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Dear DGS Families, 

We have settled beautifully into our daily learning routines following winter break. 

Next week, Semester 1 report cards will be available for viewing in PowerSchool. The report card is meant as a mid-year data point and is reflective of the assessment data that has been available in PowerSchool as the Semester has progressed.    

In the new curriculum, some things students learn may be new or may have previously been taught in higher grades. Students could be missing foundational pieces from previous grades, and their achievement against the report card indicators in Grade 6 might not be as high as you have experienced as a parent in younger grades. This is expected when there is a new curriculum. It might take more than one school year to build these foundational skills. Even though each grade has its own curriculum, many ideas are revisited, helping students to build on what they already know and do well.  

Students in Grades 7-9 will not have experienced any changes to the curriculum they experience daily, except Physical Education and Wellness, which our current Grade 7 students experienced during the 2022-2023 school year. At this time, no new curriculum is available for any courses beyond the Grade 6 level. As a recap, the CBE began implementing the new Alberta Education Curriculum in the Fall of 2022. The implementation timeline has been: 

Fall 2022 start:   

  • Mathematics (K-3)  
  • English Language Arts and Literature (K-3)   
  • Physical Education and Wellness (K-6)   

Fall 2023 start:   

  • Mathematics (4-6)  
  • English Language Arts and Literature (4-6)   
  • French Language Arts and Literature (K-3)  
  • Science (K-3)  

Teachers continue to make reasoned, professional judgements concerning how to engage students in their learning and are adapting to students' needs during this transition. As always, if you have questions about your child's learning, please reach out to their teacher. When asking these questions, our hope is to enter into the conversation collaboratively, and with the goal of supporting students to attain the desired outcomes. Abuse toward teachers concerning report card marks and assessment of student learning is not welcome. 


Grade 9 JCS Open House 

All parents of Grade 9 students are very much encouraged to attend the Open House at Joane Cardinal Schubert High School on the evening of Tuesday January 30, 2024. This is a great opportunity to explore all of the High School Career and Technology, Fine and Performing Arts, Registered Apprenticeship Program, and Language Programs that exist at the high school level. The offerings are so vast that there is a 100% guarantee that I have left a pathway or category off this list! Please see the attached invitation for details. 

Open House - JCS - Jan 2024.pdf  


Winter Band Concert 

Our Winter Band Concert will be held on Thursday February 1, 2024. We have a “good” problem- with at least 1 in 5 DGS students taking band this year, we have had to move to this being a limited ticketing event in order to safely hold our concert. Tickets for the performance are being distributed to students in the program through Ms. Thomas’s classes. We will not be able to admit guests without tickets. Full details for performers and their audience members will go home through Ms. Thomas. 


Hot Chocolate Fundraiser 

This year’s Hot Chocolate Fundraiser will be held on the afternoon of Wednesday February 14. At the start of February, Grade 9 Leadership Students will decide which charity fundraising proceeds will go to. Donations will be “pay what you can” with the recommended donation for each student’s cup of hot chocolate being a toonie. More details will follow closer to the event. 


Parent Engagement Evening 

Our school greatly benefits from its vibrant parent community. In recent years, the Government of Alberta has provided a $500 grant for each School Council to create a parent engagement opportunity. This year, DGS School Council will be hosting “Paint Afternoon” from 5-7 pm on Tuesday February 27. This event will be immediately followed by our regularly scheduled School Council and Parent Fundraising Society Meetings. There is no cost for this event. Participants will leave with their very own masterpiece to proudly display as a testament to all the reasons making art is so good for you. No experience is required, and all materials are provided. Watch your email for registration information. 


Peter Pan Jr. 

Mark your calendars- March 14, 2024, sees Peter Pan flying on to our mainstage for Peter Pan Jr. Tickets will be sold at the door for this evening performance. In conjunction with the performance, our Musical Team will be holding a silent auction. In order to better promote this event’s fundraiser, the Silent Auction will now be held the evening of the musical. Information concerning donations and volunteer opportunities will be sent home in the days to come. ​​​​​​​


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   


Important Upcoming Dates 

Thursday January 25, 2024 

  • Evening Session for incoming Grade 5 students 

Tuesday January 30, 2024 

  • Grade 9 Tour of Joane Cardinal Schubert High School (during the day)

  • Grade 9 JCS Open House (evening)

  • Report Cards go live in PowerSchool 

Thursday February 1, 2024 

  • Band Concert 

Thursday February 8, 2024 

  • Evening Session for incoming Grade 6 students 

Friday February 9, 2024

  • Deadline to prepurchase Yearbooks

Wednesday February 14, 2024 

  • Hot Chocolate Fundraiser 

Thursday February 15-16, 2024 

  • Teachers Convention (School Closed) 

Monday February 19, 2024 

  • Family Day Holiday (School Closed) 

Tuesday February 27, 2024 

  • Paint Afternoon 

  • Parent Council and Parent Fundraising Society Meetings

Thursday March 14, 2024 

  • Peter Pan Musical 

  • Silent Auction 

Thursday March 21 

  • Last day of classes before Spring Break 

Friday March 22, 2024 

  • Professional Learning Day (No School for Students) 

Tuesday April 2, 2024 

  • First Day of Classes following Spring Break 


As always, I am available to answer questions- csmalette@cbe.ab.ca 

  

Chantal Malette  

Principal, Dr. George Stanley School ​