Happy New Year QES Families!
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams"
-Eleanor Roosevelt
We are excited to be back with students. We are looking forward to continuing to learn and make connections to our surrounding community.
Open Houses and Transfers
January 16th 2023 will mark the first day of registration for Kindergarten and new grades 1-6 students. If you have friends or neighbours in the QES catchment area, please remind them to register! Just call the main office for more information. In the coming weeks we will be hosting a Kindergarten Open House. The date and time will be shared on our website soon.
This is the time of year when we begin the long process of transitioning our grade 6 students to their designated Junior High Schools. Students who have their identified residence as being in the QES catchment area are designated to Queen Elizabeth Junior/High School. If your child has been attending QES from out of the attendance area, and they are in Grade 6, please check the Find A School application to determine your designated Junior High school. All students are automatically transferred to their designated schools in June. Out of attendance area transfers will be considered by the requested school's principal depending of available space and resources. Should you have questions about designated schools or the transfer process, please contact me at lamcconnell@cbe.ab.ca as soon as possible. Planning now makes for a good transition in September!
Late French Immersion at Branton School will also be a transfer option for Grade 6 students. More information will be forth coming about Branton School. Grade 6s will have a presentation on January 18th about the program. You can also visit their website for more information.
2023-24 School Instructional Calendar Approved
The first day of school is:
CBE schools currently operating on the modified calendar will be transitioning to the traditional calendar starting in the 2023-24 school year. Unique-setting schools will continue to operate on the calendar that best meets the needs of their students.
In support of student and staff well-being, the instructional calendar includes a short fall break with more consecutive days off than previously provided in the traditional calendar. The number of instructional hours in the school year remains unchanged. Two non-instructional days combined with a day in lieu for Remembrance Day allow for this break. This decision responds to what was heard through an engagement process related to transitioning to one calendar this fall. For 2023-24, this break will happen Nov. 9 – 14.
Please visit the system calendar page for more information. You can also receive system and school updates by Subscribing to School Messages
Alberta Education Assurance Survey
Each year in January, Alberta Educations sends an important survey to all parents and guardians of students in Grade 4. The survey is called the Alberta Education Assurance Survey. Your voice matters. It is very important that families complete the survey and return it to Alberta Education. This survey presents an opportunity to celebrate the tremendous achievements of students, staff and yourselves, as community members. As a school community we have remained engaged in fostering school environment focused on achievement, and building a sense of community. Results of the survey are shared publicly and present an opportunity to share the successes QES with all community members!
Parent Council and Association
Another way to stay engaged with our school community is to attend our Parent Council and Association meetings. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 6:30pm. The Queen Elizabeth School Parent Society or QEEPES is responsible for funding many initiatives and events. The have made our days fun by offering Popcorn Snacks, Fun Lunches on Thursdays, Our Parent Council and Society ensure classes have any additional items they need. They have also made it possible for us to be a school in which programming is enriched through residencies and equipment. They have significantly contributed to the advancement of learning through their support for our teachers as they advance learning through quality community programs and partnerships.
Welcome back! It was a pleasure to be back together today.
Stay warm and healthy,
Lisa McConnell
