September 2, 2014
Bonjour, hola and welcome back to the 2014-15 school year at Bishop Pinkham School! Over the last couple of weeks, the staff has been working very hard to ensure that, once again, this a very special year for our students and that there will be many exciting learning opportunities ahead. We would like to take the time to welcome everyone back and look forward to having another fantastic year together!
The following are a few updates that may provide some helpful information for the beginning of the school year:
Bonjour, hola and welcome back to the 2014-15 school year at Bishop Pinkham School! Over the last couple of weeks, the staff has been working very hard to ensure that, once again, this a very special year for our students and that there will be many exciting learning opportunities ahead. We would like to take the time to welcome everyone back and look forward to having another fantastic year together!
The following are a few updates that may provide some helpful information for the beginning of the school year:
I. Schedule & School Information
As the Bishop Pinkham website continues to be updated this week, parents will be able to access information about the school including the calendar, hours, student handbook, teacher contact lists and information about upcoming events.
The following will be the schedule for this week:
Tuesday, Sept. 2 – 8:02-2:42 *Grade 5,6,7 students only
· All students will come to the Main Gym
· Class lists will be posted in the Main Gym
· Lunch will be provided for all students (gluten-free options will be provided)
Wednesday, Sept. 3 – 8:02-2:42 *All Students
· Grade 5, 6 and 7 will report to their homerooms
· Grade 8 & 9s will meet in the Main Gym
· Class lists will be posted in the Main Gym
Thursday, Sept. 4 – 6:30-8:00pm *Parent Invite
· Meet the Principal Evening in the Main Gym
Parents are invited to join us to find out more about the upcoming year. Specifically, we will
discuss the new report card, assessment, D2L and supports at Bishop Pinkham.
II. Teacher Contact Information:
Beginning last week, homeroom teachers have been contacting parents to welcome them to the new school year. In addition to that information, the following is a list of teacher names by homeroom and subject. Please note that you can also find teacher contact information on our school website.
As the Bishop Pinkham website continues to be updated this week, parents will be able to access information about the school including the calendar, hours, student handbook, teacher contact lists and information about upcoming events.
The following will be the schedule for this week:
Tuesday, Sept. 2 – 8:02-2:42 *Grade 5,6,7 students only
· All students will come to the Main Gym
· Class lists will be posted in the Main Gym
· Lunch will be provided for all students (gluten-free options will be provided)
Wednesday, Sept. 3 – 8:02-2:42 *All Students
· Grade 5, 6 and 7 will report to their homerooms
· Grade 8 & 9s will meet in the Main Gym
· Class lists will be posted in the Main Gym
Thursday, Sept. 4 – 6:30-8:00pm *Parent Invite
· Meet the Principal Evening in the Main Gym
Parents are invited to join us to find out more about the upcoming year. Specifically, we will
discuss the new report card, assessment, D2L and supports at Bishop Pinkham.
II. Teacher Contact Information:
Beginning last week, homeroom teachers have been contacting parents to welcome them to the new school year. In addition to that information, the following is a list of teacher names by homeroom and subject. Please note that you can also find teacher contact information on our school website.
III. Class Configurations
Class Lists
Please note that the grade community teachers have worked together to make the best classroom placement decisions for our learners. Classes are balanced based on the academic, social and structural needs for all of the students. Placement requests are only considered, when parents have information that we are not aware of, and under the most extreme circumstances. We appreciate your support with these decisions.
Options
This year, there will be a new process for choosing options. Students in Grades 7-9 will be selecting their options on Thursday and Friday of this week. With the exception of students in Band or Resource, we will ask that during their option class, that students go to the Learning Commons to select their options. This new process will allow students to choose their preference directly with the option teachers, and will allow them to make better-informed decisions. Please note that, due to limited flexibility in the timetable, we were not able to offer French as a Second Language or Spanish as a Second Language this year. We hope to offer these options again in the 2015-2016 school year.
Class Sizes
The following are the class sizes for this year. Please note that the English & Spanish programs are combined for subjects taught in English.
Class Lists
Please note that the grade community teachers have worked together to make the best classroom placement decisions for our learners. Classes are balanced based on the academic, social and structural needs for all of the students. Placement requests are only considered, when parents have information that we are not aware of, and under the most extreme circumstances. We appreciate your support with these decisions.
Options
This year, there will be a new process for choosing options. Students in Grades 7-9 will be selecting their options on Thursday and Friday of this week. With the exception of students in Band or Resource, we will ask that during their option class, that students go to the Learning Commons to select their options. This new process will allow students to choose their preference directly with the option teachers, and will allow them to make better-informed decisions. Please note that, due to limited flexibility in the timetable, we were not able to offer French as a Second Language or Spanish as a Second Language this year. We hope to offer these options again in the 2015-2016 school year.
Class Sizes
The following are the class sizes for this year. Please note that the English & Spanish programs are combined for subjects taught in English.
III. Class Supplies
Grade 5: Please note that all classroom supplies have been ordered for the Grade 5s.
Grade 6: In the July update, we shared the Grade 6 Suggested Supplies List. Teachers will also provide another copy for the students when they arrive this week.
Grade 7-9: Teachers will provide a list of supplies to students during the first week of school. Supplies are specific to each class and will be detailed on the course syllabus for each class.
IV. Fee Information, Transportation and Noon Supervision forms:
Please note that on Thursday, September 4, a parent information package will be distributed to students.
Fees for Transportation, Noon Supervision and School based fees can be paid online at My CBE Account. Parents will need to register by creating an account in order to pay for their child’s fees. As you are aware, fees for Instructional Supplies and Materials (ISM), transportation and noon supervision have increased for the 2014-15 school year. This may cause financial hardship for some families. Parents can apply for a waiver if paying the fees poses financial hardship. The information to apply for a waiver is located at http://www.cbe.ab.ca/Parents/fees.asp#waivers.
Transportation: If you were not able to submit your transportation form to Bishop Pinkham by June 26, CBE transportation will require these forms to be mailed by parents. Please refer to the school webpage for this year's bus maps
V. Before and After School Childcare
In August, Calgary Child’s Play contacted me to let us know that due to low enrolment, that they would not continue to provide a before and after school care program at Bishop Pinkham.
We would encourage interested parents who are interested in pursuing a before and after school care program to come to the Meet the Principal Evening on Thursday, September 4 to discuss a support plan.
Grade 5: Please note that all classroom supplies have been ordered for the Grade 5s.
Grade 6: In the July update, we shared the Grade 6 Suggested Supplies List. Teachers will also provide another copy for the students when they arrive this week.
Grade 7-9: Teachers will provide a list of supplies to students during the first week of school. Supplies are specific to each class and will be detailed on the course syllabus for each class.
IV. Fee Information, Transportation and Noon Supervision forms:
Please note that on Thursday, September 4, a parent information package will be distributed to students.
Fees for Transportation, Noon Supervision and School based fees can be paid online at My CBE Account. Parents will need to register by creating an account in order to pay for their child’s fees. As you are aware, fees for Instructional Supplies and Materials (ISM), transportation and noon supervision have increased for the 2014-15 school year. This may cause financial hardship for some families. Parents can apply for a waiver if paying the fees poses financial hardship. The information to apply for a waiver is located at http://www.cbe.ab.ca/Parents/fees.asp#waivers.
Transportation: If you were not able to submit your transportation form to Bishop Pinkham by June 26, CBE transportation will require these forms to be mailed by parents. Please refer to the school webpage for this year's bus maps
V. Before and After School Childcare
In August, Calgary Child’s Play contacted me to let us know that due to low enrolment, that they would not continue to provide a before and after school care program at Bishop Pinkham.
We would encourage interested parents who are interested in pursuing a before and after school care program to come to the Meet the Principal Evening on Thursday, September 4 to discuss a support plan.
VI. From the School Council and BPMPA
Volunteer and Get Involved!
There are many ways to get involved in your child’s school experience. We have a wonderful parent group who lead the School Council and the Bishop Pinkham Music Parents Association [BPMPA].
If you are interested in joining, please join us at the following meetings:
Fundraising
This year at Bishop Pinkham, we will focus our fundraising efforts to continue to provide enriched opportunities for learning and also improve the structure of our facility. We appreciate the support of our community and ask that you pencil in some upcoming opportunities to help out!
Entertainment Books
o From Sept 8-Sept 22, we will be selling these books and hope to raise $14000.00!
o All students will be bringing home a book on September 8. There will be more information to follow.
Casino
o This winter, we will be asking for volunteers to support us at our casino. We are very fortunate to have this opportunity for fundraising but it requires a lot of warm bodies! We will share the dates once they are confirmed.
Healthy Hunger
Another fundraiser for the School Council is the Healthy Hunger initiative. We all need a break making lunches and this fun lunch fundraiser is a hit for everyone! Please note that the following dates will be our special lunch dates. Once you know your child’s homeroom, parents will need to register at [www.healthyhunger.ca].
Healthy Hunger Dates:
Volunteer and Get Involved!
There are many ways to get involved in your child’s school experience. We have a wonderful parent group who lead the School Council and the Bishop Pinkham Music Parents Association [BPMPA].
If you are interested in joining, please join us at the following meetings:
- BPMPA – AGM on September 17, 2014
- School Council – Tuesday, September 23 at 6:30pm in the Learning Commons
Fundraising
This year at Bishop Pinkham, we will focus our fundraising efforts to continue to provide enriched opportunities for learning and also improve the structure of our facility. We appreciate the support of our community and ask that you pencil in some upcoming opportunities to help out!
Entertainment Books
o From Sept 8-Sept 22, we will be selling these books and hope to raise $14000.00!
o All students will be bringing home a book on September 8. There will be more information to follow.
Casino
o This winter, we will be asking for volunteers to support us at our casino. We are very fortunate to have this opportunity for fundraising but it requires a lot of warm bodies! We will share the dates once they are confirmed.
Healthy Hunger
Another fundraiser for the School Council is the Healthy Hunger initiative. We all need a break making lunches and this fun lunch fundraiser is a hit for everyone! Please note that the following dates will be our special lunch dates. Once you know your child’s homeroom, parents will need to register at [www.healthyhunger.ca].
Healthy Hunger Dates:
- 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