Cross Country
The Cross Country Team finished an awesome season of races this week. Congratulations to all our runners for representing Mountain Park with athleticism, sportsmanship and determination. The team will have a pizza lunch together in the foods room on Oct.2nd to celebrate their success. Go Wolverines!
School Council
We welcome new and returning members of our community to attend upcoming monthly meeting dates that have now been set for 6 pm in our MPS Learning Commons as follows: Oct 8, 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:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F4BA9A928A6F49-58308634-mountain
Please send any inquiries for School Council directly to the following address: mpsschoolcouncil312@gmail.com
Terry Fox Fundraising | Date Extended Until Oct 2
We will continue our fundraising efforts toward the Terry Fox Foundation next week. Every $2 donated, students will receive a ticket to enter the draw of their choosing. Donations can be made during the first half of lunch in the foyer. Prizes include:
- Private lunch hour in the Main Gym, Aux Gym, or Learning Commons (The winners for each of these spaces will get a lunch hour for just them and their friends)
- Terry Fox T-shirt (2 available)
- Candy Basket
- $20 in gift cards to Indigo
- Ice Cream Sundae making for you and 5 friends in the foods room
- The chance to choose Mr. Heney's next haircut (that he will commit to for at least a week)
In addition to this, if the school as a whole raises a minimum of $500, every student who donates will have their name entered to pie a teacher at our next assembly. Once we pass the $500 mark, additional "Pie a teacher" will be drawn for every $100 raised.
If you would like to donate online, you can do so at the link below. Students who donate online can still receive tickets to enter the draw. Just email Ms. LeBlanc (hlleblanc@cbe.ab.ca) after the donation has been made and their tickets will be waiting for them.
Online Donation: https://schools.terryfox.ca/97876
Grade 8/9 Eastern Canada Trip Information Night | Save the Date
On Wednesday, October 1st, at 6:00pm, we will be holding an information meeting for parents/guardians and students that are interested in attending the Eastern Canada Trip that we will be offering this year at Mountain Park. The meeting will take place in the Learning Commons at the school.
Teachers will be reviewing the trip, expectations, dates, and costs associated. Attendance is highly recommended. Additional information and contact email are below.
For over 55 years, EF has been working to keep minds and the world, wide open. They design tours to help educators teach, so students can learn more about tolerance, other perspectives and themselves. They will experience the many attractions on display in three of Canada’s grandest cities. Explore the European flair and historic downtown core of Montreal. Study the majestic architecture of Quebec City. In Ottawa, students will get a glimpse behind the scenes of Canadian politics with a visit to the Parliament Buildings. Visits to the Canadian Museum of History and the National Art Gallery, give students a global perspective. Questions? Please contact Mrs. LeBlanc at hlleblanc@cbe.ab.ca
Healthy Hunger
We are excited to let you know that MPS will be starting up our Healthy Hunger program again! For those who are new to Healthy Hunger, it is an online platform that allows families to order hot lunches delivered to their kids at school - a fun treat for the kids & also one of Mountain Park School’s main fundraisers. A win-win!
We are aiming to arrange these lunches every Wednesday starting soon, with additional lunches on Mondays in support of the Band program. The first lunch will be on Monday, September 22 - orders must be placed by Wednesday, September 17th. We will offer lunches from a variety of restaurants, and families can order as many or few as they choose.
- It’s easy to order, just go to www.healthyhunger.ca
Click on “Register Student” to set up your account (or sign in if you have an account already) - You can add and manage all of your children in the same account
For each student, ensure you’ve selected Mountain Park School, and the correct Homeroom/Class or lunchroom for Grade 6 students (to ensure the food finds its way to them!) - Check out the lunches that we’ve posted so far - you can sign up for as many as you like, and pay online when you’re done ordering (no need to send $ to school - yay!)
- Note: the cut-off for orders is 5 days before the lunch - orders for Monday lunches are due the Wednesday before, and orders for Wednesday lunches are due the Friday before.
Note: Grade 6 Students have their Healthy Hunger assigned based on the classroom they eat their have lunch in – not by homeroom. Please double check to make sure you have the correct lunchroom. If you need confirmation on this, please call the main office at 403-777-6442.
School Start-Up Packages | Forms Past Due
A reminder that CBE requires each student to complete forms online each year via the parent portal (MyCBE – Online Forms), including Demographic Verification updates, Annual Volunteer and Media Release forms. We appreciate parents / guardians attending to this as soon as possible.
Getting to School Safely
We know families make the transportation choices that work best for them, and some students may arrive on eBikes or eScooters. While these are fine for getting to and from school, please note that CBE guidelines do not allow eBikes or eScooters to be used on school property except when part of an instructional activity. This means students may not ride them on school grounds for extracurricular purposes. Thanks for helping us keep our campus safe and welcoming for everyone!
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 waiting time and class disruption.
Athletics Spectator Policy
This is the spectator policy for all athletic events that will be taking place here at Mountain Park School. We have reviewed the material with all students during physical education class this week to ensure all students are aware of expectations and policies.
Physical Education
Starting on Monday, Sept 8, all students are asked to change for physical education class. We encourage students to wear gray shirts and black bottoms (shorts, sweats, leggings), but any combination of black or gray is appropriate. Students are expected to change their clothes for physical education classes for hygiene reasons and dress for the weather (hats, sunscreen, sweaters, bug spray, bring a water bottle). Upcoming units include Basketball, Soccer, Black Top, Diamond, Low Organized Games, and Health.
Gym Strips are available for purchase from the physical education office. Gym Shirts are $20.00 and Gym Shorts are $30.00. Students are able to bring cash and purchase at school or parents can email request to Mrs. Lock (dalock@cbe.ab.ca) to have the fees uploaded to PowerSchool for purchase.
Looking forward to an active year!
MPS Learning Lounge
We will continue to offer our 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 starting on Wednesday, October 1st
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 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 starting October 2nd in Room 113. Please see Mr. MacDonald if you have any questions.
Pokémon Go Club
Hey Trainers! Looking to hone your catching skills and make new friends? Pokémon Go Club happens every Monday and Wednesday at Lunch. Meet Mr. Stickel and others at the front doors to start catching them all!
Band
September Newsletter: Link
Band Forms will be coming home soon. Please return by October 3rd. Watch for fees in PowerSchool
Volunteers needed! Get your security clearance up-to-date with the school office.
Jazz Band will be starting on October 3rd at 8:00 am. 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!
- 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.
- 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
September 29 - Monday
No School PD Day
September 30 – Tuesday
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation – Check out City-wide Events (School is Closed)
October 1 – Wednesday
Senior Girls Basketball Practice @ 7:45-9:00am
Girls Soccer Game @ Mountain Park School @ 4:45-5:45pm
Grade 8/9 Eastern Canada Trip Information Meeting @ 6:00pm
October 2 – Thursday
Jr. Girls Basketball Practice 7:45-9:00am
Senior Boys Basketball Practice @ 4:00-5:00pm
Boys Soccer Game @ Lakeshore @ 4:30-5:30pm
Senior Girls Basketball Game @ McKenzie Highlands 5:30pm and 6:30pm
October 3 – Friday
Junior Boys Basketball Practice @ 7:45-9:00am
Jazz Band Rehearsal @ 8:00am
Boys Soccer Practice @ 1:20-2:00pm
Girls Soccer Practice @ 1:20-2:00pm
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.
Have a wonderful long weekend,
Angela Takla
Principal, Mountain Park School