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November 3, 2023
Hola familias de nuestra Escuela Canyon Meadows,
The first signs of winter have arrived; perhaps sooner than we hoped but our students certainly enjoyed playing with the snow last week. Many authors observe and study nature closely to come up with magnificent stories for children. Throughout the months of September and October I have had the pleasure to join our Kindergarten and Grade 1 students in their classrooms to share with them Spanish stories written by my favourite picture book author, Eric Carle. I have shared with our students that many of Eric Carle's characters and stories were inspired by his childhood explorations in nature. Sra. Gutiérrez has also had the pleasure to join classes in Grades 2 and 5 to work collaboratively with our teachers and students in oral language activities to increase and improve the fluency and accuracy while speaking in Spanish. Both Sra. Gutiérrez and myself treasure the moments spent in our classrooms with our students and teachers. ¡Apreciamos mucho aprender con nuestros alumnos y maestros!
Indigenous Education
On November 9 all teachers and support staff will engage in the CBE's Annual Indigenous Education System Professional Learning Day, gifted with the name Maatoomsii' Pookaiks which means “Children First". During the day we will deepen our learning on Truth and Reconciliation through Keynote videos and discussions. One more time, ECM staff will have the opportunity to participate in land-based learning experiences at Fish Creek Park with Dr. Joshua Hill, Mount Royal University Indigenous Education Professor.
Ongoing Communication and Student Learning Conferences
In September we had our first Parent Teacher Student Conferences, where you had the opportunity to help us learn more about your children. Our next Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences are November 23 and 24. During conferences you will be able to learn more about your child's progress in learning.  Saturday, November 18 at 7 a.m. parents/guardians will be able to book a date and time for their conference.
Each homeroom teacher continues to have a Google Classroom to maintain an online presence. Click on the following for How to Log into Google Classroom for Students.
Attendance
We would like to reiterate the message shared on Sept. 1 about the importance of regular school attendance and punctuality. Attendance and punctuality have a huge impact on a student's academic success starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school safely every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and in life.
We realize some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. When students miss too much school it can cause them to fall behind academically, socially and emotionally.  Regular school attendance is an important life skill on the path to graduation and future employment.
Please ensure that your child attends school every day and arrives on time. Here are a few practical tips to help support regular attendance:
Listen and show an interest in your child's day.
Encourage your child to do well in school and praise their success.
Help your child maintain daily routines such as, eating breakfast, turning off electronics approx. two hours before bedtime and going to bed early.
If possible try to schedule dental and medical appointments after school hours or on days off from school.
Send your child to school unless sick.
It may be a concern if your child is often sick, complains about going to school and/or struggles with school work.
Ask for help from the school before the problem gets too big. No problem is too small.
Let us know how we can best support you and your child so they can attend school regularly and punctually.  Upcoming School Events
Remembrance Day Assembly
On November 8 our students and teachers will hold a Remembrance Day Assembly at 10:30 am. Our Grade 3 students will proudly lead the event. Grade 3 parents/guardians are welcome to join. This assembly will provide another opportunity to reflect and appreciate those who lost their lives for us to have the peace we enjoy nowadays.
​December Concerts and Holiday Tour
Students and teachers in Kindergarten, Grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be proud to share their Concerts in December:
​Kindergarten AM concert will be December 5 in the morning.
Kindergarten PM concert will be December 12 in the afternoon.
Grades 1 through 4 concerts will be December 7 & 14 in the evening. 
Students and teachers in Grade 5 will be proud to participate in a Holiday Tour on December 19.
More details of the concerts and Grade 5 Holiday Tour including times and distribution of classes for Grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided at a closer date.
The fall break is approaching. We wish you a restful and playful time with your family. Classes will resume on Wednesday, November 15. 
Reciban nuestros saludos cordiales,
Lilien Perera Pérez                                     Cecilia Gutiérrez
Principal/Directora                                    Assistant Principal/ Vicedirectora