| Thank you to all our parents who came to Meet the Teacher. It is exciting to be able to offer this opportunity in person again! Thank you also to all those who stayed for the Parent Council/Society meeting. Their support is crucial to our community and we are grateful when parents are willing to give their time and expertise. The next meeting will be Tuesday, October 17 at 7:00pm. Stay up to date on parent activities by visiting their page on our website. National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Friday, Sept. 29 will be a non-instructional day. This day a day to honour the healing journeys of residential school survivors and their families and a time to engage in meaningful discussions about the history and legacy of the residential school system. 2023 marks the tenth anniversary of Orange Shirt Day. This week, in the spirit of generosity and belonging, our students will be learning about Indigenous Culture and Sports through information videos offered by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. They will also learn about Orange Shirt Day and may choose to support survivors of residential schools by wearing their orange shirt on Thursday. As well, on Thursday in mentor, they will be declaring their reconciliACTIONS, which we will use as a school to plan for future events. Spirit Gear Monday is the last day to place an OPTIONAL spirit gear order through our website. Please see the website for more information and ordering. Upcoming Dates Friday, Sept. 29 No School National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Thurs., Oct. 5 Completion Day (more info to come) Mon. Oct. 9 No School Thanksgiving Weds. Oct 11 Wordfest Field Trip Thurs. Oct. 12 Cobbs Community Field Trip Tues. Oct. 17 Parent Council Thurs. Oct. 19 Parent Teacher Student Conferences
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| “I've said to people before that I'm going to do my very best to make it, I'm not going to give up. But I might not make it… if I don't, the Marathon of Hope better continue." Terry Fox We are so proud of the efforts our students have made this first few weeks of school to be in attendance, engaged in their learning and creating a positive, caring community. This week: IPP Conversations Mentors had extra time each day the first two weeks to spend time with their mentor groups and mentees to get to know them better. Over the next two weeks they will start to focus in on specific learning needs and accommodations for each student. Teachers have time set aside on September 22 to draft IPPs for Semester One. Parents are an important part of this conversation, as is student voice. Your child's mentor will connect with you to ensure each student's IPP will set them up for success. Student Voice Mentor groups spent some time choosing a representative for the Student Advisory Council at Alternative. This group of students play an important role in representing the input of their classmates in operational decisions at the school. The Council will meet for the first time on Sept. 19. School Bell Schedule OUr school bell schedule is posted online and visible in PowerSchool. It is important for students to be at school on time and until the end of each day. We recognize that there are legitimate reasons for missing school. Please make sure to call the school when your child will be late or absent, or if they need to leave early. We are not allowed to release student from school without parental permission, and students should check out with their mentor and sign out so we know they are no longer in the building. Terry Fox Run and Celebration Day This Friday our school will honour Terry Fox by having a picnic and participating in a short walk together as a community. Our Foods program will provide sandwiches, cookies and a drink for lunch. There will be gluten free and vegan options available, but if you are concerned about unique dietary needs, you may want to send a lunch with your child. Toonies for Terry (OPTIONAL) If you would like to support the Terry Fox Foundation, you can send a toonie with your child to school this week. Mentors will collect funds. If you would like to make a larger donation, you can use this link directly to the Terry Fox Foundation in support of Alternative High School: https://schools.terryfox.ca/AlternativeHighSchool Have a wonderful week! Alti Staff
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| Summer is time to reflect and recharge. We hope all our families had the opportunity to have some fun together during this time. We are excited to welcome approximately 140 students on August 31, 2023 and are expecting 30+ students in our graduating class. The last few years in schools have presented challenges, but our community is resilient, and has welcomed and adapted to those changes. This school year we are committed to consistency while continuing to build the strong foundations that make our school so special. - Our strong base of staff is remaining the same with a few new teachers to support our increase in enrolment and The CLASS.
- Teaching staff will continue to mentor small groups of students so each student in our building is known.
- We have scheduled focused time in September to come together in our mentor groups and as a community to solidify our commitment to the principles of the Circle of Courage and Holistic Lifelong Learning Framework.
- We will remain committed to offering a welcoming, caring, safe and respectful learning environment where all students can thrive academically, socially and emotionally.
- Our Student Advisory Council will continue to offer student insight and voice to decisions and initiatives at Alternative HS. New this year, students will have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and contributions to our community through participation in the In The Lead program.
- Learning at Alternative High School is designed around relationships and individual student strengths. Student commitment to being in attendance, on time and to being fully engaged in their learning while giving their best each day is critical for their success.
Watch your inbox for a newsletter with detailed information about school startup. Watch the school website for up to date information. Our office will open on August 28. We are looking forward to a great year of learning together! Proud Principal on behalf of the staff at Alternative High School Tracy Dalton
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September, 2021
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome folks to the 2021 – 2022 school year. It goes without saying that the last number of months have dramatically impacted families and communities. Circumstances in regard to Covid measures and community health have changed the way students have experienced school. I want to reassure our students, families and community that Alternative High School and the Calgary Board of Education have kept the safety, health and development of our students at the forefront of programming throughout these past months. This focus is reflective of the commitment the Calgary Board of Education, Each Student, Every Day, No Exceptions. It is a privilege as educators to have the faith, trust and relationships with students and their families that facilitate the growth and learning that occurs for our youth on their path of self-sufficiency, family health and community contribution. At Alternative High School, our collective efforts will result in supporting individuals in our learning community to be active citizens of great character.
Alternative High School is committed to offering an environment and a program of studies that is intellectual, rigorous and engages students in ways that promote success. Alternative High School uses the Circle of Courage and the concepts of Generosity, Independence, Mastery and Belonging supporting the creation of an environment of inclusion where all have a role in their own growth, the growth of others and their contributions to their families and the community. This education program is based on the individual strengths and goals of the student. Through this personalization students will receive a program that recognizes who they are in the context of the world in which they live. Staff at Alternative High School bring a wealth of professional knowledge and are committed to working very hard to create a school environment that supports and celebrates each student. As we know, school staff alone cannot guarantee the success of students. We require students to attend daily, on time, to follow through on their agreements with teachers and try their best every day. Parents/Guardians that make time for their student to discuss their student’s experience in critical ways while maintaining respectful, ongoing, and open communication with school staff can be of tremendous support when planning and nurturing student success.
Parent/Guardian involvement on School Council/Parent Association is very much appreciated. School Council/Parent Association meetings are scheduled quarterly throughout the year. Please check the website for these dates. Your attendance, energy and enthusiasm are all that we need, however the contributions of this group have a significant impact on the programming that is offered at Alternative High School. Due to the current health measures our first School Council/Parent Association meeting is to be held on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 7:00 pm. This will be held electronically through the TEAMS MEET platform. The link for the meeting will be posted on the school website.
I look forward to the year ahead and encourage your participation and communication as we endeavour to support our students in their success at Alternative High School. As my leadership portfolio in the Calgary Board of Education contains many educational sites beyond Alternative High School, future monthly messages on the website will be delivered by the Alternative High School Assistant Principal, Rhonda Williams.
Dr. Don Barbor Principal Alternative High School
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| It is hard to believe that we are almost done the 2020-2021 school year! Phew, we made it!
As I reflect on this past year, I would be remiss if I did not thank students and families for their ongoing support of Alternative High School. As in previous years, School Council has made a huge difference in the learning opportunities offered to our students. My sincerest hope it that we can return to in-school and off-campus opportunities that enrich student learning and play an important role in the culture of our school. I also wanted to take this opportunity to address the difficult times we are currently facing around the world. The pandemic has been especially challenging for many of our staff and students, but the world has also been altered by acts of racism and intolerance that have rocked us to our core. At Alternative High, we need all of our students and families to know that we stand in solidarity against all forms of racism, discrimination, intolerance and oppression. Schools have an important role in teaching tolerance, acceptance and understanding. AHS is committed to ensuring we provide opportunities for all students to achieve their goals and reach their highest potential. I truly believe we can work together to make a positive difference and make this world a better place! As we prepare for the 2021-22 school year, Alternative High School is saying goodbye to some of our staff and graduating students. At the moment, we are saying goodbye to Eric as he pursues retirement and Amber as she transitions to Discovering Choices. Next year, Dr. Don will be back in his captain's chair along with Rhonda Williams who brings a wealth of experience as an assistant principal. We are so proud of our graduates – their resiliency and perseverance make us hopeful for the next stage in their journey. Congrats grads – you did it!
Please expect the year to start with many of the same COVID-19 protocols in place. Closer to the first day of school, CBE and the school will communicate more information about what these protocols will be. It has been a wonderful opportunity to get to know the Alternative High School community and I leave here a better leader and teacher. Thank you for your patience, support and opportunity to get to know the school community. On behalf of the staff at Alti, I would also like to wish students and families a wonderful and relaxing summer. We look forward to our return to school on September 1, 2021.
Warm regards, Gayleena Gayleena Clark (she/her)
Acting Principal, Alternative High School
Calgary Board of Education| cbe.ab.ca/Alternative T| 403-777-7730
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| Hello Students and Families of Alternative High School.
First off, let me say how excited and honored I am to be joining the Alti team. I have been a teacher since 2000 in a number of different schools and grade configurations. Most recently, I have been the Assistant Principal at Joane Cardinal-Schubert and Robert Thirsk High School. My primary focus as an educator is to ensure students have a safe and caring environment to learn and grow in. Perhaps needless to say, I think I have found the right spot to land. Alti is a great school with many awesome people who make it an ideal environment to work in. A few housekeeping items: - Alti continues to follow the regular student timetable as we transition into online learning. I am happy to report that student attendance and engagement has been positive. Keep up the great work!
- If students have concerns or difficulty during the shift to online learning, please have them connect with their mentor teacher.
- Parents/guardians of grade 10 students will be receiving a survey package from Alberta Education that consists of a letter from the Education Minister, instructions for the survey, and a Random Access Code (RAC) to access the survey online. The deadline for survey completion is April 23, 2021
- More information regarding summer school through Chinook Learning and CBe-learn will be available soon. A message will be sent home when we receive the information.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school. Warm regards, Gayleena Gayleena Clark (she/her)
Acting Principal, Alternative High School
Calgary Board of Education| https://school.cbe.ab.ca/school/Alternative/Pages/default.aspx T| 403-777-7730 E| gmclark@cbe.ab.ca
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| Hello Alternative High School Families, On behalf of the staff of Alternative High School we want to extend our hope that your family is healthy and able to isolate at this time. We appreciate the thoughtfulness and patience you have shown as we provide programming that supports the safety, health and growth of students during the time we are all dealing with the Covid Pandemic. Although things have certainly looked different, Alternative High School and the Calgary Board of Education have remained focused on ensuring quality learning opportunities have continued for students. Alternative High School’s approach to supporting students aligns with the expectations set out by the Calgary Board of Education as mandated by the Province of Alberta. This period of students accessing school programming from home will be interrupted by the winter vacation and the holiday season. I hope that your family will be able to spend some time together and appreciate the value of your relationships with each other. I wish for all members of the Alternative High School Community the best of health and fortune as we turn the corner to 2021. I am aware that this situation has been a new experience for all of us. It is our priority to support our students in any way that we can. Please maintain clear, consistent communication with your student, their mentor and teachers. It is a pleasure to be the Principal of Alternative High School, as such please do not hesitate to connect with me should you have questions or comments. I feel fully confident the relationships established within the community of Alternative High School are strong enough that we will all get through this together. Living within the Circle of Courage; trying our very best given the skills and support available (Mastery), recognize we have the capacity to make choices that are good for us in the context of our obligations to others (Independence), use our compassion and empathy to support others (Belonging) and have the courage to ask for the help of those close to us and our community (Generosity) will be significant in keeping each person safe, healthy and our community strong. Sincerely, Dr. Donald Barbor
Principal, Alternative High School
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| The school year is quickly passing. As we move into March we should start seeing the first signs of spring. The end of March marks the mid-point of the second semester. Teachers will report to parents/guardians on achievement to this point through our Interim Reports. Please review these documents with the students you support. Re-enforce efforts and achievement that indicate success, challenge and plan for areas that success seems more difficult to come by.
One sure sign of spring is the annual school break. It is important that students come back from break caught up in their courses and feeling confident as they move closer to the end of semester. Often second semester goes far too quickly for some students, and they find them-selves out of time or not having enough time for course completion and exam preparation.
I appreciate meeting and having conversations with the families of students that attend Alternative. A group of caring people supporting our young people is a great recipe for success. A special acknowl-edgement to our Parent Association and School Council Members for their tremendous support. Their efforts make for a far richer school experience for our students. These groups can certainly use more support. The commitment is not significant but the value to students invaluable. Please see the newsletter and/or website for the next As-sociation and Council meeting and contribute to the experiences of your student through your participation. Very soon you will get a noti-fication of the upcoming Casino that raises funds to support programming at Alternative High School. Individuals over the age of 18 are eligible to volunteer in support of the casino fund raiser.
As always it is a pleasure to be the Principal of Alternative High School. Please do not hesitate to connect with me with questions or comments.
Respectfully,
Dr. Don Barbor
Principal
Alternative High School
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| Semester Two marks the mid-point of the school year. It is important as a student to reflect upon the learning and growth of semester one and look at what went well and things that could be different as we endeavor to support our best personal effort each day. I was impressed with the dedication and diligence of many students in completing their first semester courses. Often we start with good intentions to remain current with our studies but over time find ourselves falling behind. I would encourage students to develop the habits of mind and behavior that allows them to attend school consistently and prioritize the complexities of life in a manner that gives school sufficient focus so that students are achieving their personal best.
I want to thank the members of our Parent Association and School
Council. The work that is done by this group certainly makes a significant difference in the experiences we are able to offer students. This group is always looking for members to full specific duties as well as members at large. Please if you can find an hour of your time once a month to attend these meetings your efforts will be well greatly appreciated and will be reflected in valuable experiences being provided for students. The next meeting is Wednesday March 18, 2020 at 6:00
pm.
I am looking forward to our continued work together on behalf of our students. I appreciate the support our community continues to provide for the staff of Alternative High School. Should you have comments or questions please do not hesitate to connect with the school.
Respectfully,
Dr. Don Barbor
Principal
Alternative High School/AARC
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| January marks the beginning of a new year for us all. For a student in high school it is significant as well. Semester One classes are coming to an end and exams are imminent. Please support your student in completing the semester with enthusiasm, confidence and suffi-cient effort to do their very best. Organization of material, project completion, review and rest are all important aspects of an academic life of a student. Please support the student you are connected with to use their time wisely, consider their priorities and stay healthy in what is often a stressful time in their lives.
Please visit our Exam Schedule page. Within the schedule you will be aware of student tutorial opportunities. If the student you are connected to has a passing grade that reflects a comprehen-sive understanding of the course and their ability to demonstrate this understanding then we would encourage students to attend these tu-torial opportunities for continued support. If the student you are con-nected to is not meeting the requirements of the course then these tutorial times are mandatory.
Teachers will inform students of their requirement to be in attendance on these tutorial times. A student not fulfilling their obligation to attend tutorial times and maintain their studies can impact further programming for that student at Alternative High School.
It is my hope this new year brings you and your family the best of fortunes and good health. I appreciate the continued support the community demonstrates for the staff and programming at Alternative High School. Should you have comments or questions please do not hesitate to connect with the school.
Respectfully,
Dr. Don Barbor
Principal
Alternative High School/AARC
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