Weekly Update September 23-27
Greetings MPS! What an awesome Spirit Week we had at MPS as a kick off to fundraising for our annual Terry Fox Run, held today. We wish to thank our School Council for their generous support in hosting the Student Welcome BBQ Lunch, feeding wolverine appetites after today’s indoor run! Inclement weather was no match for our awesome MPS teachers who put on their rain gear to BBQ hotdogs in the rain and host indoor activities in lieu. We appreciate everyone who pivoted to pull off a great day! Please see the updates below for the week.
Attendance
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.
Terry Fox Run
Students participated in our annual Terry Fox Run during homeroom today – an indoor version called the MPS 500. Fundraising will continue next week and donations will be gratefully accepted until Tuesday, October 1st. Remember, for every $2 that a student donates, they will receive a ticket. This ticket can be used to enter a draw for prizes. Students can choose which prize draw they want to enter. 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 welcome!
*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.
Orange Shirt Day
Mountain Park School will recognize Orange Shirt Day on Thursday, September 26th this year. We are encouraging all students and staff to wear the colour orange as a way to reflect on, and honour, the individuals and families who were impacted by residential schools. By wearing an orange shirt, we are continuing our commitment to reconciliation through awareness and education.
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.
Physical Education
All students are expected to be changed 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 after school 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.
Grade 9 RiverWatch Field Trip
RiverWatch is an exciting field trip where students get to raft down the Bow River, complete water testing and learn about Calgary's diverse river ecosystems. We have our date set for October 2nd. There is limited capacity and we are able to bring 120 students. The students who return signed forms and paid fees will be joining the field trip on a first-come, first-serve basis. More details will be released as we have them. If you are interested in volunteering with us please confirm with the office that 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 an engaging field trip where students will have the opportunity 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 to confirm your security clearance is up to date. Thank you for supporting our science program – Ms. Birky and Mr. Stickel
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 shortly. 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 uploaded to your accounts.
Jazz Band will start Tuesday, Oct. 1. It will be every Tuesday at lunch and every Thursday morning 8:00 am – 9:00 am. This is an extracurricular activity and all band students are welcome to join.
Band Fundraiser
Cookie Dough 59 Minute Fundraiser: Friday, Nov 1st from 1:30 – 2:29 pm in the main foyer at MPS. There will be perogies, cinnamon buns, spreads, and muffins available. We encourage all band members to participate in selling during these 59 minutes. Details and information will come home soon. Our goal is 4 or more tubs per student. There will be prizes for the most tubs sold, honorable mentions, and more! The music program appreciates the continued support from the community, school, students, and parents. Thank you!
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 and thank those of you have already done so.
Library
Our school is fortunate to be participating in the Indigo Adopt a School program this year from
September 13 - October 6. Each year, the Indigo Adopt a School program unites Indigo, its employees, its customers and their communities in raising money to rejuvenate local school libraries across Canada.
Visit the Indigo South trail store at 130 Ave SE between Sept 13 - Oct 6 to donate money or buys books for the school. Please share with your friends and neighbors!
Upcoming Activities
September 23 – Monday
AM
Junior Boys Basketball Practice 7:45-9:00am
PM
Senior Boys Basketball Practice 4:00-5:00 pm
Girls Soccer Practice 4:00-5:00pm
Cross Country Meet @ North Glenmore Park @ 4:30
September 24– Tuesday
AM
Junior Girls Basketball Practice 7:45- 9:00am
Boys Soccer Practice 8:00-9:00am
PM
Senior Girls Basketball Practice 4:00-5:00pm
Senior Boys Basketball Game @ Marshall Springs @ 5:30-8:30pm
Girls Soccer Game @ MPS 4:00-6:00
September 25 - Wednesday
AM
Senior Boys Basketball Practice 7:45-9:00am
Girls Soccer Practice 7:45-9:00am
PM
Boys Soccer Game @ Fairview School 4:30-6:00pm
Junior Boys Basketball Practice 4:00-5:00pm
Cross Country Practice @ 4:00-5:00 pm
Senior Girls Basketball Game @ Marshall Springs @ 5:30-8:30pm
September 26 – Thursday
Orange Shirt Day
Meet the Teacher @ 5:00 - 7:30 pm
AM
Senior Girls Basketball Practice 7:45-9:00am
Boys Soccer Practice 8:00-9:00am
September 27 – Friday
Non Instructional Day – No School
As part of our fall focus on getting to know our students and building relationships, we are looking forward to meeting all our parents and guardians at our upcoming Meet the Teacher on Thursday, Sept 26. Please drop in to say hello between 5:00 - 7:30pm.
Take care and have a relaxing weekend,
Angela Takla
Principal, Mountain Park School