School starts Sept 2nd, 8:00 a.m.

Welcome Back!

Both Mrs. Brinson and I want to take this opportunity to welcome you back to Beddington Heights School. We look forward to seeing our students and parents on Tuesday at 8:00 a.m.  Tuesday is a regular school day with children finishing at the regular time (2:30 p.m.). The exception will be kindergarten students who will be using a staggered entry system this week. Reminder information regarding staggered entry should have been forwarded to you through your phone or e-mail. If you have questions regarding this process, please call the school @ 403 777 6610 or come see us in the office.

Our grade 1- 6 teachers will be waiting to greet your child on the compound at approximately 7:45 am. Teachers will have a sign and you will be able to identify and connect with your child's teacher based upon the name provided to you through our automated phone message system. We ask that parents say good-bye to their child outside at the bell and teachers will then escort students into the school and to their classroom.  If you need to see your child at any time during the school day, please come to the office and we will call your child down to the office to meet with you. If you are picking up your child at the end of the day, please arrange a meeting place where you both will meet at the end of the day.

If you would like to receive this blog through email, please look at the top of this page and enter your email address in the white box that allows you to "Follow by Email" so that you can be receive updated blog information automatically.  (All classrooms will be using an on-line student agenda as well, so please click on the "Student Agendas" button on our Beddington Heights home page, and then on your child's teacher's link to access their agenda.  You may also sign up to receive these agenda updates via email by entering your email address in their "Follow by Email" section.)

Staff have been hard at work preparing for your child's arrival and we are excited that you are giving us the opportunity to welcome your child into our learning community. Can't wait to see you on Tuesday.

Mr. Hebert

Summer Camp Opportunities

Within the City of Calgary, there are many opportunities available for children to help keep them busy and active.  Please click HERE for a few options that may be a fit for your family.  

In addition, the City also offers several free options for summer fun:

Lawn Chair Theatre is scheduled to be in Beddington on August 14th from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.

Park n' Play (for children 6-12) is scheduled in Beddington July 28 - Aug 1st from 10:00 am - 3:30 pm. 

Stay n' Play (for children 3-5) is scheduled in Beddington July 28 - Aug 1st from 10:00 am - noon.

(Click HERE for more information about the Park n' Play and Stay n' Play opportunities.)

Aboriginal Awareness Week

June 15th to the 21st is Aboriginal Awareness Week here in Calgary.  There are many free activities, such as the POW WOW FESTIVAL down at Shaw Millennium Park.  (Click HERE to view the poster about the event.)

There are also other opportunities available throughout the city. Click HERE to visit the YMCA website to find information about their Aboriginal Buddies program and their Aboriginal Drum and Dance program.

These events are for all families, of all cultures so please feel open and free to check out the events!

Self-Regulation Group

This summer, the Can Learn Society is offering a Self-Regulation Group for Kids on August 18, 20, 25, and 27.  This group will be focused on helping children learn to manage their emotions and behavior, respond to stress, develop strategies for relaxation, and learn to get along with others.  Please click HERE to view the information that will help you register if you are interested.

No Paper Agendas Next Year

Next year, we will not be using coiled paper agendas at Beddington Heights School.  Instead, every classroom will use a DIGITAL agenda /blog. You will be able to find your child’s teacher’s agenda / blog by going to our home page, clicking "School Blogs" and then clicking the link for your teacher’s blog. (http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b372/)

Because paper agendas will no longer be used, it will be extremely important that you check the agenda / blog on a regular basis.  This agenda / blog will inform you of the day-to-day happenings in your child’s classroom. If you have a specific comment or question about your child, you will need to contact the teacher directly. Email addresses will be provided.

This year, our classroom teachers have been using their digital blogs on a weekly basis in preparation for this change.  Please continue to check this blog weekly to help get in the habit of utilizing this digital format.  

Healthy Eating and Cardel Place Healthy Living Challenge!

We are working hard to help students understand the benefits of eating healthy foods while at school.  In the May newsletter, we included two excerpts with information as well as two links to sites that provide more information.  For additional information on how to make healthy eating part of your child's regular routine, please click HERE to visit HealthyEatingStartsHere.ca (and click on 'Healthy Eating at School') or click HERE to be taken straight to the link.

Cardel Place Healthy Living Challenge: March 22-June 21 2014
What does healthy living mean to you? Cardel Place and local community partners invite you to take part in Calgary’s first Healthy Community Challenge presented by ATB Financial. This at home 90-day challenge (March 24 to June 21) is designed to encourage whole communities to get moving and be healthier in mind, body and spirit through focus on developing positive practices in physical activity, nutrition, hydration, sleep, and social habits.

Prizes will be awarded at the end of the Challenge for both the community and individual(s) who demonstrate the biggest shift in lifestyle (as indicated by point total), however, the greatest rewards received will not be those that can be counted on paper, but those that can be measured in feeling, outlook and attitude. 

If you are interested, participate on "Team Beddington" - Click HERE to register or HERE for more information.

Volunteers Needed to help out in the Learning Commons

With the transition from Library to Learning Commons, many things have changed.  In the past, students had access to the Library to sign out books once per week when their teacher brought them down as a whole class.  Now, students may come with their whole class to sign out their books, with a small group to sign out their books, or whenever they are done reading their books as an individual.

With this change, we have A LOT more books being signed out that later need to be properly resigned in and re-shelved.  If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity, the Learning Commons could use your help!  We are looking for someone who would be able to come in approximately once per week for 1 hour to help us check returned books into the computer and then put them back in the right spot on the library shelves.  If you think this would interest you, please call us at the school at 403-777-6610.

**If you already have your volunteer clearance, please ask to speak to Mrs. Murtaza or Mrs. Paolini in the Learning Commons.**

**If you do not have your volunteer clearance, please stop in at the office and see Mrs. Cumming.  She will help you fill out the paperwork.  It's free and all we need you to bring is 2 pieces of government issued ID (such as a Driver's License, Social Insurance Card, Alberta Health Card). **

We look forward to having you help out!  Thanks!