Programming Choices at Woodman School

We are proud to offer a high-quality comprehensive program which combines academic, complimentary, co-curricular and extra-curricular learning activities and experiences. Our students enjoy a rich school experience enhanced by a supporting emphasis on technology in teaching and learning, performing arts, fine arts, and community involvement.  

We are a triple-track program, offering a community-centred English Regular program (Grade 7-9), Early French Immersion (Grades5-9) and Late French Immersion (Grade 7-9).  We are the SE/SW program of choice for beginning on the exciting journey of language learning in the middle years, preparing adolescents for a future in which both official languages of Canada - English and French - can be fully utilized.  

Our teachers possess a wide range of professional skill sets, with areas of expertise in Career Technology Foundations, such as Culinary Arts, Design Technology, Construction, Ceramics, Art, Photography and Athletics.  Teachers of the French Immersion program model strong language proficiency and pedagogy.  

Homework Assignments

In all subjects, students will be expected to complete assignments and daily work, which will often require some study and work at home.  Completion of homework and other assignments contributes to student success as a learner.  Therefore, it is important that homework and study responsibilities be carried out as promptly and diligently as possible. One way for teachers to help students to learn and be successful is to assign appropriate and meaningful homework.  At Woodman School, teachers may give homework for several reasons:

• To reinforce learning through further practice and application of material
• To enrich learning through independent study, individual research and experimentation
• To develop independent study habits
• To enable students to complete assignments that they were not able to complete in class
• To work on projects of a long-term nature

The amount of time students spend on homework is contingent on many factors:  how quickly they read, how much they finished in class and the knowledge base they have brought with them from other places and schools.  In an environment where students are learning a new language, the length of time may increase further still. This means that it is difficult to put a precise, standard number of minutes on the amount of time students should spend studying. The Calgary Board of Education outlines that Grade 5-6 students may be expected to complete up to 20 minutes of their total homework load per day.  Grades 7-9 students may be assigned from ½ to 1 hour of homework per night.  If students find that the amount of time they are spending varies drastically from the above guidelines, they will want to seek help from their teachers.  Teachers are aware of, and take into consideration, the challenges that students experience when completing homeroom independently in French, if there are minimal supports at home.  

Homework is to be recorded in agendas or the format of their choice on a daily basis. Assignments are available on D2L shells to support homework.  While teachers strive to coordinate project, assignment and test dates, there may be times in which students are not able to complete all of their homework.  Please discuss with individual teachers any requests for extensions before the due date.  It is the student’s full responsibility to ensure that any homework that accumulates, due to absences from school, is collected and completed within a reasonable amount of time.

Take note of a few other points regarding homework/tests.

• Tests will not be given, nor long term assignments due, on the first day of school after a long holiday weekend or school vacation.
• Homework will not be assigned on extended holidays such as Winter and Spring Break.  The holidays allow students, as life-long learners, the opportunity to explore and expand various interests.
• If a student is absent from school, they are responsible for making up missed assignments.  In case of absences, teachers will give them adequate time to make up missing work or assessments. D2L will be an important source to reference.

Textbooks, Supplies and Field Trips

Due to limited number of textbooks, students will primarily access textbooks within the classroom. In some cases, textbooks may be signed out by individual students on an interim basis.  Many textbooks may also be accessed electronically. If possible, teachers will post electronic copies of textbooks to their D2L shells. 

Teachers will provide basic school supplies in class for students who require them. For students who prefer to have their own supplies, a suggested student supply list is provided on the school website. A centralized Student Supply Fee is charged to Grade 5-6 students for the 2023-2024 school year. This fee will be used by the school to purchase items such as: manipulatives, consumables, folders, duotangs, paper, tissues, etc. There is a school-based $30 fee for some complementary courses at the Grade 7-9 level (Food, Art, Construction, etc.) to cover the cost of consumables. A finalized fee schedule will be sent home to families on the first day of school on Aug. 31.

Field Trips

We know that field trips to various locations within Calgary, around the city and beyond enhance learning and making learning real-life. Families will be charged a fee for these trips, to cover the cost of transportation and entrance fees. Should there be any financial concerns around these trips, parents should talk to their teacher for assistance.  If students do not return forms by the deadline, usually a few days prior to the trip, they will not be allowed to participate.  We cannot accept phone or verbal permission, no exceptions.  

Payment of Fees

All fees charged to parents have been created with input from parents each spring. Fees must be approved by the Minister of Education. All payments for central or school-based fees and field trips are online through MyCBE or in the main office (cash, debit or credit). The CBE is moving away from cash exchanges between teachers and students. Note that no student will be prevented access to core-learning in any subject area due to an inability to pay the corresponding fees. Some extra-curricular activities (non-mandated for participation), which include overnight and out of province excursions, may require additional fees for which there is no school subsidy provided. For these trips, students may only proceed with participation once all fees associated with the trip have been paid. At times, families have been invited to provide anonymous financial support in order to ensure that as many students as possible are able to access extra-curricular activities that peak their interest.