Oki Parents and Guardians

To begin, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the families who attended our School Council and Friends of Somerset School Thursday evening and/ or the Terry Fox Assembly. Your presence and support meant so much to our school community. 

I also deeply appreciate your understanding regarding the postponement of the Terry Fox Run/Walk until the afternoon of Tuesday, September 17 between 2:30-3:00pm. While the delay was necessary due to heavy rain, we are looking forward to coming together soon to honor Terry Fox’s legacy and show our continued support for cancer research. 

Thank you for your ongoing support and flexibility! 

As we settle into the school year, I am excited to share our Weekly Updates with you below: 

School Highlights(s)/ Information 

School Photo Day Reminder – September 24

School Photo Day is coming up on September 24! We’re excited to capture these special moments, and we know how much they mean to our students and families.

Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing everyone’s smiles!

Casino 

I am thrilled to share some fantastic news with you! Our next School Council Casino fundraiser is set for Sunday, November 24 and Monday, November 25 at the Deerfoot Inn & Casino. This is a wonderful opportunity to come together, enjoy a fun evening, and most importantly, make a meaningful impact on our students’ learning experiences. 

By volunteering your time or encouraging others to join, you help support our students in so many valuable ways. The funds raised from this event directly support: 

• Classroom Resources: Providing engaging materials like books, technology, and hands-on learning tools that help students succeed. 
• Learning Resources: Enhancing Early Literacy and Numeracy initiatives to strengthen foundational skills. 
• Well-Being Initiatives: Funding for activities which promote emotional and social well-being, including our School-Wide Problem Solving model and special events like the Indigenous Games Residency, Movement Space and Sensory Room resources. 
• Enrichment Opportunities: Supporting field trips, special residencies, and lunchtime programs like soccer that enrich the student experience beyond the classroom. 

Your involvement ensures that we can continue providing these incredible opportunities for our students. Please consider joining us at the Casino, even if it’s just for a few hours – your contribution truly makes a difference! 

Sign up HERE 

School Development Plan 

In the coming weeks, we will be unveiling our School Development Plan, which is designed to enhance student growth in key areas. This year, our focus will be on Early Literacy, Numeracy, and Well-Being. These pillars are crucial in fostering both academic achievement and social development, and we are eager to share more details with you soon. 

Well-Being Initiatives 

We are deeply committed to nurturing the well-being of every student. Our Well-Being plan will introduce teaching emotional vocabulary, which helps students express their feelings more effectively focusing on our School-Wide Problem Solving model to empower students to approach challenges with confidence. We will also be continuing to build our #SomersetStrong spirit, celebrating kindness, perseverance, and community. 

In addition to these, we are thrilled to launch our new Lunchtime Soccer program, where students can practice teamwork and enjoy physical activity. Another exciting opportunity is our upcoming Indigenous Games Residency with Jaron Wesselbear, offering students a chance to engage with cultural traditions while developing their physical skills. 

These initiatives are designed to provide wonderful opportunities for all of us—students, staff, and families alike—to grow together. 

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

Our Outdoor Rejuvenation Team is hard at work planning an exciting new project – the creation of a brand new playground for our school! This playground will be a space for our students to play, explore, and connect with one another, and we can’t wait to see it come to life. 

Right now, the team is focused on fundraising and building plans, and we would love for you to join us in this meaningful initiative. Your ideas, energy, and support are crucial as we work together to provide an enriching outdoor space for our children. 

Whether you can volunteer your time, contribute to fundraising efforts, or simply share your enthusiasm, we welcome all levels of involvement. Together, we can create a playground that will benefit students for years to come. 

If you’re interested in being part of the Outdoor Rejuvenation Team, please reach out HERE. 

We would love to have you on board! 

Don't Miss Out on This Year's Fun Lunches 

Fun Lunches are a favorite for our students, organized by the Somerset School Parent Council, and we want to make sure everyone can participate! To join in, orders must be placed on time through the Healthy Hunger website at www.healthyhunger.ca. Returning families should select their child’s class, while new families will need to create an account (instructions are included in the email). Be sure to check the list of Fun Lunch dates and their cut-off deadlines, as once the deadline passes, no orders can be placed. Don’t miss out—your participation not only makes lunchtime special but also supports the program and enhances the school year for everyone! 

Stay Informed 

• Set up your MyCBEPowerSchool Account HERE 
• Update Demographic Forms 
• Complete your child’s STUDENT HEALTH PLAN 
• Complete the Annual Volunteer Process 
• Complete the Lunchroom Registration Process 
• ATTENDANCE reporting information found HERE 
• NUT AWARE School 

We kindly ask that families avoid sending nut products to school with their children. 

• WALKING Field Trips Letter found HERE. 
• VOLUNTEER Process

1. Register as a volunteer: 

• Complete the Annual Volunteer Registration Form, to confirm your commitment to student safety, confidentiality, and school policies, found HERE and return it to the office in person 
• The school will verify your identity and send a letter for a police check.  
• • Bring Photo ID 

2. Apply for a Police Information Check (if required) 

• Use the CBE volunteer letter to apply through the Calgary Police Service’s (CPS) online system (ePIC). 
• Wait for an email from CPS to apply, ensuring the voucher is ready. Costs are covered for online applications only; in-person applications require a $21.25 fee. 

3. Submit your clearance: 

• Share your clearance document with the school in person, or by email. 

We are excited to have you join us and make a positive difference in our school community! 

• Don't Miss Out on This Year's FUN LUNCHES – Act Fast! 

We are excited to kick off another school year, and one of the highlights for our students is always the Fun Lunches, organized by our amazing Somerset School Parent Council! But there's something important you need to know: these lunches can only happen if you place your orders on time – and we’d hate for any child to miss out. 

Fun Lunches are a monthly treat that kids look forward to, and every meal is ordered through the Healthy Hunger website: 

www.healthyhunger.ca 

Returning families, please make sure to select your child's class from the list provided. If you’re new, don’t worry – setting up an account is simple! Detailed instructions are included in the attached email. 

Here’s a list of all the Fun Lunch dates for the year, along with their cut-off deadlines: 

Don’t let the cut-off dates sneak up on you! Once the deadline passes, there’s no way to place orders, and we’d hate for anyone to miss out on these special lunches. 

Thank you for supporting the fun lunch program – your participation helps make the school year even tastier for our students! 

Closing Notes

Thank you for taking the time to read through this week’s update and for your continued engagement and support. Together, we are building a vibrant and inclusive learning environment that prioritizes both the academic and emotional well-being of our students. 

As we move forward with these exciting initiatives and events, I want to remind you how much your involvement truly matters. Whether it’s attending assemblies, volunteering at our upcoming Casino, or simply encouraging your child each day, your partnership plays a vital role in our success as a school community. 

I look forward to all that we will achieve together this year. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or feedback. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead! 

Hand to Heart,  

Nathan Bane   

Principal, Somerset School