parent Association.
Pedestrian Safety Reminder
To help keep everyone safe around our school, we ask parents and students to follow these important pedestrian safety guidelines:
- Please do not jaywalk or cross the street between parked vehicles, especially buses.
- Always cross the street at a safe spot, such as a corner or intersection.
- Watch carefully for turning vehicles and traffic that may not see you.
- Look in all directions before crossing.
- Make eye contact with drivers before stepping into the street.
- Stay alert and focused — avoid texting, talking on the phone, or wearing headphones while crossing.
- Be visible by walking in a group when possible and wearing brighter clothing.
Please note we do not currently have patrols stationed at the main crosswalk by the school. Parents whose children use this crosswalk are encouraged to remind them of these safety practices and provide extra supervision as needed.
Thank you for modeling safe pedestrian habits for our students and helping to keep our school community safe.
Fire Drill Notice
We will be conducting a fire drill at school soon. Please be aware that the alarm will be loud.
We encourage you to talk with your child about why we have fire drills and reassure them that they are safe because we practice these procedures regularly. The exact time of the drill will not be revealed in advance.
During the drill, no one may enter the building, and any student pick-ups may be delayed. Thank you for your support and patience as we ensure everyone’s safety.
We conduct six drills per year. Please connect with your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns.
Dates to Remember
September 29th is a professional learning day – no school for students
September 30th is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – No school for students
Hello families and friends of Edgemont School!
Welcome Elev8 Lacrosse back to Edgemont School
This year, our Grade 1, 3, and 5 students will take part in a Lacrosse Residency, starting September 15th and running until September 25th. This is the fourth year we have welcomed the professional coaches from Elev8 Lacrosse to Edgemont School. Many of the coaches have competed in the National Lacrosse League — including with our own Calgary Roughnecks — or on Division 1 and 2 university teams. While we are proud to bring this high level of expertise to our students, what we value most is the strong focus on learning to love a new sport. Both girls and boys at our school have been inspired by this residency, with many choosing to continue playing lacrosse beyond their time in the program.
Kindergarten, Grade 2 and Grade 4, your turn is coming! We rotate athletic residencies so that every student has the chance to participate once within a two-year cycle. Kindergarten, Grade 2, and Grade 4 students will enjoy a different Healthy Living option in alternate years. More information about offerings for Kindergarten, Grade 2 and Grade 4 will be shared in the future.
We are grateful to our Edgemont School Fundraising Council for their generous support, which helps reduce the cost of this and other athletic residencies for our families.
For more information about the Elev8 Classroom Lacrosse program visit their website.
Open House – September 18th
We’re excited to invite you to our Open House next week! Drop in on Wednesday, September 18, from 6:00–8:00 PM to visit classrooms, meet the teacher, and see the spaces your child enjoys every day.
Teachers have prepared short presentations that answer many common questions at the start of the year. You’ll also have a chance to explore the library, music room, and gym. Please note this is not a time to discuss individual student achievement, but a great opportunity to get familiar with the school and meet staff.
Bring your child along—they’ll be excited to show you their classroom!
We hope to see you there.
Early Years Assessments – Grades 1,2 and 3
Beginning next week, students in Grades 1–3 will take part in provincial literacy and numeracy assessments. These one-on-one assessments, conducted between September 15 and October 3, focus on literacy and numeracy skills. The information gathered provides valuable insight into each student’s learning and plays an important role in instructional planning. These assessments are not used for formal reporting of student achievement.
If you anticipate your child being absent for any length of time during this period, please contact your child’s teacher so that their assessment time can be scheduled accordingly. More information about Universal Screeners can be found HERE.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Ms. Holford, our principal.
Enrolment and School Organization – Update
Last week we shared information about class sizes and the challenges of organizing classes due to significant summer enrollment changes. Thank you again for your patience as we work to provide the best possible learning environment for all students.
Over the next week, we will be reviewing classroom balance and determining whether any additional classrooms can be created. Our goal remains the same:
- Maximizing benefits for students
- Creating as much equity as possible across the school
We hope to provide a full update at our School Council meeting and through office messaging next week. Please continue to prepare your child for the possibility that their teacher or classroom may change. Any adjustments will be made thoughtfully, and teachers will be supported in making the best decisions for learning and classroom dynamics.
We appreciate your continued understanding as we work carefully to ensure a positive and equitable experience for all students.
From our Edgemont School Council & Edgemont Parent School Association
Hello Parents,
Welcome to a new year of Edgemont School Council and Edgemont Parent School Association activities! All parents and guardians of Edgemont School students are members of both parent groups, and everyone is welcome to attend all of our meetings.
Our first School Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 16th at 6:30 PM in the school learning commons. Please join us to hear updates on enrollment and staffing from the Principal and Assistant Principal, with an opportunity to ask questions about the upcoming school year.
We will also review and confirm the volunteer roles that were elected during our June 2025 meeting. If you're interested in volunteering within your child's school community, we have a few committee roles to fill and would love for you to attend and express your interest.
Additionally, we are always looking for volunteers to help with:
- Fun Lunch
- Picture Day
- Pumpkinella
- Book Fair
- Casino Fundraiser
- Staff Appreciation
If you'd like to get involved, please complete Volunteer Expression of Interest Form
Note: Volunteers must have a current Police Information Check (PIC). PICs are valid for five years. You can start the process by visiting the school office.
We look forward to seeing you at our first meeting!
Warm regards,
Erin Carriere, Acting Chair
Edgemont School Council & Edgemont Parent School Association
Welcome Back!
It has been a wonderful first week of school, even with the challenges of Air Quality Advisories that kept us indoors for much of the week. For those who may not know:
- When the Air Quality Index (AQI) is 7 or above, all students remain indoors for the day.
- When the AQI is 4–6, we limit physical exertion, hold Physical Education classes in the gym, and allow students to go outside for lunch recess.
- Students with health concerns may stay indoors at parent request at any time.
Despite the smoky skies, our sidewalks are still bright with artwork from Chalk the Walk! It’s so encouraging to see the colorful messages from students and parents wishing us a wonderful year and bringing extra cheer to the school grounds.
We have so much in store over the next few weeks as we settle into routines and launch another great year together. Thank you for staying connected by reading these weekly updates. If you miss one, remember that all updates are also posted on our school website.
Update on Schedule and Recess Time
Last year, school hours were shortened by 21 minutes. This change significantly reduced the amount of non-instructional time available each day, while our instructional time requirements remained the same. We are still legally required to provide 956 hours of instruction across 181 days.
With a start time of 9:15 AM and dismissal at 3:44 PM, there are only 51 minutes available for non-instructional time each day. Of these minutes:
- 2 minutes have been allocated for transitions
- 49 minutes are available for breaks
We explored two viable options:
- 15-minute recess + 34-minute lunch
- 49-minute lunch with no recess
After careful consideration and input from staff, we determined that a 34-minute lunch did not provide enough time for transitions, eating, and free play. The shorter lunch would also make it very difficult for students to have the option to go home for lunch. Therefore, the decision was made to have:
- 49-minute lunch
- No separate scheduled recess for Grades 1–5
We know this is not ideal, and we truly value free play for students. We are making the best decision possible within the parameters we are legally required to follow.
Although there will not be a separate recess, students will still have opportunities for outdoor time and movement during the day:
- Teachers will continue to take students outside for Daily Physical Activity (a curriculum requirement), land-based learning, and other activities. Daily Physical Activity may occur through PE classes or in less structured ways with classroom teachers, both indoors and outdoors.
- Mrs. Harvey will take students outside whenever possible for Physical Education.
During lunch, students will continue to have time to eat and enjoy free play before returning to class.
Thank you for understanding as we work within these constraints to provide the best possible experience for our students.
Enrolment and School Organization
We are aware that some class sizes at the beginning of the year are quite large. As in recent years, there has been a lot of movement over the summer—this summer we had more than 100 students transferring in or out—which made organizing classes challenging to predict.
We appreciate your patience as we monitor enrollment and work toward the best possible learning environment for all students. We will wait until after September 12 before making any changes, as this allows us to have a clearer picture of our final enrollment.
Any adjustments will be made with two goals in mind:
- Maximizing benefits for students
- Creating as much equity as possible across the school
We know this process can cause some anxiety, and we appreciate your support. Please prepare your child for the possibility that their teacher may change. Where necessary, some combined classes may be created to ensure manageable class sizes.
This is a complex process. While we value parent input, requests for specific teachers or for friends to be placed together cannot be accommodated, as doing so would make creating equitable, balanced classes impossible. Once changes are finalized, teachers will be in the best position to determine which students should be placed together—or separated—based on what is best for learning and classroom dynamics.
Thank you for your understanding as we work through this carefully to provide the best experience for all students.
School Council
The first School Council meeting will be on September 16th at 6:30 pm in our school learning commons. We hope you will consider coming to a meeting and learning more about how this vital group supports teaching and learning opportunities in our school. Attached is a PDF outlining the vacant roles for the 2025–2026 school year. If you're interested in joining the committee, please sign up using our volunteer sign-up sheet. Volunteer Opportunities
If you would like to volunteer at the school, please fill out the linked expression of interest form. Volunteer Expression of Interest
Volunteers need to have a current Police Information Check (PIC). PICs are valid for 5 years, and you can start the process by checking in at the office.
Sincerely,
Erin Carriere
Acting Chair, Edgemont School Council
Acting Chair, Edgemont Parent School Association
edgemontschoolcouncil@gmail.com
Upcoming Dates:
September 15 – 25 Elev8 Lacross Residency – Grades 1,3 and 5
September 16th, 6:30 pm - School Council Meeting – Edgemont Learning Commons
September 18th – Open House / Meet the Teacher Evening – 6-8 pm
September 25th – Fun Lunch (more information to follow)
September 26th – IPP conferences (more information to follow)
September 29th – Non-Instructional Day – No school for students
September 30th – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – School Closed
