may 2013 . Issue 9 . Volume 10
The Calgary Science School
Principal’s Message As the weather (slowly) turns to something resembling spring, we once again embark on our May and June outdoor education schedule. It takes a massive amount of planning and preparation in order to ensure safe and engaging curriculumrelated trips for your children. Beginning on May 2 and extending over the course of the subsequent 6 weeks, we will take five hundred students on trips to various locations, including Fort Steele, Jasper, and the Crowsnest Pass. None of it could happen without the incredible commitment and dedication of our staff, the trust and selfless contributions of our parents and volunteers, and the enthusiasm and energy of our students. Each time we ask our students what makes CSS special, they talk about the experiences they have on our field trips and overnight trips. I look forward to another spring full of memorable trips that will once again contribute to our students’ positive experiences at school, all of which is made possible by an incredibly committed and dedicated school community.
I understand that being able to volunteer on an overnight trip is often only available to a portion of our parent population. What is more accessible, though, is getting involved in supporting CSS by participating in the activities of the School Council. The council Annual General Meeting is on May 7 and I encourage you to attend if you would like to learn more about the council and the many ways they support the school. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our current school council executive for their consistent and unquestionable support of the administrative team and the school as a whole. We will have a lot to celebrate at our volunteer appreciation luncheon in June and it seems fitting that, as we elect a new School Council in May, I recognize the considerable volunteer commitment our current council has provided. Sincerely, Darrell Lonsberry Principal
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School Council Update
May, 2013
It is so wonderful to see the sun these days. Is spring finally upon us?
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Parent Survey It is Parent Survey time again. The Survey Committee worked hard to provide a shortened version in comparison to past years. It should only take 10 to 15 minutes maximum to complete the survey. Please take the time to provide your input on volunteering, School Council activities, Outdoor Education, Fine Arts, Electives and various other topics related to your child(ren)’s education. Also note that there
Emergency First Aid Course In order to better prepare parents for volunteering on field trips, the Volunteer Committee is looking to offer Basic Emergency First Aid training. This is a one day (7hour) program with a cost of $105.00 + GST per person. If you are interested in the course please contact the Volunteer Committee at volunteers.css@gmail.com As always, if you have any questions, comments or would like to get involved please send us an email at council@ calgaryscienceschool.com. Karen Cuthbertson On behalf of the CSS School Council
CSS School Council AGM
MAY 2013
in this issue School Council Update................................................ 3 Ask Darrell......................................................................... 4 We Walk For Water......................................................... 5 CSS at the Calgary Youth Science Fair.................6-9 Transportation Committee Update......................... 9 CSS Hosts Handbell Choir Festival...................10-11 Lasers Badminton Grade 9..................................12-13
AGM May 7th 7:00pm The AGM and election of officers has been moved to May instead of October. This was done to allow the new Council members a transition period before preparing for the upcoming school year. If you have ever wondered what the School Council does or how you can become more involved in volunteering at CSS please join us on May 7th.
will be an optional draw for those who complete the survey with a grand prize of the reimbursement of one student’s enrichment fees.
Lasers Badminton Grade 8..................................14-15 Lasers Badminton Grade 7..................................16-17 Lasers Basketball Season Recap.......................18-20 Jump Rope For Heart..................................................20 May School Calendar..................................................21 June School Calendar.................................................22
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 CSS Anne Tingle Library
• Overview of School Council functions and opportunities for participation • Election of officers
Cover Photo: 7.4 students hanging out in their classroom at recess.
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Ask
Darrell
we WALK
4 WATER Spencer West, seen here in Tanzania last year prior to his ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro, will be walking from Edmonton to Calgary to raise money for We Walk 4 Water, a project of charity organization Free The Children, which partners with communities affected by drought to develop clean water projects.
Frequently Asked Questions for Principal Lonsberry
This month’s submitted question:
“What is the likelihood of CSS getting a second campus in the near future?” It is very difficult to say with any sense of certainty at all when, or if, we will get a second campus. Charter schools rely on surplus buildings being made available by one of the 2 large public boards when they are no longer required for their own student populations. When a school is closed it may be made available for lease to a charter school. Alberta
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Education provides invaluable support in brokering a lease agreement between a charter school and a larger public board. As for our own circumstance, it is impossible to say if, where and when we may have access to a second campus. As more information becomes available, we will certainly share it with everyone. I invite you to email any questions you may have that would be of interest to other parents. Submit your questions to darrell.l@calgaryscienceschool.com.
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Thursday, April 25th saw CSS students assemble in the gym for a presentation by Free The Children, the Canadian charity started by a then-11 year old Craig Kielburger who was impacted by a newspaper article reporting on a story of child labor in Pakistan. Alyssa from Free The Children spoke to students about her personal experience serving as a teacher in southern Africa. She shared with students the story of her meeting with Justice, a bright 4 year old student who was deaf due to bacterial meningitis caused by exposure to an unsanitary water supply. Alyssa spoke of how clean water can spark the beginning of many opportunities for a community that would otherwise not be a possiblity. She spoke about how clean water greatly reduces exposure to disease, meaning children are well enough to go to school and complete their education, meaning a much brighter future for them and their families and community.
Alyssa shared the story of Spencer West, a young American living without his lower limbs who continues to make the impossible possible, recently completing an ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, using his arms. On May 6, Spencer will begin an 11 day walk from Edmonton to Calgary to raise money for We Walk 4 Water, a project of Free the Chldren seeking to partner with communities affected by drought to develop water sanitation projects. Beginning May 6 and spearheaded by Ms. Groeller’s grade 8/9 Me To We elective, CSS students and staff will be walking during recess and DPA periods to support Spencer. Teachers will be recording distances on pedometer devices. Look for our results on the bulletin board near the main entrance of the school. Of course, students are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to raise funds for We Walk 4 Water. So, look for us walking around the playground and community!
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CSS Well Represented at Calgary Youth Science Fair April 19 and 20 saw 21 CSS grade 5 - 9 students represent our school at the Calgary Youth Science Fair (CYSF) held at the Olympic Oval on the University of Calgary campus. All of these students participated in the CSS Science Fair, held at the school on February 6, from which they were selected by the judges to represent the school at CYSF. In all, CSS students received 17 awards. In addition, Grade 9 student Christian B. and grade 8 student Maggie C. received the additional honor of an invitation to the Canada Wide Science Fair, taking place May 11 to May 18 in Lethbridge, while Grade 9 student Avery S. was named as an alternate.
GRADE
6&7 Amman A. CYSF Director’s Award
Alison C.
Brayden A. CYSF Physical Science Award
Carson F. Yellow Fish Road Award
Meira S.
Ben L. and Evan A.
Aarushi R.
Stephanie B. City of Calgary, Water Services Award for Secondary
The recognition of these students’ work is a reflecton of the effort and quality that was exhibited by CSS students who participated in this year’s school science fair. Bravo to all! Following are photos of all participating students and their projects on display at the Calgary Youth Science Fair.
GRADE
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Claire L.
Zayd J.
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Austin L. APEGA Award for Engineering www.calgaryscienceschool.com
Caleb S.
Nicole H.
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GRADE
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Michael W. Grant MacEwan Nature Protection Award
Sanchit C.
Scott P. SPE Canadian Educational Trust Fund Award - First Place
Avery S. Canadian Food Inspection Agency Award Queen’s University Applied Science Prize Schulich School of Engineering First Prize
Christian B. Alberta Education Support Grant AltaGas Alternative Energy Award Chemical Institute of Canada Calgary Award Devon Intermediate Environmental Award
Transportation Committee Update THANK YOU! Maggie C. CYSF Travel Award Devon Junior Environmental Award
Kellan K.
Kirsten C.
GRADE
ROUTE PLANNING REMINDER As mentioned in last month’s Spectrum, the Transportation Committee is working on planning bus routes for the upcoming school year. Routes are selected based on registered riders each school year and, as such, routes and stops may change from the ones currently in place. The committee strives to fairly apply the transportation guidelines to all registered riders so that everyone gets the same great service! We are committed to providing the safest, most reliable, timely and fair service possible to all students.
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Graydon Y.
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We want to give a big shout out to the parents who registered online for busing during the registration period for the upcoming 2013/2014 school year. If you haven’t already registered your child for busing, please log into the CSS website and register your child as soon as possible! Please remember to let the transportation committee know well in advance if you are moving!
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Katelyn P. and Leigh S.
New routes will be distributed to parents around mid June. These routes will be in effect for the start of school (August,
May, 2013
2013). Once school starts, parents will have an opportunity to let us know of any concerns and/or route requests. The committee reviews and votes on these requests in September along with the Transportation Analyst (with final approval from Southland Transportation). More information will follow on this topic closer to the new school year.
TRANSPORTATION CONTACT INFO * Please remember if your child’s bus is late, in addition to receiving the bus notifications you signed up for as mentioned above, you may also call Southland Transportation direct if you have any questions at 403-287-1335. * If you need to contact your Volunteer Route Representative please email us at: transportationatcss@gmail.com. Please make sure you include the specific route# in the subject line (example: R1 Question) as we have 11 routes and want to ensure your email gets directed to the correct volunteer. Parent Volunteer Transportation Committee transportationatcss@gmail.com
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RI NG I NG I N SP RI NG CSS Handbell Choir hosts first annual Handbell Festival Friday, April 26 saw CSS host a Handbell Festival in the Indoor Activity Centre. The Festival was organized by Calgary handbell expert Emmy Okazawa-Bortolin. Mrs. Okazawa-Bortolin, Chair of the Handbell Guilds of Canada, is an invaluable resource to school handbell programs across the country. CSS hosted a morning handbell workshop on handbell technique and musicality. Joined by the handbell choir from St. Clair Elementary School, the workshop culminated in a performance by the choirs, in which they played their own individual pieces, leading to a “mass ring” combining both choirs. Mrs. Okazawa-Bortolin will
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again be at CSS to participate in Music Monday on Monday, May 6. The CSS Handbell Choir, started under Mr. Bolen in 2006, consists of students ranging from grades 4 to 9, including both boys and girls, led my Ms. Groeller and Mr. Bolen. . It’s also important to note the CSS Teacher Handbell Choir traditionally performs at the Peace Festival Assembly and plans to grace the school with another performance at the Summer PVA Showcase in June.
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LASERS BADMINTON
GRADE 9 ANNIE
HEIDI NIC
MEGAN
2012-13 CSS Lasers Grade 9 Badminton
Back Row (L-R) Ms. Desrochers, Ms. Barnes, Joshua L., Noah V., Nic H., Spencer W., Mr. Sonico Front Row (L-R) Megan L., Jenna F., Jada P., Annie H., Heidi S., Luke E.
SPENCER JADA 12
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NOAH
JOSHUA
LUKE www.calgaryscienceschool.com
JENNA 13
LASERS BADMINTON AARON
PHILIP
2012-13 CSS Lasers Grade 8 Badminton Back Row (L-R) Lauren L., Quinn K., Justin C., Michael W., Aaron K., Mr. McKenzie Front Row (L-R) Lauren N., Alyssa L., Heather N., Philip K. Missing: Isaac P.
HEATHER LAUREN 14
ALYSSA www.calgaryscienceschool.com
GRADE 8 QUINN
LAUREN
JUSTIN
MICHAEL
ISAAC www.calgaryscienceschool.com
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LASERS BADMINTON
GRADE 7 JEREMY
DANI
LUKASH
MADISON 2012-13 CSS Lasers Grade 7 Badminton
Back Row (L-R) Mr. Publack, Kaitlin F., Madyson E., Victoria B., Emily J., Lukash C., Mr. Fawcett Front Row (L-R) Dani V., Jeremy P., Alec F., Liam G., Ty D.
VICTORIA
ALEC 16
TY
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KAITLIN
LIAM www.calgaryscienceschool.com
EMILY 17
lasers BASKETball SEASON recap
SENIOR GIRLS
SENIOR BOYS The 2012-13 season for the Lasers Senior Girls was one of tremendous team spirit and strong play the entire season. The team was a diverse group made up of grades 7, 8 and 9 students who bonded quickly and supported each other on and off the court. The girls finished the season winning the league championship in a thrilling final v.s. Westmount Charter School. The team gives special thanks to our parent-coach, Tracy Wasyluk. Coaches Couillard and Berry
JUNIOR GIRLS
The senior boys basketball team had a successful season finishing third in league play and winning the silver medal in the league tournament to end the season. Their 8 point loss in ERS to the home team was hard to take at the time, but also showed the great strides they made during the season. Throughout the season, the boys all showed themselves to be dedicated athletes and hard workers through some intense games and gruelling practices. To those Grade 9s who are moving on, good luck. It was an honour to coach all of you and hopefully you will remember the true meaning when someone tells you to take a rest from practice and find a seat.
Coach Kutcher
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This year we were very fortunate to have over 15 girls join our junior basketball team! It was the first time that many of the girls had played basketball outside of gym class and they showed an outstanding level of enthusiasm and dedication. At every practice the girls showed leadership and a commitment to building their skills. Throughout the season we won three of our four games and the team brought 100% to every event! Congratulations on a very successful season everyone! Coach Waite
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JUNIOR BOYS
MAY 2013 28
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DAY 3
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PD Planning day
DAY 6 7
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FORT STEELE 5.2/7.2 DEPART Grade 6 5.1/7.1 RETURN City Hall field Trip This year, the Junior Boys had a huge focus on skill development and basic fundamentals. Since many of our boys actually played their first ever organized game this year, there were significant signs of improvement shown by the boys. By the end of the season, the boys were running a successful offence while playing tenacious defence against some experienced teams. We enjoyed getting to know the boys and appreciated their eagerness to learn.
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DAY 5
DAY 1
School council meeting 7:00 pm
Grade 4 Saht PARENT MEETING 6:30-7:30
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More information can be found at www.jumpropeforheart.ca. Here’s to students bouncing their way to a healthy heart while making a difference!
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School Closed
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DAY 3 DEPART
5.1/5.2 Heritage PARK WETLANDS FIELD TRIP
DAY 1 28
GRADE 5 VACCINATIONS
DAY 5
DAY 4
DAY 1
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DAY 3
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DAY 2
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DAY 2 DEPART 5.1 TRICAN R & D CENTER FIELD TRIP
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FORT STEELE 5.4/7.4 DEPART 5.3/7.3 RETURN
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PD Planning day GRADE 6 PAT E.L..A. Part A
VICTORIA Day Holiday
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DAY 6
GRADE 9 PAT E.L..A. Part A
Kicking off with an assembly last week, each student received their own skipping rope and were challenged to skip rope each day with the opportunity to seek sponsors and raise funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Over the next 2 weeks, Phys. Ed. and DPA (Daily Physical Activity) classes will focus on rope skipping activities and the playground is already buzzing with recess rope skippers.
DAY 2 FORT STEELE 5.3/7.3 DEPART 5.2/7.2 RETURN
Anne Tingle Library
Congrats on a great season!!
Over the next 2 weeks, CSS students will be on their way to becoming Heart Heros through the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart initiative. This program is designed to give students an understanding of the importance of activity for health and fitness, specifically regarding the circulatory system and the impact of activity on heart health.
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FORT STEELE 5.4/7.4 RETURN
Coaches Tam and Cadman
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FORT STEELE 5.1/7.1 DEPART
no classes
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DAY 4
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DAY 4
no classes 23
DAY 5
8.1/8.2 rocky mountain circle tour 5.3/5.4 Heritage PARK WETLANDS FIELD TRIP
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DAY 3
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DAY 6
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RETURN
DAY 4
8.3/8.4 rocky mountain circle tour 5.3 5.2 TRICAN TRICAN R & D CENTER R & D CENTER FIELD TRIP FIELD TRIP
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DAY 5
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RETURN 5.4 TRICAN R & D CENTER FIELD TRIP
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JUNE 2013 2
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DAY 1
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DAY 2 School council meeting 7:00 pm
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Southern Alberta History Tour 4.1/4.2 Southern Alberta DEPARt History Tour 4.3/4.4 DEPARt
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DAY 6 11
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Camp Sweet 9.1/9.2 boys
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no classes
DAY 2 13
DAY 3
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PAT - GR. 6 MATh
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DAY 3
DAY 1 20
DAY 2
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PAT - GR. 9 MATh
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PD Planning day
Grade 4 at westside rec fine arts showcase centre - aft - term 3 1:30 pm Bamfield 2013 spring concert parent info night 7:00 pm
no classes
PAT - GR. 6 science pat - gr. social st. DAY 4 27 DAY 5 28 26
GRADE 4/5 ipad MUSIC ELECTIVE FIELD TRIP PAT - GR. 9 science
DAY 4 15
Grade 4 - 6 track & Field day
art showcase iac LAST DAY
PAT - GR. 6 ELA PT B
DAY 5 8
PD Planning day
Camp Sweet 9.3/9.4 boys
Grade 5 Dragon Boating 5.1/5.2 morning 5.3/5.4 afternoon DAY 6 19 DAY 5 18
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4.3/4.4 return
Camp Sweet All grade 9 girls
Grade 4 - 6 track & Field day
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DAY 4
4.1/4.2 return
DAY 1 12
art showcase iac BEGINS
DAY 3 6
DAY 6 29
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL PAT - GR. 9 ela part b PAT - GR.9 social st.
NOON DISMISSAL REPORT CARD APPEALS - PM
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