Win Ferguson Elementary
May 2026
Springtime Celebrations
We are practicing gratitude this spring and want to acknowledge our community:
- Thank you to Shelley who volunteers daily in grades 2 and 3 and to all of our Linking Generations Grandparents who volunteer in many different classes weekly.
- Merci to our dedicated School Council and PTA volunteers doing all things milk, treat sales, bingo night, meetings, money, Math-a-Thon, Munchalunch, Facebook, donated prizes, and so much more.
- Dyakuyu to Mr. Wever, coach of the Badminton and Relay Teams this spring, and to Miss Curnew, Ms. Vibe, & Mrs. Burger who assisted afterschool at the relay races.
- Appreciation to Mrs. Hudson and Miss Curnew who hosted over 60 grade 1-3 students and 70 grade 4-6 students for this week's Tea & Talk Time in the art room.
- Marsi to Ms. Vibe who leads time with Turtle Islanders, special Indigenous projects, and community events for families.
- Graçias to Mrs. Hudson, Miss Curnew, and Ms. Vibe who lead our assemblies for mental health, Seven Grandfather Teachings, and more.
- Many thanks to Angela, Cathy, Tess, and Christine who make a warm breakfast for our students early each morning in addition to shopping for Breakfast Club foods. Thanks also to Mrs. Murphy for picking up our donated breakfast foods at the Nourishment Centre each week.
- Hooray for Mrs. Storey, Ms. Gray, and Mrs. Demers who facilitate Inclusion Club activities each month.
- Gratitude to Mrs. Demers and Mrs. Storey for leading Recycling Helpers, Lunch Supervisors, Bus Helpers, and Cookie Leaders all throughout the year. Appreciation to all of our student leaders in various roles as well!
Relay practice - pass the baton
Designing next year's education plan focus
April's Family Bingo Night Fun
Hats On for Mental Health!
Students dressed up in feelings colours, t-shirts with positive messages, comfy clothes, and favourite team colours to lift spirits during mental health week.
FCSS presented to parents and caregivers at the April School Council meeting. See their many supports and programming options for parents/caregivers, families, and children here.
How Many Gumballs - Math-a-Thon estimation task #1
Various winners from K-6 who guessed closest to 110. Enjoy your gumballs!
How Long is the Ribbon - estimation task #3
Many winners for this task and the area estimation. Enjoy your Nerd Ropes, sidewalk chalk, and more!
PTA Family Bingo Night volunteers
Over $230 raised for the Nourishment Centre and almost 400 pounds of food collected!
Mother's & Caregiver's Grade 1 Celebration
Badminton Tournament
April Assembly
Mrs. Scott & Mr. Christie share grade 5 celebrations at School Council
Recorder Practice
Mrs. Stone's class observing bean plant growth
11 to 15 – Math-a-Thon week begins - Math at Home pages are due back at school
13 – Early dismissal at 2:16 PM
14 – Math-a-Thon pledges due to the school office or online
14 and 15 – PTA Treat Sale (14 – Kinder A & Grade 4) at lunch eating time FINAL
15 – Grade 4 field trip to the Royal Alberta Museum
15 – Dress in Rainbow Colours spirit day
18 – No School; Victoria Day
20 – Early dismissal at 2:16 PM
21 – Shelter in Place safety drill with classes
22 – Grade 6 PAT English Lang Arts & Literature Part A
22 – Fire drill in the afternoon (weather dependent)
25 – School Council & PTA Meeting 6 PM - last one of the year; come join us!
27 – Early dismissal at 2:16 PM
27 – Hot Lunch Day
28 – Kindergarten Info Night for registered students and families 5-6:30
June 🌞
3 – Early dismissal at 2:16 PM
4 – Grade 6 PAT English Lang Arts & Literature Part B
4 – Grade 4 Rec Swim – depart 12:40 PM and return 2:55 PM
4 – Kinder A free hot dog lunch sponsored by the PTA (order info coming soon)
5 – K-6 free hot dog lunch sponsored by the PTA (order info coming soon)
8 - Grade 5 Rec Swim – depart 9:40 AM and return 11:55 AM
9 - Grade 6 Rec Swim – depart 12:40 PM and return 2:55 PM
10 – Early dismissal at 2:16 PM
12 – Grade 6 Science PAT
12 – Grade 2 to Royal Alberta Museum
12 – Grade 1 to Fort Precinct
15 – Grade 6 Math PAT part A
17 – Early dismissal at 2:16 PM
18 – Grade 6 Math PAT part B
19 – Track & Field School Event in PM
19 – Lunch on the Land (families invited to lunch outside with us; more info coming soon)
22 – Last day of school for Kinder A with "moving on up" gathering in the PM
23 – Last day of school for Kinder B to Grade 6
23 – Kinder B "moving on up" gathering in the PM
23 – Grade 6 Farewell in the AM
April was Poetry Month
Check out these concrete poems
Poets from Grade 4-5 Stone
Haiku for Spring
Haiku for Fall
The April assembly hosted Stacy and Ellie from Dreamcatchers. Students thanked them for leading all classes through the painting of the Seven Grandfather Teachings that guide our way and are featured for all community members to see in the gymnasium.
Stacy and Ellie also led some staff members through birch tree teachings on the May professional learning day.
In June we recognize National Indigenous Peoples Day with lunch on the land on June 19 and a variety of activities on Monday, June 22.
Are energy drinks safe for my child or teen?
Energy drinks are not recommended for children and teens because of the amount of caffeine, sugars and other ingredients (like herbs and amino acids) they contain.
Caffeine is a drug naturally found in the leaves and seeds of many plants. It’s also artificially made and added to certain foods. Caffeine is in coffee, tea, chocolate, energy drinks, many soft drinks, and some medications. It can make you feel more awake and give you a temporary energy boost.
Energy drinks can have anywhere from 50 mg to more than 200 mg of caffeine per can. One energy drink could have more caffeine than the maximum safe daily limit for children and teens.
Energy drinks should never be used instead of water to rehydrate.
-Read more here
(Source: Canadian Pediatric Society)
Teachers are already hard at work as they begin to design class lists for next year. Considerations include academic performance, social dynamics, behavioural complexities, special education needs, gender, connections, participation, attendance, mental health factors, and helpful vs. hindering friendships.
Parents sometimes ask if they can make class list requests. Parents and caregivers with queries related to educational needs are asked to email their child's teacher. These queries are noted and forwarded on to school administration for consideration. Queries and requests are few and specialized and, due to a variety of reasons, cannot always be accommodated.
At this time, staffing is not yet determined, and some grade configurations and enrolments continue to be in flux, so there are no teachers or educational assistants assigned to classes.
Classroom configurations and staffing will be shared via newsletter in mid to late June. Class lists and teachers are finalized and will be posted in Powerschool on the morning of August 26 so that families know where to drop supplies at the Meet the Staff/Supplies Drop Off event on Thursday, August 27 from 3:00-4:00 PM.
As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, it’s easy for school routines to slide. Here are a few quick ways to keep your child engaged, curious, and ready for the final weeks of the school year.
Take the Learning Outside
Turn your neighbourhood stroll into a "Think-Walk." You don’t need any supplies - just a little curiosity!
For Younger Learners (K-3): Play "I Spy" with 3D shapes (cylinders like fence posts, spheres like balls) or hunt for rhyming words in nature (e.g., "I see a tree, what rhymes with tree?").
For Older Learners (4-6): Estimate the height of a tree or the perimeter of your garden. Discuss the local ecosystem: What birds or insects are appearing now that weren't here in March?
The "Reading Picnic"
Mix up the way you do your reading by grabbing a blanket and heading to the backyard or a local park for a Reading Picnic.
Pro Tip: Let your child choose the "menu." Whether it’s a graphic novel, a joke book, or a manual for a video game, the goal is reading engagement.
Managing the "May Muddle"
Spring can bring a mix of excitement for summer and anxiety about the upcoming school year transitions.
Stick to the Routine: Try to keep consistent bedtimes. Rested brains are better at managing the "big feelings" that come with year-end changes.
Reflect & Celebrate: At dinner, ask: "What is one thing you can do now that you couldn't do in September?" Focusing on growth builds confidence for the next grade level.
