Dear DGS Families,
Welcome to the last Principal’s Message of 2023. Winter includes so many observances, festivals, celebrations and times of rest. To all of you participating in Hanukkah, Posadas, Winter Solstice, Yule, Tohji-Tasai, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Wren Day, Junkanoo, Gahambar Maidyarem, Omisoka, Hogmanay, New Year’s, St. Basil’s Day, Gantan-Sai, Three Kings Day, Coptic and Easter Orthodox Christmas, or you are entering a time of rest and quiet over the weeks to come, I wish you peace, comfort, and time with the people you love the most. 2023 has been a year of promise and challenge. Our world has seen increased political unrest, war, controversy and sadness. We are also experiencing hope, rebuilding, learning, ways to grow empathy and the promise of a better tomorrow. Daylight will always come, and hope will always sneak in through the cracks. Hug each other tight.
This week, we have asked students to clean their lockers out and bring home all of their September to December treasures with them. This is your reminder to get them all to clean their back packs and lunch kits at home on Friday so there are no extra-juicy January 8 surprises lurking!
DGS Instagram
We are now LIVE on Instagram- check out @dgs67s to check out our school culture work!
Friends and Teen Talk for Schools- CanLearn Society
We are currently working to partner with the CanLearn Society to host a Grade 6 “Friends” group and a Grade 7 and 8 “Teen Talk” group. These groups focus on relationships, understanding and handling emotions, healthy coping strategies, communicating effectively, dealing with bullying and conflict, navigating social media, challenging negative thinking and building confidence. An interest survey will be sent home immediately after Winter Break to support forming groups and scheduling the program. Stay tuned for more information! A short video describing the program is located at: https://canlearnsociety.ca/friends-and-teen-talk-for-schools/
Bottle Drive for the Grade 9 SALTS Trip
Please see the attachment for information.
Yearbooks
Yearbooks for 2023-24 must be PREPURCHASED prior to February 9, 2024. You will need to self-add the yearbook to your account following these simple steps:
1. Login to your MyCBE/PowerSchool account, using your username and password
2. Click the box “Fees, Waivers & Service Registration”
3. Select your student
4. Click on “School Based Optional Fees”
5. Click on the box “Yearbook 2023/24”
6. Click “Add to Cart” and proceed to payment
Giving Back at the Holidays
Grade 8 Leadership’s donation drive for Toy Mountain and the Calgary Food Bank is going strong, and we thank you for your kindness and generosity! We are excited to see what the last two days will bring. Please note that all cash or gift card donations should be brought into the Main Office.
All donations will go to these charities on December 22
And a Final Word About Phones…
We love being an Away for the Day School- the benefits are endless. You can help us with this in January when we spend our first bit of time together resetting expectations around phones, and other school routines that are designed to help students regulate themselves and be fully present (mind, body, and heart) for learning. Phones are to be in lockers from 8:30-2:55pm daily. We have had an increase in the number of phones that now need to live in the main office during the school day. The goal is to pass the responsibility back to our students around this. We know that students are sometimes very attached to their phones- time away from mobile devices is important. We ask that you not text or phone your child during the day- the main office is happy to pass along urgent messages.
Important Upcoming Dates
Monday December 11-22
-
Toy Mountain and Calgary Food Bank Fundraiser
Friday December 22
-
Last day of classes before Winter Break
-
Pajama Day
Monday January 8, 2024
-
First day of classes following Winter Break
Monday January 15, 2024
-
Professional Learning Day (No School for Students)
Thursday January 25, 2024
-
Evening Session for incoming Grade 5 students
Tuesday January 30, 2024
-
School Council and Parent Fundraising Society Meetings (7:00pm, at the school)
Tuesday January 30, 2024
-
Grade 9 Tour of Joane Cardinal Schubert High School during the day
Thursday February 8, 2024
-
Evening session for incoming Grade 6 students
Friday February 9, 2024
-
Deadline for ordering a Yearbook
As always, I am available to answer questions- csmalette@cbe.ab.ca
Chantal Malette
Principal, Dr. George Stanley School