As we settle into routines, there is a positive feel that is evident in all areas of the school. Students are digging into the learning and enjoying being back into the routine of school life. Lots of smiles, laughter, and working side by side with peers is happening daily. What a great start up it has been!
Ms. Sasha and I have been visiting all the classes this week to go over important safety reminders including playground safety, pedestrian safety (to and from school), and outdoor play expectations including outdoor school boundaries. We also reviewed expectations on how we treat one another, work through conflict with a focus on problem solving, as well as being aware of and preventing bullying.
Here is the list of classrooms and teachers for this year:
Kindergarten (AM and PM) - Ms. Holly McWilliams (Rm 19)
Grade 1 – Ms. Emily Caughey (Rm 1) and Ms. Shaina Fraser (Rm 18)
Grade 2 – Ms. Hayley Haslock (Rm 16) and Ms. Wendy Quan (Rm 17)
Grade 3 – Ms. Anna Tercero (Rm 10) and Ms. Nancy Lai (Rm 12)
Grade 4/5 - Ms. Tanya Bedard (Rm 8), Ms. Darlene Kear (Rm 4), and Ms. Braelan Veltkamp (Rm 6)
Grade 6 – Mr. Matt Anderson (Rm 2/3) and Ms. Andrea Close (Rm 2/3)
Music – Mr. Trevor Whiteman
Alex Munro Parent Association (AMPA) Meeting – Mon, Sept 9 (online)
The first parent council meeting of the 2024-25 school year is next Monday, September 9 at 6:15pm on Teams. We will be sending out a meeting invite with a link next Monday morning. Joining this meeting is a great way for parents to get involved with school fundraisers as well as participate alongside with school administration to make important decisions that support the learning of our students.
Volunteer Registration
Throughout the year there will be many opportunities for volunteering. September is a good time to get all the paperwork completed, especially for new volunteers. This includes getting a police clearance which is valid for 5 years. For anyone who already has a police clearance please fill out our annual volunteer registration form and send it to our front office (drop off, with student, or via email). The form can be downloaded by clicking here. Anyone who requires a police clearance can call the office at 403-777-6600 and we will be happy to help you with this process.
Casino Volunteers Needed - Oct 5 and 6 (Police Check Not Required)
AMPA will be providing volunteers to run the Oct 5 and 6 casino days (and nights) at ACE casino. Casino fundraisers bring in a large amount of funds to support our school. Without these funds many of the parent council initiatives that support our students (and families) would not be possible. Please consider signing up for a volunteer position for a day or night shift (or two) on Oct 5 and 6. Casino volunteering is a great way to connect with other parents as often the positions allow for time to socialize with others. A complimentary meal is also included for all volunteers during their shift. Please fill out this following form to indicate your interest in volunteering https://forms.gle/BhCgcYmqEy8XUp2S6. Our parent council will email you with further information after you have completed the form. Anybody can volunteer including family and friends, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. It is also important to mention that a police check is not required to volunteer at the Casino.
Bottle Drive Fridays
Just like last year you can donate your refundable bottles to AMPA by dropping them off at the front of the school (by the free little library) every Friday. Our goal this year is to raise $1750 through our bottle drive Fridays.
Sound Kreations
We are excited to be welcoming Sound Kreations back for a third year. During the week of Sept 16-20 the students will be learning the art of dance and movement. Sound Kreations has a great reputation for providing engaging experiences that children really enjoy and we are excited that we are having them back! Stay tuned for more information about the in-school performance on Friday the 20th at 12:15 pm.
Meet the Teacher (Learn the Student) Open House Night
We will be hosting our Meet the Teacher/Learn the Student night on the evening of Thurs, Sept 26 from 4:30pm-7:30pm. The evening will include a student-led guided tour of the classroom and other main areas of the school. This will also be a great opportunity to learn who your child is through the lens of them being a student. It will also provide the teacher the opportunity to quickly learn more about their students through the eyes of the parents through some “meet and greet standing” conversations with teachers. Due to the format of an Open House, there will not be sit down meeting time slots with the teachers. Parents will have an opportunity for a sit-down conference on November 29 when further assessment information has been gathered. We will provide more details about specific timeframes as we get closer to the date.
School Photos
Photo day is Tuesday, Sept 17. Students will have a ¾ length pose and a head and shoulder pose. Retakes will be in October. Information about photos is available through Lifetouch at 1.866.457.8212 or on the ordering website www.mylifetouch.ca
Safety Reminders in and Around the School
Thank-you for your care and attention to the safety of all of our students and staff in and around the school each day.
Practicing fire drills are an important way we can be prepared for an emergency evacuation if required. We will be scheduling 6 fire drills this school year. The first fire drill is required to be completed within the first few weeks of school start up. We are planning on having our first fire drill on Sept 10.
We are pleased to be working with the AMA and Calgary Police Service team to resume AMA School Safety Patrols once again at Alex Munro School. We will begin once training of staff and students is complete (likely not before the end of September). This will support the safe crossing on 78 Ave. NE.
A reminder that there is no drop off or pick up of students in the staff parking lot. Families are welcome to use street parking around the school for drop off and pick up purposes.
Please note that directly in front of the school is a no stopping zone. This area is designated as “no stopping” to support pedestrian safety and school bus loading and unloading. When crossing the street, please use the crosswalks. We thank you for contributing to the good citizenship of this wonderful neighbourhood.
Student Personal Device Policy
Everyone should have received an email from me yesterday that laid out our policy on digital devices. Basically, the policy states that all elementary schools have an “away for the day” policy for all digital devices including cell phones, tablets, gaming devices, laptops, smart watches, Bluetooth speakers/headphones or any personal electronic device that can be used to communicate with or has access to the internet. Feel free to contact the school office if you have any questions or need clarification about this policy.
Breakfast Program
Alex Munro school has a fantastic breakfast program with vegetarian, gelatin-free, and nut free food available to all students. These items include fruit, vegetables, and freshly baked goods. We love that our students are eating and enjoying this healthy food. A reminder that students should only be choosing 1 or 2 items off the breakfast cart in the morning and only enough that can be consumed within the first 15-20 minutes of the school day. If students are hungry later in the day, most of the items from the breakfast cart are still available at the front office. With this availability students do not need to take additional items from the breakfast cart in the morning to keep items on their desk for “later”. It is much better come to the office for more food as they become hungry as all of the food is stored with safe food handling practices which ensures fresh and safe food for all.
Popcorn Sales
AMPA Parent Council will be raising money for our school by selling popcorn every Wednesday beginning next week September 11. There will be a variety of flavours at a cost of $2.00/bag. Cash only and exact change is recommended. Thank you for your support!
Upcoming Dates
September 6 – Early Dismissal 1:15 pm
September 6 – AM Kindergarten Attend 8:50am-1:10pm
September 9 – Parent Council Meeting (AMPA) @6:15pm - Online
September 10 – Fire Drill #1
September 11 – Popcorn Sales begin $2
September 13 – Early Dismissal 1:15 pm
September 13 – PM Kindergarten Attend 8:50am-1:10pm
September 16-20 – Sound Kreations Dance Residency
September 20 – Sound Kreations Student Dance Performance (Grades 1-6) – 12:15pm
September 17 – Photo Day
September 26 – Meet the Teacher/Learn the Student Open House Night
September 26 – Orange Shirt Day (wear your orange shirt)
September 27 – Non-instructional day – No School for Students
September 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – No School for Students