Hello Somerset Families! 

Wow!

What a wonderfully full and busy week it was last week at Somerset school! From engaging presentations to hands-on learning experiences, our students have been immersed in activities that sparked curiosity, deepened understanding, and brought smiles to many faces. 

Just a few highlights include the excitement of the Modular movement, the captivating Butterflies Presentation for our Grade 1 and 2 students, and the always-popular Scholastic Book Fair. Grade 1 students had some special visitors this week, "Long Bottom" the corn snake and "Cro-cake" the white tree frog, helping bring their Life Cycles unit to life. Meanwhile, our Grade 4s enjoyed a memorable trip to Heritage Park, where they explored Early Settlers and the Fur Trade in a meaningful and engaging way. 

It is moments like these that remind us of the joy and richness of learning in community. Thank you to all of our volunteers for your continued support and partnership. 

Here are your Weekly Updates: 

Join the Playground Rejuvenation Team  

The playground rejuvenation and replacement is an important initiative that will support the health, happiness, and development of our students for years to come. 

If you are passionate about creating engaging outdoor spaces and want to be part of this meaningful work, we warmly invite you to join our Playground Rejuvenation Team. Whether you have experience, ideas, or simply a desire to help, your voice is welcome and valued. 

Let’s come together to reimagine a space where all children can learn, play, and grow. 

If you are interested or would like to learn more, please click  HERE. 

Friends of Somerset School & School Council Meeting - April 8  

Location: Somerset School Staff room 

Beginning at 6:15pm 

Important Dates Ahead (Next 6-8 Weeks): 

  • 2 April: Grade 4 Field Study to Heritage Park 
  • 8 April: CANCELLED - Grade 3 Field Study to Telus Spark – new date TBA 
  • 8 April: Vaccination Catch-Up (AHS contacted families) 
  • 10 April: School Council and Friends of Somerset School Meeting 
  • 18 April: Good Friday (No School) 
  • 21 April: Non-Instruction Day - NO Classes for students 
  • 28 April: Elections Calgary 
  • 7 May: Spring Celebration (PM) 
  • 6 May: Grade 1 Field Study to the Calgary Zoo (Conservation Champions) 
  • 16 May: Non-Instruction Day - NO Classes for students 
  • 28 May: Grade 1 Field Study to the Calgary Zoo (Gossamer Wings) 

Word of the Week: Miserable 

Definition: 
Feeling very unhappy, uncomfortable, or in great discomfort. 

Example Sentence: 
After deciding to jump in the mud at recess with no change of clothes, May sat in class watching for her parents to bring her a change of cloths feeling cold, soggy, and completely miserable. 

Morphology of the Word: 
Root: miser (Latin: miser, meaning "wretched" or "unhappy") 
Prefix: (none) 
Suffix: -able (meaning "capable of" or "worthy of") 

Safety Update

As you may have noticed this week, a significant amount of work took place as part of our Modular Classroom Relocation Project. This important work is ongoing and will continue throughout the upcoming week. 

We sincerely appreciate your patience, support, and continued caution around these areas as we collaborate closely with the teams involved to ensure a safe and smooth process for everyone. 

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and respectful environment during this transition 

Supporting Resilience and Mental Health

At Somerset School, we are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment where every student can thrive. A key part of this commitment is our focus on promoting resilience and supporting mental health by helping students develop a strong emotional vocabulary. 

Research shows that when children can identify and express their emotions, they are better equipped to manage stress, build healthy relationships, and navigate challenges in positive and productive ways (Brackett, 2019; Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence). By learning to name their feelings and communicate their needs, students become more resilient and empowered in both academic and social settings. 

To support this, we continue to use our School-Wide Problem-Solving Model, which encourages students to pause, reflect, and express themselves respectfully when they encounter difficulties. This consistent approach not only helps to reduce conflict but also promotes emotional regulation, empathy, and healthy problem-solving skills. 

Problem-Solving Sentence Frame: 

“I feel/ get [emotion],  

when [describe the action/behavior],  

so I need [suggested action/change].” 

This simple yet powerful tool gives students a structured way to express themselves clearly and respectfully, building both confidence and emotional intelligence. 

Anchor Texts: 

To deepen this learning, we are using the engaging and supportive books The Color Monster and The Big Book of Feelings. These anchor texts help students explore and understand a wide range of emotions, making it easier for them to connect language with their lived experiences. 

As the role models in our students’ lives, we have a powerful opportunity, by nurturing emotional awareness and open communication together, to help them build the lifelong skills that support mental wellness, resilience, and meaningful relationships. 


Hand to Heart, 

Nathan Bane 

Somerset School Principal