Dear Evergreen Families,

As we head into the Easter weekend, we wish all members of our school community a joyful and restful break. For those who celebrate Easter, we hope the holiday brings time for reflection, renewal, and connection with family and friends.

Students in grade 1 had the opportunity to learn about and watch the launch of the Artemis II rocket. They explored why this mission is an exciting step in space exploration and discussed where the name Artemis comes from. The Artemis is named after the Greek goddess of the Moon and the hunt, who was also the twin sister of Apollo.  This is a fitting connection since NASA’s earlier Apollo program first took humans to the Moon.

Students also learned why astronauts are returning to the Moon. Missions in the Artemis program aim to help scientists learn more about living and working on the Moon, test new technologies, and prepare for future missions deeper into space, including potential journeys to Mars.

Watching and learning about a real upcoming launch sparked curiosity and excitement about science, exploration, and the possibilities of space travel.

UPDATES AND INFORMATION

School Council Meeting: Please join us for the School Council Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, April 8th starting at 6:00pm in the Learning Commons.

Our School Council plays an important role in supporting our school community, organizing events, and helping enhance opportunities for our students. As we look ahead to the coming year, we are seeking volunteers to step into several executive positions on School Council.

These roles are a wonderful way to stay connected to the school, share your voice, and make a positive impact for all students. Many hands make light work, and even a small commitment of time can make a big difference.

If you are interested in learning more about joining the School Council executive team, please reach out or plan to attend our next School Council meeting. We would love to welcome some new faces and ideas!

Thank you for considering how you might support our school community.  Please see below for roles available and approximate time commitment.

Topp Kids: Topp Kids will be closed for Good Friday, on April 3rd, 2026, and for Easter Monday, on April 6th, 2026. Please note the school is still operating on Monday, April 6th, 2026. Families will need to ensure alternative care is arranged to accommodate the school bell times on Monday April 6th, as Teachers, Administration and the school office are unable to provide care outside of regular school hours; this includes daytime Kindergarten care outside of designated CBE class times. Entry for students in grade 1-5 and AM Kindergarten begins at 7:50am, and Students must be in their classes at 8:00am. Dismissal for the AM Kindergarten Class is at 10:55am, with the PM Kindergarten Class beginning at 11:35AM. Dismissal for the PM Kindergarten class and grade 1-5 is at 2:30pm. Children should be picked up from their designated grade door unless arranged with the school.

CBE Decodable Digital Library – Supporting Beginning Readers: The CBE Decodable Digital Library is a collection of online books created for CBE students and families to support early reading at home and school. Decodable books are specially designed to help beginning readers practice reading words using the letter sounds they have already been taught, rather than guessing from pictures or memorizing words. As students learn new sounds, the books gradually include more words, helping build confidence, accuracy, and fluency. Decodable books are one important part of a balanced literacy program, alongside being read to and enjoying many different kinds of books. This digital library gives families easy access to supportive reading materials that help children learn to trust the print and grow as readers. 

FREE | Childhood Unplugged Event - April 22, 2026: Screens are everywhere - in our homes, schools, and pockets. Many parents and educators are asking the same question: How do we help children find balance in a digital world?  Join the conversation inspired by Katherine Johnson Martinko’s book Childhood Unplugged: Practical Advice to Get Kids Off Screens and Find Balance, which offers practical guidance for helping children spend less time on screens and more time reading, playing, and exploring the world around them. 

This event will feature a keynote presentation by the author, followed by a panel discussion with local experts who will share insights, research, and realistic strategies to help families navigate screen use in today’s digital environment. 

Expert panel featuring: 

  • Dr. Sheri Madigan, Professor in the Department of Psychology and Tier I Canada Research Chair in Child Mental Health and Well-being at the University of Calgary. 
  • Dr. Mengguo Jing, Assistant Professor in Learning Sciences with the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary. 
  • Sara Austin, Founder and CEO of Children First Canada. 

Event Moderator: Dr. Susan Graham, Director of the Owerko Centre at the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Scientific Director of the Azrieli Accelerator, and Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary. 

When: April 22, 2026

Time: 10:00-12:00pm

Where: Central Library Theatre

How: Register for free at https://childhoodunplugged.eventbrite.ca 

Marshal Springs School Invite: MSS School Council is also proud to present an engagement session called "Mirror Mirror" featuring Alison Springer on April 16, 2026 at 6:30pm @ MSS. Food trucks will be available outside MSS starting at 5:00pm.

"Mirror Mirror is an entertaining presentation with a powerful message that inspires students to lead by embracing who they are and how they were made. Alison helps students expose the ‘lying mirrors’ in their lives and the three causes that distort how they view themselves (media, comparison and things that people say). Students will learn positive and helpful ways to protect their dignity and the dignity of others. Alison shares some of the struggles she faced being black, tall and loud, along with her academic struggles. Students will realize that their strengths and weaknesses serve a specific purpose." - https://youthspeakers.ca/speaker/alison-springer/ 

This is a free event for MSS community members, their families, and their children. Food trucks are an additional cost. If you plan on attending, please RSVP HERE.

Have a wonderful rest of your Sunday!