Welcome back Woodlands families for another wonderful year at Woodands School.  A reminder to families that school starts on Thursday, August 31.  We are looking forward to seeing all our returning students and meeting all our new ones!  Please take some time to read the information below for some important first day items.  If you have any questions, please call the main office after Monday, August 28.  See you all very soon!

Welcome!

We hope that our students and families have been able to spend some time with friends and family this summer enjoying the activities and places you enjoy. Our hope is that the transition back to school is a great beginning to a wonderful and productive school year together. New staff at Woodlands School community share the feelings of excitement and nervousness that come with starting something new. Our goal is to help every student feel a sense of belonging in their classroom and school and we will make this our focus during the first few days and throughout the school year. To support a smooth transition back to school, please see the information below:

By Tuesday, August 29, you will receive a letter from your child’s teacher via email welcoming them to their classroom, introducing themselves and sharing some classroom specific information regarding school start-up. If you have any questions regarding these plans, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher.

Thursday, August 31 – First Day of school for all students in Grades K-6. Kindergarten Staggered Start to School Year

Staggered entry allows us to create smaller groups of kindergarten students entering the school to help students familiarize themselves with the classroom, their teacher and classmates.

Staggered entry August 31 for Kindergarten is as follows:

• August 31 – Students in Kindergarten with surnames A-L will attend from 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM.
• August 31 – Students in Kindergarten with surnames M-Z will attend from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM.
• August 31 – Students in Kindergarten with surnames A-L will attend from 12:22 PM – 1:22 PM.
• August 31 – Students in Kindergarten with surnames M-Z will attend from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
• Sept. 1 – AM Kindergarten students will attend from 8:30 AM – 11:23 AM – no school for PM Kindergarten

Student Arrival and Dismissal for First Day - August 31

Students will meet their teachers and be dismissed from their designated doors on August 31. Designated door locations and meeting spots will be communicated to families in the introductory email from the teacher.

• Families can drop off their student at the designated meeting spot between 8:20 AM and 8:30 AM.
• Once the student has connected with the classroom teacher, please stay with the teacher.
• Parents please inform your child’s teacher about how your child will travel to and from school on the 1st day and going forward. You can also provide this information by email.
• When the bell rings for entry, teachers will enter the classroom with students, take attendance and begin the learning day.
• Thanks to families for remaining outside at the entry bell, allowing students to enter with their teacher.
• At the end of the day, students will be dismissed through their designated doors. Please arrange a meeting spot for you to connect with your child at the end of the day. Students expecting to meet a parent and are not able to locate their parent should come to the main doors and visit the office for help.

Student Arrival and Dismissal for 2023-24 School Year

• Families can drop off their student at their designated entry door between 8:15 AM and 8:30 AM. Supervision by school staff will be provided daily at this time. Students should not arrive earlier than 8:15 AM as there is no adult supervision provided.
• When the bell rings at 8:30 AM for entry, students will be greeted at their designated door by a staff member and be invited to enter the building to begin the learning day. Students are not to enter the school before 8:30 AM.
• Students who arrive after their entry doors have closed should enter through the main doors and go directly to the main office for check-in.
• At the end of the day, students will be dismissed through their designated doors. Please arrange a meeting spot for you to connect with your child at the end of the day. Students expecting to meet a parent and are not able to locate their parent should come to the main doors and visit the office for help.

What to Bring the First Day

• Indoor shoes that are appropriate for gym class, labelled with the student’s name, and can be left at school daily. Outdoor shoes are stored on the designated racks.
• A backpack that is large enough to hold a large picture book.
• A water bottle that will go home to be cleaned and refilled each day.
• A healthy snack. Students who will be staying for lunch will need a lunch kit for their lunch and are being asked to take all garbage from their lunch home to reduce waste within the lunch space.

School Supplies

• Schools will provide students with necessary educational supplies e.g., pencils, erasers, paper, writing books, etc.
• Students will be provided with subject specific materials to be used within their desk space.
• Please leave non-essential personal items at home, such as toys, games or special personal items.
• Water bottles: Students are encouraged to bring their own water bottles to fill and have available over lunch and at their desks during the day.

School Day Set-Up

• Recess: Students will have a flexibly scheduled outdoor recess time with their class daily.
• Nutritional Break: A few minutes of non-instructional class time has been scheduled each day for snacks in the AM and PM.
• Lunch:

• Grade 1 and 2 Lunch: 11:45 AM – 12:25 PM. Students will have 20 minutes of outside play time, followed by 20 minutes of indoor time to eat lunch.
• Grade 3-6 Lunch: 12:30 PM – 1:10 PM. Students will have 20 minutes of indoor time to eat followed by 20 minutes of outside play.
• Lunchroom spaces will be in the gym or on the stage.
• Lunch time is supervised by Lunchroom Supervisors.

Safety

• If students are arriving late for school, they are to enter the school through the main front doors and check in at the office before proceeding to their classroom space.
• In order to establish safety and security, families/parents are asked only to enter the school through the main doors, checking in with the office.
• All visitors including parents/guardians much check-in at the main office.
• Families are asked to adhere to all parking signs, and may use the street parking in front of the school. Please ensure that you are not parking in the bus zone, as this space is reserved for CBE transportation and daycare providers.
• Families are asked to not use the school parking lot as a drop off location, as this creates an unsafe situation for students as they enter our school grounds.
• Part of being a responsible dog owner is complying with Calgary’s bylaws related to dogs. City of Calgary bylaws state that dogs are not permitted on school playgrounds and sports fields.
• If students are going to be away from school for any reason please call the attendance line at 403-777-8640 ext. 1.

Sincerely,

The Admin Team and Staff at Woodlands School