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Dear Families of Catherine Nichols Gunn School,

This school year, like last school year, has not been what I would call usual or typical.   I do thank you for your patience with the various restrictions in place to make schools safer.   I do realize the limiting of field trip experiences does drastically change the school experience for our students.   The other part of school that drastically changes the experience is seeing parents in our schools, volunteering, dropping in, and attending in person at Student Learning Conferences. 

Field Trips

The Calgary Board of Education has recently made changes to their off-site policy regarding the vaccine exemption program, which means that more field trips have opened up to schools.   The school council, made up of parents in our school community, has fundraised, and given money to classrooms to fund field trips this year.  The only field trip not covered this year by the School Council, will be swimming (if we are able to attend).   The Grade 5 and 6 classes have now participated in two field trips this year, and I have asked the other grades to present me with field trip options for their students in the next week or so.   It is my intention to move forward with off-site activities that enhance student learning. 

Volunteers

As it has been almost two years since we've been able to welcome volunteers into the school I feel that many volunteer clearances that were once active have expired.  If you would like to volunteer with the school, but not sure if your clearance is still active, please contact the school to check.   Also, if you would like to volunteer, but know you do not have a clearance, please contact the school to find out more about the process.

School Council – Thursday, February 24^th.

Over the last two years, all school council meetings have been online.   Though this has made it easier for some families to attend, by and large, the amount of engagement from the community has dropped.  School Council meetings occur on the last Thursday of the month, at 7pm.  Starting on February 24^th, School Council will revert to in person meetings in the school's learning commons.   We are excited to welcome parents back into the school.  We have missed you, and really want your feedback on a variety of topics.    Please note, until such time as the health restrictions end, we will be asking that fully vaccinated community members attend, and we will be checking QR codes at the door. 

As mentioned above, your feedback is needed.  It's important to take the opportunity to get feedback on the various initiatives the CBE is putting forward, as well as initiatives that come from Catherine Nichols Gunn school.   At the February School Council Meeting we will be presenting information that will kick off our School Engagement Survey.  This presentation will cover a wide variety of areas that will allow us to get feedback on the priorities of our community.  

Student Learning Conferences – March 10^th and 11^th

Student Learning Conferences will take place on Thursday, March 10^th from 4pm – 7:30, and March 11^th from 8:30am – 12Noon.  These conferences will be in person with online appointments available for families who don't meet the minimum vaccination requirement, or for families who are not quite ready to return to the school.   

Upcoming Dates​

February 17^th and 18^th – Teacher's Convention (No School For Students)

February 21^st – Family Day (No School)

February 24^th – School Council at 7pm (Learning Commons)

March 10^th – Student Learning Conferences (4:00pm – 7:30pm)

March 11^th – Student Learning Conferenes (8:30am – Noon) – No School for Students

March 17^th – Spring Concert

March 18^th – Last Day of School Before Spring Break

March 19^th – April 3^rd – Spring Break

April 4^th – School Resumes

Sincerely,

Colin McCracken, Principal