*If you would like to have a translated version of this message, please click on the Google Translate tab at the top.
Dear Parents / Guardians,
Seeing the students share their school and learning environment with joy and pride is one of the great perks of working within a school. I would like to sincerely thank all families for dedicating the time to furthering their child's learning experience by connecting with their teachers at conferences these past two days. If you did not have the opportunity or ability to attend a conference, we encourage you to email your child's teacher to look into making a connection either in-person, or by phone to schedule a mutually agreed upon time.
Terry Fox Run:
We are excited to share that as a school community our Terry Fox campaign raised $733.20. Thank you very much to all staff, students and families for your support. Well done!
Milk Program:
A message was sent home earlier this week for those families interested in signing up for the milk program. This program provides daily milk to students who sign-up. If interested, please return your child's form by September 25, 2023. Payment will then be made through your child's MyCBE account posted as a fee to add to your cart. For those signed up, the Milk Program, milk distribution will begin on October 10, 2023.
Mid-Autumn Festival September 25-27
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, is one of the most important traditional festivals in Chinese culture. Chinese people have been celebrating this festival over 3,000 years. The festival is on Saturday September 29, 2023 with a full moon at night. At Marion Carson School, we will celebrate from September 25 to 27. We encourage you to ask your child(ren) about their learnings.
Some information about this festival shared by our Mandarin Bilingual Program teachers. On this day, Chinese people believe that the Moon is at its brightest and fullest size, coinciding with harvest time in the middle of Autumn. Chinese people celebrate it by gathering for dinners, worshiping the moon, lighting paper lanterns, eating mooncakes, etc. There are also a lot of legends about this festival, such as Chang E flying to the moon, Wu Gang and the cherry tree, and the Jade Rabbit.
The Chinese lunar calendar is the traditional calendar which has a history of approximately 3000 years. In the Chinese lunar calendar, days begin and end at midnight, and months begin on the day of the new moon. Years start on the second (or third) new moon after the winter solstice, and one year consists of 24 solar terms, which were created by farmers in ancient China to guide the agricultural affairs and farming activities based on the sun's position in the zodiac. The 24 solar terms reflect the changes in climate, natural phenomena, agricultural production, and other aspects of human life, including clothing, food, housing, and transportation. The 24 solar terms are still playing important roles and having greatly influenced people's basic needs in life nowadays. The length of a month is annotated as either big for months with 30 days or small for months with 29 days). This calendar governs holidays and festivals in China, such as the Chinese New Year, Lantern Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, etc.
National Truth and Reconciliation & Orange Shirt Day
On Thursday, September 28, students at Marion Carson School are invited to wear Orange shirts or orange clothing in recognition of Orange Shirt Day, and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Orange shirt day is a day in which schools across Canada recognize, and teach about the residential schools that occurred between 1931 and 1996. The events of these schools are carefully discussed in an age and grade appropriate way.
Invite | National Day for Truth and Reconciliation & Orange Shirt Day Event - Sept. 30
CBE students, staff and their families and friends are invited to join an event being hosted by the City of Calgary in partnership with the Calgary Board of Education and the Calgary Catholic School District. The third annual ceremonial opening is taking place on Sept. 30 from 9-10:30 a.m. at Fort Calgary (750 9th Ave SE). This year's gathering will include a smudge tent, in-person Indigenous speakers and performers, an aerial salute ceremony, and other events. The events will also include an intertribal dance demonstration featuring Indigenous students from the CBE and CCSD. Participants are encouraged to wear orange.
Following the YYC, CBE & CCSD event, all are invited to join the Pokaiks – The Children Commemorative Annual Walk and Gathering 2023. The walk will begin at 11 a.m. at City Hall (15-minute walk from Fort Calgary or 2-minute drive) and continue to Shaw Millenium Park (30-minute walk). The walk will be followed by drumming/dancing, Indigenous community speakers, artisan booths, and food sales.
A Message on Behalf of School Council / Parent Association…
Reminder: our first Fun Lunch of the year is September 25, 2023 (Subway)
School Council / Parent Association Meeting – Meeting Minutes
Thank you to all who attended our School Council / Parent Association meeting on September 20, 2023. You can find the meeting minutes on our website here. The next meeting will be on October 18th at 7pm.
Stay Connected with Council
Please click on the “Stay Connected with Council" link and scan the QR codes if you are interested in receiving email communications from School Council / Parent Association about upcoming events and volunteering opportunities, or to follow the council on social media (Facebook and Instagram)
Welcome Chat for New Parents to Our School - September 25
The School Council/Parent Association's first welcome chat for new families where they will have the opportunity to learn more about the school and how they can get involved is this Monday. This will be a great opportunity to meet other families at the school! These chats will be led by the Parent Association, but we are also looking for parents who want to volunteer as the Welcome Crew. Volunteers would simply greet the new families and engage in conversation. (New parents do not have to have their police clearance completed to participate in the welcome chat.)
If you are new to the school OR if you want to help out as part of the Welcome Crew, please click on the link below to register: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C45ACA823A1FACF8-september#/
Marion's Meadow cleanup – Sept. 26 from 3:15pm - 4:30pm
School Council / Parent Association is looking for help during this fall's Marion's Meadow Clean-up. No skills required! Just bring some gloves, a rake or trimmers if you have them, and your enthusiasm! Thank you parents for all of your support.
Sincerely,
Mr. Dustin Turner
Principal, Marion Carson School
Important Dates:
September 25: Fun Lunch (Subway)
September 25: School Council Welcome Chat for New Parents to Marion Carson
September 25-27: Mid-Autumn Festival Learning and Celebrations
September 28: Marion Carson School's Orange Shirt Day / Recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
September 29: No School - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
October 6: Learning Celebration Led by Grade 3 and 4 (more details to come)
October 9: No School - Thanksgiving Day
October 18: Photo Retake Day
October 18: School Council / Parent Association Meeting (7pm)
October 20: No School for Students – Non-Instruction Day
October 26: Halloween Dance (time TBD)
October 31: Halloween Day Learning Activities
