Dear Escuela Canyon Meadows Families,
The month of February went by fast, and it is our hope to welcome spring, “la primavera” in March! Please, see below our February and March updates and information to stay involved.
In-line Skating and Lacrosse
Throughout the month of February our K to 3 students enjoyed the in-line skating residency and Grades 4 and 5 engaged in the lacrosse residency. We are grateful for the support of our School Council to reduce the cost our families pay for these activities.
Acts of Kindness – Acciones del corazón
Our students in acts of kindness such as sharing validating comments with peers and staff. Some of these comments are displayed on our Learning Commons window! Some students’ messages stated: “Being kind is priceless and will brighten someone’s day”, “Kindness rules”, “You are smart”, “You are beautiful”.
Pink Shirt Day – February 26, 2024 – Día de usar camiseta rosada
Our students and staff wore their pink shirt to school on February 26 to promote kindness and inclusion. At our Escuela Canyon Meadows everyone fits in and is loved. Our gym was occupied with the lacrosse residency; therefore, our students and teachers engaged in a virtual assembly to share and enjoy messages of kindness.
Alberta Education Assurance Survey for Grade 4 Parents
We highly encourage our parents in grade 4 to complete the Alberta Education Assurance Survey online. Grade 4 parents have received an email including the survey link and a random-access code to the survey. Please complete the survey by March 21, 2025. Please contact Sra. Gutiérrez, Assistant Principal, if you require a paper copy or need any support in completing this survey. Both student and parent surveys are anonymous. The results from these surveys are used at both the system and school level to make evidence-informed decisions in service of school improvement.
Parent/Teacher/Student Learning Conferences
Our final Student Learning Conferences will take place next week on March 20 and 21 online, this will be another time to celebrate our students’ accomplishments in their learning. Parents will have the opportunity to learn about their child’s progress and achievement in relation to the outcomes of the Programs of Study.
The Student Learning Conferences booking system (available when parents sign into their MyCBE/PowerSchool account) opened this Saturday, March 15. Book a time for March 20 (evening) or March 21 (morning) to meet with your child’s teacher online via Teams. Students are encouraged to join parents during conferences to celebrate their accomplishments and discuss next learning steps with their teacher and parents. Asegurénse de reservar su cita para esta semana.
Learn and Share | School Planning Engagement Winter 2025
We know we make better decisions to support student learning when we build understanding and work together. That’s why we are asking you to share your perspectives about our school development plan, school budget and school fees.
· The survey is open until March 31, 2025. Please click here to complete the school engagement survey.
Watch this short video to learn about the planning work schools do to improve and support student learning. You may preview the school development plan here. Your input is important to us, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your perspectives.
March Updates.
My Heritage | Mi herencia - Initiative
Our grade 4 and 5 students in the Student Advisory Group lead by Sra. Gutiérrez have taken the initiative of sharing their heritage with our school community. Their conversations led them to create a piece of writing about the story and significance of their names. Their written pieces are displayed in a beautiful bulletin board by our office.
Indigenous Education Residence
Throughout the school year our students and teachers have engaged in an Indigenous Education residency with Indigenous Knowledge Keeper Sra. Pear White Quills through five sessions. As we continue to honour our Escuela Canyon Meadows Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation in alignment with the CBE Education Plan, we have looked forward to these learning opportunities. This residency is allowing us to continue to work with Elders and Knowledge Keepers to learn about and engage in land-based experiences and Indigenous storytelling through Indigenous arts, singing, dancing and culturally relevant meaningful ways. For example, throughout the sessions we have learned about the Medicine Wheel, and Pow Wow Dances such as The Grass Dance and The Jingle Dance.
On April 17 we will invite our parents/guardians to visit the school at a time during the school day to join us in experiencing our learning throughout this residency. More details of this learning experience will be communicated closer to the date.
Library Books - Please | por favor
Remind children to return their borrowed library books, we are fortunate to have a vast collection of books in English and Spanish in our Learning Commons for our students to enjoy, returning books ensures all can enhance their love for reading.
Some Upcoming Events – Próximos eventos
Music Monday – May 12
Our school has taken part in Music Monday for several years to connect our community to our school. We are looking for parents to share their love of music and join with us in celebrating Music Monday. Srta. Cassie, our Music Specialist will be contacting all our parents/guardians to request the support of those who would like to share their musical talents on Monday, May 12. Please contact Srta. Cassie via email should you wish to participate: jamcassie@cbe.ab.ca
Qué Pasa at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium – May 6– Grade 5
Once again, ECM Grade 5 students will have the opportunity to perform at the Jubilee Auditorium of May 6. This year the event will again showcase an afternoon performance with a rehearsal in the morning. A letter has been sent to our Grade 5 parents/guardians with initial details. More information will be shared in the near future with Grade 5 parents, and with our school community as we encourage all families who wish to celebrate the successes of our Spanish Bilingual Program to purchase tickets to attend.
Volunteer Appreciation – May 23
On May 23 we will be celebrating our volunteers and show our appreciation for their valuable support. More details will be shared closer to the date.
World Book Day - Día internacional del libro – April 23
On April 23 we will celebrate the love for reading with an assembly and the culmination of the two-week “Read a Thon” fundraising organized by our School Council. Our Spanish and Culture teacher committee is planning special activities for that week to enhance students’ love for books and stories.
March Spanish Book Fair
Due to hosting March Student Learning Conferences online our March Spanish Book Fair has been postponed. We would still like our students to enjoy being able to purchase Spanish books with the support and coordination of our Library Assistant Sra. McNelly and parent volunteers, therefore, more information will be shared later.
Gratitude
Immense gratitude goes to Escuela Canyon Meadows gracious School Council for their continuous appreciation for our teachers by providing a special dinner for March Student Learning Conferences, funding to lower the cost parents pay for residencies, funds to install a gaga ball pit in the near future for outdoor physical activity, for covering the cost of transportation for Field Trips and much more financial support provided every school year.
Thank you to all our parents/guardians for your consistent valuable support, care and love, you make a difference!
We wish everyone a restful and joyful upcoming spring break, we wish you take time to create new memories with your family.
Receive our gratitude.
¡Nos despedimos compartiendo mucha gratitud!
Sra. Lilien Perera Pérez, Principal / Directora
Sra. Cecilia Gutiérrez, Assistant Principal / Vicedirectora