Westboro Weekly Newsletter

November 14-22: Recognizing Métis Week

November 14-22: Bully Awareness Week

November 18: Choir 11:30 and Early dismissal

School Council and Parent Society @ 6:30 in the Library

November 25: Early Dismissal

December 1:Creative Minds-Grades 4-6 @12:02

December 2: Early Dismissal and School Choir @ 11:26

December 8: Days of our School Dress Rehearsal @ 10:40 if grandparents/guardians/parents wanted to join.

December 9: Early Dismissal

Days of our School Concert @ Park Church @ 6:00.

December 16: Early Dismissal

December 21-Jan 1: Christmas break- No school

January 6: Early Dismissal

January 13: Early Dismissal

January 20: Early Dismissal

January 27: Early Dismissal

January 29:Proffessional Learning Day-No school for students

Reports are released

This week is National Bullying Awareness Week. At Westboro, we take peer and people interactions seriously, and we always seek to encourage positive ways to interact and learn how to get along with one another. We take great pride in our welcoming and caring spirit, working together to ensure that every student and family feel valued and included.

We also recognize that this learning happens in partnership with our supportive families, and we thank those of you who were able to join us recently for Parent-Teacher interviews to discuss both academic as well as social emotional learning.

This week, Westboro is proud to recognize Métis Week—an annual celebration held from November 14-22 to honour the rich history, culture, and contributions of the Métis Nation. In French, the word métis refers to someone of mixed ancestry, and the Métis people are recognized as one of Canada’s three distinct Indigenous peoples alongside First Nations and Inuit.

Throughout the week, students will learn about Métis traditions and symbols, including the iconic Métis flag. Featuring a white infinity symbol set against either a deep sky blue or red background, the infinity sign represents the joining of two vibrant cultures—European and First Nations—to form a new, distinct culture and nation that will endure forever. We are always happy when our Métis families share their heritage with us, and we welcome any stories, traditions, or connections you’d like to share with our school community this week!

If you're looking for ways to learn more at home, here are a couple simple (and FUN) suggestions:

• Try a new recipe from the "Métis cookbook and Guide to Healthy Living." Westboro students LOVED making and eating bannock last June.

• Learn a few new words in Michif. You can look up words and listen to how they are pronounced using this link.

• Experience some live Métis jigging and music! Join the Kitchen Party on November 17th. It's a free, family friendly event and all are welcome.

Click on the Westboro website link. Go to School Council and then click on Online Hot Lunch Ordering for mor information. Ordering will close Sunday, November 22nd @ 9:00 pm.

With the 2026-27 school year underway, live access to your child’s assessment information is now available through the “Grades and Attendance” tab in your PowerSchool Parent Portal for all Westboro students. Your child's gradebook may only have a few assessments at this time, but additional assessment information will continue to be added throughout the school year. We encourage families to review the gradebook information within the Parent Portal regularly to learn more about what your child is learning this year. More information resources about this assessment information and how to access the PowerSchool Parent Portal is available on the Student Assessment page of the Division website.

If you have any questions about how your child is doing this school year, reach out directly to their teacher or make a note to discuss it at the upcoming school interviews on November 4th and 5th. If you have any issues logging into your Parent Portal Account, reach out to the school office at (780) 467-7751.

The holiday season is just around the corner, and we are excited to invite you to one of Bev Facey Community High School’s favourite community traditions — our Annual Holiday Market!

Join us on Saturday, November 28, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Bev Facey Community High School for a festive day filled with holiday shopping, local vendors, fun activities, and plenty of community spirit!

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, November 28, 2026
• Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Location: Bev Facey Community High School, Sherwood Park
• Admission: Free! Come out and enjoy a wonderful day of shopping and community connection!

To help ensure the safety of all students, families, and staff, please remember that parking is not permitted in the bus lane located in front of the school during the following times:

• 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
• 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

These restrictions are in place to allow buses to safely load and unload students and to help maintain smooth traffic flow during our busiest arrival and dismissal times.

Please be aware that law enforcement has identified this area as a priority and will be conducting increased patrols. Vehicles parked in the bus lane during restricted times may be ticketed.

Thank you for your cooperation and for helping keep our school community safe.

Alberta Health Services is hosting a series of virtual caregiver information sessions focused on ways to support students’ mental health. The sessions are free and geared toward parents, caregivers, teachers and community members who want to learn more about challenges impacting children and adolescents. This November’s sessions are focused on understanding anxiety.

With the winter season almost here, the school has a few reminders for families:

• Ensure students have clothing appropriate for expected weather conditions.

• If weather conditions are bad enough to impact student transportation, Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) advises families directly, and posts updates on social media and eips.ca.

• Decisions regarding bus cancellations are guided by an EIPS administrative procedure that states, “school bus service may be suspended…when there is a forecast or current temperature of -40 C, including wind chill factor, in one or more regions.” Other reasons for suspending or delaying school bus services include adverse weather and poor road conditions.

• When school bus services are suspended, schools remain open to students.

For more information, contact EIPS Student Transportation at 780-417-8151.

As the weather becomes colder, please ensure your child comes to school dressed appropriately for the conditions each day. Students spend over 30 minutes outside during lunch recess and will be outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. Wearing warm coats, hats, mittens, snow pants, and proper footwear helps students stay comfortable, safe, and ready to enjoy their time outside.

We also encourage families to label all outdoor clothing and accessories. Items such as mittens, hats, and jackets can easily be misplaced, and having them clearly labeled helps us return them to the correct owner.

Thank you for helping your child come prepared for the weather each day.

As a reminder, we ask that students keep toys and special items at home, including, cards, keychains, trinkets, and other accessories attached to backpacks whenever possible. While these items can be fun, they can sometimes become distractions or get lost, damaged, or accidentally taken by another student.

If your child requires an item for the bus ride, it must remain safely stored in their backpack for the entire school day.

Please take a few minutes to have a conversation with your child about bringing special items to school and the importance of keeping personal belongings safe.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Our Westboro AMA School Safety Patrollers wrapped up their training and eagerly began their shifts at the start of October. Stepping out onto the crosswalks, they quickly saw just how busy our school zone gets each day and have been doing a fantastic job putting their safety training into action.

For October, Westboro recognized two Patrol Teams and four Patrollers of the Month for their outstanding responsibility—showing up on time, staying focused near the street, and using strong, clear "teacher voices" to call commands. Thank you to Gracie, Etta, Devon, and Ben for keeping our school community safe; we are so grateful to have you on Team Westboro!

Wondering when and how to pay for school fees? School fee information for the 2026-27 school year will be posted on the PowerSchool Parent Portal by September 25th. All fees are due within 30 days of being posted. NOTE: Additional fees may be added throughout the year—for example, at the beginning of each semester, as your child takes part in various activities, or they may be adjusted by changes in selected optional courses in junior and senior high school. If you’re unable to pay your school fees, you can apply to have certain fees waived. The application deadline is Dec. 15, 2026.

Alternatively, contact Shelagh Pastoor at Westboro at 780 467-7751.

Please communicate your child’s absence, leaving school early or arriving late directly to

general.wbo@eips.ca or click BUTTON BELOW. These emails are both checked regularly by the school office staff. Do not communicate this information to only the teacher. Situations occur when the homeroom teacher is away and your information will not be received by the office staff who are required to maintain an accurate record of attendance for students throughout the day.

While you're away, students are encouraged to keep up with their reading and log their adventures in a travel journal. To let everyone fully enjoy their time off, schoolwork won't be assigned during the trip—students will simply catch up on any missed classwork after they return. Happy travels!