Dear Parents and Guardians, 

You may have noticed recently, the length of my weekly updates as increased dramatically. At Thursday's School Council Meeting, I received some valuable feedback, and I want to thank you for your input. Based on our conversation, I’ve decided to make a change to better support clear and concise communication for our families. 

Moving forward, you may notice that my weekly updates will be a bit shorter. I believe this will help highlight the most important information in a way that is easy to read and digest, ensuring that everyone stays informed without feeling overwhelmed. These changes will begin with my Sunday communication, and I’m confident they will help streamline how we share news and updates. 

As always, if you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to reach out. I am committed to ensuring we maintain open, transparent communication while making sure it’s accessible to all. 

What’s Been Happening?

School Safety Update 

I wanted to take a moment to share an important update regarding our commitment to safety and well-being within our school community. On Wednesday, March 12, we had the privilege of hosting Calgary Police Services for a community engagement event called a “Blitz.” This initiative, which has been visiting schools across Calgary, is aimed at raising awareness and promoting safety for everyone, especially our students. 

The timing of this event felt especially important as we are all aware of the increasing challenges we face in ensuring the safety of our children. Calgary has unfortunately seen a significant rise in pedestrian collisions this year, with 29 fatal collisions already reported in 2024, the highest number we’ve seen since 2013. Just recently, we were deeply saddened by the tragic news of a child being struck by a vehicle in a southwest Calgary neighborhood. This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of how critical it is for us, as a community, to work together in protecting our children—both on and around our school grounds. 

As we reflect on these events, I encourage all of us to remain vigilant and prioritize safety as we navigate the busy streets and paths surrounding our school. Whether it's walking, driving, or simply crossing the road, every action we take plays a part in keeping our students safe. 

At Somerset, we are more committed than ever to creating a welcoming, caring, respectful, and safe learning environment for every child. We are continuously working to foster a positive sense of belonging and self-worth in our students, and that includes promoting safety in all aspects of our daily routines. To that end, we’ve been focusing on several key areas to build awareness and ensure the safety of our community: 

  • Emergency Procedures (including fire drills and lockdowns) 
  • Traffic Concerns & Drop-Off/Pick-Up Reminders 
  • Weather Preparedness in Calgary 
  • Appropriate Clothing for Outdoor Activities 
  • Parking Lot Etiquette 
  • Crosswalk Safety (from both student and driver perspectives) 
  • Dogs on School Property 
  • Stranger Danger & Student Awareness 
  • Peer Safety & Conflict Mitigation 
  • NUT AWARE School 

We are dedicated to building a strong foundation of trust, respect, and safety, and we’ve been actively communicating with families about the various measures we’ve implemented. In addition, we continue to collaborate closely with the Calgary Board of Education (CBE), local partners, and Calgary Police Services to ensure the well-being of our students and our broader community. 

As we continue this journey together, let’s remember that the safety of our children is a shared responsibility. By staying informed, staying aware, and working together, we can ensure that Somerset remains a place where every student feels safe and supported. 

Important Dates Ahead (next 6-8 weeks)

Now OPEN - SIGN UP for Conferences 

I am excited to announce that next week will be Spirit Week, filled with fun and creative days to show our school spirit! 

Here’s the lineup: 

  • Monday (March 17): Wacky Day – Dress in wacky hair and/or clothes! 
  • Tuesday: Sports Day – Wear your favorite team’s gear or sport-related attire. 
  • Wednesday: Tropical Vibes Day – Lets bring out the color and sunshine! 
  • Thursday: Pajama Day – Come to school in your coziest pajamas! 
  • 21 March: Student Led Conferences _ NO Classes for students 
  • 24 March: March Break begins 
  • 31 March: Classes Resume 
  • 1 April: Scholastic Book Fair begins 
  • 2 April: Grade 4 Field Study to Heritage Park 
  • 8 April: Grade 3 Field Study to Telus Spark 
  • 18 April: Good Friday (No School) 
  • 21 April: System Professional Learning Day _ NO Classes for students 

Spirit Week 

Let's make the last week before Spring Break an exciting one by actively participating in Spirit Week! It is a time when we come together as a school community to show off our creativity, have fun, and celebrate the unique spirit that makes Somerset so special. We’ve planned a variety of fun, themed days to bring energy and joy to our school, and we can’t wait to see everyone participate. 

Here’s the lineup for Spirit Week: 

  • Monday, March 17 – Wacky Day: Start the week with some silliness! Come to school dressed in your wackiest hair and/or clothes. The more fun and colorful, the better! 
  • Tuesday – Sports Day: Show your team spirit! Wear your favorite team’s gear or sport-related attire. Whether it’s your school team, a professional league, or a hobby you love, we can’t wait to see your sporty style. 
  • Wednesday – Tropical Vibes Day: Let’s bring the sunshine! Wear bright, tropical colors, and think beachy and fun. It’s a day to bring the warmth of summer to our school, no matter the weather outside. 
  • Thursday – Pajama Day: Who doesn’t love the chance to wear pajamas all day? Come to school cozy and comfy in your favorite PJs—just make sure they’re school-appropriate! 

Spirit Week is about having fun, being yourself, and showing our collective pride in our school. We encourage every student to join in and make the most of each themed day. It’s sure to be a week full of smiles, laughter, and wonderful memories. 

Student Celebrations & Community Building 

'Books for Butterflies' - has started 

  • Our amazing teachers and students have been working hard to collect gently used books as part of our “Books for Butterflies” fundraiser, which has officially begun! 
  • This fundraiser is a beautiful way for our students to give back to the community while also promoting the joy of reading. The books collected will be donated to children and families in need, spreading the magic of reading and helping foster a love for books. 
  • To learn more about this heartfelt project and see our Grade 1 and 2 students in action, please take a moment to watch the Grade 1 & 2 video. You can access it by clicking HERE. 

Kindergarten Enrolment has Begun

Kindergarten enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year has officially begun, and we are already seeing a great deal of interest. As a result, spaces are filling up quickly. 

If you know of any families who are planning to register their children for Kindergarten at Somerset, please encourage them to submit their application as soon as possible to secure a spot. We would love to welcome new families to our school community, and we want to ensure that all interested students have the opportunity to join us. 

School Surveys

As we prepare for the upcoming school year, I’d like to take a moment to share two important surveys that will help us ensure we continue to meet the needs of all our students. 

K-3 - 2025-2026 School Planning Survey 

To help us maintain our high standards for the next school year, we are reaching out to parents and guardians for their insights on our School Development Plan and fees. Your input is crucial in shaping how we allocate resources to enhance student learning. This is an excellent opportunity for you to have your say and contribute to the direction of our school. 

You can access the survey HERE. 

Kindergarten to Grade 3 Parents/Guardians - Your Child's 2025-2026 Enrollment Information 

We are also asking for your assistance with classroom planning for the 2025-2026 school year. If your child will be returning to Somerset School, please take a moment to confirm their enrollment and share any important information we should be aware of. This helps us ensure we are best prepared to support each child’s learning experience. 

Please click HERE to provide this important information. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback and help us plan for an even better year ahead. Your support is vital in creating a strong, successful learning environment for our students. 

Help Us Build the Future – Join the Playground Rejuvenation Team! 

Our Outdoor Rejuvenation Team is hard at work planning a project that will have a lasting impact on our school community – the creation of a brand new playground for our students! 

This playground will be a space where our children can play, explore, and connect with one another. It will be a place for laughter, creativity, and outdoor learning, and we can’t wait to see it come to life. 

Right now, the team is focused on two important areas: fundraising and building plans. We would love for you to join us in this meaningful initiative. Whether it’s offering your ideas, contributing your time, or lending your support to our fundraising efforts, your involvement is invaluable. Every bit of energy, passion, and enthusiasm you bring will help us create an enriching outdoor space that our children will enjoy for years to come. 

We understand that everyone has different ways they can contribute, and we welcome all levels of involvement. Whether you can volunteer to help with planning or fundraising, or simply spread the word and share your excitement for the project, there is a place for you in this effort. 

If you’re interested in being part of the Outdoor Rejuvenation Team, we would love to hear from you! Please reach out to us for more details on how you can get involved. 

JOIN by clicking HERE. 

Building Operations Update 

The Modular Relocation Work that has been underway at our school. I’m pleased to share that we are nearing an exciting milestone—the relocation of the Modular classroom is almost ready to take place! 

Our team has been working diligently to ensure everything is prepared for this move, and we are now at the stage where we can expect the classroom to be relocated in the near future. We understand that this has been a significant project, and we truly appreciate your patience and understanding throughout this process. 

We’ll be sure to provide more detailed information as we get closer to the move. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. We’re looking forward to this next step in improving our school and enhancing the learning environment for all our students. 

Parent-Teacher Conferences - No Classes Friday

Parent Conference sign-ups are now OPEN! Starting at noon this Sunday, you can begin booking your virtual parent conferences, which will take place online. 

When: 
Friday, March 21st 
Between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM 

How to Book: 
You can easily sign up for a conference through your MyCBE account. If you need assistance, we’ve created a helpful guide with step-by-step instructions and video tutorials on how to: 

  • Book a Conference 
  • Edit or Delete a Booking 

Click HERE for the full instructions and videos to guide you through the process. 

We look forward to connecting with you during the conferences and discussing your child’s progress. These meetings are a great opportunity to share insights, celebrate successes, and work together to support your child’s learning journey. 

NOTE: 

 Participating in Student Conferences is an important opportunity for families to engage in their child's learning journey, celebrate progress, and discuss areas for growth. These conversations help strengthen the partnership between home and school, ensuring that we are all working together to support the success of every student. 

For families of students on an Individualized Program Plan (IPP) who have not yet booked a meeting, please note that teachers will be reaching out early next week to schedule a time for these important discussions. These meetings provide an opportunity to collaborate on your child’s unique needs and ensure we are offering the best support for their continued growth and development. 

Fundraising & Support

We are excited to announce that the Scholastic Book Fair will begin on April 1! This event is a wonderful opportunity for our students to explore new books, dive into exciting stories, and foster a lifelong love of reading. 

We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the Scholastic Book Fair in the past and who will be participating this year. It’s always heartwarming to see so many students eager to pick out books that inspire them. This fair not only encourages reading, but also contributes to our school’s library and other literacy programs that benefit all of our students. 

We look forward to seeing the joy and excitement on our students' faces as they discover new books and share their love for reading with friends and family. Thank you for your continued support in making this event such a success! 

Field Studies & Student Learning 

We are excited to share some upcoming field studies that our students will be participating in this spring! These hands-on learning experiences are wonderful opportunities for students to explore, engage with new environments, and connect their classroom learning to the real world. 

On April 2, our Grade 4 students will be heading to Heritage Park for an exciting field study. This will be a fantastic chance for them to explore local history and experience the rich cultural heritage of our community. 

Then, on April 8, our Grade 3 students will embark on a fun-filled day at Telus Spark, where they’ll engage with science, technology, and interactive exhibits. This visit will provide them with an inspiring, hands-on experience to deepen their understanding of the world around them. 

Dates of Significance (Next 4-6 Weeks): 

As we move through the next few weeks, we wanted to share a list of Dates of Significance that highlight important cultural, historical, and global observances. These dates provide us with opportunities to reflect on and celebrate the diversity within our community. Please take a moment to review the list below, which includes hyperlinks for more information. If you have any additional dates that you’d like to share with us, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 

MARCH: Alberta Francophonie Month 

MARCH: Irish Heritage Month 


APRIL: Sikh Heritage Month 

Hyperlink references:  

Alberta Education _ Special Days  

Government of Canada: Important and Commemorative Days 

United Nations Observances  

Britannica 


Hand to Heart, 

Nathan Bane 

Somerset School Principal