​Peacefulness was our virtue for November. Our Grade 4 students in Ms. Fensom and Mrs. Korolis’ classes did a wonderful job honouring and remembering those who sacrificed so much that we might enjoy the rights and freedom of our country at our Remembrance Day Assembly. It was wonderful to see the many parents who joined us for this very touching assembly.
Our Winter Celebration Concert is scheduled for Wednesday December 5th and Thursday December 6th at 7:00 PM. We will ask that families with young children sit near an exit and be prepared to exit into the hallway should their young child become disruptive. Please bring an item for the Food Drive when you come to the Concerts. Specific information regarding the concert is posted later in this newsletter.
December and January are very cold months with unpredictable weather. We ask parents to ensure that their children are dressed for the weather and the changes that can occur in the course of a school day. Winter boots, coats, mittens and hats are a must have for all students. Snow pants are highly recommended as well. Our students love to go outside and get some fresh air and exercise at recesses if they are dressed appropriately. Outside play gives them a chance to release excess energy and settle down again for learning. At Chris Akkerman students will only stay inside at recesses when temperatures drop below -20◦ Celsius including the wind chill. The Calgary Board of Education Cold Weather Guideline states, “Outside activities are not recommended when the temperature is -20◦ Celsius or colder including the wind-chill factor.” Students will stay inside with supervision over recesses during very severe weather.
Parents are advised to check the weather forecast daily before sending their children to school to ensure they are dressed appropriately and that the bus is running on time. We ask that you check the Bus Monitor at http://www.myschoolbusmonitor.ca/. In the winter, as you know from your own experience, motor vehicles can break down, not start or be stuck in traffic for extended periods of time.
To ensure timely communication of school events to our families this newsletter covers the months of December and January. Please post the calendars in a safe and easily accessed location (your fridge is a good place) to ensure you are aware of the important dates for both months.
All parents are members of School Council and are encouraged to attend. At our November meeting there were only three parents, barely enough to engage with the agenda and make decisions. I urge parents to attend these meetings to advise our school administration, influence decisions, provide feedback, ask questions and keep up to date with our school activities. At every meeting, our teachers provide a summary of the ongoing instruction for each grade level. Please note that January’s School Council Meeting is on Monday January 21st at 6:30 PM.
The holiday season is fast approaching. I know that this is a time of celebration in many of our cultures. It is a time to spend with family and friends and a time of community. On behalf of the staff at Chris Akkerman School, I wish every family a joyous and safe holiday. The last day of school for our students is Friday December 21st. School resumes on Monday January 7th 2019.
Deb Warmington, Principal