Good Afternoon Colonel Irvine School Community.
This week students started in their new trimester two option classes. They will have these classes until approximately mid-March when we start out last trimester.
The Grade 8's had their first field trip this week to Vertigo Theatre where they saw Murder on the Orient Express an Agatha Christie mystery from 1934. The story follows famed Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, weather-trapped on the famed train the Orient Express. After the murder of a mysterious businessman, Poirot finds himself piecing together a mystery with far too many coincidences, and far too many players. Students appeared to really engage with the play and the question and answer session afterwards. We would like to thank all the parent volunteers who helped to make this trip possible, as well as the Humanities team and in particular Mr. Ray, for organizing the trip.
We would like to support all families to arrive on time at school each day. We know this is a challenge and many reasons can contribute to missing school. We understand that many students and families have experienced illness and that the weather and roads have also been a challenge this fall and winter. Absences from school can impact students' sense of belonging, connection and exposure to classroom learning opportunities.
In the coming weeks, the office will be connecting with families by letter that is intended to bring your attention to accumulating absences. Please know that we always approach school attendance in a student-centered, solution-oriented and supportive way. We regularly put plans in place to support student attendance and are eager to help families. Please reach out if you have any questions, concerns or require support.
It is hard to believe that there are only two weeks left of classes before the Winter Break. We are planning afternoon activities for the last day of school, which is Thursday, December 22. Student Council along with input from the Principal Student Advisory Committee have planned spirit days for the next two weeks and are selling candygrams at lunch for $1 which will be delivered on December 22nd.
Monday December 12 – Pajama Day
Tuesday, December 13 – Twin Day
Wednesday, December 14 – Jersey Day
Thursday, December 15 – Crazy Hair Day
Friday, December 16 – Formal Friday
Monday, December 19 – Irvine Gear
Tuesday, December 20 – Plaid Day
Wednesday, December 21 – Red and Green Day
Thursday, December 22 – Holiday Sweater Day
A reminder that we are collecting food for the annual Mayors Food Drive. We will collect non-perishable food donations until December 22nd and appreciate anything you can donate. Next week we will be announcing homeroom class totals duirng announcements to encourage some friendly competition between classes. The homeroom with the most items will receive ice cream treats on Dec 22. If you are in need of an emergency hamper please visit https://www.calgaryfoodbank.com/needfood/ We are having a homeroom challenge. Thank you for your continued support.
Ms. Ko and Ms. Dalwood
Dates to Remember:
Wednesday December 14 – Colonel Irvine Winter Band Concert @ John Diefenbaker High school @ 6:30 pm
Monday, December 19 – Junior Achievement Gr's 5-8, Career Exploration Grade 9's
Thursday December 22 – Last Day of Classes
Winter Break Friday December 23- Sunday January 8
Monday January 9 - School Resumes
Tuesday, January 10th – School Council Meeting @ 6:30
Thursday, January 19th – Lunar New Year Celebrations – Gr. 5-6 @ 5:45 – Gr. 7-9 @ 7:15
School Council:
Results: Staff Appreciation - Holiday Lunch
Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote. The motion passed with 95% support, and the staff appreciation lunch will be going ahead on Dec. 16th. Thanks to our event & volunteer coordinators, Seth & Cindy!
Opportunity: Staff Appreciation - Staff Gifts
CISC/CIPAA is also coordinating a gift exchange for our hard-working CI staff as we approach the winter break! Unlike in elementary school, where your student typically only has one teacher, in middle school they have many! The gift exchange is a way of collectively supporting all the staff, and is our chance to celebrate them and thank them for all that they've done so far this year!
Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E44A5A922A5F58-winter1
Drop off at the school by Thursday Dec. 22nd
Annual CISC/CIPAA Survey
Thanks to everyone who has filled out the survey so far! We want to hear from MORE of you! Please take <5 minutes to fill out our annual survey. Results will be shared at our January meeting.
HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD by MONDAY, DEC. 12th: https://forms.gle/3MBDrvpenEzPEzyF7
Opportunity: Education Advocacy
- Our next meeting is Tuesday, January 10th, at 6.30pm with guest Laura Hack, our CBE Trustee
To stay informed, please join our FB group. The process to join is simple and straightforward:
- Click the link to request to join: Colonel Irvine Parent Group - Calgary
- Answer the security question: "What is our school mascot?" The answer is “roadrunner"
- Agree to the group rules
Any questions / comments / concerns? Contact us at colonelirvineschoolcouncil@gmail.com
MyBus Stop Update – Push Notifications
Southland Transportation has updated the MyBusStop app to include push notifications.
When there is a posted delay on a bus route, families will now receive an alert directly to their mobile phone.
To receive notifications families must have the app installed on their phone and have registered on the web site.
They can subscribe to their route using this code CBEYI3VWMG. They can then allow the app to provide them notifications on their route delays (see link for instructions).
Link: MyBusStop Notifications
Cafeteria Menu:
Monday – BBQ Chicken Subs
Tuesday – Beef Chili with Rice
Wednesday – Penne with Marinara Sauce
Thursday – Chicken Strips with Hashbrowns
Colonel Irvine Winter Band Concert
Date: Wednesday December 14, 2022
Time: 6:30 pm (students should arrive in concert dress at 5:30 pm)
Place: John G Diefenbaker High School (Gymnasium) - 6620 4 St NW
The dress code is concert dress, meaning:
- Solid black pants or skirt Clean, solid black shoes and black socks/tights
- Colonel Irvine Band/Music shirt
- Students are responsible for bringing their own instrument and folder to the concert
This has been discussed in class so that they are as prepared as possible.
We anticipate that the concert should be over between 8:00 and 8:30.
High School Information: High School Information:
High School Transfers may be granted for Educational Program or Sequence of Courses Requests. A parent/legal guardian /independent student can request for a student to transfer to another CBE high school for the next school year for one of the following reasons:
- To enroll in an education program not offered at the student's designated school (e.g. International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme or Advanced Placement (AP) ; CBe-learn or
- To take a sequence of courses up to the 30-level that is not offered at the student's designated school (e.g. cosmetology, welding and fabrication, culinary arts, and auto mechanics).
You can only choose one program, or one sequence of courses, as the reason for your transfer request. Please note transfer requests are not available yet for Fall 2023. When they are we will link them in this section.
James Fowler High School
January 26th, 2023: Grade 9 tours and Open House (more details to come)
Sir Winston Churchill Open House
Thursday, January 26, 2023 more details to come.
John G. Diefenbaker High School
Open House (in-person): Wednesday, January 25, 6-7:30pm
John G. Diefenbaker High School International Baccalaureate Program
During these IB information sessions, we will talk about what the IB program is, what to expect and what you need to know about applying. You will have an opportunity to ask questions and to meet with some of our current students.
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
6:00–6:30: Mingle with current IB students in the foyer and ask them questions about their experience.
6:30-8:00: Presentation from the IB Coordinator
Bowness High School
Open House: January 17th, 6:30pm start. The details will be posted on their website.
Student Tour: January 17th, 9:30am-12:30pm, if you student is attending please make arrangements to get them to the tour and let our office know they will be absent.
Pearson High School
Open House (in-person): January 18, 6:30-8:00pm
Student Tour: January 18, 9-11am, make your own arrangements to get students to this
*** The IB Career Program is now being offered at Lester B. Pearson High School. It is the only school in the city to offer this new program and the careers attached to it. There are only 4 high schools in Canada to offer this program; therefore, it is open to the entire CBE high school population. We intake prospective grade 10 students into our Honours CTS Program and grade 11 students who want to apply directly into the IB-CP program. If you have any further questions, please contact Tammy Lock tllock@cbe.ab.ca
Robert Thirsk High School
Open House (In-person) – Wednesday, January 18th from 6:30-8pm
Advanced Placement Info session (In-person) - December 13th 6:30-7:30pm
Open House (Virtual, if you missed in-person) - January 25th, link will be on Thirsk website
Student Tour – Wednesday, January 18th at 8:30am, student must arrange own transport
Queen Elizabeth High School
Open House and tours will not be until near the end of the year. Check their website.
Forest Lawn High School
Open House: Thursday, January 25, check their website closer to date.
**Central Memorial High School**
Central Memorial High School hosts a thriving performing and visual arts program (PVA) that is open to CBE students across the city. Because it is a program of choice, students who are not designated to CMHS have the unique opportunity to apply and audition/interview for the program and then complete the CBE High School Transfer Request for 2023-2024.
In this program, students have opportunities to complete 30+ high school fine arts credits through year-round specialized classes alongside like-minded students and faculty with artistic backgrounds. Not only can they focus on their arts learning every single day of high school, but they can also complete core classes, AP classes, languages and CTS courses here at Central Memorial.
