We wish to thank our community for the many messages and gestures of support since returning to work. Most recently, staff were truly honoured by the beautiful potluck lunch provided by parents - such a wide variety (and abundance!) of dishes and treats. Our teachers felt genuinely cared for and deeply appreciated.
It’s been a busy first full week back, and we’re looking forward to reconnecting with you during school conferences next week.
School Conferences | Nov 27-28 | Booking Now Open
School conferences will be held 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 opened 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'
- Choose your child (if you have more than one)
- Select 'Book a Conference'
- Choose Thursday (in person) or Friday (online)
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.
Scholastic Book Fair | November 24-27
Bring on book joy! The Scholastic Book Fair is almost here. Get ready…your favorite characters and series, cool posters, and all the awesome stuff you need to help you create your own story are coming to Mountain Park School on Nov 24- Nov 27. We’re so excited for the best week of the year... catch you at the Fair!
Scholastic Book Fair Family Event
Hey everyone! The Scholastic Book Fair Family Event is coming soon! On Thursday Nov 27 from 5-8 pm, bring your favorite grown-ups and check out tons of new books together, plus the family event draw. Don’t miss it!
School Council | Calling all MPS Volunteers
Mountain Park School’s Casino Fundraiser is rapidly approaching on December 11 & 12 at the Deerfoot Inn, and we need your help to make it a success! 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 a shift HERE.
Let’s get our community to come together to support MPS students and make this casino a winning success!
📸 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.
Grade 6 Seniors Secret Service
This year, our grade 6 classes are excited to participate in the Seniors Secret Service Christmas Cheer Program, which spreads kindness and joy to isolated seniors in our community during the holiday season. Through this initiative, students have the opportunity to practice important aspects of the grade 6 Social Studies and ELA curriculum - building citizenship, empathy, and a sense of community connection. The last day for donations will be November 25th. If you would like to participate and donate, please refer to your child’s Social Studies and ELA teachers for more information. Additional details can also be found in your email (via School Messenger) and on your child’s D2L shells for ELA and Social Studies. You can learn more about the program here at https://seniorssecretservice.com/christmas-cheer/
Grade 9 Zoo Field Trip | Volunteers Needed
Grade 9's will be going to the zoo on Monday, December 8th (Mr. Stickel's classes) and Wednesday, December 10th (Ms. DeCae's classes). If you would like to volunteer, please email your child's respective science teacher. Volunteers will need to have an up-to-date police check and a completed Annual Volunteer Registration Form from the school. Please reach out to Mr. Stickel (lostickel@cbe.ab.ca) or Mrs. DeCae (erdecae@cbe.ab.ca) for more information.
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.
Instructional Calendar Updates
- 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.
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
Art Club
New club! Do you want to express your creative ideas? Come to the art room Tuesdays at the beginning of lunch (grade 6 students must go to their lunch room for attendance first). We will be working on junk journals, mini masterpieces, and free drawing. All ages 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—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
Cookie Dough and Perogie Fundraiser - Our annual cookie dough and more fundraiser has launched! Get your orders in to support the band! Click here.
Parent info letter available HERE.
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 24 – Monday
Wrestling Practice @ 7:45-9:00am
November 25 – Tuesday
Band 7/8/9 to MRU
November 26 – Wednesday
Wrestling Practice @ 7:45-9:00am
November 27 – Thursday
School Conferences – In Person @ 5:00-8:00pm
November 28 – Friday
No School
Virtual School Conferences - Online @ 9:00-2:00pm
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 our MPS Calendar regularly for key dates and upcoming events.
Angela Takla
Principal, Mountain Park School
Natasha Duffy
Assistant Principal, Mountain Park School