Happy Friday Bayside!
We had a small but productive School Council and BSFA meeting this week where I was able to share information about Bayside’s school development plan for the 2024-25 school year. As a staff, we have used student data from a variety of sources to identify strengths and areas for growth. From this data analysis, we identified a goal that would address the learning needs of students in Kindergarten to grade 5 at Bayside school and would allow us to focus on continuous improvement in our students’ learning and well-being. Our annual school results report as well as the school development plan will be posted on our Website next week (November 29).
Updates and Reminders:
Traffic and Bus Zone: Parking and traffic is a challenge around Bayside school during our very busy drop-off and pick-up times. It is important for all parents and caregivers to put safety first and to exercise caution and kindness when driving your children to school. A few important reminders:
- The bus zone (along Auburn Springs Blvd.) is a no parking zone except for buses. Stopping or parking in the bus zone to drop off students is not permitted.
- Please do not drop off students in the staff parking lot. Our lot is very full and there is limited space to back up or turn around, creating a safety hazard for pedestrians and staff who park in the lot.
- Please avoid parking in front of our neighbours’ driveways.
- Stop or park at least 5 m from the crosswalks around the school.
- Give your family plenty of time in the morning and after school. This will allow you to find a spot a short distance away from the school and walk to school. While parking directly in front of or next to the school is very limited, there are many safe places to park that are within a 5 minute walk to the school in the surrounding streets.
- Be KIND! Our staff in the bus zone and around the school are watching out for the safety of all of our students and families. They may remind drivers if you are in a No Parking Zone or blocking a crosswalk. Please be polite and keep in mind that we are all working together to keep everyone safe. Remember, our students are watching how we conduct ourselves. We want to set a good example.
- If you notice a traffic safety issue, please report it to 311 or to Calgary Police: https://www.calgary.ca/cps/traffic/traffic-service-requests.html
Check out these safety tips from Calgary Parking Authority: https://www.calgaryparking.com/about/news/parking-safely-around-schools.html
Parent-Teacher Conferences: A reminder to book your parent-teacher conference for November 28 or 29. This will be the second of three formal opportunities to meet with your child’s teacher to discuss their learning and progress this year. We encourage parents to bring your child to the conference so they can be part of the conversation and celebrate their learning with you. Conferences can be booked online through MyCBE.
Scholastic Book Fair, November 28 and 29: The crates have arrived, and the anticipation is building. Next week, students will visit the Book Fair and have an opportunity to check out the new titles that Scholastic is offering. We will be explicit with the students that this is a chance to look at the books, but that the ultimate decision to purchase books will be a family decision. Books won’t be sold during school time, sales will ONLY take place during the Parent Conferences.
In the past, this has been a fantastic fund-raiser for our school. We’ve been able to purchase hundreds of books in the last two years, as well as spinning bookshelves, book sets to support early literacy and English Language Learners. The library at Bayside houses a great collection of titles, and funds from this event is one of the reasons why.
There will also be the opportunity to directly support your child’s classroom library. Teachers have been asked to create a wish list of 5-6 books they would like to have available in their classroom. If you want to, you can fulfill one of those wishes and purchase a book for your child’s teacher. This is another way to ensure that all libraries in the building remain engaging, vibrant and relevant. Thank you in advance for your support of this worthwhile venture.
Staffing Updates: We are pleased to welcome Ms. Heidi Morden back to Bayside in grade 3 as she returns from parental leave starting on November 28. We would like to thank Ms. Lauren Ng, who has been covering Ms. Morden’s leave on a temporary contract. She has done an exceptional job with her students and their families and we know she will be missed. Ms. Ng will definitely be back at Bayside as a guest teacher in the near future. Ms. Ng and Ms. Morden will both attend Parent-Teacher conferences to meet with students and parents in room 1116.
We will also be saying goodbye to one of our OG staff members, the wonderful Mrs. Fitzowich (Mrs. Fitz). Mrs. Fitz was our first library assistant at Bayside School and we have been so fortunate to have her for the last two years where she has helped us to set up a vibrant learning commons. While we are sad to see her go, we wish Mrs. Fitz all the best in her next adventure. I am working with CBE Human Resources to find a new library assistant and will communicate with families once we have found someone. Mrs. Fitz’ last day at Bayside will be Friday November 29 so make sure you stop by the Book Fair to wish her well!
Welcome to Ms. Shital Panchal who has recently joined our Education Assistant team at Bayside.
Winter Celebrations: We are excited to share plans for our upcoming winter celebrations prior to Winter break!
Thursday December 12: We invite families to Bayside’s Light Up Winter Open house celebration on Thursday December 12 from 5:15-7:15 PM. We hope you will join us for fun and festive winter activities & crafts in classrooms and throughout the school. To help us manage the number of people in the school, please plan to attend during the following times, according to first letter of your last name:
A-K 5:15-6:10 PM
L-Z 6:20-7:15 PM
Stories and Songs: We are excited to invite parents to join us for a special “Stories and Songs” celebration during the last week of classes before Winter Break. Each grade group will be featured on one of the days and will perform as part of the show. Families are encouraged to come ready to participate and sing-along with familiar (and not-so-familiar) winter and Christmas tunes. We are hopeful that by scheduling the performances close to the beginning and end of the school day, after drop-off and before pick-up, many parents will be able to attend. We are just finalizing the details and will share the specific days and times each grade group will be featured next week.
Upcoming Spirit Days and Bayside: We have a number of spirit days coming up at Bayside! Participation is optional but we hope everyone will join in the fun:
Nov. 27: Patterns Day- Patterns are an important concept in mathematics and also fun to wear. Express yourself and wear fun patterns on Wednesday November 27.
Dec. 17: Festive and Fancy Day- Sparkles, Bows, Colours, oh my! Dress in something festive and/ or fancy.
Dec. 20: (Last day of classes) Pajama Day- come in your coziest jammies.
Food Bank: Our grade 5 team has been working hard to gather donations for the Calgary Food Bank. For every 5 boxes filled, they will plan another spirit day. The last day for Food Bank donations is Friday November 29. Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Updates from School Council and BSFA:
Read - a - Thon!
We are in the home stretch— there are 3 more days left! Did you reach your goals? Do you have your sponsors? Did you do all your reading??
Remember, Principal for the day, Vice principal for the day, gift cards and a pizza party could all be part of your winnings!
This weekend with a snowstorm in the forecast, It will be the perfect excuse to cozy up with a good book… in the last few days, every page counts! Let the snowstorm be your reading soundtrack as you dive into those last chapters. Lets finish strong - Ready, Set, Read!!
***Just a reminder*** Monies will be collected starting Monday November 25th and the last day for money collection will be November 28th. Please remember to also send in your tracking sheet with the monies collected so that we can calculate the top reader!
Coffee with Council - Let’s Brew Some Great Ideas Together! ☕️
Calling all Bayside parents! Join us for a Coffee Date with the Bayside Parent Council — it’s a casual get-together to sip, chat, and brainstorm ways to make our school even better!
📅 When: Dec. 4th, 2024
🕒 Time: 8:15am-9:15am
📍 Where: Bayside Teacher Lounge
Whether you’re brimming with ideas or just want to listen in, we’d love to have you there! It’s the perfect chance to connect, let your ideas percolate, and enjoy a cup of coffee (or two) and of course, some sweet treats to go along with it. 🍪 🍩
Let’s stir up something amazing for our school community! ☕️
Scholastic Book Fair - Our School Book Fair is coming up and we need some volunteers! Sign up here to volunteer!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4BACAA29A3FFC61-53313506-library
Casino Volunteers: We have our first official Bayside Casino! The casino will take place on June 8th and June 9th. Click below to sign up!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4BACAA29A3FFC61-53082960-bayside#/
Coming Up:
November 25-28: Bring in your Read-a-thon
funds for counting
November 27: Patterns Day
November 28 & 29: Parent Teacher Conferences (No school for Kindergarten on November 28, No school for grades K-5 on November 29)
November 28 & 29: Scholastic Book Fair (During PT Conferences)
November 29: Last day for Food Bank donations
December 4: Coffee with Council, 8:15 AM in the Bayside Staff room
December 5: Healthy Hunger, A & W (November 30 is the deadline to order)
December 12: Healthy Hunger Snack (incl. Kindergarten students), Kernels Popcorn
December 12: Light Up Bayside Open House, 5:15-7:15 PM
December 17: Festive and Fancy Day
December 17, 18, 19: Songs and Stories celebrations, 8:30 AM and 1:45 PM
December 20: Last Day of classes, Pajama Day
Wishing everyone a cozy weekend!
Darby and Vanessa