Dear DGS Families,
Spring Equinox is next week. It marks the point in time when the sun sits directly over the Earth's equator as it heads northward. Both hemispheres share the sun's rays equally at the equinox, and night and day are roughly the same length. It marks the beginning of Spring. Spiritually and symbolically, Spring Equinox represents our need for balance. It’s a time of new beginnings, renewal, and growth. Spring is a time when I feel especially connected to the land- I’m waiting not-so-patiently to spot the first crocuses and pussy willows along the ridge- waking up from winter brings us one step closer to the work we will be doing to plant our school’s garden guided by the work of the Buffalo Treaty’s Naapi’s Garden resources. We are excited to learn more about the land where we gather as a school and a community.
Basketball Season has Arrived…
The 2023 Try-Out and Practice Schedule is located here:
https://school.cbe.ab.ca/School/Repository/SBAttachments/e451e5e9-450c-46ff-878e-5bebe47fc4da_2023Basketballtryoutpracticeschedule.pdf
As with other interschool athletics seasons, we work with the Schools in our Division to establish guidelines for hosting home games. Our Division has decided on the following:
For home games, DGS student spectators are welcome to attend the FIRST game of the evening only. Teachers will help students find the exits at this time.
No unparented spectators from other schools will be permitted at DGS home games.
No unparented DGS students are to attend other schools.
Parents attending Away games with their own child are asked to care for no more students than you have seatbelts in your vehicle. This is to prevent one parent from being “responsible” for students they did not bring with them to an Away game or that they do not know.
Journalism Request for Interviews: The Human Library Project
Grade 9 Journalism students are working on developing their interviewing skills through asking thoughtful and engaging questions as a means to gain deeper insight into a topic/idea.
We are hoping to host a “Human Library” experience (can be either in-person or digital through Microsoft Teams) on April 6th from 8:30am-9:30am where willing parent participants can be interviewed by one of our students. The purpose of a “Human Library” is to share one’s experiences and build a sense of empathy and understanding, as well as extend one’s understanding on a particular topic and/or issue. For more information on this topic, please see: https://humanlibrary.org/
Ms. Cardwell asked the students to compile a potential list of “Human Titles” that they might be interested in interviewing during the process. Some of the “Titles of Interest” students generated include (but are not limited to):
Former or Current Professional Athlete
First Responder (law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, nurses, ER doctors)
Pilot
Chef
Actor
Oil & Gas Experts
Social Worker
Refugee
Immigrant
Musician
Writer
Climate Activist
Meteorologist
Game Developer
Entrepreneur
Lawyer
Architect
Someone who has had a near-death experience
Other?
We love that we have interesting community members with stories to share!
If you have an area of expertise above (or something not mentioned), a story, or just are willing to come in and to meet a grade 9 student and be interviewed, please let Ms. Cardwell know at kpcardwell@cbe.ab.ca. We welcome family members of students from all Grade Levels to participate.
Traffic, Pick-Up and Drop-Off Zones and our Bus Zone
Thank you SO much for helping us improve safety in our Bus Zone- we have had a full week of our buses being able to load and unload safely and it is SO appreciated. Families are reminded that Cranston Drive in front of the school is marked as a loading zone. Please do not stop within 5 metres of the 4-way-stop on the corner of Cranston Drive and Cranston Road in ANY direction, as it causes issues for traffic in all directions, and often time, our bus drivers are put in the position that they have to make less-than-ideal turns onto Cranston Road. Most importantly, please do not stop your vehicles in the school bus zone along Cranston Road. We now have 5 school buses needing safe, daily access to this clearly marked zone. Additionally, the staff parking lot is NOT to be used as a pick-up and drop off zone, unless a family is legally accessing our school’s spots designated for people with disabilities. We ask that all families prioritize safety over convenience if they choose to drive their children to school.
Power School Parent Update
March 17 will be the next update of student achievement data in PowerSchool. Please take a moment with your child to log in and talk about their progress, growth, and achievement. It’s also a great idea to have your student log in to google classroom with you to view specific assignments you may have questions about.
Parent Student Teacher Conferences
Thank you so much for attending Parent Student Teacher Conferences last Thursday and Friday. If you need more time with your child’s teacher (or if you were unable to attend conferences and want to book a time to meet outside of instructional time) please email the appropriate teacher to connect.
Upcoming Dates:
March 21
March 27 – 31
April 7
April 10
April 11
April 25
As always, please feel free to contact me at csmalette@cbe.ab.ca OR 403 817 3556.
Chantal Malette
Principal, Dr. George Stanley School
