Jun 07
Summer Break

I hope this 'Wrap up' finds you excited for the end of the school year and the summer activities you have planned with your families! 

As Principal, it has been an honor to serve the Woodbine School community this past year. I have come to learn that at Woodbine there is truth in the saying, 'It Takes a Village to Raise a Child'. Each day is an opportunity to witness parents involved in their children's learning alongside teachers who are dedicated to their progress and improvement. 

I am excited about the future and look forward to many years of great learning. Congratulations to all of our students for completing another significant year in their educational journey! To our grade sixes, enjoy your junior high school years; you are ready! We welcome the many new kindergarten students and families and all new students to Woodbine for next year. 

Thank you to our School Council who met on a regular basis each month and for their strong support of our school, as it is very much appreciated. Many learning resources and events would not be possible without the dedicated commitments of this small but strong group of parents. 

Thanks to the staff of Woodbine School who have made this a great year of learning through their hard work and dedication to our students. As I think back over the year, I am amazed by all the events that staff and students were involved in, we are indeed a very busy place! 

At the end of the year we have to say 'Farewell for Now Friend' to several staff members. Farewell to Ms. Jofee, Ms. Bignell, Ms. Paynter, Ms. Part, Mr. Bennett, Ms. Pacheco, Ms. Ellies, Mx. Gill and Ms. Lemon– all of us wish you the very best in the future.

Have a great summer with your families!


Dec 13
Winter Break

As we head into the Winter Break, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of our students on their enthusiasm for learning and being an active participants in making our school community such a positive, caring and pleasant place to learn.

During the holiday season of celebration, giving, and family gatherings, I am reminded of the following quote from the Dalai Lama: “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive." I feel very fortunate to be at Woodbine where our teachers and families show love and compassion to our students' lives every day.

Just a friendly reminder that families considering international travel must follow direction from Alberta Health Services and the Government of Canada upon returning. Their guidance is subject to change.

At this time, students under 12 years of age MUST stay away from school for 14 calendar days from the return date of entry into Canada.  

Government of Alberta COVID-19 Travel Requirements

Government of Canada COVID-19 Travel

Travelling with children or dependents who are not fully vaccinated

A reminder to families that if you are planning an extended vacation, to please call the school to discuss with Mrs. Fraser or Mr. Webber and complete an Extended Absence form

We thank all of our families in advance for following appropriate travel guidelines to keep our learning community healthy and safe.  

​ 


Jul 01
Happy Summer!

Dear Woodbine Families,

I hope this 'Round Up' finds you excited for the end of the school year and the summer activities you have planned with your families, especially with restrictions easing!

As Principal, it has been an honor to start to get to know the Woodbine school community these past few weeks. I have come to learn that at Woodbine there is truth in the saying, 'It Takes a Village to Raise a Child'. Each day is an opportunity to witness parents involved in their children's learning alongside teachers who are dedicated to their progress and improvement. 

I am excited about the future and look forward to many years of great learning. Congratulations to all of our students for completing another significant year in their educational journey! To Woodbine's grade sixes, enjoy your junior high school years; I am sure you are ready!  We welcome the many new kindergarten students and families and all new students to Woodbine for next year. 


Thank you to your School Council, who I met for the first time on June 23, 2021, and for their strong support of Woodbine school, as iis very much appreciated. Many learning resources and events would not have been possible without the dedicated commitments of this strong group of parents over the years. 

 

Thanks to the staff of Woodbine School who have made this a great year of learning through their hard work and dedication to your students. I am honored to be welcomed into such a caring learning community. 

 

At the end of the year we have to say 'Farewell for Now Friend' to several staff members. Farewell to Mrs. Bellamy, Ms. Parker, Mr MacKinnon, Mrs Sinclair, Mrs Lemon and Ms Ellis.

 

Have a great summer with your families!

2021-2022 Staffing Scenario

 As a result, of our budget this year, we are staffing our school in the following way for the 2021-2022 school year. Please note that this is subject to change pending final enrolment at the end of September 2021.

*15 Full-time equivalent (FTE) Teachers (includes music teacher) *updates pending

2.0 FTE Learning Leader

1 Assistant Principal

1 Principal

 3 (25 hour/week) Educational Assistant positions

1 (15 hour/week) Library Assistant)

Administrative Secretary

1 School Assistant

1 Office Assistan

6 (10/hour/week) Lunchroom Supervisors


As always, iis our goal to provide updates with our school community in as timely a fashion as possible. Should we have additional updates, I will share them with you when possible. Teachers will send welcome letters to you and your child (ren) come August 30, 2021. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Brenna Fraser

Principal​

 


Jul 01
Goodbye and Thank you

A huge thank you to all the parents and for having the honour of being your child's Principal for these past 11 years.  Thank you for trusting me with your children, the most precious humans in your life.  Thank you for all the support and all the care and respect you have shown me over the past decade.  I will miss you all. 

Patti Bellamy



Jun 09
Retirement

Dear Woodbine Families,

With very mixed emotions I must inform you that after 35 years of teaching and leadership, I have made the decision to retire from the Calgary Board of Education and from my role as Principal of Woodbine School effective June 30, 2021. 

I have been the principal of Woodbine School for 11 years now.   During that time I have had the honour to witness and be part of the educational journey of so many children, your children, as they entered this incredible school, grew academically, socially and emotionally and became wonderful young citizens.

In my time at Woodbine, we have successfully worked together as partners with our students and families to create an inviting, inclusive, safe and respectful learning environment.  Our teaching staff and support staff are second to none and it has been wonderful working with such dedicated, caring, talented and strong professionals. 

I will truly miss all the relationships I have made over the years with students, staff and parents.  You are all wonderful people and my successor will be very fortunate indeed to work with all of you.

As I enter these last two months of this school year, and my career as a teacher and a leader, I want you to know how much each and every one of your children has meant to me, how special my time as your principal has been and how very proud I am of our staff and our students.  Woodbine School will always hold a very special place in my heart and that is only because of all the individuals who made it that way. 

Sadly due to COVID-19 we are not able to gather our students and families for a good-bye, so please drop me a note or an email if you get a moment.  That would mean a lot to me.

Ms. Brenna Fraser, in-coming principal will be at Woodbine School on June 9 to meet staff and students.  We welcome Brenna Fraser to our wonderful school and wish her all the best as she begins her work and leaderhip at Woodbine School.

Again, thank you for supporting me and our staff all these years.  I am excited about this next chapter in my life, but I am going to miss everyone and everything about Woodbine School.  You are all the best!

With Gratitude,

Patti Bellamy

 

Dec 17
Principal's Message - December 17, 2020

Dear Woodbine Families

As we close out 2020 I want to extend my deepest gratitude for all you have done to support your children in their learning and well-being during these past few months.  We know how hard you are working to help keep students and staff safe and we greatly appreciate your efforts.

As you are already aware, on November 24, 2020, Premier Jason Kenny announced new health measures and restrictions for Albertans including many that impact our school system and our school.  These restrictions are in place to help bend the Covid-19 curve in our city. 

For the week of January 4-8, 2021 students in Kindergarten to Grade 6 will be learning at home.  While your child will be learning from home, please know the school is open and health measures will continue to be in place.  Should you need assistance or support please contact the school office at 403-777-8630 ext. 0.  In an effort to reduce as many in-person interactions at school during this time, some staff will be working from home.  Administration, the office staff, custodian and additional cleaning staff will be on-site at Woodbine School for the duration of the week. 

While on-line learning takes place from January 4-8, 2021, teachers will be providing instruction following a very similar timetable as in-person learning.  For students in grades 1-6, there will be four live on-line lessons each day – two in the morning and two in the afternoon.  The live sessions will be followed by independent work sessions where teachers will be available to support students as needed.  Kindergarten students will have two live on-line sessions followed by two independent work sessions.  All teachers will be following the provincial Program of Study to ensure students are achieving all outcomes. 

Your child's teacher will be sending you a School Messenger message before the end of the day tomorrow, Friday, Dec 18 with more details and on-line schedules specific to their class.  If you have more than one child in the school, expect to see an email from each of your child's teachers.  This information should allow you to know when and what your child is expected to do while working on-line and when working independently on tasks, all from home. 

The year 2020 has taught us many lessons, one of which is to appreciate the good in humanity.  I am grateful every day for every student, parent or caregiver, and every single one of our staff members. Your collective strength, diligence, positivity, and unwavering support gives me such hope for our future. 

May you all have a very merry winter break enjoying precious time with your family and thank you in advance for supporting your children with at-home learning January 4-8, 2021. 

Stay safe, stay well, and we will see our students, your amazing children, back in the school on January 11, 2021 for in-person learning. 

Warmly,

​Patti Bellamy – Principal, Woodbine School


Sep 02
Principal's Message - September 2, 2020

Welcome back to in-school learning at Woodbine School!  It has been wonderful to see all our students live and in person throughout the week!  I would like to extend a fond welcome back to our returning students and a warm hello to our new students and families that are joining this amazing school. 

The staggered entry of students this week has gone very smoothly and we anticipate that this Friday, the day the entire school population will attend, will also go well.   

We are very grateful that students and families are supporting the re-entry protocols that are currently in place.  We appreciate the extra preparation you as parents are undertaking at home to ensure your child has a clean mask and back up mask, healthy lunch and snack and re-filled hand sanitizer every day.  I will continue to ask that parents and their families continue to social distance when they are dropping off and picking up their students at the school.  Please also remember that dropping off and picking up students is not allowed in the staff parking lot or along the street in front of the school (bussing zone only.) 

Although we know that our school looks and feels different this year, we are confident that it will continue be a very good year of teaching and learning for our Woodbine students. 

Again, thank you everyone for being the supportive community members you are, and again, welcome to the 2020/2021 school year!

Patti Bellamy

Proud Principal, Woodbine School


Jun 26
Principal's Message - June 26, 2020

I can’t believe the final day of school for the 2019/2020 school year is here. What a final half of the year it has been!  Who knew our world would change so much in March 2020 and we would be teaching our students remotely and terms like “social distancing” would be part of our everyday vocabulary.  Thank you so much families for keeping the faith and working so diligently at home with your children over these past months. I want to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation to all our stakeholders: students, parents, volunteers, teachers, and all our support staff for making our past school year the best possible. 

I would also like to extend a huge THANK YOU to all the parents, extended family members and community members who have volunteered their time this year supporting and assisting our students and teachers in so many, many ways.  Your valuable contributions are greatly appreciated!  Unfortunately this year we did not get the opportunity to thank and celebrate our many wonderful volunteers by hosting our annual Volunteer Appreciate Event.  However, we have put together a video that captures our sentiments for our volunteers.  Please follow this link:  https://youtu.be/MbGTjd4TGHs

I would also like to send out a huge THANK YOU to all the Woodbine staff for their dedication, hard work and perseverance and for always putting students first.  I will forever feel blessed to be part of this incredible learning community and I look forward to future years, working together to make a difference in our students’ lives at Woodbine School.

Now is also the time that we must say goodbye to some of our fellow students and staff.  We will miss all our students that are leaving Woodbine and we wish these students and their families all the best in their new communities and schools. 

Sadly we must also say goodbye to some very special teachers, administrators and support staff that will not be with us next year - Mrs. Sarah Argue (Grade 3 teacher), Mrs. Wendy Clarke (Educational Assistant) and Mrs. Laurel Taylor (Early Childhood Practitioner).  With the closure of the EDC program at Woodbine, we must also say goodbye to the EDC staff  -  Mrs. Connie Waddel (Speech and Language Assistant), Miss Casandra Coggins (Early Childhood Practitioner)  and Mrs. Erin Elder (Speech and Language Pathologist).  We want to thank all of these fine individuals for their wonderful dedication, expertise, passion for children and many valuable contributions.  We will miss you all and we wish you all the best in your new communities and schools. 

We have two retirements to announce as well.  First, Mrs. Linda Biers, our beloved Librarian is retiring.  We thank Mrs. Biers for all her years of service to the CBE and specifically to Woodbine School.  We have been very fortunate to have Mrs. Biers with us here and our student’s lives have been made richer by her caring, nurturing presence and love of literacy.  I would also like to announce the retirement of Mrs. Angela Morrow, our wonderful Assistant Principal.  Mrs. Morrow has been at Woodbine for 9 years and in that time she has made many, many valuable contributions to the life and vibrancy of Woodbine School.  We will miss these two wonderful ladies and we wish them all the best as they embark on the next chapter in their life journey.

Please help us welcome Mr. Todd Webber, our new Assistant Principal, appointed to Woodbine School.  Mr. Webber is currently an Assistant Principal and Resource Teacher.  Mr. Webber will be starting his new position at Woodbine in August 2020.  Also please help us welcome Karen Desnoyers our new Library Assistant who will be joining us in the fall.

On behalf of the entire staff at Woodbine School we want to wish all our families a safe, relaxing, energizing summer spending time with family and friends (while social distancing!).  We look forward to seeing everyone back on September 1.

 ​

Apr 03
Google Meet/Google Classroom

Google Meet and Google Classroom

 

Dear Parents and Guardians

 

In response to classes being cancelled and the need to move teaching and learning to an ongoing learning model, the Calgary Board of Education has decided to make both Google Classroom and Google Meet available to teachers and students. Both applications will be available for teacher-directed use later this week.

 

Both learning tools are part of the G Suite for Education suite of tools that all CBE students currently have access to. Adding Google Classroom and Google Meet will allow teachers to connect with their students both in real time and at a pace that suits student and family situations.

 

In consultation with their principals, teachers may use these or other tools available to them to support ongoing learning. Other tools teachers may use could include Brightspace by D2L and teacher blogs. Contact your child’s teacher if you have questions about the tools they are using.


As with all CBE G Suite for Education applications, the data and information that is shared is stored within the CBE G Suite environment and is not accessible in the public domain. Teachers and students will use only first name and last initial to identify each other. If students use these tools, they will access them using their CBE G Suite ID (username@educbe.ca). Teachers will work with their students to help them understand the risks in using online tools such as video chat.

 

Teachers will receive support and have opportunities to learn more about both Google Classroom and Google Meet as a way to connect with their students as we all adjust to teaching and learning from a distance.

 

Google Meet

Google Meet is a video conferencing application that enables teachers to host and students to join organized ‘meetings’ in real-time. Teachers can also record meetings and make the recording available to students to view later on. Teachers are able to share their screen and guide students through tasks and/or documents and websites they wish to share.

 

Google Classroom

Google Classroom is an online platform that enables teachers to communicate with their students as well as assign and distribute assignments and work in safe, manageable, and an appropriate way. Students are added in the ‘classroom’ using their CBE G Suite ID (username@educbe.ca).

 

Privacy and Consent

Students and their families received the School District Use of Personal Information document in Fall 2019 outlining how and why student data is shared at the CBE. Teachers will follow these policies and documents as they plan ongoing teaching and learning activities. If you have a concern with your child using these tools to support their learning, please contact your classroom teacher or school principal.

 

Patti Bellamy – Principal

pabellamy@cbe.ab.ca

 ​

Oct 04
Leave of absence

I will be taking a temporary leave of absence from my Principal position at Woodbine School.

During my absence, Mrs. Morrow, our current Assistant Principal will be taking over as Acting Principal and Christina Caddel, currently a Grade 1 teacher and Learning Leader, will be assuming the role of Acting Assistant Principal. 

While on leave, I will be unable to receive and respond to emails or phone calls. If you require assistance, please reach out to Angela Morrow at 403-777-8630. 

I know our school is in wonderful hands and I look forward to seeing you all upon my return. ​

Mrs Patti Bellamy​

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CBE students came away with a number of wins and demonstrated exceptional talent and skills as they competed in Skills Canada Alberta in Edmonton and the 2023 Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) in Winnipeg. https://t.co/7Rigvcqpv6 #WeAreCBE https://t.co/GkTJe0yV9C

RT @Indigenous_cbe: The CBE Indigenous Education Team encourages you to celebrate National Indigenous History Month through our🗓️of learning, resources and events honouring Indigenous ways of being, belonging, doing & knowing. #WeAreCBE #NIHM2023 https://t.co/3fbIdcWorE https://t.co/SH8t68B0Pj

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National Indigenous History Month is a time to explore and appreciate the diverse cultures, traditions and perspectives of First Nations, Inuit and Metis as we deepen our understanding of Indigenous peoples and communities on our Truth and Reconciliation journey #WeAreCBE https://t.co/3ZOrbIc52l

RT @UsihChristopher: The 2022-23 Chief Superintendent Student Advisory Council held its final meeting this pm. The students shared key reflections and strategies to empower student voice and agency. I’m immensely proud of our students. Thanks to staff advisors & admin #WeAreCBE https://t.co/BXhDHqye3t

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Today’s Board of Trustees public meeting starts at 11 a.m. at the Education Centre. Join us in-person or stream the meeting online https://t.co/nvCl1fNOeh #yycbe https://t.co/1H1fGiuyK1

Monday, May 29 is a system-wide non-instructional day so there are no classes for CBE students. It is also the provincial election day – don’t forget to vote! Have a safe long weekend. #WeAreCBE https://t.co/nihcInFUcL