The energy in the school this week has been heartening as students reconnect with friends, teachers, and their learning routines. Teachers are looking forward to the potluck lunch provided by our incredible parent community today, and the numerous treats and messages we have received. We thank you for your patience and support as we’ve all settled back in after the recent labour action.
This week, our school also took time to honour Veteran’s Week through meaningful Remembrance Day activities in homeroom, reflecting on the courage and sacrifice of those who served. We wish all families a peaceful and enjoyable Fall Break. We look forward to welcoming students back on Thursday, November 13.
Instructional Calendar Updates
- Fall Break (Nov. 10–12) will continue as scheduled.
- Nov. 28 will remain a non-instructional day, which we will use for parent-teacher conferences, as scheduled.
- No additional changes will be made to the November or December instructional calendar.
- Early dismissal Fridays will continue as usual.
- The calendar will continue to be reviewed. If other adjustments to the school calendar are necessary, staff and families will be notified as early as possible.
Grade 8 Field Trip - Light & Optics Experience at Laser City | November 18
Trip forms are due to Mr. Stickel and Ms. Birky ASAP. Make sure to pay online to reserve our school's spot at Laser City. Thank you to all the parent volunteers that reached out to attend the trip!
School Conferences | Nov 27-28
School conferences will continue as scheduled on the evening of Thursday, November 27 (in-person, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm) and on Friday, November 28 (virtually, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm). Each session will be 10 minutes in length. When booking conferences, please allow adequate time to move (physically or virtually) from one meeting to the next. The Conference Manager will open at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, Nov 19 and will close at 9:00 pm on Thursday, November 27.
To book conferences, please log into your MyCBE account and follow these steps:
- Click on “Book and Manage Meeting Times”
- Select “Book a Conference”
- If you're new to booking multiple teachers please watch this short video.
School conferences provide an important opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about your child’s learning. Parents/guardians, students, and teachers are able to connect and communicate openly about areas of strength and growth. These discussions help build and sustain respectful relationships that support student success. Prior to your conference, please take time with your child to review PowerSchool for updated grades and D2L for course content and topics, ensuring a focused and informed discussion. If possible, please include your child in the conference as their voice is vital to understanding the next steps in their learning.
After booking, your conference details will appear in your MyCBE account. We recommend adding these to your email calendar to keep track of meeting times and links (if applicable).
Given the recent teacher strike and its impact on assessment timelines, teachers are continuing to update and analyze student data. While they will share available evidence of learning, we ask that families keep in mind that assessment information may still be in progress at this time. The focus of conferences will be on reconnecting, understanding current progress, and planning meaningful next steps to support each student’s continued growth.
We look forward to seeing you and your child at conferences and continuing our shared work in supporting their success.
Central and School Fees
Central fees will be available in MyCBE accounts in the coming days. Central fees for transportation and lunch supervision will be prorated. Families will not be charged for days when services were not provided. The school supplies fee for kindergarten to Grade 6 students will remain unchanged.
Families may have paid fees for field trips or other school-based activities. Many events will be rescheduled, and these fees can be applied to the new date or refunded/credited to accounts if cancelled.
Grade 8/9 Eastern Canada Trip
Missed the Eastern Canada Trip Meeting?
Please find all forms and information HERE.
If you have any questions, please email Ms. LeBlanc at hlleblanc@cbe.ab.ca.
Forms to be handed in:
- Parent Letter to Acknowledge Financial Commitment
- MPS Application
The due date for forms has been extended until Friday, November 14th at 1pm.
IPP Return Reminder
A reminder to all families to please return your child’s signed Individual Program Plan (IPP) to their IPP advocate as soon as possible. If you have any questions or need another copy, please contact your child's IPP advocate.
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: Nov 18, 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 available this year include:
Healthy Hunger - Mondays and Wednesdays approximately 1-2 hours during lunch time
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)
Casino – Our major fundraiser of the year is coming up! Please consider contributing your time on either Dec 11 and 12. If you are interested, please sign up here:
Please send any inquiries for School Council directly to the following address: mpsschoolcouncil312@gmail.com
Book Fair
The countdown to the Book Fair is on! From Nov 24 to Nov 28, the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Mountain Park School, with hundreds of awesome books that YOU get to choose from. We can’t wait to welcome you to the Best. Week. Ever.
Grade 9 Students | IB Program
The Henry Wise Wood High School International Baccalaureate Program Information Evening is happening on Wednesday, November 19th at 7:00pm in the HWW King Gymnasium for current Grade 9 students looking to apply for the IB program for the 2025-26 school year. Topics will include an overview of the IB program at Henry Wise Wood with components and requirements, university recognition, costs and benefits of the program. The evening will also be available online - the link and subsequent video can be found at info.hwwib.ca. If you have any questions about the evening or the IB Program at Henry Wise Wood High School, you can email the IB Diploma Coordinator (Mr. Glenn Finockio) at gofinockio@cbe.ab.ca
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
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 recommencing on Wednesday, Nov 6
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—Chess Club kicks off (again) next week! 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 recommencing Nov 6th in Room 113. Please see Mr. MacDonald if you have any questions.
Pokémon Go Club
Pokémon Go Club has finished for the winter. It will continue in the Spring!
Thank you to all the trainers who participated in the club! The club will resume in the spring.
Band
November Newsletter: Link
Band Spirit Wear! Extended! Deadline Nov 10th. Get your MPS Band Spirit Wear here!
Band 7-9 Field Trip to MRU - Field trip forms were sent home this week. Please return by November 14th
Band Fees - Band fees are now in PowerSchool.
Volunteers needed! Get your security clearance up-to-date with the school office.
Jazz Band will be on Tuesdays at lunch and Fridays at 8:00 am. Everyone welcome!
On Going Fundraisers
TruEarth Laundry Strips: http://tru-earth.sjv.io/MPSMPS 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
November 10 – Monday
Fall Break – No School
November 11 – Tuesday
Remembrance Day
No School
November 12 – Wednesday
Fall Break - No School
November 13 – Thursday
Wrestling Practice @ 7:45-9:00am
November 14 – Friday
Jazz Band Rehearsal @ 8:00am
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 out our MPS Calendar for key dates and upcoming events.
Angela Takla
Principal, Mountain Park School
Natasha Duffy
Assistant Principal, Mountain Park School