Dear Parents/Guardians, 

Chers parents/tuteurs,

 

We are sending out our weekly letter today, as tomorrow is a holiday in honor and recognition of the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. Teachers have been discussing the importance of this day with their students and how we can continue to move from truth and reconciliation to action. This morning, our students participated in a school-wide assembly to gather and hear a story, sing together and celebrate our work on connection and belonging. There are many events acknowledging this day throughout the city, and we encourage families to take the time to have a conversation or do something together to mark this important day on September 30th.

Walking distance trips 

Every year, we update a letter about walking distance field trips, so we are able to access great walking distance locations around our school without sending and collecting forms. Staff will still communicate with parents when going out to these locations 48 hours in advance. 

Please find attached our 2023-2024 version:Chinook Park Walking-distance-trips-annual-letter-Parents.pdf 

Terry Fox  

Our annual Terry Fox Run will take place on October 5. Donations to the Terry Fox Foundation are made online at the following link: https://schools.terryfox.ca/ChinookPark  

The run will happen in our back field alongside the southeast side of the school and we will go all the way to the tennis courts northwest of Henry Wise Wood school. Families are welcome to come to cheer our students. Please be mindful to stay along the edges of the path as students run by.  

Dropoff and pickups 

If you are dropping off late or picking up your child early, please let the teacher and/or office know in advance and we will do our best to have students ready at the office. Please note that parents are not permitted to walk down to classrooms to drop off or pick up students as teachers find it disruptive to the learning environment. If your child requires an escort to class, one of our staff would be happy to walk them down. 

Parking and patrols 

We operate on a “Safety First – Convenience Second” mindset when it comes to parking. You might come along 75th Avenue and find an amazing spot right near our crosswalk and think it is your lucky day! Actually, there are “No Stopping” signs for about a car length right near the crosswalk on both sides of the road. Our students will be beginning patrols soon, and this space gives them a line of sight down the road for visibility. Do not park or stop in these areas! 

 
Transportation – Kingsland stop, bus B 

Transportation has to move the stop on the B bus due to the concerns from the medical office around parking. The new stop location is Southbound 4A Street after 68 Avenue SW before back alley. Parents can park to the left of the stop in Kingsland 560 Parking Lot. The new stop location will be effective on October 4.  

Online forms 

The Student Record Regulation requires an annual review and update of information in the student record. It is critical to ensure that Demographic Verification and consent forms are completed by parents each year. You will find these forms in your MyCBE Parent account. Your cooperation in this issue is greatly appreciated. 

Field trip fees 

Field trips fees are usually posted on the student account before or just after the actual date of the field trip. We are aware that there are times that the trip will occur before the fee is posted to your account. Your child will still be able to participate, and the fee can be paid once it is posted to your MyCBE account. Please check your account regularly for updates. 

Chinook Park free pantry  

Once again this year, Chinook Park School is offering pantry goods to our school community. If you are interested in donating food items, we are happily accepting donations of dry goods, school snacks, kid-friendly treats and personal hygiene items. The most pressing need is snacks in any form. We have an Amazon wish list for those who choose to donate that way and donations can be given to your child's teacher or the office. https://www.amazon.ca/hz/wishlist/ls/20AK7HFGZQ69G?ref_=wl_share  

Please keep in mind we have no fridge to store fresh/frozen items and please ensure all donations have not passed the expiration date.  

If you wish to access the pantry for your family, there are several ways to do so. We are happy to prepare a bag to send home with your child if you contact us with your immediate needs.  Additionally, you can come to the office personally during school hours and we will find you what you need. Finally, if you email your child's teacher or Mme Katie knmaclean@cbe.ab.ca someone can have a bag ready for you to pick up at the front office at an arranged time. 

School council update 

Thank you to parents/guardians who joined us at our first school council meeting yesterday! 

We had good conversations and the school council was able to fill out most of their roles. Next Friday, we will share the list of members and council's monthly meeting dates. 

Have a Question? 

To get in touch with your child’s classroom teacher, email is the preferred method of communication.  Please refer to the updated contact list below: 

https://school.cbe.ab.ca/school/chinookpark/about-us/contact/staff/pages/default.aspx 

Upcoming Dates 

September 29	National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – No School
October 5	Terry Fox Run  World Teacher’s Day
October 6	Grades 1 and 2 Field Trip to Weaselhead Flats
October 9	Thanksgiving Day
October 26	Picture Retake Day

All the best, 

Bien à vous, 

Guillaume Comeau & Dawn Poole 

Leadership Team, Chinook Park School