MPS Weekly Update | December 5, 2025  

 

Seniors Secret Service Initiative 

Ms. McInnes, Mr. Lyons and Ms. Wasylciw wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to all the families and students who donated to our Seniors Secret Service Initiative. Your generosity helped make the project a huge success, and our grade 6 classes were so proud to contribute to something meaningful for our community. We truly appreciate your support! 

Donations Needed 

Grade 6 Health and Wellness students are working on a special community service project focused on empathy and we need your help! We are seeking donations of Christmas or holiday-themed scrapbook paper, stickers, glitter, new or used cards, ribbon, and other craft supplies. If you have any extras tucked away, please consider sending them to the office, attention Ms. Hunt. Thank you for your generous support! 

Calgary Food Bank Donations     

We are having our first homeroom competition by collecting donations for the Calgary Food Bank. For every item that is brought into your homeroom, classes will get a 'point' towards their final total. The class with the most points by the end of the food drive, will receive a class pizza party on Thursday, December 18th at lunch. Donations will be accepted until Monday, December 15th, when final totals will be calculated. These are the items most in demand at the Food Bank.

Candy Grams on Sale 

Would you like to send a little token of appreciation to your friend or teacher? Starting on Monday, December 8th, we will be selling Candy Grams (candy canes with a personalized message) at lunch. These Candy Grams will be $1 each or 3/$2 dollars. Sales will continue during lunchtime until Thursday, December 11th. All candy grams will be passed out on Thursday, December 18th.  

Annual MPS Street Fair 

We will be having the annual MPS Street Fair on Friday, December 19th. Street Fair is an hour block of time where we come together as a community to celebrate the holiday season before our Winter Break.

Each homeroom has come up with an idea and plan for a ‘winter carnival’ station. During the hour, students will be able to go to different classrooms and partake in the games and activities to enjoy connecting with their peers and win prizes.

Most games will cost a small amount of money (anywhere from $1-$2), but there will also be activities that don’t have a cost associated. The money raised will go towards the Calgary Food Bank.   

New this year: we will be using tickets instead of money. Students can bring in money throughout the week and buy tickets at lunch for the street fair, or they can purchase the tickets the day of. This has been communicated to students in their homeroom classes.  

Holiday Spirit Week 

Monday, December 15th - Friday December 19th will be our Holiday themed spirit week. Dress up in your favorite holiday gear to show your school spirit! 

  • Monday: Holiday Character Day or Festive Color Day 
  • Tuesday: Tacky Holiday Sweater 
  • Wednesday: Flannel Day 
  • Thursday: Holiday Hat Day 
  • Friday: PJ Day 

School Council | Casino Volunteer Still Needed 

Thank you to all the parents and community members who answered the call to help make Mountain Park School’s Casino Fundraiser a success! The dates are rapidly approaching on December 11 & 12 at the Deerfoot Inn, and we have one more position we must fill.   

This event plays a huge role in enhancing the learning experience for all MPS students, and it’s a fun way to connect with our amazing school community. No experience needed — just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to help!  

Sign up for the last shift here.  

Be Brave Hitmen Game 

Field trip forms for the Calgary Hitmen Be Brave hockey game went home this week. Please return as soon as possible. Fees are payable on PowerSchool. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the form that was sent home. 

📸 Don’t Miss Out — Order Your 2025–2026 School Yearbook! 

Capture the moments, friendships, and memories that your child will treasure for years to come. Yearbooks are now available to purchase through PowerSchool under Optional Fees for $42.  

This keepsake is a wonderful way for students to look back on their school journey and celebrate the year’s highlights. 

If you need help with how to purchase, please refer to the step-by-step guide

Report Cards  

Due to labour action, the CBE has adjusted the date Report Cards will be visible in PowerSchool. They will now be visible on February 24, 2026.  

School Council  

We welcome new and returning members of our community to attend upcoming monthly meeting dates that are set for 6pm in our MPS Learning Commons as follows: Dec 10, Feb 4, Mar 11, April 8, and May 13. Dates can also be located in our online MPS Calendar on our website. We will be hosting both in-person and virtual offerings. MPS School Council is eagerly looking for volunteers. Positions still available this year include:   

  • Secretary – Ensures all the recordings for school council are in order for Society meetings 
  • Key Communicator – member represents MPS School Council at Board meetings with CBE and our Board of Trustees (approximately 3 meetings in the year)  

Please send any inquiries for School Council directly to the following address: mpsschoolcouncil312@gmail.com  

Attendance 

If your child is going to be absent, have a medical appointment or late, please email the attendance email at mpsattendance@cbe.ab.ca. If your student needs to leave school early, please let the office know whenever possible via the attendance email at mpsattendance@cbe.ab.ca. This will ensure the student is ready in the office when you arrive, reducing wait time and class disruption. Thank you.  

MPS Learning Lounge  

In-person Learning Support Sessions, available for all students each morning before classes in the MPS Learning Commons. We are targeting two core subject areas each day in alignment with our 2025-2026 School Development Plan: Mathematics and Literacy. Various subject area teachers are present to provide an additional layer of support for those students who wish to access it as follows:    

  • Monday - Thursday from 8:40-9:10 am   
  • Front doors will be unlocked for student entry from 8:35-8:45 am only. Students must be here by 8:45 at the latest in order to make effective use of this support. Students arriving after this time will need to wait until the doors re-open at the morning bell.   
  • Students are welcome to attend as often as needed but must come prepared to learn with assignments, homework, test review or specific topics they require support with (ex. polynomials, persuasive essay writing, etc.).   
  • Students will be provided access to computers when required to utilize D2L and written assignment work only. 

Clubs

NEW | Puzzle Club 

Do you enjoy making puzzles? Come join Ms. LeBlanc in room 114 for Puzzle Club. Bring your lunch and come right at 12:10 to get started. All sixth grade students must remember to check in with their lunchroom supervisor first so attendance can be taken. Lots of puzzles available or bring your own. It will happen every Monday and Tuesday at lunch.   

Dungeons and Dragons 

Our Dungeons and Dragons club has started.  Please join us every Tuesday from 4:00-5:00 pm. All experience levels are welcome. 

Art Club 

Do you want to express your creative ideas? Come to the art room on Tuesdays at the beginning of lunch (grade 6 students must go to their lunchroom for attendance first). We will be working on junk journals, mini masterpieces, and free drawings. All grades welcome!  

MPS Coffee House  
Love music? Whether you sing, play guitar, piano, percussion, or all of the above; Coffee House is your stage! Join us for a chill, creative space where students perform solo or in groups, share their musical talents, and support each other. No pressure, just passion. Come jam, vibe, and make some noise! 

  • When: Wednesdays at lunch  
  • Where: Band Room 
  • Any questions? Please see Mr. MacDonald, Mr. Heney, or Ms. Wahl. 

Chess Club  

Get ready to sharpen your mind and make your move—Whether you're a grandmaster in the making or just learning how the knight moves, everyone is welcome. Come for the strategy, stay for the fun, and challenge your friends to a battle of brains. Chess Club meets every Thursday at lunch in Room 113. Please see Mr. MacDonald if you have any questions. 

Band 

December Newsletter: Link 

Cookie Dough and Perogie Fundraiser - Thank you to all those who supported our fundraiser! More details in the newsletter. 

Jazz Band will be on Tuesdays at lunch and Fridays at 8:00 am. Everyone welcome! 

Ongoing Fundraisers 

TruEarth Laundry Strips:  A true eco-friendly product.  No plastic jugs just compressed soap strips that clean your laundry, toilet bowls, laundry stains, kitchens, and dishes!  This is an ongoing fundraiser.  

 Bottle Drive – Drop off your empties and support the band! 

1) South Pointe Bottle Depot (behind The Home Depot on 130th Avenue SE) 5126 126 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 0H2. Please let them know the funds go to the Mountain Park School Band.  

2) Deerfoot Bottle Depot (near Douglasdale Professional Centre) 11440 29 St SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 3V5. Please tag the bags as LG782.  

We appreciate your support!  

Upcoming Activities  

December 8 – Monday 

Wrestling Practice @ 7:45-9:00am 

Zoo Field Trip – Grade 9 

December 9 – Tuesday 

SWAT Team at MRU – all day 

Jazz Band Rehearsal @ 12:00pm 

Sports Performance to Toppler Bowling 

Dungeons and Dragons Club @ 4:00-5:00 

December 10 – Wednesday 

Coffee House @ lunch in the Band room 

Wrestling Divisionals – Genesis Center NE 

Zoo Field Trip – Grade 9 

School Council Meeting @ 6:00 – Learning Commons 

December 11 – Thursday 

Chess Club at lunch in room 113 

Grade 9 Immunizations 

December 12 – Friday 

Jazz Band Rehearsal @ 8:00 – 9:00am 

CBE Days of Significance 

The CBE is committed to building a culture of appreciation and inclusion, where students and staff can see themselves valued, respected and celebrated. For more information on key dates, please visit the CBE Dates of Significance webpage.   

Don’t forget to check our MPS Calendar regularly for key dates and upcoming events.  

Angela Takla 

Principal, Mountain Park School  

Natasha Duffy 

Assistant Principal, Mountain Park School