It will be March this week and Spring is in our sights! February passed with much community engagement throughout our school and in the broader community. Students demonstrated gratitude for one another, discussed the impact of their small actions on their communities, and worked together to highlight the things everyone can do each day to create friendships, promote wellbeing and advance learning at QES. These actions included participation in Pink Shirt Day, Valentine deliveries within QES and at Queen Elizabeth High School. In addition to these actions, we had Hobby Day which was led by our grade 5s and was designed to help QES learning community members learn more about each other. It was fun to find out the things people are interested in when spending time outside of school.
Student Led Conferences
Next week, we will be hosting our Student-led conferences at QES on Thursday, March 9 and Friday March 10. These conferences are an opportunity to have your child lead you through learning activities in the classroom, share their successes and outline goals being worked towards this term. We know that students maintain engagement toward learning goals when they articulate their progress and next steps. Teachers will be available to guide students in the discussion of learning targets and highlights of their progress. This includes collaborating on supports for next steps in learning. Please plan to spend 30 minutes in the classroom as your child leads you through their learning presentation. As this format is student-led, there will be multiple families sharing in the classroom during this round of conferences.
Student-led conference times are as follows:
Kindergarten- Grade 6: Thursday, March 9 from 4:30-7:00pm and Friday March 10 from 8:30-11:00am
*Please note that Thursday, March 9 is a regular school day for grades K-6 students.
We will once again be utilizing the 'My CBE Account' to book student-led conferences. This is the same account many families already access for online fee payments. You can access the site here: My CBE Account. The following link connects to the parent guide, which provide step-by-step instructions for booking conferences: https://webapps.cbe.ab.ca/ParentTeacherInterview/Info_files/School%20Conferences%20Parent%20Guide.pdf
If you do not currently have a 'My CBE Account' you will need to create an account before you can select a conference time. This can also be set up on the 'My CBE Account' homepage. Conference booking will open on March 2 at 4:00pm. When you sign up, you will be signing up for the 30 minute time block which is designed to be your time with your child while the teacher circulates with you and the other families as students lead the conference.
School Engagement Survey
In addition to the student led conference opportunity to engage in our learning environment, there is a School Engagement Survey which opens February 28. You can also Participate in our school council meeting on March 7, 2023 at 6:30 pm to learn more about school planning. There will be an opportunity to provide feedback at this meeting. The online survey is open from February 28 to March 14. Watch this short video to learn about the planning work schools do to improve and support student learning. For more information about our School Development Plan (SDP) follow this link: The SDP is a three-year plan. Please look to the 2022-23 section to view our current goals. For more information about school based fees follow this link. Please see our school website for more information about our school.
Alberta Education Assurance Survey
In addition to conferences and the previously mentioned school engagement survey, each year Alberta Education conducts a survey, as well. The Alberta Education Assurance Survey is now open and closes Friday March 17, 2023. Alberta Education uses the Assurance Survey as a way for school authorities to measure their success and assess their progress towards meeting their learning goals.
Parents / Legal Guardians of children in grade 4 will receive their survey in the mail from Alberta Education. You are encouraged to complete the survey online. Students in grade 4 and all teachers will complete their surveys online at school.
Your voice matters. Your participation in the survey helps provide important information on the quality of education your child is receiving. Alberta Education and The Calgary Board of Education thank you for returning the parent Assurance Survey promptly. If you have questions, please contact the main office.
Should you have any questions about these opportunities to engage at QES please feel free to contact the office directly.
We look forward to meeting with you on March 9 and 10 to promote advancement of learning and the advancement of learning confidence as we collaborate with your child to share their successes and progress.
