It's GROW Time 
Grateful * Resilient * Optimistic * Willing
Dear Sherwood School Families: 
Welcome to the 2023-24 school year! Our office officially opens tomorrow morning. We hope this communication finds you healthy, safe and rested after your summer break. We look forward to meeting you if we haven't already met you in person. To those we know, welcome back. We are excited to start this school year and have our school community together again! We are a school that fosters community, belonging and caring. We continue to draw from these shared values as we prepare for learning this school year. 
Our school has received a fresh makeover, thanks to the hard work of our school community, some wonderful contractors, CBE painters and our school caretakers. The hallways, gyms, Hull breakout space and outside trim and doors have been freshly painted, creating a more inviting atmosphere for our students. A huge shoutout to all the parents and guardians who volunteer on the School Council for working with Alberta Health Services, to secure this Grant — this is also thanks to Naomi D. (G7 this year), Mr. Yuswak, Jane from YCC and Constable Dave for writing why Sherwood should upgrade our basketball systems. It’s exciting to see our students enjoy these facilities. Ms. Wiltsey and her art class have also contributed by helping pick colours for the school, designing an updated logo (see it near the office and on the court) and selecting some vibrant art and quotes that add a creative touch to our school spirit. Finally, kudos again to the School Council, Calgary City Community Improvement team and the Grade 4/5 Ever Active project for enhancing the school steps and installing playful animal-themed traffic calmers near the playground, adding both safety and charm. Additionally, we're grateful to the Milican-Ogden Community Association for supporting our safety efforts by inviting parents to use their parking lot during drop-offs and pickups.  I could not wait to showcase these improvements so please see the attached pictures and thanks to everyone for your continued support.
 New Basketball Updates 
Court Paint 
Archer Line Art 
Welcome Message 
We're looking forward to forming meaningful connections within our learning community and supporting each unique individual learner to strengthen their connections with theirselves. 
We are beginning our school year through staggered entry as a soft way to reintroduce policy and protocols to keep our school safe. Buses will be running on their regular schedule for those registered for bussing.  
Our bell times are: 
Monday to Thursday from 8:10 am to 2:50 pm (Grade 4-5 are dismissed at the playground at the end of the day)
Lunch: 11:39-12:19 (Elementary are inside for first half and outside for second)
Friday from 8:10 am to 12:30 pm 
First Day of Classes: 
Thursday, August 31 - All the Grade 4s, all the Grade 7s and All NEW-TO-SHERWOOD students are asked to attend on Thursday September 1st for a Grade 4, Grade 7 and new student orientation. 
School is open for the regular time from 8:10 am-2:50 pm.
Students will be welcomed in the main gymnasium, where they will meet their teachers and share in some NEW-to-Sherwood school orientation activities.  
Friday, September 1 - ALL STUDENTS Grades 4-9 attend 8:10-12:30 pm.
Students will be welcomed in the main gymnasium, where they will meet their teachers and head off to their classes.
Please note that homeroom changes are not entertained at this time, can only be considered under extraordinary circumstances and will only take place at the end of September. 
Important Start-Up Information:  Please remember to send a lunch, a snack and a water bottle on the first day of school.    There will be numerous forms during the first week of school. Please complete these forms and return them as soon as possible.  
Communication with families will take place primarily on the website and via email. However, teachers sometimes reach out via the telephone to check in on students and establish contact. We ask that parents try to answer these calls as establishing a connection with students and their families are essential to academic success. Of course, if you are unavailable, emailing with information would also be very much appreciated.   
Some questions they may ask would include:   
How are you and your child doing? Is there anything that you or your family needs assistance with?    
Does your child have access to a personal computer, laptop, iPad/tablet? Will they be bringing this technology to school? 
Do you or does anyone in your home have health concerns that you wish to share?   
What is the best phone number to call you during the day?   
What do you feel your child's strengths in learning and development are at this time? 
Do you have anything else you would like to share about your child's learning (including assessment updates or medical safety plans)?    
If you do not hear from your homeroom teacher by 4 pm on Friday, September 1, please email your responses to our Interim Assistant Principal, Dawn Shields , at dmshields@cbe.ab.ca. She will respond to your email to let you know we have received it and will forward it to the appropriate homeroom teacher.   
Enrichment OptionsFor those students entering Grade 6-9 who have not yet chosen their options, please go to the office during your first option block to be enrolled in options. Course descriptions are linked here https://school.cbe.ab.ca/school/sherwood/teaching-learning/program-approach/course-options/pages/default.aspx — a reminder, Grade 6 students will all be enrolled in music and art as per the Alberta program of studies. Students who made requests last year but are wanting to request a change will be able to pick up an enrichment request change form at the main office on Friday. 
Farewells: At the end of the year, it's always bitter-sweet, on one hand, sad to say goodbye and, on the other, exciting to think of new opportunities for incredible people. Over the summer Mr Winn was given the opportunity to move to a teaching position that would be closer to home and allow him more time with his family. We thank Mr Winn sincerely for making a difference and wish him all the best in his new adventure. 
Congratulations: We also have a few more congratulations to extend, we will be welcoming Mrs Saunders back to cover Mrs Flights maternity leave, Ms Eweka will back with us and will be taking over construction this year and Mrs Toews will be moving back into a Grade 4/5  role. We are also thrilled to welcome Mrs Collins to our school as an experienced elementary  teacher to our Grade 4/5 team. And a big thank you to Ms Shields for stepping in as intern Assistant Principal and Mr Laflamme for being extra support for the month of September. We look forward to welcoming Ms Doyle back in October and to walking alongside all these wonderful educators this year. 
Invitation to Sherwood School Council Informational MeetingYou are invited to an information meeting about Sherwood School Council. The meeting is an opportunity to learn more about the work being done at Sherwood school and the different roles available to volunteers. We encourage you to join, attend and contribute to keeping Sherwood Strong. Sherwood School Council and Parent Society meet on the first Monday of every month at 6:30 pm either on Teams or in the Sherwood School Learning Commons. Our school council is responsible for much of what happens around the school, and our parent/guardian volunteers are so very much appreciated. 
Please join us on September 121th at 6:30 pm in the Learning Commons Meet the Teacher — Save the Date!Parents/Guardians are asked to save the date for our “Meet-the-Teacher” evening. On Thursday September 21, from 5:30-7:00 pm, we will host an open house to strengthen our home and community partnership in learning. This year the First Alliance Church has sponsored bringing back the “BBQ Sher-burger” event for the evening. We hope to see you there! 
Finally more information including a list of back to school supplies and the bell schedule is available on the Sherwood website on our Back To School Information page  (linked here).We look forward to welcoming your learner(s) back to school and working with you to support their well-being through this academic year. Thank you for all you do to partner with Sherwood school to support learning for your child.  Thank you for your partnership in learning. 
Sincerely,  Sherwood AdministrationKarena Munroe & Dawn Shields​