John Ware Families,
It’s a short week with Friday’s Non-Instructional Day. It certainly feels like time is picking up speed into lovely spring weather, and the busy last few months of school.
Fundraiser - Growing Smiles
We are very excited to be launching a spring plant fundraiser.
Orders can be placed through Tuesday April 30 at 12 PM. The pick-up dates are May 16 and 17. Please share with family and friends!
https://johnware.growingsmilesfundraising.com/home
Math Help Thursdays at Lunch
To meet the demand for extra math help, we are inviting students to bring a lunch and join teachers in their rooms on Thursdays for math club.
- Grade 9 Room 6 – Mr. Kremer’s room
- Grade 8 Room 8 – Mrs. Wood-Garvey’s room
- Grade 7 Room 3 – Mrs. Weild’s room
Drama Performances | Madhouse Apr. 24 & 25
We look forward to the drama production, Madhouse, with students from all grades participating both on stage and behind the scenes. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door.
- April 23 Dress Rehearsal at 10:30 am for feeder schools
- April 24 & 25 Performance at 7:00 pm
Spirit Days | Fridays
April 26 – Vacay Mode
May 3 – Star Wars
May 10 – Twin2Win
May 24 – Colour Blocking
May 31 – Western Wear
June 7 – Jersey Day
June 14 – Adam Sandler Day
June 21 – Socks N’ Sandals
*Prizes for home rooms who have the highest participation.
Open House | May 23 5:30 - 7:30
We welcome our new incoming grade 7 families and our current community to join us for a fun open house including food trucks and the opportunity to connect with staff. Current students are asked to attend with a parent/guardian for the evening.
PAT Dates | Grade 9
May 13 AM English Part A (writing)
June 12 AM English Part B (reading)
June 13 AM Math Part A (timed number facts)
June 18 AM Math Part B (problem solving)
June 19 AM Social Studies
June 20 AM Science
Grade 9 Farewell Celebration | June 13
Grade 9 students and their families will be receiving information in the coming weeks relating to the upcoming farewell celebration. We will have an afternoon ceremony in the gym with speeches and awards, followed by a fun evening at Heritage Park for students which includes rides, dinner and a dance.
To be able to participate in the dinner and dance at Heritage Park, students need to be fulfilling their responsibilities under the student code of conduct. This means:
- Attending classes regularly and in a timely manner
- Completing work to the best of their ability
- Following school rules and the direction of school staff
- Contributing to a safe and caring school environment
Red Dress Project | Whole School
Each year, students at John Ware sew flowers to add to this dress. Each flower is created in memory of and to honor Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited Peoples. The project of creating flowers to add to a dress was taught to us by Otahpiaaki Fashion Week, Calgary’s Indigenous Fashion week.
Students at John Ware will continue to sew flowers for this dress every May in honour of these women and as an act of reconciliation the national day of mourning for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited Peoples is May 15. We hope one day we can stop sewing flowers because we as a country have come together to address this legacy of colonialism and ensured everybody gets safely home.
School Council Meeting Schedule 2023-24
We are holding in-person meetings at the school and will experiment with providing an online link to families unable to attend in person.
Upcoming Meeting Dates: Wednesday May 1, 2024
Our 2023-2024 Executive
Chairs: Peggy M & Pooja S
Treasurer: Iain K
Secretary: Keitha T
Key Communicator: Tara M johnwareparentcouncil@gmail.com
Clubs
Yarn Club Mondays at lunch, Band room
Fashion Design Club Tuesdays at lunch, Room 20
Math Help Thursdays at lunch, Rooms 6, 8 & 3
Chess club Wednesdays after school, Room 6
Language Learning Club Tuesdays at lunch, Room 20
SAGE Wednesdays at lunch, Room 3
Dungeons & Dragons Tuesdays after school
Drama Production Monday & Wednesday after school
Prairie Chickens YMCA Tuesdays & Thursdays at lunch
Jazz Band Mondays after school
Have You Paid Your Fees?
Reminder to families to please make payments to their fees in MyCBE accounts.
General School Information and Resources
Mental Health Resource | The Summit
The Summit is designed and built to provide mental health services for children and youth. The centre offers therapeutic support through a day hospital and community-based treatment. It also provides walk-in services for anyone under 18 years of age and their family who would like to speak with a counselor. Walk-in services do not require a referral.
When in crisis, families can see a psychologist and be assessed where they will make a plan and can also connect them to resources in the community. They also have a sexual health program available on a walk-in basis.
Address: 1015 – 17th Street NW Calgary, AB
Switchboard: 587-534-7200
Email: thesummit@ahs.ca
Website: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/summit/summit.aspx
Skills for Safer Living Centre for Suicide Prevention
Link: Workshops
Skills for Safer Living (SfSL) is a four-week group program for youth ages 12-24 who have suicide ideation and their caregivers. This program is being offered at no cost.
Fair Entry | Resource
Fair Entry is an application process for subsidized City of Calgary programs and services. This process will assess your income eligibility for multiple City programs with a single application. Just recently, High-Speed Low-Cost Internet and other telecom services have been added to the list of services available through Fair Entry. For more information about Fair Entry, please visit the following website: https://fairentry.calgary.ca/Public/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fh
Attendance Procedures
*Attendance is taken in each class as part of our legal obligation. A student is marked present for class when they are physically in their class. This means students who are not in class, are marked absent.
Parent/Guardian Expectations
We ask families have a conversation with their child regarding the importance of attending class on time with all required materials.
- In the event of an absence from class, we ask parents first have a conversation with their child about why they were not in class. Check PowerSchool to see notes (if provided).
- Calling the office puts a great deal of pressure on a small number of staff to try to field numerous calls. School staff will not tolerate abuse from individuals calling to enquire about student attendance.
- Please continue to notify us when a student is ill, away on vacation, or having to miss class due to appointments or other events by emailing johnware@cbe.ab.ca or calling the absence line 403-777-7930 ext. 1. When students are absent and no reason is provided, it will be considered an unexcused absence.
Gym Strip
Students must change each day for gym class.
- John Ware t-shirt (required for SLC)
- Athletic bottoms (shorts, sweats, leggings, etc.) *can bring from home
- Sweatshirt / hoodie (for outdoor classes & walking to SLC) *can bring from home
- Athletic shoes – no boots, Crocs, sandals, etc.
Athletic wear orders can be made through the following link: https://www.flav-our.com/jws
The school will also have some stock available for purchase.
School Dress Policy
Students are reminded of the following expectations for school dress:
(a) appropriate for the activity (IE gym strip for PE, etc.)
(b) promotes safety in all activities (proper shoes, clothing, hair)
(c) promotes safety and acceptance (does not promote hate, drugs or gang affiliation)
(d) hats are allowed (teacher’s discretion)
(e) no hoods up in the school
(f) no visible undergarments
(g) all bags in lockers (purses, side bags, backpacks, etc.) *fire code
Away for the Day | School Policy
We value the opportunity for students to learn and connect IRL (in real life) at school.
Families are reminded our school has an Away for the Day policy for students. Students are expected to put their phones, AirPods, and smartwatches in their backpacks in their lockers during the day. Students are also welcome to leave their phones in the office in the safe.
1ST Time– checked into office – returned to student at the end of the day.
2ND Time– checked into office – returned to student, phone call home.
3RD Time– checked into office – returned to parent/guardian.
4TH Time– phone hotel – student checks phone in and out each day at the office.
Students may use their phones when off campus, including during lunch and before/after school.
Student Code of Conduct
Students at all CBE schools are to conduct themselves in a manner which meets the expectations for the student code of conduct. Students and families are encouraged to review the attached document.
https://www.cbe.ab.ca/GovernancePolicies/AR6005-Student-Code-of-Conduct.pdf
Instagram | Follow Us to See What's Happening
Students and staff are showing off what’s happening at school through our Instagram account. Check us out to see what students are up to!
Sincerely,
Tanis Greenlaw
Principal, John Ware School