Dear West Springs Families,
Thanks to all who joined us for the Welcome Back Picnic and Meet the Teacher yesterday. It was very exciting to welcome everyone back into our school for a new year of learning. Specials thanks to our School Council for helping with the Subway orders!
New Scooter Racks
Like riding a scooter to school? Please lock them up in our awesome new racks right outside the front door! These racks were generously provided by the WSSDA. Thank you! The photos below show how scooters can be locked on the new racks. Ours are silver, not blue but have the same chains.
Lunch Transition – Bring a Lunch kit!
We ask that all students have one lunch kit that can hold their food items for the day. During lunch our students transition from the classroom to lunch tables in the hallway and then back to class before heading outside to play. For ease of transition please be sure to have all food items in one lunch bag/box or case so children can independently carry their lunch. Multiple containers/thermoses are not easy for small hands to carry. Stay tuned to next week’s update for a play-by-play of how our new lunch program works!
Leaving School Early
Please note school finishes at 3:40pm Monday to Thursday and 12:50pm on Fridays. Your children are engaged in important learning activities until the bell rings. If it is necessary to pick up your child prior to dismissal time, you (or an adult you designate) must come to the office and sign them out in person. This person must be listed as a contact in PowerSchool to have authorization to pick up your child(ren).
There is no parking directly outside the front door of the school, at any point even past West Ridge School. Please use our Hug and Go, a spot where you can drop your children off from 8:45am. There is City of Calgary signage that says “Passenger Loading Zone only” with a No parking sign. Vehicles cannot be left unattended in this area to the right of the main office door.
School Council – Thursday, September 19, 6:30pm
Link to school council meeting
New Doors
In order to help mitigate congestion at the doors during school entry, we have decided to change some of the doors students are entering.
Kindergarten students will now enter through the main office doors. There will be pylons with teacher names to designate where students should stand to wait for teachers to open the doors so that we can still keep the main entrance free for emergency use.
Grade 4 students will now use the compound doors. Students are expected to be on the compound as their designated “zone” when waiting in the morning.
Grade 3 students will continue to use the portable stairs as their entrance. Students must not congregate at the bottom of the stairs in the morning; there will be signs and teachers outside Monday morning designating the “zone” where grade 3s can wait for the doors to open.
Grade 1 and 2 doors are unchanged. Thank you.
This week in PE (Sep 3-13)
Over the last few weeks, our focus has been on understanding rules and routines in the gym, how to resolve conflicts using Rock, Paper, Scissors and enhancing teamwork and cooperation. We have also begun playing games to practice moving safely in our space. Grades 1 and 2 began practicing for the Terry Fox Run and Grades 3 and 4 began their marathon run project.
Kindergarten played • “I see I see” • bubble poppers
Grade 1/2 played • meet and greet, • RPS games (Olympics, Yaaaa, Evolution and Champions and Challengers) • Full body RPS and noodle relays • Terry Fox practice run
Grade 3/4 played • Crazy Cards challenge • Hunter hawks • RPS pyramid battle • Squad games – first to 30 and 1,2,3 up • Ultimate relay
UPCOMING EVENTS….. Terry Fox Run – Monday September 23rd at 2pm, parents welcome to attend. Swimming begins Oct 21st for some classes, look for your child’s schedule to come home soon.
On the Horizon
September 18th – Fun Lunch for M/W Kindergarten students: A&W
September 19th – Spirit Day theme: Wear your WSS Gear! Blue and White Day
September 19th – Fun Lunch: A&W
September 19th – School Council Meeting 6:30 pm
September 23rd – Terry Fox Run 2pm
September 26th – WSS Recognizing Orange Shirt Day
September 27 - Professional Learning Day - no school for students
September 30th - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – School is closed.
Have a great weekend,
Susan and Leah, WSS Admin Team