Are you returning? Front Door policy, St. Patties day event +++

March 9-13:

Are you returning to us? We sure hope so!

It is that time of year again when we are already trying to do some key planning around next year! At this time we are asking you to complete our less than 1 minute declaration survey to let us know if you will be returning to us or not.  We thank you in advance for letting us know this information as it allows us to pre-plan some important aspects for our amazing school.   

St. Patties day event….  

We Care is excited to announce their NEXT BIG EVENT:  GUESS HOW MANY LUCKY CHARMS?? & take a pic in the Leprechaun photo booth running from March 16, 17 & 18! Guesses for the Lucky Charms are being sold for $1.00 per guess.  The Closest guess will WIN the Lucky Charms on Thursday, March 19 before Spring Break!  Pictures with Hope Bell are $2.00 per person & $5.00 per group.  All money raised from both of these events will be going towards purchasing more cows through Feed the Hungry.  

New FRONT DOOR Policy

We always want to provide a warm & welcoming atmosphere here at Belfast especially at our front door & office! However, we are finding more and more students trying to enter the school prior to the AM Bell.  We provide supervision ONLY at the playground from 8:15 - 8:30 AM unless parents have made specific arrangements.  We are encourage ALL students to enter the school via the playground doors as our front lawn/front door area are not supervised.  We thank you for supporting us on this safety matter & your understanding.  

Parent Teacher Conferences postponed & COVID-19 

Based on the changing provincial and local response to COVID-19, the CBE has given us direction to postpone our Parent Teacher Conferences scheduled for March 19 and March 20.

All CBE schools have been given direction to postpone or cancel events that include populations from other schools and/or parents or other community members, such as Parent-Teacher Interviews, celebrations of learning, drama/musical performances, dances, athletic competitions, etc. This decision is effective from Mar. 12 until the end of March break. This decision will be revisited during March break to determine whether events should be rescheduled.

Events outside of school hours that include the regular student and staff population of the school (school clubs, practices, etc) and scheduled field trips may continue at this time.  I know this may be disappointing news. Students and staff have spent a significant amount of time preparing for this event, but the health of our community is our priority.

For the most up to date information about the CBE’s approach to COVID-19 and the actions we are taking, please visit our website. Answers to frequently asked questions will continue to be posted as information becomes available.

Important Dates:

• March 19: Half-Day for Grade 1-6, No School for Kindergarten 
• March 23-27: Spring Break 
• March 30: 1st day back! 
• March 30 & 31: Internet Safety class 
• Ongoing Belfasty events: 
• Belfast Calendar Page

Headphones, Lost & Found, ABHS ++

March 2-5:

Reminder: **NO SCHOOL TOMORROW - Friday, March 6 

Headphones???   

At this time, we are putting a callout for headphones, as we do not have class sets to provide to all of our students.  If you have a pair of headphones that your student(S) can be keep at school please send them in.  Please clearly LABEL headphones with: last name, teachers name, room number & in a ziplock bag.  These will be kept with their teacher in a bin until the end of the school year and then sent back.  If you have a spare pair of headphones that you would like to donate to the school please drop them at the office.  

·         PLEASE NOTE: If you do not have a spare set of headphones the school will be providing a set 

Lost & Found   

Are you LOOKING for missing jackets, sweaters, mits, hats, lunch kits the list is ENDLESS??? Please come in to the school as ALL the displayed lost & found items in the main hallway! The lost & found will be on a display for the next few weeks after which any unclaimed items will be donated. 

The 411 on Belfast Policies

We have several new families that we have welcomed to our #belfastyfamily since Winter Break.  At this time we wanted to just highlight a few KEY policies that we have at Belfast and quick reminders for the rest of our community.  

                        Health & Wellness

·         At Belfast we have a Food Policy that we adopted as we have numerous students with severe anaphylactic allergies.  Students cannot bring food items to share rather we welcome non-food items (pencils, erasers ect) for students to be able to handout to class members in times of celebrations.  

#neverendingfruit bowl

·         This year Belfast adopted fresh fruits for snacks to give out in the office.  Some of our students find at times they just need a little more throughout their day.  If you are in a position to donate snacks to the office we are asking for fresh fruits bag of apples, oranges, bananas ect 

                        Supervision Before & After School

·         Before school: 

o    8:15 AM on the playground with staff outside 

o    PLEASE NOTE: Do not drop off your students prior to 8:15 AM we do not provide supervision

·         After school: 

o    Student must be promptly picked up 3:15 pm Mon - Thurs & 12:15 pm Fridays.

o    PLEASE NOTE: No supervision provided on playground  

o    ***Students on the playground without ADULT supervisor will be asked to go straight home***  

Belfast Traffic SAFETY INFO:  

·         ABSOLUTLEY NO PICKUP & DROP OFF IN STAFF PARKING LOT 

o    CBE does not cover any damage to staff vehicles thank you for your cooperation

·         Playground Zone: 30 km per hour  

·         NO parking too close to the patrol crosswalk this is a safety issue

·         ALL Students need to USE the Patrolled crosswalk  

·         Cars are to be parked the same direction of traffic 

                        Powerschool

·         All fees are paid through your PS account 

·         Teacher Conferences are booked through your PS account 

·         Report Cards can be viewed through PS

ABHS Health Services

Please click on the following link for information from ABHS: March newsletter

WHY CLICK the monthly newsletter??

·         Self-management - a simple deep breath 5 in & out actually calms your body’s flight OR fight response! 

·         Role modeling - a healthy relationship to food 

Child Safe Canada

Babysitter Program:  NOT TOO LATE to register dates have changed! 

Due to low enrollment we have changed the dates May 27 & June 1-4

• For our Grades 5 & 6 students 
• This course teaches future babysitters how to be safe while also building self-esteem 
• Bring teddy bear or a doll to all classes

Important Dates:

• March 6: NO School 
• March 9: School Council 6:30 pm
• March 9-12: Babysitting class 
• March 19: Half-Day for Grade 1-6, No School for Kindergarten (update to the calendar)
• March 19 & 20: Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences
• March 23-27: Spring Break 
• March 30: 1st day back! 
• March 30 & 31: Internet Safety class 
• Ongoing events: 
• Belfast Calendar Page

Call out for production Props/costumes, March NEW dates & Babysitting class...

Feb. 24-28:

Reminders: NO school Friday, March 6 

CALL OUT for Production PROP/COSTUME….. 

CAN YOU HELP US OUT??? We haven’t had much luck yet with prop/costume donations for the upcoming Spring Production of: Madcap Menagerie presents “Belfast’s Big Secret”.  Mr. Symington has IDENTIFIED another BIG ASK that is included on our ever growing list.  Beside each prop is noted if the school will be returning items or not; all props can be dropped in the Fine Arts room 9. 

Call out for the following donations:    

·         20 Black Hoodie sizes: youth Medium & Large (RETURNED: Name on it)

• To Note: this is a specific a scene where black light is being used students need to be fully covered in black for full effect 

·         Safari Animals larger life size & safari animal puppets: (Returned: NAME on them)

·         Beaded necklaces: Mardi Gras style approx. 75++: (NOT returned)       

·         Face Paint ALL COLORS needed (NOT returned)

·         Face Masks  - that can be altered (NOT returned) 

UPDATE to Calendar for March

Please NOTE the following update: The initial calendar had indicated an Early Dismissal day on March 5 this is now a FULL DAY.  We have moved the half-day to Thursday, March 19 to accommodate Parent-Student-Teacher conferences.  Thanks in advance for your understanding  

Child Safe Canada

Babysitter Program:  March 10-12 & 16  

• For our Grades 5 & 6 students 
• This course teaches future babysitters how to be safe while also building self-esteem 
• Bring teddy bear or a doll to all classes 
• Registration deadline: March 2

Important Dates:

• March 5: Full day (UPDATE to calendar)
• Kinder attends AM & PM classes 
• March 6: Non-instructional Day - NO SCHOOL (Belfast only)
• March 9: School Council 6:30 pm
• March 19: Half-Day for Grade 1-6, No School for Kindergarten (UPDATE)
• March 19 & 20: Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences (UPDATE)

Gr. 4 Survey, Pink Shirt Day, thank yous & MORE.

Feb. 18-21:

Grade 4 Accountability Pillar Survey:

Every year at this time, Alberta Education sends out the Accountability Pillar Survey and we are asking ALL grade 4 parents to please complete this and submit your results.  

Why this survey is so important?

·        Results have a significant impact on the perception of the quality of education in our system and in individual schools.  

·        Alberta Education and the public use the results of the Accountability Pillar Survey to assess satisfaction with the quality of education. 

·        It is important that this assessment be based on a response which reflects the breadth and diversity of the CBE family

·        IF Parents/Guardians have misplace their survey and would like another copy of the paper survey questionnaire contact Ms Belcher as a new one can be sent out.  

Official Languages

o   Parents of Francophone-enrolled students will receive surveys in French. 

o   All other parents will receive surveys in English.

·         Additional languages 

o   Hard-copy (paper) Parent Surveys are currently available in English, French, Punjabi, Cree, Korean, Denesuł̨in̨e,́ Tagalog, Chinese, Blackfoot, Arabic, Spanish or Urdu.

o   Parents wishing to have surveys in a language other than the language they received are instructed to contact their child’s school principal. After the principal contacts Alberta Education, he or she will receive an email with a copy of the requested survey to print for the parent. This process ensures that the school, authority and grade codes are correct on the translated parent survey.

ONLINE PARENT SURVEY

·         Parents can complete the survey online through Alberta Education’s Accountability Pillar Online Survey Tool by going to https://public.education.alberta.ca/APOS/.

o   The Online Parent Survey is currently only available in English or French.

o   Survey responses will not be saved unless the respondent clicks the Submit button. Therefore, the survey should be completed and submitted in one sitting.

·         To access the online survey, parents need to use the 8-character RAC on the tear-away portion of the paper survey mailed from Alberta Education.

o   Note: The RAC identifies the school authority only. It cannot identify individuals. There is no tracking of who has received a specific RAC.

o   RACs for parents are generated for all surveyed schools. It is NOT possible for principals to access the specific RACs mailed to parents.

·         As noted in the instructions for the survey, if a question is not applicable or if the respondent does not feel comfortable answering, they should leave the response blank.

o   A blank response does not count towards the total number of responses.

Powerschool info

Recently, CBE created a new policy regarding powerschool accounts regarding parental access.  Some parent accounts were affected by this and have now been deleted.  If you received a email indicating that there was issues with your account you will need to create a NEW Powerschool account with the email that is on your student’s account.  Please see below for steps to setup your account: 

PINK SHIRT DAY!!! 

On Wednesday, Feb 26 it is Pink Shirt day! Take your kindness to new heights! This Pink Shirt Day, and every day, let’s Lift Each Other Up.

Our theme for this year’s Pink Shirt Day is “Lift each other up”; a simple but powerful message encouraging us to look beyond our differences and celebrate the things that make us unique. When we lift each other up, we see past the things that separate us and see instead the things that unite us as people

Staff Appreciation lunch!! 

What a feast that was provided by our amazing #belfastyparents! From all of us here at Belfast we so appreciate the amazing lunch, the volunteers & the Parent Council for organizing this event! #feelingbelfastyblessed!!! 

Message from WE CARE CLUB:

MOOOOOOOVE to the MOOOOOOOSIC!!!

What an amazing success the Family Dance was last Wednesday! We want to give some big shout out to: our amazing DJ Ms. El-Gulebaly, the We Care Students who helped sell tickets, fill food orders & took the COW pictures and of course all our amazing #belfastydancers!! All $$$$ raised is going to purchase COWS through Feed the Hungry current amount of COWS: 11.75!!!! Quick reminder this is the only We Care fundraiser initiative this year and is ongoing. NEXT EVENT: St. Patrick's day come and get a picture taken with Hope Bell & come see what those naughty leprechauns have done to her!!  

Child Safe Canada

Due to low enrollment Street Smarts (Feb 24 & 25) was rescheduled for May 4 & 5.  Our hope is to create some awareness on how important this class is which may increase registration.  

Please NOTE: if this class is cancelled all $$ will be returned with student we thank you for your understanding.   

Important Dates:

• Feb 26: PINK SHIRT DAY
• Feb 28: Kinder field trip to Mount Pleasant (both AM & PM)
• March 5: All students attend all day (UPDATE to calendar)
• March 6: Non-instructional Day - NO SCHOOL (Belfast only)
• March 9: School Council 6:30 pm
• March 9: Grade ¾ Field Trip to the Glenbow
• March 19: Half-Day for Grade 1-6, No School for Kindergarten (UPDATE)
• March 19 & 20: Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences (UPDATE)

Family dance tonight! Child Safe Canada ect++

Feb.10-12:

 Reminders:

·        Feb 13-17: NO SCHOOL

Message from WE CARE CLUB:

MOOOOOOOVE to the MOOOOOOOSIC!!!

411 on Family Dance:

·         Wednesday, Feb 12 @ 6:15 – 7:30 PM  

·         All $$ raised to purchase cows through:  Oxfam Canada  

·         Tickets are being sold ($1.00 & $2.00) for:

o    Photo Booth

o    Snacks & Drinks 

o    Glow Sticks

  

Child Safe Canada

Street Smarts:

·         Mon & Tues, Feb. 24 & 25 

·         Grades: K, 1, 2, 3 & 4 are encouraged to enroll

·         This course teaches self-awareness and personal safety

·         Register deadline: Feb 18 class subject to cancelation

·         

Parent Councils information:

Staff Appreciation Luncheon

411 on lunch:

·         Tuesday, Feb 18 

·         Theme: authentic heritages lunch dishes

·         11:30 AM please have lunch dish at school 

·         IF you can help with various roles: donating a dish, setup, clean up & lunchtime supervising 

• Please click: YES I CAN HELP

·         PLEASE NOTE: Lunchtime volunteers for supervision MUST hold valid CBE clearance 

Community News:

Cedar Court Hub:

Offers several free programs on a daily basis for ALL NE Calgary residences.  Some require a registration however several on a drop-in aspect.  For further information please contact Daniel Kebede at: 403-476-4784 OR danielkebede@calgary.ca 

Here is the schedule of the FREE Activities that are currently being offered:

·         Crochet & Knitting:  Monday, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 

·         Computer Class: Wednesday:  6:00 - 8:00 PM (registration required) 

·         Sewing & Quilting: Thursdays, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM 

·         Story Truck: Fridays, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

·         Bridge Club: Fridays, 6:00 - 8:00 PM (registration required)

·         Good Food Box (GFB): Please call for registration

·         Art at Crossroads: Sunday 2:00 PM-4:00 PM (once a month) 

·         Diverse Seniors: Thursday, 11:00 1:00 PM (once a month)

Important Dates:

• Feb 13 & 14 Teacher’s Convention NO SCHOOL 
• Feb 17: Family Day NO SCHOOL 
• Feb 24 & 25: Street Smarts 
• Feb 27: PINK SHIRT DAY
• March 5: All students attend all day
• March 6: Non-instructional Day - NO SCHOOL (Belfast only)
• March 9: School Council 6:30 pm
• March 9: Grade ¾ Field Trip to the Glenbow
• March 19: Half-Day for Grade 1-6, No School for Kindergarten
• March 19 & 20: Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences