Dear Families,  

We have 5 reminders this week: 

• Please check the lost and found before October 31, 2023. Nancy and Julie will be working until 6 pm on Monday to accommodate families that would like to claim items. Please buzz at the front door for entry to the school. Unclaimed items after that date will be washed and donated to families new to Canada. 

• Halloween - Students can wear costumes (no weapons, masks, blood or gore) 
• Lunchroom - Please pay your lunchroom fees online through your MyCBE account. 
• Healthy Hunger Fun Lunch, Purdy’s Chocolate Sales and Growing Smiles Fundraisers are returning. A flyer went home on Friday. Click here to learn more. Please note: Fun Lunch is not available for students in Kindergarten. 
• We have 3 buses arriving daily. Please do not stop in the bus zone in front of the school at drop-off or pick-up time.  

Upcoming Dates: 

• Tuesday, October 31 - This is a regular day of learning. See information below. 
• Thursday, November 9 - System Indigenous Professional Learning Day - No School for Students 
• Friday, November 10 - Tuesday November 14 - Fall Break - Schools are Closed 
• Monday, November 13 – School Enrichment Society - Growing Smiles Plant order due 
• Wednesday, November 15 - School Resumes 
• Wednesday, November 15 – School Enrichment Society - Purdy’s Chocolate Orders Due 
• Thursday, November 16 - Retakes and Class Photos 
• Thursday, November 16 - School Council and SES Meeting 
• Thursday, November 16 - Healthy Hunger Fun Lunch 
• Thursday, November 23 – Learning Conferences - Evening  
• Friday, November 24 - Learning Conferences - No School for Students  

Welcome CBE Education Director Martin Poirier 

We were pleased to have Education Director, Martin Poirier, visit Dr. Freda Miller School again this Friday. Mr. Poirier had a lengthy visit to see students and staff in action. He spent time in Mr. Hoover’s class, met with the Administrative team around priorities and programming and he attended the Teachers’ Circle Gathering and PLCs (Professional Learning Communities). We are grateful for his support, interest and involvement with Dr. Freda Miller School. 

The Roots of Empathy Program launches at Dr. Freda Miller School! 

We are so excited to be hosting two Roots of Empathy Programs this year with our Grade 4 students. This award-winning program brings a baby into a classroom once a month over the course of the year, so children learn about what babies, and all humans need. Students learn about what the baby is feeling, watch the baby reach developmental milestones and relate what they are seeing to their own world. The infant/parent bond that the children watch is pivotal. It offers a tangible, diverse and nurturing context for children to learn about emotions and empathy. 

We were thrilled to welcome Ms. Smith and baby Violet (10 weeks old) and Alyson with baby Harrison (13 weeks old).  See the post of our Roots of Empathy Family visits at our Instagram @drfredamilllerschoolcbe and Check out the videos about this program at the Roots of Empathy Website.  

Lunch Supervision 

If your child is staying at the school over the lunch period, you will need to register them in your parent account.  Please make sure that you register starting the month of Sept and that you register for the 4 day program. Please see the link below for more information: Lunch Supervision 

Volunteer Information 

If you currently have a Police Clearance, please complete the following Annual Volunteer Form: Annual Volunteer Form once complete, email to nikachra@cbe.ab.ca 

If you do not have a valid Police Clearance, you will need to register as a volunteer with the school.  To do this you will need to bring in your valid government issued photo identification to the office during office hours or email Mrs. Kachra, nikachra@cbe.ab.ca, to arrange for a time.  A letter will be provided to you enabling you to get your police information check from the Calgary Police Service. Your security clearance is valid for 5 years. There is a cost of $21.25 to complete this security clearance. Mrs. Kachra will also be available the evening of Nov. 23, during the Learning Conferences to help assist with this process.   

Halloween – Tuesday October 31 

Halloween will continue to be a day of learning at the school.  Students are welcome to wear their costumes for the full day or even part of the day if they choose.  We encourage students to wear their costume over their regular clothes or bring a change of clothes in the event that they become uncomfortable or find that it interferes with their activities like gym or outdoor play.  The guidelines for costumes are: 

No weapons 

No masks 

No blood or gore 

 We thank all families for helping us continue to make our school inclusive and safe. 

Child & Youth Well-Being Family & Caregiver Series     

The Calgary Board of Education invites all parents and guardians to join us in an online series focusing on child and youth well-being. These sessions will be hosted in partnership with experts from Alberta Health Services and will explore topics such as vaping, brain development, mental health, and sexual health.      

CBE educators believe that parents and guardians can inspire their kids to make healthy lifestyle choices and increase protective factors – in order to do so, they need the right tools and information.       Well-being is a precondition for learning. As our understanding of student well-being continues to evolve, it is important for those that support children and youth to stay up to date on the same information so everyone can support student success.     

The intention of the series is to advance student well-being by raising family and caregiver’s understanding of a variety of health-related topics. Click this link to learn more.   

Of interest might be the Session Mental Health and Anxiety K-6 

February 8, 2024  6:30 to 8:00 PM 

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns affecting children and families across the lifespan. Parents and schools play an essential role in helping children manage their anxiety. This session will explore what anxiety and stress are, how to recognize it, and how to support K-6 children to increase resilience.