Hello Somerset School Families 

As we transition from the cold to warmer weather, we kindly remind everyone to dress appropriately for the changing conditions. With the snow melting, the ground may be a bit wet, so please ensure your child is dressed in layers and has appropriate footwear for outdoor activities. Additionally, sending along extra dry clothing may be a good idea to help keep your child comfortable throughout the day. 

Below are your Weekly Updates: 

No Classes for Students – Friday 

A reminder that Friday will be a Professional Learning Day for our staff, and as a result, there will be no classes for students. 

Student-Led Conferences - Updates 

In light of the recent CBE communications regarding the CUPE strike, we are making a slight adjustment to the upcoming Student Led Conferences scheduled for March 20 (PM) and March 21 (AM). 

The conferences will now take place on Friday, March 21 (AM & PM). 

We appreciate your understanding and flexibility during this time. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. 

Butterfly Books

The Grade 1 and 2 students have begun to learn about the importance of butterflies within Alberta ecosystems. We are currently initiating a school wide fundraiser to help save the endangered Half-moon Hairstreak Butterfly. 

Somerset School will be hosting a used book sale to raise money for the next phase of our pollinator garden and to help protect this vulnerable butterfly species. We are asking the community to see the attached message to learn more about how you can support our book sale by making donations of children’s books in good/excellent used condition for our sale. 

We hope that you will help support this important cause. Together, WE can make a difference. Together, we are Somerset Strong!   

Click the attachment here: Books for Butterflies 

Important Dates Ahead (Next 6-8 Weeks): 

  • 27 - February - Subway Fun Lunch (Cut-Off: 22 February) 
  • 28– February _ No Classes for Students – Professional Learning Day 
  • 20 – March _ Student Led Conferences (PM) 
  • 21 – March _ No Classes for Students – Student Led Conferences (AM) 
  • CANCELLED _ 20 - March: Student Led Conferences (PM) 
  • Adjusted to FULL Day _ 21 March: Student Led Conferences _ NO Classes for students 
  • 24 March: March Break begins 
  • 31 March: Classes Resume 

Safety Update | Navigating Changing Weather and Snow Melt 

As we experience the significant shift in weather from -30°C to +5°C, we want to remind everyone to be extra cautious, especially as the snow begins to melt. With wet and slippery areas around the school, there may be increased hazards, including puddles and icy patches that can pose a risk to both students and families. 

We encourage everyone to wear appropriate footwear and take extra care when walking around the school grounds. We will continue to monitor the conditions and ensure our staff is vigilant in keeping the pathways as safe as possible. 

Thank you for your attention to this important safety reminder. Your cooperation helps keep our community safe. 

Pylons, Safety, and Signage 

As mentioned in previous communications, to enhance the safety and visibility of the 'no-parking/no-stopping' zones in front of our school, we will be periodically placing pylons in these areas. This is to help prevent families from inadvertently receiving parking violation tickets from the City. 

Please be aware that the City has informed us that parking illegally in these zones will result in tickets. 

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. 

Bicycles and Helmets 

As the weather warms up and we look forward to seeing more families biking to school, we would like to remind everyone of a few important safety guidelines: 

  • Please ensure that your child wears a helmet when riding their bike to school for their safety. 
  • Remind students to follow all traffic laws and be mindful of pedestrians and vehicles. 
  • We provide bike racks at school, but please encourage your child to lock their bike for added security. 
  • Consider planning the safest route(s), with your child, when biking to and from school, using the many wonderful pathways in our community. 

Thank you for helping keep our students safe as they enjoy biking to school! 

Hand to Heart, 

Nathan Bane 

Somerset School Principal