Weekly Update for September 1, 2024 

Dear Families, 

We hope you are enjoying the long weekend. There is no school tomorrow. 

We were thrilled with our smooth start up and want to thank you for all the work you did in getting your children ready for school.  

A reminder that our staff is listed on our website with teacher email addresses and the Sunday Weekly Update is always posted on the website too.    

Running Shoes Required in the Gym 

If you have not sent running shoes to school with your child, please see that they have them for next week. Running shoes are required for all gym classes inside.  

Busing Zone – 5 Buses now  

Please note we have 5 buses arriving before and after school from Walden. The hug and go area (10 minute parking) south of the crosswalk will be designated for buses. This means parents will need to park a little further away for drop off and pick up. Remember that you can always utilize the Fish Creek Prov. Park - Marshall Springs Parking area as a place to park with easy walking access to the school. 

Friday Updates 

A reminder to parents a letter was attached to the Friday Classroom messages explaining Walking Offsite Activities.  Teachers will give 24-hour notice to families if they are walking offsite. Please let teachers know if you need to pick up your child early to avoid delays during walking offsite trips. 

School Council and the School Enrichment Society 

Please consider joining us for our first School Council and School Enrichment Society Meeting on September 19, 2024. An overview of the past year will be provided and is on our website. Additionally, the group of parents will be discussing the calendar of events, Fun Lunches, and fundraisers such as a Halloween Dance on October 24 and their Casino on Oct 25 & 26.  They are always looking for volunteers to support these events.  

Absence or Late Reporting

Please call the office at 403-817-3428 Ext. 1 or email drfredamiller@cbe.ab.ca, if your child is going to be absent or late. Please provide the students full name, teacher and the reason they are going to be absent or late. 

Nut Aware and Scent Aware 

We are a nut aware and scent aware school due to severe allergies. 

  • There are some students and staff in our community who have severe or life threatening allergies to various environmental allergens. 
  • Peanuts, nuts, seafood, animal dander and fragrances tend to be the most common allergies in our student population.  

While we are not able to keep our school completely free of these allergens we strive to be sensitive to these conditions. All of our staff are updated on a yearly basis about student/staff allergies and are aware of the emergency procedures required to deal with these types of allergic reactions. Please notify the school immediately if your child has a severe allergy. The school will need to have additional information. A Student Health Plan form must be completed. 

Extra Clothing, Outdoor Clothing and Indoor Shoes 

At Dr. Freda Miller School we place a high value on learning from and on the land, regularly engaging with the natural world from multiple perspectives.  Close proximity to Fish Creek Park affords us many opportunities to learn about the natural environment and engage in Indigenous land-based learning. For us this means we learn outside on the land at least once a week.  

  • Please send extra clothing if your child needs a change of clothes. Students need extra socks, underwear or sweatpants. 
  • We ask that students have proper footwear for outdoor learning.  
  • We are outside rain or shine unless the weather is -20 or colder. All students require a jacket, hat, mitts and waterproof shoes.  
  • Students are required to have a pair of indoor running shoes to participate in gym. 
  • Indoor shoes are kept at the school 

A Gear Guide is posted on our website showing clothing options for outdoor learning 

Early Pick Up 

If you need to pick your child(ren) up early from school, please email your child’s teacher and the office (drfredamiller@cbe.ab.ca).  If your child is outside on the land learning, it may take a little longer to get them down to the office.

If your child will not be riding the bus, please email the teacher and the school and pick your child up from their grade doors, as this will help to alleviate congestion at the front doors.   

Keeping our Students Safe- (jpeg attached called parent parking with a map)

The safety of our students is top priority.  Please find below a map outlining the areas available to park to drop off your student(s) and our no parking zones. This year we have 5 buses to accommodate this year.  As such, new signage will soon be added to the hug and go zone.   

We know parking is hard to find around the school. The good news is that we have a soft entry, students can arrive and enter their classes between 8:45 - 8:55 am. 

Please note: 

  • It is important for us to have good relationships with our community. Please do not park in driveways. If a neighbor needs to leave in an emergency, they would not be able to get out. 
  • Ms. Gillott is at the crosswalk in the morning. Please teach your child to use the crosswalk for safety. 

BUSING  

  • Ms. Ramsay greets students getting off the bus each morning 
  • The bus zone is in effect all day 
  • The hug and go zone (10 minute parking south of the crosswalk) will be a designated bus zone shortly.  
  • At the end of the day, buses need the bus zone between 3:25 - 4:00 pm  
  • Seeds of SPICE(Before and After School Care Program) 
  • Parents may drop off at Seeds of SPICE in the parking lot until 8:30am.  After that, there is no drop off or pick up in the parking lot. 
  • Parents can pick up after 4 pm in the parking lot if they choose. Please do not park in front of the Garbage Dumpster bins, as City and CBE vehicles use these spaces day and evening.  

STAFF PARKING LOT 

  • Hours are in effect for staff only vehicles from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Nancy, Julie & Staff  

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