On behalf of the staff at Crescent Heights High School I would like to welcome all students and their families to the 2019-2020 school year. I hope you and your family were able to experience adventures together during the summer months both locally and abroad. We look forward to students sharing these adventures with the staff over the coming days as we return to school. I would particularly like to welcome our in-coming Grade 10’s, whom I’m sure are excited, and a bit nervous, to start their high school experience.
Fall represents a time of change for both Mother Nature, as well as our learning community. As a school community we continue to evolve into a true ‘campus’ model. This model allows students to learn through their preferred learning style. These learning opportunities include our Science and Technology AP learning focus, traditional community approach, as well as our self-directed learning (flex) program. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of our dual credit programs in partnership with the University of Calgary, SAIT, Bow Valley College, and the Alberta University of the Arts. These partnerships allow students to gain post-secondary and high school credit, and allow them to explore future areas of interest.
As the Principal of Crescent Heights High School I want to take this opportunity to promise all parent(s)/guardian(s) that our learning community will remain fiercely committed to supporting your child’s social, emotional, and academic growth and success. Crescent Heights High School will continue to support our student’s individual learning journey through a student-centred model to best meet their academic, social, and emotional needs.
Our commitment extends to creating strong partnerships with our parents/guardians. I would strongly encourage all parents to familiarize yourself with our Student Code of Conduct, our Crescent Heights High School Assessment Policy, as well as our Parent Communication Cheat Sheet. All of this information is located on our website. The primary goal of this ongoing communication is to create consistent messaging that supports, reinforces, and enhances student learning. Additional sources of information can be found on the schools @crescentcowboys Twitter and our @crescentcowboys Instagram feeds.
Parent(s)/guardian(s) are reminded of the following safety and logistical considerations that support our work. These requests include:
- Please be sure to contact the school regarding student absences and lates. Parent(s)/guardian(s) are reminded of the importance that regular attendance and punctuality have on long-term student academic growth and success.
- Please be sure to check-in with our main office prior to entering the building during our regular school day.
- Guest and visitors to our learning community will be given a visitor badge so our students and staff can identify those who are welcome in the building.
- Please also allow space directly in front of the main doors for bus drop-off/pick-up, this is particularly important for those students requiring wheelchair accessibility.
- Please make sure that your demographic information is up-to-date and correct so that the school can contact you in a timely manner.
- Please refrain from texting or contacting your child via cellphone during class time as this disrupts the learning of others. We ask that parent(s)/guardian(s) contact the main office who can relay any important messages to your child(ren).
As families begin to develop their fall calendars please be aware of the following up-coming dates and events in August and September which include:
- Thursday-Friday Aug. 29 & 30 - Lifetouch student ID photos in Auxiliary Gym
- Monday Sept. 2 - Labour Day holiday, no school
- Tuesday Sept. 3 - Students Back
- Thursday Sept. 19 - Meet the Teacher (6:30 PM – 8:00 PM)
- Friday Sept. 20 - Non-Instructional Day
- Monday, Sept. 23 - School Council Meeting (7:00 PM)
In our conversations with students over the coming
days, we will emphasize the importance of ‘getting involved’ in extracurricular
activities. This includes students trying out for athletic teams, joining
clubs, and becoming active in our school’s extensive extra-curricular
opportunities. Educational research demonstrates that students who
actively connect with these types of opportunities indicate a greater sense of
belonging and connection within their school. This stronger connection
ultimately results in improved academic performance. Therefore, I would
highly encourage your child to put themselves forward for these opportunities
throughout the school year.
In conclusion, we look forward to connecting with
all our students and parent(s)/guardian(s) in the coming days and weeks as we
begin our exciting 2019-2020 learning journey. If you have any questions,
please do not hesitate to contact me or Assistant Principals; Jennifer
Edmondson-Neily (for students with last names A-G), Tim Kitchen (last names
H-O), or Laureen Lailey (last names P-Z) throughout the course of the year.
Mike Wilson
Principal
