Our first full week with students has been a busy and productive time establishing routines and expectations for our students, and enjoying getting to know everyone. I am pleased to report that students have responded very positively thus far to our “Away for the Day” policy as it pertains to personal mobile devices. It has already had a noticeable effect.
MPS School Council AGM
Please join us at the MPS Learning Commons on Monday, September 16th 2024 at 6:30 pm to kick off the 2024/2025 school year! The AGM will include information about budgets, fundraising, and events for this school year. Our meetings are informal in nature and a great opportunity to meet other families. Please join us if you are able. Mountain Park School Council is also eagerly looking for volunteers. Positions available this year include the following:
Treasurer – Book keeper and banking
Healthy Hunger Lead - Coordinates all Wednesday's special lunches and Band Special lunches
Secretary - Ensures all the recordings for school councils are in order for Society meetings
Healthy Hunger - meet every Wednesday and help sort out lunches
Vice Chair - Supporting Chair
School Council will be hosting the Welcome BBQ for all students of MPS on
Friday, September 20th 2024 at 11am. If you are available to volunteer for this event and have security clearance, please email the School Council Chair, Alnisha Merchant.
We look forward to seeing returning members and new families at our meeting next week.
Terry Fox Run
Students will be participating in our annual Terry Fox Run during homeroom on Friday, September 20. We will kick off our fundraising on Monday, September 16 and are asking that all donations are made by Tuesday, October 1st. This year, we are going to try something new with our donations. For every $2 that a student donates, they will receive a ticket. This ticket can be used to enter a draw for prizes. The following prizes are up for grabs:
- A Terry Fox T-shirt
- An entire lunch hour to use the main gym with just you and up to 15 of your friends
- An entire lunch hour to use the AUX gym with just you and up to 15 of your friends
- An entire lunch hour to use the Learning Commons with just you and up to 15 of your friends
- A Candy Basket
Students can bring their donations to the foyer during the first half of lunch. Online donations can also be made at https://schools.terryfox.ca/MountainPark
*If you would like tickets for your online donation, please have your child bring in a copy of the receipt, or email Ms. LeBlanc (hlleblanc@cbe.ab.ca) with the amount donated and the name of your child.
Spirit Week
Leading up to the Terry Fox Run, we will be holding a spirit week at MPS. Students are encouraged to show their school spirit and participate daily in the various themes listed below:
Monday: Jersey Day – wear some gear from your favorite sports team
Tuesday: Anything-but-a-backpack Day – be creative and carry around your items for the day in “anything but a backpack.”
Wednesday: Twin Day – choose a friend, or a group of friends, and all wear matching outfits
Thursday: Mismatched Outfit Day – Go wild with your outfit...wear 2 different socks or shoes, non-matching colors, the choice is yours!
Friday: Wolverine Wear – in support of the Terry Fox Run, show your Wolverine Pride by wearing your MPS gear. Don’t have MPS gear yet? Black and Grey are our colours.
MPS Learning Lounge
We have launched our Learning Support Sessions for students each morning before classes in the MPS Learning Commons. We are targeting two core subject areas each day: Mathematics and Literacy. Subject area teachers in these areas are present to provide an additional layer of support for those students who wish to access it as follows:
- Monday - Thursday from 8:30-9:00 am
- Front doors will be unlocked for student entry from 8:25-8:35 am only. Students must be here by 8:35 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
Physical Education
All students are now expected to start changing for physical education class. T-Shirts are available for purchase for $25.00 cash from the physical education office and can be purchased at lunch or afterschool for 15 minutes after the bell. Proper running shoes are essential for safe participation in physical education class.
For the bottom portion of gym strip we are hoping students can wear black. The bottoms may consist of shorts, sweatpants, leggings, joggers, or track pants. However, it is important that it is different than what students wear to school for hygiene reasons.
Athletics
Please make sure to fill out the Annual Authorization that your student received on their first day at school, so they can try out for athletics at Mountain Park School.
Field Trips
Gr. 9 Field Trip – Riverwatch | Volunteers Needed
Riverwatch is a fun field trip where students get to raft down the bow river, complete water testing and learn about Calgary's river ecosystems. We have received two dates: October 2nd and 3rd. More details will be released as we have them. If you are interested in volunteering with us, please check with the office if your security clearance is up to date. We thank you in advance for helping us make this super fun day happen! – Ms. James and Mr. Stickel
Gr. 8 Field Trip – Weaselhead | Volunteers Needed
Weaselhead is a fun field trip where students get to test water quality using chemical and biological indicators within Glenmore Park. We have received two dates: October 28th and 29th. More details will be released as we have them. If you are interested in volunteering with us please check with the office if your security clearance is up to date. We thank you in advance for helping us make this super fun day happen! – Ms. Birky and Mr. Stickel
Technology
Did you know there’s a free app for D2L called ‘Brightspace Pulse’? After installing it on your cell, search for Calgary Board of Education, use your child’s log in information and password, and gain access to information from all their classes. Turn on push notifications to get instant updates! Contact Ms. Hunt (kohunt@cbe.ab.ca) for assistance.
Band
Our MPS AGM is on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at 7:00 pm in the school gymnasium. One parent/guardian of each student is asked to attend this mandatory meeting. Information about the band program, workshops, and band camps will be discussed. This meeting also doubles as the parent information night which is required if your child will be attending any overnight trips with the band.
Band forms will be sent home in mid-September. Please have them filled out and returned by October 4, 2024, along with payment for the Band Resource Fee. The Music Instrument Rental Fee in PowerSchool will be in your accounts shortly.
If you had an instrument rental over the summer, please return ASAP so we can finalize instruments for the school year.
School Start-Up Packages
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.
Library
We are thrilled to share that our school was selected to participate in the Indigo Adopt a School program this year from September 13 - October 6. Visit the Indigo South trail store at 130 Ave SE between Sept 13 - Oct 6 to donate money or buys books for the school.
Alternatively, you can visit our online Indigo store to support the school.
https://indigoloveofreadingfoundation.givecloud.co/fundraisers/mountain-park-school.
100% of the Money raised comes to Mountain park school. Please share with your friends and neighbors!
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 Website
Upcoming Activities
September 16 – Monday
AM
Junior Girls Basketball Tryout #2 7:45-9:00am
PM
Boys Soccer Game @ Lakeshore School 4:30-6:00pm
Junior Boys Basketball Tryout #3 4:00-5:00 pm
Girls Soccer Practice 4:00-5:00pm
September 17– Tuesday
AM
Junior Girls Basketball Tryout #3 7:45- 9:00am
Boys Soccer Practice 8:00-9:00am
PM
Senior Girls Basketball Practice 4:00-5:00pm
Cross County Meet @ Glenmore Park 4:30-6:30pm
September 18 - Wednesday
AM
Senior Boys Basketball Practice 7:45-9:00am
Girls Soccer Practice 7:45-9:00am
PM
Boys Soccer Game @ MPS 4:30-6:00pm
Junior Boys Basketball Practice 4:00-5:00pm
September 19 – Thursday
AM
Senior Girls Basketball Practice 7:45-9:00am
PM
Girls Soccer Game @ McKenzie Highland School 4:30-6:00pm
Cross Country Practice 4:00-5:00pm
Junior Girls Basketball Practice 4:00-5:00pm
September 20 – Friday
AM
Senior Boys Basketball Practice 7:45-9:00am
Terry Fox Run
Welcome BBQ Lunch
Wishing everyone in our community a wonderful weekend,
Angela Takla
Principal, Mountain Park School