Dear DGS Families,
I have always loved September and October in Middle School. We’ve come together, classes have gelled with their teachers, new friendships are forming, old ones have been renewed. Interschool athletics are well underway, and this week we will see both our Junior and Senior Basketball teams getting their feet under them playing against new teams. Last Friday, teachers gathered in their Professional Learning Communities to take on the intentional work of improving student results related to literacy, math and an increased sense of belonging for ALL the humans who are a part of our DGS Community. When we talk about well-being, belonging and creating wellness at DGS, what we are aiming for is “a balanced state of emotional, intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual well-being that enables students to reach their full potential in the school community.” (Alberta Education, 2009). For Mr. Rushton, all of our Learning Leaders, and me, our job in this regard is clear: Create a positive learning and working environment that promotes respect, provides mutual support, and honours equity, diversity, and inclusion which values differences and eliminates discrimination. In the weeks to come, we look forward to sharing key aspects of our School Development Plan related to this work.
Personal Mobile Device Policy - How’s It Going?
We’re working with our students to reinforce the province-wide mandate removing personal mobile and wearable technology from classrooms. In the last week, we have noticed a lot of Smart Watches making their way into classrooms- the expectation remains that students either leave these items at home, OR they are locked in their locker or stored out of sight and out of mind in a designated classroom space (usually a locked cupboard). Thank you so much for discussing this with your child(ren)- support from home means a lot in creating and maintaining distraction-free environments for students.
MyCBE / PowerSchool Access for Parents
Last Friday, our first set of PowerSchool Assessment Information for Parents was released for viewing. Some families have reached out to teachers and the main office asking for assistance with this. We have attached a Quick Reference Guide that will walk parents through the MyCBE site and PowerSchool Information. Assessment data is best viewed through a web browser and not the mobile app.
Insert Attachment Here: MyCBE-K-9-Attendance-Assignment-Information
School Store Now Open
We are pleased to present our Fall 2024 SWAG store located at https://silverbackgroup.ca/dr-gs-school.html
When you order, please note that the “to-be-paid” invoice will be delivered to your email address. The company offers PayPal, credit card and EFT payment options.
Our store will remain open until October 31, 2024. All orders will be shipped to the school and distributed to students when they arrive.
Fundraising Totals for our 2024 Terry Fox Run
Drumroll please... our students’ final fundraising total for the Terry Fox Foundation is $4611 We could not be more proud of our students, who SMASHED their $2500 and $3000 fundraising goals. Our students showed us that no matter the distance, no matter the odds, no matter what, we can and DO achieve our goals together.
Our pizza party for the top fundraising homeroom goes to Ms. Ramsay’s homeroom, they raised a whopping $439!
PETS of DGS Photoshoot
Here is the link to sign your pet up for their 15 minutes of fame at DGS! We are pleased to announce that we are booking 15-minute photoshoot windows for the evenings of October 8 and 9. We have three teams of student photographers, set dressers and pet wranglers ready to capture your pet’s close up! All shoots include approximately 10 digital images of your pet posed on a styled backdrop AND your pet will be included in our first ever “Pets of DGS” 2025 Calendar! The Calendar will be available for purchase later this Fall and will make a great gift for pet lovers everywhere!
Please note- If you have multiple pets, please book one extra slot.
What? Pets of DGS Photoshoot
When? Tuesday Oct 8 and Wednesday Oct 9 (5-8pm)
Where? DGS Learning Commons
All sessions will be pre-registered.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054CA8A92EA7FD0-51811990-pets
$10 sitting fee to be paid at time of photoshoot.
All proceeds from photoshoot fees and calendar sales go to the DGS Parent Fundraising Society, which benefits the experiences of ALL DGS students.
UPCOMING DATES
Monday October 7
- Welcome Back Week - Sports/Jersey Day
Tuesday October 8
- Grade 6 Routine Childhood Immunizations – DATE CORRECTION: Thursday November 21
- Welcome Back Week - Pajama Day
- Pets of DGS Photoshoot (Prebook)
Wednesday October 9
- Welcome Back Week - Back of your Closet Day
- Pets of DGS Photoshoot (Prebook)
Thursday October 10
- Welcome Back Week - Class Color Day
- Bake Sale Fundraiser ($1, $2, and $3 Items)
Monday October 14
- Thanksgiving (SCHOOL CLOSED)
Tuesday October 22
- Picture Retake Day
- School Council and Parent Fundraising Society Meeting (7pm, main office)
Friday October 25
- Non-Instructional Day (No School for Students)
As always, you are welcome to reach out to me any time at csmalette@cbe.ab.ca. We appreciate that success at school is a team endeavour!
Chantal Malette
Principal, Dr. George Stanley School