Westboro Weekly Newsletter

February: Black History Month

February 1: Kindergarten registration 2025-26 opens at 9 a.m.

February 1: New Student registration 2025-26 opens at 9 a.m.

February 5: Rapunzel by Alberta Musical Theatre - Thank you to our Parent's Society for supporting this school wide event!

February 5: Early Dismissal - Students will be dismissed 1 hour early at 2:12 p.m.

February 6: North Central Teachers' Convention: No school for students

February 7: North Central Teachers' Convention: No school for students

Looking ahead:

February 9-15: Random Acts of Kindness Week

February 10-18: Westboro Food Bank Drive

February 10: Returning student registration 2025-26 opens

February 11: School Council Meeting 6:30 p.m.

February 12: Grade 5 Alberta Aviation Museum 9:30 a.m.

February 15: National Flag Day

February 17: Family Day - Stat. Holiday

February 20: Wisest Conference

February 21: 3K presents our school wide assembly: Feeling Anxious vs. Having Anxiety

February 24: Returning student registration 2025-26 closes

February 26: Pink Shirt Day

On Wednesday, February 5, the Alberta Musical Theatre Company will be coming to Westboro to perform their version of "Rapunzel." Families and siblings are invited to attend the performance; it will begin at 9:30 a.m. in our school gymnasium. To add a little extra fun and flair, students are invited to dress to show their awesomeness. This could be their favourite colour or character or something that just makes them feel great! Given the "hair theme" of the performance, if students want to do something unique with their hair that's fun for them they can. But, we are not doing crazy hair day - trying to keep it simple.

ATTENTION KINDERGARTEN PARENTS/GUARDIANS: Unfortunately, this booking time does not align with our Kindergarten schedule this year, however we wanted to extend an invitation, should you wish to attend along with your Kindergarten child!

The Grade 6 students are thrilled to launch a Chupa Chup Lollipop fundraiser supporting our year-end celebration at Snow Valley Aerial Park! Our year-end field trip has become a memorable highlight and a cherished tradition at Westboro, marking the end of the elementary years and honouring the many achievements of our Grade 6 students. All proceeds from the fundraiser will go directly toward making this year’s celebration special.

Details:

• What: Chupa Chup Lollipops

• Cost: 2 lollipops for $1

• How to Order: Bring your money to school from February 10 to 13th. Your teacher will collect your payment and place your order.

• Delivery Date: Chupa Chups will be delivered to your classroom on Valentine’s Day, Friday, February 14th, 2025.

Don’t miss out on this yummy opportunity!

Ordering for Hot Lunch on February 14 is now open until Saturday, February 8! This month's vendor is Taco Time.

ATTENTION MS. REIVONEN KINDERGARTEN (KR) FAMILIES: Please take a moment to change your student from KW to KR in the Muncha Lunch system. Having the students in their correct classes makes it easier for our volunteers when distributing lunches. Thank you!

Please place your orders online using MunchaLunch.com! You can pay for your orders online using credit card (Visa / Mastercard), debit-credit card, Google Pay, Apple Pay or pre-paid credit card.

HOW TO REGISTER:

1) Go to: https://munchalunch.com/schools/westboro

2) Click the “Register Here” button (as shown below). The system will guide you through.

3) After adding your children, click the green “Order Lunch!” button to order.

4) Next time, just click the “Login Here” button to access your account.

HOW TO REGISTER IF YOU ALREADY HAVE AN ACCOUNT AT A DIFFERENT SCHOOL:

1) Go to: https://munchalunch.com/addaccount

2) Click the “Start” button. The system will guide you through.

3) After adding your children, click the green “Order Lunch!” button to order.

4) Next time, just click the “Login Here” button to access your account.

ORDERING INFORMATION:

If you need assistance with ordering, or do not have access to the internet, please contact our new hot lunch coordinator, Nicole at westborohotlunch@gmail.com

Please note if your child is ill on a lunch date, you are welcome to come and pick up their lunch by 12:30 p.m.; otherwise please consider it a donation. Consistent with previous years, there are NO REFUNDS.

We are always in need of volunteers! There is a volunteer page in the online system where you can checkmark which dates you are available. The hot lunch coordinator will then contact you with a proposed schedule.

Our thanks to the Westboro Elementary parent community for supporting hot lunch and to our wonderful volunteers who help make this program a success!

Please see the meeting minutes from the School Council meeting held on January 14, 2025.

Westboro School Council Meeting Minutes January 14, 2025.

Westboro Parent's Society Meeting Minutes January 14, 2025.

About Black History Month

During Black History Month, people in Canada celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada a culturally diverse, compassionate, and prosperous country.

Black history in Canada

Black Canadians and their communities have been a part of shaping Canada’s heritage and identity since the arrival of Mathieu Da Costa, a navigator, and interpreter, whose presence in Canada dates back to the early 1600s.

The role of Black people and their communities in Canada has largely been ignored as a key part of Canada’s history. There is little mention that some of the Loyalists who came here after the American Revolution and settled in the Maritimes were people of African descent, nor the fact that many soldiers of African descent made many sacrifices in wartime as far back as the War of 1812.

Few people in Canada are aware of the fact that African people were once enslaved in the territory that is now known as Canada, or of how those who fought enslavement helped to lay the foundation of Canada’s diverse and inclusive society.

Black History Month is a time to learn more about these Canadian stories and the many other important contributions that Black Canadians and their communities have made to the history and continued growth of this country.

Recognizing Black History Month in Canada

In 1978, the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) was established. Its founders, including Dr. Daniel G. Hill and Wilson O. Brooks, presented a petition to the City of Toronto to have February formally proclaimed as Black History Month. In 1979, the first-ever Canadian proclamation was issued by Toronto.

The first Black History Month in Nova Scotia was observed in 1988 and later renamed African Heritage Month in 1996.

In 1993, the OBHS successfully filed a petition in Ontario to proclaim February as Black History Month. Following that success, Rosemary Sadlier, president of the OBHS, introduced the idea of having Black History Month recognized across Canada to the Honourable Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament.

In December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada following a motion introduced by Dr. Augustine. The House of Commons carried the motion unanimously.

In February 2008, Senator Donald Oliver, the first Black man appointed to the Senate, introduced the Motion to Recognize Contributions of Black Canadians and February as Black History Month. It received unanimous approval and was adopted on March 4, 2008. The adoption of this motion completed Canada’s parliamentary position on Black History Month.

New student registration for the 2025-26 school year will open at 9 a.m. on Feb. 1, 2025.

For tips on filling out the form, refer to How to Register a New Student.

Is your child turning five on or before Dec. 31, 2025? If so, it’s almost time to register for kindergarten.

Kindergarten registration for the 2025-26 school year opens on Feb. 1, 2025.

To help families prepare, Elk Island Public Schools has put together an online EIPS Kindergarten Tool kit to make the transition as smooth as possible. The kit includes information on registration, important dates, programming options, what to expect, eligibility, how to find your designated school, transportation and more.

Additional information regarding Westboro Elementary's kindergarten program is available at www.westboroelementary.ca/about/kindergarten

Stay active this winter in our indoor and outdoor recreation spaces. The drop-in recreation calendar has hundreds of activities each month, with activities starting as early as 5 a.m. and late into the evening until 10:30 p.m.

• Fitness activities
• Gym sports
• Pickleball
• Racquet courts
• Skating
• Swimming

View the online drop-in calendar: https://ow.ly/ip2T50UQzg4

Outdoor spaces are available year-round. Head to the Strathcona Wilderness Centre or the Broadmoor Public Golf Course to cross-country ski or snowshoe.

View all winter activities: https://ow.ly/K7tJ50UQzg1

Make the most out of spring break with a recreation or culture camp. We have an exciting lineup of spring break camps and programs to keep your kids busy during their time off school:

• Performing Arts
• Visual Arts
• Child and Youth
• Outdoor Pursuits
• Swimming lessons

Check out the winter guide for the full list of spring break camps and sign up today

https://www.strathcona.ca/.../act.../recreation-programs/...

FREE safety classes for our community!

Your safety and the safety of your loved ones is a top priority! We’re offering several no-cost classes that cover essential skills to help you stay safe at home and beyond. Whether you're preparing for an emergency or just looking to refresh your knowledge, these classes are for YOU!

• Heart & Stroke’s CardiacCrashTM (CPR and AED)
• At Home Alone
• Fire Extinguisher Training
• Senior Fire & Fall Prevention
• Residential Fire Prevention
• Personal Emergency Preparedness
• Rural Preparedness
• Wildfire Preparedness
• FireSmart

Sign up now on our website! It's a simple step toward a safer tomorrow. Don’t forget to share this post with family and friends—let’s spread the word and keep our community safe!

https://ow.ly/nUsu50UKrc2