November already! Every year time seems to fly by faster and faster. As a school, we have survived Halloween and moved forward into November. Prominent in the month is Remembrance Day – a time of year that holds much significance for me. As a veteran and a Canadian, I am aware of the significant sacrifices made by Canadians for Canada and the World throughout our nation’s history. It is not a pleasant story but it is part of our national identity.
Remembrance Day often gets lost between the candy of Halloween and the excitement of Christmas. As a school community, our students learn about the significance of Remembrance Day at a level that is appropriate to their age. “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae and the traditional red poppy are often used to shape student understanding of what Remembrance Day means to us.
This year, the schools in the Calgary Board of Education have a Fall Break. Students do not have school from Thursday, 09 November 2023, and Tuesday, 14 November 2023. Classes resume on Wednesday, 15 November 2023. This brief break provides students with the opportunity to relax and recharge their batteries.
School conferences will be held on Thursday, 23 November 2023 (3:30pm-7:30pm), and Friday, 24 November 2023 (8:00am-11:30am). Stay tuned for details and conference sign up!
Thank you to our amazing School Council! Once again they hosted a very well attended Halloween Dance and are well underway to achieving another successful cookie dough fundraiser. Don’t forget to get your orders in!
Two months into the school year… it is astounding to see the growth in our students as learners in such a short period of time. Whether reading, writing or mathematics, our students strive to learn new things every day. It is also astonishing to see our students as citizens of the school show how they care and be friends to others. Riverbend students are great learners and great citizens!
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
~ LCol Dr John McCrae
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