Bonjour les familles
February is a mighty month and here are some highlights:
Black History Month, celebrated every February, offers an opportunity to recognize the diversity and achievements of Black Canadians. This year, William Reid students are encouraged to share in Black History month celebrations at our school.
Chinese New Year – Year of the Snake and we celebrate the traditions and culture of this festival.
Walk Day is postponed to next Wednesday Feb 12 2025 – please ensure your children are dressed properly to go outside for a winter walk.
Wednesday, February 12, Valentine’s Day Celebrations, wear Red or White
Thursday, February 13, Teachers’ Convention, no school for students
Friday, February 14, Teachers’ Convention, no school for students
Monday, February 17, Family Day, School Closed
Notes of Thanks
- To our parents who volunteered for Carnaval in the -24 and colder weather…Thank you, Thank you. Thank you, you are amazing!
- To Doug Dunlop for the fantastic and hard work of supporting all our students in building the Ice Castle in the freezing weather.
- Recycle-Reuse-Reduce: Thank you Susan Vukadinovic for bringing more than 459 “Ice-Block-Cartons" to the Manchester Bottle depot for a top up of the WR-Account with a cool $114.15
- Thank you parents, for freezing and bringing castle blocks
- Thank you to all parents who volunteered to attend the Bow Habitat for our Kindergarten PM class
- To all the parents in Grade 4 who volunteered for Teacher’s Pet
- William Reid at its best: We Reused the Cartons, recycled them and thereby Reduced our footprint, on top of this we had a great Carnaval
School Council
Tuesday Feb 11 2025 at 7:00PM will be our next School Council Meeting. All William Reid families are invited to attend this in person at the school or if you prefer you may log in to the on line meeting. Mme Stiles will be presenting the budget and fees report for this school year and asking for your input on the budget and fees for next year. The agenda and meeting link: https://williamreid.cbe.ab.ca/school-council
Outstanding Fees
Thank you to families for the payment of outstanding fees from activities your child has taken part in during the last 2023-2024 and 2025 school year so far. The amounts paid are helpful in keeping us financially healthy as a school. We request your attention to please check if there are any fees owing on your MyCBE Account and make payment.
Student Safety – Pick Up and Drop Off Issues
There is an increase in concerns about unsafe conditions. Especially in the darkness of the icy and snowy mornings, when visibility is limited. For everyone's safety, please:
- Do not jaywalk
- Use marked crosswalks
- Do not U-turn near school
- Do not park in no-parking zones (5m from crosswalks, stop signs and in bus zone)
- 11th Street Cul-de-Sac East of the staff parking lot - For safety, treat this cul-de-sac as a one-way during peak drop-off and pickup times. If you are planning to drop off or pick up your kids near the playground, please enter the cul-de-sac via 10 Street SW through the back alley that runs parallel to the large field and exit only through the cul-de-sac.
- 36th Ave North Side in Front School Doors - This section is used as a “Kiss & Ride” drop off - For safety, please do not park or get out of your car in the area on 36th avenue in front of the school doors or stop there for longer than a quick hug.
Consider parking further from the school (e.g. a side street) to make it safe during pick up. Thank you for your support with this and to help keep our students safe.
Pantry Restock for students
We hope to restock our CBE choice pantry foods for students that need extra food, at times. Please take a look at the attached PDF for approved foods.
February Dance Club with Mme Maria & Mme Eeles
Mme Maria and Mme Eeles are excited to offer a fun and energetic Dance Club for Grade 1 and 2 students on Mondays and Grade 3 and 4 students on Tuesdays! The club will start next week on Monday February 10 and Tuesday Feb 11 during lunch recess.
Students will have the opportunity to explore movement, learn basic dance steps, and practice short choreographed routines in a supportive and upbeat environment. Our focus will be on creativity, rhythm, and having fun while building confidence and teamwork.
We can’t wait to dance with you.
Yearbook
Order the gift of precious memories! Place your order for the William Reid 2024-25 yearbook now! Yearbooks capture the memories of events throughout the school year and are a great keepsake to remember students’ time at William Reid. The yearbook committee is hard at work creating this year’s memory book, which will be sent home in June. The cost is $22 which is paid online directly through the Lifetouch yearbook pay website. Order your 2024-25 yearbook here: WR Yearbook Orders 2024-25 Yearbook ID: 14464825
Staffing Updates
Mme Sabrina Littlejohn Grade 3 will be starting her Parental Leave on Feb 7, 2025 (today) and Mme Katherine Forin will be taking over for the rest of the year. Mme Lytwyn Grade 2 will be starting her Parental Leave on Feb 7, 2025 (today) and Mme Tetyana Markova will be taking over for the rest of the year. We will miss them both and send them our best wishes on their journey. Mme Brenda Olorenshaw will be at our school until the end of April working with our grade 1 – 3 students as a resource teacher until the end of April. Mme Brenda has been at Westgate School. Lastly, M. Youssouf Abdou Salam will be taking over for Mme Briard Grade 4 as of Monday Feb 10 2025. He comes to us from Sundance School, having taught Grades 4, 5 and 6. We do our best to ensure routines, consistency and student success continues when there is a transition during the year. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the school administration, Christine Stiles or Sheri Bullough for any questions or concerns.
French for Parents Courses
CBE Parents and Caregivers - Build your French language skills in this introductory course. Learn or refresh vocabulary and grammar while increasing your confidence speaking French. Become more comfortable helping your children with their homework and conversing with the school staff. Required textbook (approximately $20, available on Amazon). Details for purchasing it will be provided upon registration.
Instructor: Sophia Aristou Fee: $309 per person or $429 per couple
Class ID | Days, Times & Dates | Location |
18046 | Tue 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Georges P. Vanier School
|
Valentines Day at William Reid School (Feb 12)
Many families celebrate Valentine’s Day at School and we strive to promote the values of care, kindness and empathy every day. Students who wish, may bring Valentine’s for their classmates on Feb 12. To ensure inclusivity, please provide cards for the entire class. We prefer cards over treats and will have students save any treats they get for home, where you can monitor dietary needs and sugar intake 🙂. Check teacher communication coming this week for classroom-specific details. If your family does not celebrate Valentine’s Day, alternative activities can be arranged just let your teacher know.
Valentines Treats for Teachers (Feb 12)
With Valentine’s Day and the month value being kindness and love we are asking for some yummy treats for our teachers and support staff. Feel free to drop off treats at the main office on February 12. Thank you to all who are able to provide some delicious snacks for the hardworking team at William Reid School!
Grade 4 Surveys
In February, our Grade 4 students will be participating in the Alberta Education Assurance Survey. Please note that Grade 4 parents will also be asked to complete the Alberta Education Assurance survey and will be sent more information and a random access code through Canada Post.
These surveys are anonymous and allow students to voice their feedback on their experiences at school, the school environment and a variety of learning and well-being topics.
In alignment with CBE’s Education Plan, the results are used in school and district reports and planning so that students are at the centre of all CBE decisions; able to integrate and apply the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and competencies they are acquiring across all academic disciplines; and demonstrating Citizenship, Personal Development and Character in and through learning.
If you have questions or would like to request more information about the upcoming implementation of these surveys, please contact Mme Sheri Bullough.
Special Lunch is Feb 19, 2025
Please ensure you order by Fri Feb 14 to get your order in on time. Food is from Opa!
Dates of Cultural Significance
In alignment with the values of inclusion and diversity in the CBE, William Reid wishes to acknowledge communities that will be celebrating important festivals and dates of significances:
Jan. 29 Lunar New Year – Year of the Snake
February Black History Month
Feb. 17 Family Day
Feb. 25 Pink Shirt, Anti-Bullying Day
Feb. 28 Losar
Ramadan Begins
Upcoming Events
Feb 13 -14 - Teacher Staff Convention – No school
Feb 17 - Family Day – No school
Feb 18 - Grade 1 100th day of school! (dress like you are 100 years old)
Feb 19 - Special Lunch (Order by Feb 14)
Feb 19 - Career Day! (Dress as what you want to be in the future)
Feb 21 - AM KG to Bow Habitat
Feb 26 - Pink Shirt Day
Feb 28 - Non-Instructional Day – No school
Mar 19 - Special Lunch
Mar 21 – 22 Parent Teacher Conferences & IPP
Mar 24 – 28 Spring Break
Apr 1 - Spring Photos
Apr 8 - Field Trip - Heritage Park Gr 2
Apr 10 - Field Trip – Landfill Grade 4
Apr 18 - Good Friday – No School
April 21 - Non-Instructional Day – No school
April 23 - French Play – l'UniThéâtre, 9:30 in the gym
April 28 - May 2 - Scholastic Book Fair
May 14 - Special Lunch
May 16 - Non-Instructional Day – No school
May 19 - Victoria Day – No School
May 30 - Volunteer Tea
Important Links
- Mabel’s Labels
- Donations
- Bottle Drive: Manchester Bottle Depot – 410 – 38a Ave SE – Donate your bottles here for William Reid School
If you have any questions, please call the school at 403-777- 6940 or email us at williamreid@cbe.ab.ca.
Hand to heart,
Mme Christine Stiles and Mme Sheri Bullough
William Reid School