Hello Jennie Elliott Families,
Thank you to all the parents who joined us for our curriculum information session held Tuesday evening. We appreciated the thoughtful feedback and engagement. Parents commented that the session helped them gain clearer insight into what students were expected to learn as we changed from teaching the old curriculum outcomes to the new in five subject areas, the overall framework of the curriculum, the grade-by-grade progression of outcomes, and the scope and volume of outcomes students are expected to learn at each grade. Parents also valued understanding how we are implementing the new curriculum, and guidance on how families can support learning at home. For those who requested, and those who are interested, click here to view the link to all of the curricula, for grades K-12.
Parent Information Session #3 | Assessment & Report Cards Thurs, Feb 19
We hope you’ll join us on Thursday, February 19th from 5:00-6:00pm for our next session about Assessment & Report Cards where we’ll be exploring:
- the CBE’s assessment standards in relation to the curriculum
- how teachers gather and use assessment information to support student learning
- how assessment informs the report card
- how student learning and growth are communicated throughout the year
Please RSVP here and feel free to share the link with other JES families.
Parent Information Session #4 | Screenagers Movie: The Next Chapter Tues, Mar 10
On March 10th from 5:00-6:00pm we will be screening the movie, Screenagers: The Next Chapter. This film focuses on kids’ and teens’ mental health in the digital age – addressing stress, anxiety, and emotional well-being. It offers practical tools and hopeful stories to help families support children as they grow. You do not need to view the first film we screened earlier in the year, Elementary School Edition, prior to watching The Next Chapter. The content in one is not dependent on the other.
Please RSVP here and feel free to share the link with other JES families.
Tamaani | Here Inuit Art Installation at Jennie Elliott School
Further to our message last week, the art exhibit is now installed! Don’t forget to come take a look and read all about this incredible art form.
Family Literacy Display
Thank you to everyone who sent in pictures for our Family Literacy Week bulletin board. We love seeing the different interpretations for this year's theme, "Share your ingredients for Literacy." Families can continue to send in pictures for the Family Literacy Week bulletin board over the next week.
School Planning Parent Engagement
A reminder of the important opportunity for community engagement coming up next Tuesday where we will be sharing information about school planning and asking you to share your perspectives. Watch this short video to learn about the planning work schools do to improve and support student learning. On February 3rd at 6:30pm (during the School Council meeting), we will share about how the school development plan (SDP) sets the overall focus and direction for a school to improve student learning outcomes, and what our SDP looks like for this year.
At the March School Council meeting on March 3rd at 6:30pm, we will share part II of community engagement presentation where we will share how the school budget provides funding to implement our school development plan as well as school fees and why they are necessary.
There will be an opportunity to provide feedback after each session.
Celebrating the Winter Olympics at JES!
The Winter Olympics kick off on February 6th in Milano, Cortina, and Jennie Elliott School will be joining in the excitement! Throughout the two weeks of the games, classes will be taking part in a variety of learning activities related to the Olympics and Ms. King will be updating the medal count in our front entry way. To show their Canadian pride, students are encouraged to wear red and white on Friday, February 6th, the day of the Opening Ceremonies.
You're invited to our Celebration of Dance!
From Feb 2-11th, thanks to the generous fundraising of our Jennie Elliott community, our students will have the opportunity to participate in a DANCEPL3Y residency! This program focuses on developing physical literacy through dance, boosting mental health through movement, creative exploration of music, and accessible choreography for students, no matter if this is their first dance experience or one hundredth. There are just 3 rules to participate in DANCEPL3Y - Be Positive, Be Fun, and Be Yourself!
We will have two Celebrations of Dance on Wednesday, February 11, for our students to showcase their learning. Please note that there are two different Celebration of Dance times, depending on your child’s class. Due to limited space in the gymnasium, we kindly ask that a maximum of two audience members per family attend.
Morning Celebration of Dance
Classes:
AM Kindergarten, Grades 1, 4, 6, and Grade 5 (Bevilacqua & Petsinis)
- Doors open: 10:10 AM
- Celebration of Dance: 10:25–11:10 AM
Afternoon Celebration of Dance
Classes:
PM Kindergarten, Grades 2, 3, Grade 5 (Kirsch), and DHH classes 15B, 15A, 12, and 20
- Doors open: 2:05 PM
- Celebration of Dance: 2:20–3:05 PM
We look forward to celebrating our students’ hard work and creativity with you!
Loose Parts Exploration at Recess
We are excited to share that our school has introduced Loose Parts Play during Division 1 and Division 2 recess times!
What is Loose Parts Play?
Loose Parts Play uses open-ended materials such as tires, crates, tubes, planks, and other reusable items that children can move, combine, design, and redesign in their own ways. There is no single “right” way to play - students decide how the materials are used based on their ideas and interests.
Why is Loose Parts Play important?
Research shows that Loose Parts Play supports students’ physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth. It encourages necessary competencies such as creativity, collaboration, communication, leadership, and imaginative thinking.
What about risk?
Loose Parts Play involves manageable, developmentally appropriate risk. Because materials are open-ended, students make real choices about how they interact with their play environment. Teachers are present to support safe decision-making and help students think through risks - but we also recognize that positive risk helps students build confidence, problem-solving skills, and resilience. The goal is not to eliminate risk entirely but to support students in learning to assess and manage it safely.
We are thrilled to offer this enriched recess experience through the additional supervision Ms. Bignell provides during our Div I and Div II recess as part of her teaching and Learning Leader role, and look forward to seeing our students engage, create, and grow. If you would like to support our Loose Parts program, we are still looking for gently used items. Please see the poster for more details.
Dogs on School Property Bylaw
We know that walking to and from school with a family dog can be a wonderful part of our students’ routine. To help keep our school grounds safe and clean for all students, we’d like to remind families that dogs are not permitted on school property, including playgrounds, sports fields, and grassed areas, in accordance with Calgary’s Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw.
Families are welcome to enjoy their walk with pets, but we kindly ask that dogs remain outside school property boundaries. Accredited service dogs are, of course, permitted. Thank you for your understanding and for helping us maintain a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
School Council (JESC) & Parent Society (JEPSA) Updates
Please see the February newsletter for further information:
Upcoming Events
Click here to see the school’s website calendar
Feb - Black History Month
Feb 2-11 - Dance PL3Y Residency
Feb 3 – School Council Meeting 6:30pm
Feb 3 - School Planning Engagement: School Development Plan (At School Council meeting)
Feb 4 – Red & White Day for the Winter Olympics
Feb 5 – New Registration Information Session
Feb 5 – Winter Walk Day
Feb 5 – World Read Aloud Day
Feb 6 - Red and White Day for the Olympic Opening Ceremonies
Feb 11 – JES Dance Performances
Feb 12, 13 – Teacher's Convention (no school)
Feb 14 – Valentine's Day
Feb 15 – National Flag of Canada Day
Feb 16 – Family Day (school closed)
Feb 17 – Lunar New Year
Feb 19 – Parent Info Session #3 – Assessment & Report Cards
Feb 24 – Report Cards available to parents/guardians through MyCBE PowerSchool
Feb 27 – Non-instructional PD Day (no school)
Mar 2-5 – Grade 6’s to Outdoor School
Mar 2-13 – Netball Residency
Mar 3 – School Council Meeting 6:30pm
Mar 3 – School Planning Engagement: School Budget (At School Council meeting)
Mar 10 – Parent Info Session #3 – Screenagers Movie: The Next Chapter 5:00pm