Upcoming Dates

Tues., Oct. 31 – Halloween – Just a reminder that if your child will be wearing their costume to school, that there should be no weapons, masks or gore.  Also, please do not send any treats in to school.

Wed., Nov. 8 – Photo retake day

Thurs., Nov. 9 - CBE Non instructional day – no school for students

Nov. 10 – 14 Fall Break – No School

Wed., Nov. 15 – School back in

Nov. 23 – Evening in Person Parent Teacher Conferences 4:30 – 8:00

Nov. 24 – Online Conferences– no school for students

Feeling Proud of Your Kids – Fire Drills and Lockdown

I wanted to say how amazing our kids did during our first lockdown of the year (1 of 2).  Calgary Police Services was here on Monday to conduct our first lockdown practice of the year and CPS was impressed with how well our kids behaved during this time.  We have also conducted 3 fire drills so far this year and the students have evacuated the building quickly, quietly and efficiently.  Just so you know, as part of our operational expectations, we need to conduct 6 fire drills and 2 lockdowns over the course of the year.  This is to help to prepare students should one of these events every occur.

Many Thanks

Thank you for sending your children to school prepared for the early winter surprise this week!  If you could, please remember to put your child’s last name and first initial on their supplies so they can be returned if they are lost. Thanks also to the dad who pitched in and helped to shovel on Monday after our temperamental snow blower did not start!  Thanks to parent council for dropping of some homemade heart shaped cookies for the staff – what a nice touch that made everyone feel appreciated. J

Child and Youth Well-Being Webinars

Dear Parents / Guardians, 

The Calgary Board of Education invites all parents and guardians to join us in an online series focusing on child and youth well-being. These sessions will be hosted in partnership with experts from Alberta Health Services and will explore topics such as vaping, brain development, mental health, and sexual health. 

Click here to learn more:   Child and Youth Well-Being: A Webinar Series for Parents and Guardians 

CBE educators believe that parents and guardians can inspire their kids to make healthy lifestyle choices and increase protective factors – in order to do so, they need the right tools and information.    Well-being is a precondition for learning. As our understanding of student well-being continues to evolve, it is important for those that support children and youth to stay up to date on the same information so everyone can support student success.   

SCHOOL COUNCIL CORNER – EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Next Fundraising Society & School Council Meetings – Monday, November 20 @ 6.30pm!  

JACKET RACKET COLLECTION!!!

Royal Oak School will be accepting donations for Jacket Racket from October 30 - November 16, 2023.

There will be a large box in the office of the school to bring clean winter clothing (jackets, snow pants, mitts, and toques). These will be donated to children and schools across the city who are in need of warm winter clothing. If you could please put items in a bag and/or group mittens and outfits together it would be appreciated!

Donations will be accepted until Thursday, November 16.

This is a good chance to clean out last year's too small items as we head towards the coldest season of the year!

CURRENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

Don’t know if your police clearance is still valid or want to begin the clearance process? Please contact Leah Milne in the school office at ljmilne@cbe.ab.ca

1. Fun Snack – Jelly Modern Donuts – November 2 from 11.15-12.15pm! TWO spots available! ROS Volunteers: Fall 2023 Fun Lunch & Fun Snack!! (signupgenius.com). Sign up on Healthy Hunger so that you don’t miss the order deadlines or important information from School Council about events at Royal Oak!
2. Library Shelving Volunteers Extended – Volunteers needed Mon to Thurs, 9.15-10.45am to assist Ms. Azam in the library. Sign up ROS Volunteers: Library Shelving Volunteers - November 2023 (signupgenius.com)
3. Photo ReTake Day – Wednesday, November 8 – ONE spot available! Sign up here: ROS Volunteers: Picture Day/Retake Day 2023! (signupgenius.com)
4. Fun Lunch – Mucho Burrito – November 16 from 11.45-12.45pm! Come on out to have some fun while sorting & hand out FUN lunches: ROS Volunteers: Fall 2023 Fun Lunch & Fun Snack!! (signupgenius.com).
5. Fun Snack – Cobs Bread – November 30 from 11.15-12.15pm! ROS Volunteers: Fall 2023 Fun Lunch & Fun Snack!! (signupgenius.com)

Reach out to Alison Colville (ROS Volunteer Coordinator) at ROSVolunteers@gmail.com with any questions about upcoming events. Sign up links are also shared on the Royal Oak School Parent Group. Click here to join Royal Oak School Parents Group | Facebook

JOIN THE ROS SCHOOL COUNCIL – 2023/2024 SCHOOL YEAR!!

Be part of the action behind the scenes! We have great roles available for you to jump in and support with your ideas and enthusiasm! Great way to gain experience and meet new people! These roles offer a lot of flexibility all around and come with a dedicated group of parent volunteers ready to support you!

Questions? roschoolcouncil@gmail.com

1. COUNCIL VICE-CHAIR: Support with overall planning and organization on council with a wide variety of opportunities to support from sending emails to helping with overall duties and planning with other council members. Great way to learn the ropes of Council!
2. COUNCIL KEY COMMUNCIATOR: Build and enhance a connection between parents/school communities and Calgary Board of Education.

U R STRONG!

As I look out the window this week, I immediately think of snow globes! With the season beginning to change, our family has been reflecting on all the change and challenges that we’ve faced over the last year. I’m sure there are many families in our school community who can relate! If you’re like us, you have also seen some pretty big emotions come out while in the middle of these challenges.

Royal Oak School is implementing the URStrong program (Empowering kids with friendship skills in schools! (urstrong.com) – funded by your Fundraising Society) and one of their kid-friendly activities discusses how to support children by letting “the big feelings settle – like snowflakes falling to the ground.” It’s called Big Emotions Snow Globe.

From their website: “Can your child calm themselves down when they’re feeling big emotions inside? When children feel threated or unsafe or overwhelmed, the amygdala in the brain is activated, which often results in the FIGHT, FLIGHT, FREEZE, OR FAWN reaction. These ‘default settings’ are unhealthy responses, especially when kids are experiencing Friendship Fires (conflict) with their friends. Children can learn to rewire their brain to have a more healthy, appropriate response to negative emotions and conflict.” 

While you may choose to present different activities to teach this skill to your child/children, one of the objectives to consider from the URStrong program is that “the goal isn’t to get rid of emotions. It’s to embrace and experience them as they are and learn strategies for how to manage them so they don’t have power over you.” URStrong offers simple, kid-friendly & fun ways to start building these foundational blocks. 

Check out this resource here: *NEW* Big Emotions Snow Globe | URSTRONG and sign up for your FREE parent membership too!

Have a great weekend!