​Welcome

On behalf of the staff at Ernest Manning High School I would like to welcome all students and their families to the up-coming 2022-2023 school year.  As a staff, we are incredibly excited to welcome back our students and reconnect with our families after their many summer adventures.  What makes this year particularly exciting is we have an opportunity to further build connections through many of those activities and events that have been impacted as a result of past health mitigation strategies.  While the last several years have been a challenge, there have been a number of positives that have emerged including the importance of heart-felt connections and our genuine need to continue to build a caring, inclusive, and respectful learning environment.  As a school community we will continue to emerge from this period much stronger and closer than ever, and we look forward to welcoming our new Grade 10's into this culture of caring and respect.  

Moving forward into the 2022-2023 school year, we will continue to be vigilant and flexible in order to ensure all students, staff, and our larger communities' health and safety.  As such, we will ensure that we enact all necessary health and safety protocols that are provided to us through our partners at Alberta Health Services and the City of Calgary.  It is more important than ever that families stay connected to school through our various communication mediums including email, phone, and social media for the latest information.  Please ensure that our front office has the correct contact information so you are receiving this information in a timely manner.  

At the heart of our shared work is a commitment to creating strong partnerships with our parents/guardians, and to provide you with timely and important information when necessary.  I would strongly encourage all parents to familiarize yourself with the Calgary Board of Education's Administrative Regulation 6005 Student Code of Conduct, Administrative Regulation 6006 Progressive Discipline, our Ernest Manning High School Assessment Policy, as well as our Parent Communication Cheat Sheet. The primary goal of this on-going communication is to create consistent messaging that supports, reinforces, and enhances student learning.   

As a school community we continue to transition Ernest Manning High School into a true 'campus' model, where students can engage in their learning through their preferred place, space, and learning style.  Students and families wishing to extend and challenge their learning are encouraged to explore our extensive Advanced Placement (AP) course offerings. Advanced Placement is a fantastic opportunity for students to explore curriculum and disciplines in a more in-depth and intense manner, while at the same time, potentially earning post-secondary advanced placement or credits. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of our dual credit opportunities in partnership with the University of Calgary, SAIT, Bow Valley College, and other post-secondary institutions.  These partnerships allow students to gain post-secondary and high school credit, as well as allow students to explore future areas of interest.  Please contact our Student Service team for further information regarding dual credit opportunities.  

Parent Reminders

Parent(s)/guardian(s) are reminded of the following safety and logistical considerations that support our collective work.  These areas for consideration include:

• Please be sure to contact the school regarding student absences and lates.  Educational research has consistently demonstrated that one of the single biggest predictors of student success is consistent attendance.  As a school community, we also understand that there are times when issues arise that prevent consistent attendance, and will look to work with our families around mitigating these challenges to ensure academic success.  
• Parent(s)/guardian(s) are reminded to check-in with our main office prior to entering the building during our regular school day. Guest and visitors to our learning community will be given a visitor badge so our students and staff can identify those who are welcome in the building.
• Please mind City of Calgary traffic and by-laws directly surrounding the school.  Parents and students are encouraged to explore alternative drop-off/pick-up locations away from the school.  Families are also asked not to use the Westside Recreation Centre's parking space as this impacts their ability to support clients.   
• Please make sure that your student's demographic information is up-to-date and correct so that the school can contact you in a timely manner.
• Please refrain from texting or contacting your student via cellphone during class time as this may disrupt the learning of others.  We ask that parent(s)/guardian(s) contact the main office who can relay any important messages to your student.

Additional school start-up information and logistic considerations can be found on our school website.  

Student Photos/Identification & Parking Passes

Lifetouch Photography will be taking student photos for identified grade cohorts from 9:00am until 3:00pm:

• Monday August 29: Grade 11 & 12 students
• Tuesday August 30: Grade 10 students
• Tuesday September 6: Photo re-take day (all grades)

Student identification cards are important for students to have prior to the start of the school year as we use them to support the sign-out of textbooks and other educational resources.  

Student parking passes can be purchased on the identified student photo day for $42.00 (Include GST).  Please note that student parking is on a first come first serve basis at the Business Office. Students are required to come in person and provide proof of their valid Class 5 Driver's License, no class 7 Learners permits will be accepted. 

Parking pass forms will be available on-site or you can print and fill out the attached Parking Permit Letter. Grade 12's can come anytime on August 29, Grade 11's will be able to purchase starting August 29 after 12:30 pm and Grade 10's will be able to purchase starting August 30.   Any questions or vconcerns regarding parking should be directed to our Business manager Alana Adams (agadams@cbe.ab.ca or 403-249-3131 ext 1508)

Key Dates

As families begin to develop their fall calendars please be aware of the following up-coming dates and events in August and September which include:  

• Wednesday August 24: Fall sports try-outs: Football 

• Monday August 29: Teachers return to school, fall sport try-out: Volleyball

• Thursday September 1: First day of school (see section)

• Friday September 2: Regular school schedule 

• Monday  September 5: Labour Day – no school

• Thursday September 15: School Council meeting (6pm – 8pm)

• Friday September 23: Non-Instructional Day

• Thursday September 29: High School Orientation Evening (6:30pm-8:00pm)

• Friday September 30: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (no school)

Thursday Sept 1 - First Day of School Schedule

To support student transition back to school on Thursday September 1, we will be using the following modified schedule to welcome back grade cohorts:

• Grade 10 Students: Arrive at 8:52am and meet in Main Gymnasium for welcome assembly and homeroom meetings. Schedules for the rest of the day will be provided to all students upon arrival. Dismissal time is 3:31pm.

• Grade 11 Students: Arrive at 10:30am and meet in the Main Gymnasium for welcome assembly and homeroom meetings. Schedules for the rest of the day will be provided to all students upon arrival. Dismissal time is 3:31pm.
  

• Grade 12 Students: Arrive at 10:30am and meet in their Homeroom Locations visible in PowerSchool. Schedules for the rest of the day will be provided to all students upon arrival. Dismissal time is 3:31pm.

We will look to follow our normal Friday Bell Schedule on Friday September 2.  Please note that school cafeteria and store will not be open until Monday September 12.  

Get Involved & Concluding Remarks  

Lastly, in our conversation with students over the coming days we will emphasize the importance of 'getting involved' in extracurricular clubs, teams, and groups.  This includes students trying out for athletic teams, joining clubs, and becoming active in our school's extensive extra-curricular opportunities.  In addition to consistent school attendance, educational research also demonstrates that students who actively connect with these types of opportunities indicate a greater sense of belonging and connection to their school.  This stronger connection ultimately results in improved academic performance.  Therefore, I would highly encourage your student to put themselves forward for these opportunities throughout the school year.  

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are also encouraged to get involved in our school community through our School Council or other volunteer opportunities.  Further information regarding ways parents/guardians can volunteer will be sent out in the coming days, please stay tuned.    

In conclusion, we look forward to connecting with all our students and parent(s)/guardian(s) in the coming days and weeks as we begin our exciting 2022-2023 learning journey.  If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me or Assistant Principals Scott Glassford (last name A-F), Grant Stevens (last names G-M), or Tiffany Coles (last names N-Z) throughout the course of the year. ​

Mike Wilson

Principal, Ernest Manning High School