CES September Newsletter

Welcome to Calmar Elementary! If you are returning to the school, we are thrilled to welcome you back, and a huge CES welcome to our many new families. Our staff is excited to begin the new school year and to work with you and your children. I look forward to getting to know you and your children as I begin my first year as Principal at Calmar Elementary.

We recently held our Annual General Meetings for School Council and Parent-Teacher. Our September meetings will be held on September 23 at 3:30 p.m., back-to-back in the school staffroom. We invite everyone to attend and look forward to working together to support our students and school community.

This year, I will be communicating with families through email and monthly newsletters. We will also be hosting monthly assemblies in the gym, and everyone is welcome to attend. Assemblies will begin at 8:35 a.m. Each month, we will try to showcase a class through a presentation or activity. Assemblies will take place on the last school day of each month, with the exception of October, when our assembly will be held on October 30 as part of our Halloween celebration. 

Our first monthly assembly will be September 29 at 8:35 a.m. This is also the day we will be wearing our Orange Shirts in recognition of Orange Shirt Day. We wear orange to honour the Indigenous children who were sent to residential schools in Canada and to deepen our understanding of this history. The orange shirt has become a symbol through the story of Phyllis Webstad, who had a new orange shirt given to her by her grandmother taken away on her first day at St. Joseph Mission Residential School. The shirt was never returned. For Phyllis, the colour orange has since represented the loss and pain she experienced during her time at residential school. Orange Shirt Day provides an opportunity for us to remember these children, learn from this history, and continue working toward reconciliation. 

Over the past week, we have been talking with students about safety when arriving at and leaving school. We have reminded students to use the crosswalks, walk their bikes while crossing, and walk their bikes while on school grounds. We want to help our students develop safe habits that they can use every day.

I am looking forward to getting to know all of our Calmar families and having a great school year together!

We wear orange to honour the Indigenous children who were sent to residential schools in Canada and to deepen our understanding of this history. The orange shirt has become a symbol through the story of Phyllis Webstad, who had a new orange shirt given to her by her grandmother taken away on her first day at St. Joseph Mission Residential School. The shirt was never returned. For Phyllis, the colour orange has since represented the loss and pain she experienced during her time at residential school. Orange Shirt Day provides an opportunity for us to remember these children, learn from this history, and continue working toward reconciliation. 

Calling all Stingrays! Gear up for CES Jersey Day on October 14th! Whether you root for a pro team, play in a local youth league, or just have a favourite sports tee you love to wear, wear it to school to show off your team pride. From soccer and basketball to hockey and football, let’s fill the hallways with spirit!