September 16, 2013
Happy Monday to everyone! What an amazing September, this weekend my family took advantage of the bike trails in the East Village, and we discovered what the City of Calgary has worked so hard to redevelop. It was such a positive experience to see Calgarians out and about and it was great to arrive at school today, refreshed and reenergized.
On that note, we have many interesting items to share this week and, as always, look forward to hearing back any feedback or questions that you may want to share with us. Please feel free to contact the Main Office or to contact us directly at any of our contacts listed at the end of the weekly blog.
Happy Monday to everyone! What an amazing September, this weekend my family took advantage of the bike trails in the East Village, and we discovered what the City of Calgary has worked so hard to redevelop. It was such a positive experience to see Calgarians out and about and it was great to arrive at school today, refreshed and reenergized.
On that note, we have many interesting items to share this week and, as always, look forward to hearing back any feedback or questions that you may want to share with us. Please feel free to contact the Main Office or to contact us directly at any of our contacts listed at the end of the weekly blog.
Home Logic…
Many parents have logged on. We are assisting anyone who has difficulties. Please call the Main Office at 403 -777-7840 ext. 0
NOTE: To log on, the number one contact has to give their name. To assist you, this update will be emailed only to the number one contact today.
Calendar…
The Calendar is up on the website under What’s New. An improved version will be up in the upcoming days.
Refunds…
Thank you to everyone for your patience regarding the refund cheques from last June. Our bookkeeper, Ms B. Branham, has been working diligently to compile money owing for our cancelled trips at the end of June as well as the security deposit refunds for the remainder of the school. The year-end activities that were planned for the grade 6s and also our Farewell Graduation that was planned for the grade 9s will be reimbursed this week. Please note that the grade 9 students from last year will have their refunds mailed out directly to their homes. Our current students will collect their cheques at school, if there are outstanding fees or textbooks or library books, homeroom teachers will be sure to communicate this information to the students.
Many parents have logged on. We are assisting anyone who has difficulties. Please call the Main Office at 403 -777-7840 ext. 0
NOTE: To log on, the number one contact has to give their name. To assist you, this update will be emailed only to the number one contact today.
Calendar…
The Calendar is up on the website under What’s New. An improved version will be up in the upcoming days.
Refunds…
Thank you to everyone for your patience regarding the refund cheques from last June. Our bookkeeper, Ms B. Branham, has been working diligently to compile money owing for our cancelled trips at the end of June as well as the security deposit refunds for the remainder of the school. The year-end activities that were planned for the grade 6s and also our Farewell Graduation that was planned for the grade 9s will be reimbursed this week. Please note that the grade 9 students from last year will have their refunds mailed out directly to their homes. Our current students will collect their cheques at school, if there are outstanding fees or textbooks or library books, homeroom teachers will be sure to communicate this information to the students.
Direct Contribution…
By this time, in our fees package, you would have received a note from Parent Council regarding the Direct Contribution campaign for this year. We would like to mention that we are very cognizant of the heavy financial burden on our families in September but also about how appreciative we are for those who are able to contribute to our school goals. Please note that all contributions and payment options are fully confidential with no person on council or administration handling the collections. All payments are collected by the office and sent to the CBE where the funds are processed and the entire amount sent back to the Parent Council account to be used solely at Bishop Pinkham.
And now for some info on the items!
BP Direct Donation Campaign Items
By this time, in our fees package, you would have received a note from Parent Council regarding the Direct Contribution campaign for this year. We would like to mention that we are very cognizant of the heavy financial burden on our families in September but also about how appreciative we are for those who are able to contribute to our school goals. Please note that all contributions and payment options are fully confidential with no person on council or administration handling the collections. All payments are collected by the office and sent to the CBE where the funds are processed and the entire amount sent back to the Parent Council account to be used solely at Bishop Pinkham.
And now for some info on the items!
BP Direct Donation Campaign Items
- Learning Commons Goal: $15 000
- Technology Goal: $15 000
- Phys Ed Program Goal: $5000
- Complimentary Programs Goal: $5000
Healthy Hunger Orders…
Need a break from making lunch? Bishop Pinkham Parent Council will be offering fun lunches this year. We will have a welcome back to school Booster Juice day on Friday, September 27. A reminder to parents who were on the system last year you will need to set up your account again and add your child to their new classroom. Please register at www.HealthyHunger.ca. Please note that the due date to order will be on Sunday, September 22.
Need a break from making lunch? Bishop Pinkham Parent Council will be offering fun lunches this year. We will have a welcome back to school Booster Juice day on Friday, September 27. A reminder to parents who were on the system last year you will need to set up your account again and add your child to their new classroom. Please register at www.HealthyHunger.ca. Please note that the due date to order will be on Sunday, September 22.
Time to Dream…
Who among us can’t afford a bit of a pep talk? We shared the following video from the ‘Kid President’ at a recent staff meeting. He’s a little man with a powerful message about encouraging each other to dream, pass this pep talk along to others who need a boost!
Who among us can’t afford a bit of a pep talk? We shared the following video from the ‘Kid President’ at a recent staff meeting. He’s a little man with a powerful message about encouraging each other to dream, pass this pep talk along to others who need a boost!
The week that was…
Leadership Launch Committee
Welcome back to our BP Leadership Committee campers! On Thursday, we kicked off the year with a leadership launch retreat at Kamp Kiwanis. The campers returned on Friday and spent the afternoon working with our junior leadership committee members. Ms J Shantz and I had a chance to visit the students at the camp and were impressed with the activities that were planned for the junior students upon their return to school. A special thanks to Ms J Tuttle and Ms K Woodworth for coordinating this opportunity for our students.
Leadership Launch Committee
Welcome back to our BP Leadership Committee campers! On Thursday, we kicked off the year with a leadership launch retreat at Kamp Kiwanis. The campers returned on Friday and spent the afternoon working with our junior leadership committee members. Ms J Shantz and I had a chance to visit the students at the camp and were impressed with the activities that were planned for the junior students upon their return to school. A special thanks to Ms J Tuttle and Ms K Woodworth for coordinating this opportunity for our students.
This week….
Extracurricular Opportunities
Senior Girls – M E. Fiset Junior Boys – Srta K. Ell
Extracurricular Opportunities
- Choir – This year, we are pleased to announce the beginning of a grade 5-7 choir program on Thursdays with Ms J Zoerb. We look forward to our first opportunity to hear our students perform.
- Soccer – Congratulations to all of the players who successfully joined us this year, please come and cheer us on for our games, see Mr M Palkovits or Ms A Macphee for details.
- Cross-Country forms need to be handed in to Mr. Holland – Our first race will be on Monday Sept. 23
- Running Club – Please meet at the school at 7am on Mondays and Tuesdays during the months of September and October. Please see Ms J. Somers for questions.
- Volleyball – tryouts are continuing this week, good luck to all of the participants! See the following coaches for questions:
Senior Girls – M E. Fiset Junior Boys – Srta K. Ell
- Leadership Committee – They are still looking for volunteers for Meet the Teacher on Thursday, September 19. See Ms J Tuttle or Ms K Woodworth for questions.
Meet the Teacher
Our Meet the Teacher Evening is scheduled for Thursday, September 19 from 7:00 - 8:30. We are looking forward to meeting many new parents and welcoming back many parents we have working with in past years. As well as an opportunity to meet all of your child’s teachers, the following is a list of information sessions that may be of interest:
· 7:30pm – Music Association AGM
· 7:45pm – Late French Immersion Info Meeting
· 7:30pm / 8:00pm – Information on D2L and Iris in the Learning Commons
Professional Development Day
This is a friendly reminder that there will be no school on Friday, September 20. In the morning, teachers will be working on updating our student IPPs in Iris and the afternoon will be spent discussing and planning for our Comprehensive Health Program at Bishop Pinkham this year.
Coming up...
Parents Council Meeting
The first meeting of the Bishop Pinkham Parents Council will be held Tuesday, September 24, beginning at 6:30pm in the Learning Commons. All parents are welcome to attend, whether just to learn more about the school and the role our parents play in supporting student growth, or to become actively involved in the council.
Communication
e-mail
We are using e-mail more now to provide directly-relevant information to BP families. Most teachers use e-mail as their primary communication tool with parents. Staff e-mail addresses are found on our webpage at: staff contact list. Send a note to [email protected] with your child's name and we will make sure that your address is added to our records.
social media
We are continuing to increase our use of the school Facebook page and Twitter accounts. If you 'like' our Facebook page at bit.ly/bishoppinkhamfacebook, daily updates will find their way into your News Feed. Following @bpbulletin will provide you with daily updates, as well.
school webpage
The webpage at cbe.ab.ca/b645 will continue to contain much of the important information for parents, including calendars and bus information. We will try to keep it as updated as possible with the information it contains.
contact me
As always, I welcome your comments, questions, and concerns by e-mail at [email protected] or telephone at 403 777-7840 [2123]
Thank you - Michelle Howell, Principal
Bishop Pinkham School
Our Meet the Teacher Evening is scheduled for Thursday, September 19 from 7:00 - 8:30. We are looking forward to meeting many new parents and welcoming back many parents we have working with in past years. As well as an opportunity to meet all of your child’s teachers, the following is a list of information sessions that may be of interest:
· 7:30pm – Music Association AGM
· 7:45pm – Late French Immersion Info Meeting
· 7:30pm / 8:00pm – Information on D2L and Iris in the Learning Commons
Professional Development Day
This is a friendly reminder that there will be no school on Friday, September 20. In the morning, teachers will be working on updating our student IPPs in Iris and the afternoon will be spent discussing and planning for our Comprehensive Health Program at Bishop Pinkham this year.
Coming up...
Parents Council Meeting
The first meeting of the Bishop Pinkham Parents Council will be held Tuesday, September 24, beginning at 6:30pm in the Learning Commons. All parents are welcome to attend, whether just to learn more about the school and the role our parents play in supporting student growth, or to become actively involved in the council.
Communication
We are using e-mail more now to provide directly-relevant information to BP families. Most teachers use e-mail as their primary communication tool with parents. Staff e-mail addresses are found on our webpage at: staff contact list. Send a note to [email protected] with your child's name and we will make sure that your address is added to our records.
social media
We are continuing to increase our use of the school Facebook page and Twitter accounts. If you 'like' our Facebook page at bit.ly/bishoppinkhamfacebook, daily updates will find their way into your News Feed. Following @bpbulletin will provide you with daily updates, as well.
school webpage
The webpage at cbe.ab.ca/b645 will continue to contain much of the important information for parents, including calendars and bus information. We will try to keep it as updated as possible with the information it contains.
contact me
As always, I welcome your comments, questions, and concerns by e-mail at [email protected] or telephone at 403 777-7840 [2123]
Thank you - Michelle Howell, Principal
Bishop Pinkham School