Hello Bayside Families!

"Parents and Teachers working together create a strong foundation for student success.”

This week, on November 23 and 24^th, we welcome parents to learning conferences. This is the second of three formal opportunities to meet with your child’s teacher to discuss their learning and progress. Whenever possible, we encourage parents to bring your child with you to the conference so they can participate in the conversation about their learning. If you are unable to make it for conferences at this time, please reach out to your child’s teacher.

Many of our teachers are hosting student teachers at this time so families may have an opportunity to meet a student teacher from University of Calgary or from St. Mary’s University during conferences. We are so pleased to be a part of these future teachers’ journeys and we know they will learn so much from our amazing staff and students. Allowing student teachers to participate in important meetings, such as learning conferences, is an important step as they work towards their Education degrees and future employment as teachers. We are so happy to have them here at Bayside!

Reminders and Updates:

Lost & Found: Our lost & found is overflowing! Please make sure you check the lost and found when you visit us this week. We will be donating remaining items next week as we have run out of room for new items!

Toys at School: A gentle reminder to students and parents that toys are not allowed at school, except under very special circumstances. Our students have much to do as they engage in learning and toys or “fidgets” from home can often be a distraction in the classroom. If a teacher has planned a special day where students can bring games or stuffed animals, they will communicate this ahead of time with parents. The use of fidget tools or sensory tools in the classroom also requires careful planning and a clear understanding by the student of how and when to use the tool to support their learning. There is no need to send tools like this to school as we have many for students to use when they are here. As always, thank you for your support!

November/ December Spirit Days: We have a number of school spirit days planned for the coming weeks as we approach Winter break. We encourage students who wish to participate to use clothing and items that are already available in your home (rather than purchasing something new). Visit our School Spirit page on our Website for what’s coming up. Teachers will also be sharing reminders and details through their weekly emails and through Instagram

Calgary Hitmen Visit: We had a special visit from Dax and London of the Calgary Hitmen this week. They came to read a story and answer questions from our students and each student received a signed hockey card to take home. Thank you Dax and London for sharing your love of reading with us and a special thank you to Ms. Cassan for organizing this fun opportunity!

Veterans’ Food Bank: There is one more week to bring items for the Veterans’ Food Bank! If every student in our school brought 2 non-perishable items, we would be able to donate over 1000 items to Veterans in need. November 30 is the last day to bring in your donations.

School Council/ Fundraising Association: Our next meeting for Bayside School Council and Fundraising Association (BSFA) will be on November 28 at 6:00 PM. Please note the change in time from past meetings. The grade 5 team will be sharing. We hope to see many parents there!

Bayside School Fundraising Association has a number of FUNd-raising efforts this week for families to participate in. All proceeds will go to BFSA in support of school programs and enhancements.

• During Parent-Teacher interviews on Thursday Nov.23 and Friday Nov. 24, the Scholastic Book Fair will be in full swing. 25% of all proceeds will go to the BFSA, thanks to all of the hard work of our Volunteers and executive members.
• Two food trucks will be here for families to visit this evening (Thursday November 23): Tacos and a Treat truck BSFA will receive a percentage of the proceeds from sales.
• BFSA is opening a 50/50 draw starting Thursday November 23 and running until December 14. Keep an eye out for the QR codes displayed during the book fair.

Coming Up/ Dates to Remember:

November 27-December 1    Gartner Library School

November 28                          School Council & Fundraising Association Meetings, 6:00 PM

December 4-8                         MacLellan Library School

December 14                          Bayside Winter Wonderland Celebration, 5:45-8:00 PM

December 15                          Healthy Hunger Snack- Kernels (this snack will be delivered in time for both AM and PM kindergarten to enjoy)

December 21                          Healthy Hunger- Edo of Japan

December 18-21                     Bayside Caroling and Sing-Along (times and dates for each grade have been added to "Dates to Remember" on our Website).

Have a wonderful weekend, 

 Darby