Dear Evergreen Families,
The first two weeks of school have been filled with learning, connection, and new beginnings! Across Evergreen, students have been busy learning classroom routines, getting to know one another, exploring new ideas, and building the relationships that help make our school a caring and welcoming place to learn.
On Friday morning, we are excited to celebrate these first weeks together through photos from classrooms that capture some of the joy, curiosity, collaboration, and learning happening throughout our school. From thoughtful conversations and hands-on learning to teamwork, laughter, and new friendships, these moments remind us that every student has an important place in our Evergreen School Community.
Creating an inclusive and caring school community means finding opportunities to come together, celebrate one another, and recognize that we are all part of something bigger than our individual classrooms. Throughout the year, we look forward to gathering as a whole school to celebrate learning, accomplishments, special moments, and the many ways our students contribute to making Evergreen a place where everyone belongs.
We are off to a wonderful start, and we can't wait to see where our learning journey takes us this year!
UPDATES AND INFORMATION
Open House: We invite you to meet your child’s teacher and see their classroom on Thursday, September 17th from 3:30pm-5:00pm. This is an optional and informal drop-in time for interested students and families. Feel free to stop by anytime between 3:30-5:00pm. The open house is not designed for families to have specific conversations regarding their student. If you have more detailed questions about your student’s current learning or want to share information with the teacher about your student’s learning needs, please reach out to their teacher through email to set up a phone conversation or in-person meeting.
Fun Lunches are back!: Thanks to our School Council and an amazing group of parent volunteers, Fun Lunches through Healthy Hunger are back for the 2026-2027 school year. To register your student(s) please visit the link below. October and November’s lunches are posted. The fun lunch program is set up through Healthy Hunger. Fun Lunches are a way for your child to enjoy meals from different restaurants around our city. The food is delivered to the school during lunch hour. Volunteers then distribute the orders to each classroom to ensure the kids can enjoy it while it’s still fresh! To enroll visit:
Parent/Guardian Insights: We value your perspective and partnership in supporting your child’s learning. This past week you would have received a Parent Insights Form from your child’s teacher. This form gives you an opportunity to share important information about your child, such as their strengths, interests, and any areas where they may need extra support. Your insights help us better understand your child as a learner and guide us in creating a positive and meaningful school experience. Please return the form as soon as possible to your child’s teacher. Should they have further questions they will contact you.
Provincial Assessments – Grades 1 through 5: As in past years, the provincial government requires standardized assessments for students in Kindergarten through Grade 3. This year grades 4-6 have been added. Next week, students in Grades 1–5 will complete the first of three required assessments. Kindergarten students will take part in this assessment process for the first time in January. These assessments offer insight into students’ early literacy and numeracy development. At the school level, results support teachers in identifying individual learning needs and determining appropriate instructional next steps. Families seeking more information are encouraged to review the CBE parent information sheet.
CBE Caregiver Series: The Calgary Board of Education invites all parents and guardians to join a live online series on supporting child and youth well-being. The series is hosted by the Recovery Alberta Community Education Service (CES) Program in collaboration with local experts from the Calgary community.
Additional session details are available on the CBE website: Child and Youth Well-Being Family and Caregiver Series.
Evacuation Drills and Lockdowns: The safety of all students and staff is of great importance in any school. Evacuation drills are a long-standing practice in schools, and we are required to have a minimum of six Fire Drills each school year. Our students and staff are expected to carry out an evacuation drill as though it is real so that students are well-rehearsed in the event of a real need for evacuation. Teachers keep class lists with them during all drills and attendance is always taken. Parents or other visitors are expected to evacuate the building when the alarm is sounded.
We also practice a drill known as a “Lockdown” twice a year to review procedures for securing students in the school should an emergency occur within the building. Our lockdowns are always supported by the Calgary Police Service on site. The teachers will be instructing students regarding their role during a drill of this kind. In addition, no visitors are allowed to enter or leave the building during a lockdown procedure.
We announce our evacuation and lockdown drills to students and staff prior to the start, so they know it is a practice.
Other safety precautions we have in place include, but are not limited to:
- Locking all doors – external and internal.
- A fan out procedure – to ensure clear and swift communication with parents in the event of an emergency.
- Visitors – are expected to register at the office.
- Volunteers – must complete a security clearance and wear nametags at all times in the building.
- Substitute Teachers – are provided with emergency information upon entering the school.
Next week students and staff will practice their first Fire Drill. Teachers review procedures with students in advance and answer any questions students might have. We appreciate your support in explaining the need for these important drills and procedures to your children, so they understand the importance of following our processes responsibly for the safety of our students, staff and visitors.
Physical Education Weekly Update: This month, we will be participating in our annual Terry Fox Run. We are very fortunate to welcome Willa Marshall, a Terry Fox Ambassador, to Evergreen School on Wednesday, September 16th. Willa will speak to our whole school and take our students on a journey through Terry Fox’s incredible story, his unstoppable determination, and how every dollar raised helps fund life-changing cancer research. Our school-wide Terry Fox Run will take place on Monday, September 21st. Our school fundraising website is now active if you would like to donate to this important cause: https://schools.terryfox.ca/137367
Simply click Donate and then find your student’s grade. Another option is to bring a Toonie for Terry on Monday, September 21st. Thank you for supporting our students and helping us continue Terry’s legacy of hope, determination, and giving back! Go Evergreen! 💚
Mrs. Paterson, Physical Education Teacher
Live from the Music Room: We’ve been getting into the rhythm this week! The world is full of percussion instruments to shake, bang and rattle.
Kindergarteners have been playing an orchestra of percussion instruments, including tambourines, rhythm sticks, egg shakers, maracas, triangles and more. They have also been learning fun dance activities that leave everyone giggling.
Did you know that a bucket makes an excellent drum? Turn it upside down and drum it with your hands or sticks and you can make some wonderful beats.
Our Grade 1’s have started drumming on buckets with their hands. They are learning the difference between slower notes that are one beat long (“Ta”) and faster notes that with two half-beats (“Tee-tee”). They have been great at copying the teacher’s rhythms!
Grade 2’s have begun on xylophones, and learned to play the song “Hot Cross Buns” this week.
Grades 3’s and 4’s have been composing their own rhythm-songs, with different beats, high/middle/low notes, and finally adding words to their composition.
The Grade 5’s have also been creating rhythm-songs with more complex beats such as “ticka-tee” and “tee-ticka” incorporating sixteenth and eighth notes.
Lots more great music to come!
Mr. Cohen, Music Teacher
Thank you for taking the time to read through all this important information. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at acmcphee@cbe.ab.ca
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!
Sincerely,
Angela, Kim and the Evergreen Staff