September 11, 2026
Dear West Springs Families,
It has been so incredible to have our hallways filled with happy smiles and joyful conversation as we started the school year the last two weeks. Beginning the year together in a good way, we brought all the students and staff into the gymnasium to read a story, I am enough, by Grace Byers, and take some time to think about the kind of community we want to create together this year. The beginning of the school year is the perfect time for these conversations to take place and we asked the students; “what can YOU do?” Helping a classmate, a smile in the hallway, inviting someone to play, listening with kindness, noticing when someone needs a friend. These small actions can make a big difference.
We are so happy to begin this journey together.
Mrs. Westgate and Ms. MacMillan, West Springs School admin team
Welcome Back Picnic and Meet the Teacher Sept 24
West Springs School Council and the WSSDA Parent Association would like to invite all WSS students and parents to our 3rd Annual Welcome Back Picnic on Thursday, September 24 from 4:00 – 5:00 pm, to celebrate the start of the 2026-27 school year.
Please bring a blanket and a meal to enjoy with your family and join us in the school compound and playground area. Alternatively, you may purchase Subway sandwiches for the event through Healthy Hunger. Information can be found below. This is an excellent opportunity to reconnect with old friends and meet new families in the West Springs School community.
From 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm, please head into the school for the Open House to visit your child(ren)’s classroom(s) and meet West Springs School’s amazing staff. There will be 3 brief presentations by teachers about classroom routines, communication and expectations. These will be every half hour at 5:10, 5:40 and 6:10 to help make sure families can visit multiple classrooms.
We look forward to seeing you.
Subway option for the picnic:
West Springs School is hosting a parent/teacher meet and greet event on September 24. The School Council has set up an order form on the “Healthy Hunger” website (the same one that is used for Fun Lunches) to allow you to purchase Subway sandwiches for the event, which will be delivered directly to the school and can be picked up on arrival. Purchasing food for the event is of course optional. Food can be ordered for students as well as other family members (however, please note that due to limitations of the Healthy Hunger system the toppings for each sandwich must be the same). Please sign up for Healthy Hunger and order food here by September 19. Please note that this is NOT a Fun Lunch. Food ordered for September 24 will only arrive after school for the Welcome Back picnic. Please ensure you send your child with a lunch on September 24.
Annual Volunteer Registration Required for All School Volunteers
To ensure the safety and security of CBE students and staff, all volunteers must register with the school each school year before participating in volunteer activities.
The Annual Volunteer Registration Form is valid for the current school year only. All volunteers, including returning volunteers, must complete a new registration form each school year before participating in volunteer activities.
Parents and guardians can register as volunteers through the SchoolEngage tab in their MyCBE account. As part of the registration process, all volunteers must review the updated Protection of Privacy Act (POPA) requirements and sign to indicate their agreement with the conditions outlined in the form.
New this year: As an additional requirement under the new POPA legislation, community members who are not parents/guardians of a child registered with CBE must complete their volunteer registration in person at the school they wish to volunteer.
Yearbook Pick Up
The School Council will also be handing out yearbooks for the 2025/2026 School Year at the Meet and Greet. If you pre-purchased one, please feel free to grab yours there (if you are unable to attend the Meet and Greet, we will deliver remaining yearbooks to children in their classrooms as well as at West Ridge School with respect to last year’s Grade Four students). There are also a few yearbooks available for sale for those who did not pre-purchase, on a first-come first-serve basis. Please bring $25.00 cash (exact change only) to the Meet and Greet to purchase one.
Urgent need for this year’s Yearbook designer
We currently DO NOT have a volunteer yearbook designer for the 2026/2027 school year, which could mean that WE WILL NOT have a yearbook. Please consider volunteering to assist in this role so that your children can have this important memory. You will not be required to take or acquire photos (as that is done by other volunteers), just create the layout and design of the yearbook itself, at your own home and at your convenience, using Lifetouch’s software. If you’re interested, please reach out to westspringsschoolcouncil@gmail.com. That being said, we also love volunteers who can take photos for us at events (as well as volunteers generally!), so please also reach out to us if you’d like to help!
New! Updated lunch bell times
Grades 3 & 4 11:50-12:30; Grades 1 & 2 12:35-1:15 pm
Lifetouch Photo Day
Students will be having their individual photos on September 17th. We are looking for volunteers to help with bringing students to and from the photo area. Please volunteer on sign up genius which can be found on our website. Volunteers must have a valid security clearance with the CBE
On the Horizon
Sept 17 Individual Student Photo Day
Sept 17 School Council Meeting – all welcome!
Sept 24 Welcome Back Picnic (Order your Subway Picnic Dinner in Healthy Hunger and Meet the Teacher
Sept 25 Non-Instructional Day (no school for students)
Sept 29 Orange Shirt Day (WSS recognizes National Day for Truth and Reconciliation)
Sept 30 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (no school for students)