Remember your ice blocks on Monday!!! 

A new month has come! It is Black History month, Groundhog Day and teachers’ convention this February.  Wishing our families a wonderful Lunar New Year!”  

We are proud of our students’ daily academic efforts and their citizenship throughout the school and during outside play. Students continue to “Be a Buffalo” and face their challenges (running toward the storm). They are always “trying hard” (iiyika’kimaa).   Our moto here is “You Got This” or “Ii’Kaa’Kii’mat” Thank you for your support and working together with our staff to ensure a successful school year. 

Notes of Thanks 

  • To our Teacher’s Pet Grade 2 volunteers  
  • To all families who are continuing to freeze ice blocks for our Carnaval week 
  • To Renee Michaud for Math PD for our teachers on Jan 31 

Safety Reminder 

With regards to student safety, we would appreciate parents reminding students that school fields can get icy due to the freeze/melt weather cycles we have experienced recently. Students should avoid the icier areas of the school field, avoid running on the soccer fields and on slippery terrain, and wear winter boots and shoes with traction for the conditions when outside during recess times. Schools cannot put gravel and salt down on the entire field, so we really do need students to take the steps for safe play.  

Outstanding Fees 

Thank you to families for the payment of outstanding fees from activities your child participated 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. 

Staffing Update 

We want to let you know that Mme Sabrina will be starting her Maternity Leave on Monday Feb 10 2025.  Her last day with Grade 3 will be on Thursday Feb 6.  Mme Katherine Forin will be taking over for the rest of the year.  Mme Lytwyn will be starting her Maternity Leave on Monday Feb 10 2025.  Her last day with Grade 2 will be on Friday Feb 7.  MmeTetyana 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.  

Student Safety – Pick Up and Drop Off Issues 

There is an increase in concerns about unsafe conditions. 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 to make it safe during pick up. Thank you for your support with this and to help keep our students safe. 

Winter Carnaval February 3-7, 2025 

Carnaval d’hiver 2025 is right around the corner and we are looking forward to seeing many of you during the week of February 3-7. This will be 5 days packed full of fun and exciting French-Canadian traditions, fun for all! The week’s schedule is as follows and we are asking for volunteers (with Police Clearance) for some of the activities (marked with an asterisk).  

*Monday Feb. 3 – Castle Building  

Tuesday Feb. 4 - Banner Competition and Activity Day   

Wednesday Feb. 5 – la Tire/ Sugar Shack  

Thursday Feb. 6 – Folklofolie    

*Friday Feb. 7 - Sports Day (10 -11:30) 

Mark your calendars and get your snow gear ready if you plan on volunteering for winter sports day or castle building and be sure that your police clearance is up to date! 

You make these by spraying the inside of 2 L cardboard milk containers with PAM spray before filling them with colored water. We cannot use any ice blocks that come in plastic containers as they are too difficult and awkward to cut. 

DO NOT put toys, glitter, food, beads, etc. in the blocks; we want to protect our environment and the animals in our school yard. We cannot wait to see you all at the Carnaval d’hiver! 

Calling all Volunteers 🎉 Urgent 

We have no volunteers for this as of yet. We are looking for volunteers to become Bonhomme Carnaval—the heart and soul of our Carnaval! 

✨ Why Volunteer as Bonhomme? 

  • Bring joy to the students of William Reid  
  • Be part of a our tradition. 
  • Have a blast meeting kids of all grade levels. 

🌟 What You Need: 

  • A friendly and outgoing personality! 
  • A love for celebration and fun. 
  • Commitment to wearing the Bonhomme costume with pride! 
  • Be free any day during the week of Feb 3-7th for a small portion of the day (you choose) 

Interested?

Please let the Grade 1 team know. 
ckpynn@cbe.ab.ca, coturbide@cbe.ab.ca, brspereira@cbe.ab.ca 

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  

Icy Conditions and Snow Removal at William Reid 

Facility operators, caretakers and grounds crews work hard to remove snow and ice throughout the winter months at CBE schools. First priority is given to snow clearing and sanding of perimeter sidewalks adjacent to school property, as well handicapped zones and bus drop-off areas and other related zones. This could take up to 48 hours for this cleaning to be complete following a snow event. Second priority is given to snow clearing of asphalt playground compounds at elementary schools. 

We know there are some concerns at schools about snow and ice on sidewalks and parking lots. We are doing our best to keep up with requests; however, with the ongoing thaw and refreeze cycle it has been difficult to find opportunities to effectively clear these areas. 

The facility operator at William Reid School is working hard to keep pathways clear and gravel placed on icy patches. However, there are still some sections of icy buildup on our pathways. Our facility operator is working with CBE ground crews to determine what else can be done to support the removal of ice buildup.  If you see a red cone, please use caution.   

School staff will review seasonal/winter mobility safety with our students. We ask that parents also support us at home with safety conversations about walking and running on icy paths and sidewalks. 

Open House | Elboya School, Feb 6, 6:00 – 7:30 pm 

Grade 4 parents and students are invited to attend the open house at Elboya School on Thursday, February 6 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm.  

More information at this LINK. 

Upcoming Events 

Feb 2 Groundhog Day 

Feb 3 - 7 Carnaval 

Feb 4 Grade 4 Teachers Pet 

Feb 5 All students outside for Winter Walk Day 

Feb 7 PM KG to Bow Habitat 

Feb 13 -14 Teacher Staff Convention – no school 

Feb 17 Family Day – No school 

Feb 19 Special Lunch  

Feb 21 AM KG to Bow Habitat 

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 Grade 2 

Apr 10 Field Trip – Landfill Grade 4  

Apr 18 Good Friday – No School  

April 21 Non-Instructional Day – No school  

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 – 38aAve 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