The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart. 

— Helen Keller 

For February, we challenge each other to practice more kindness, more love, more understanding toward others AND toward yourself. Spread some extra warmth and light during this month. The days are getting longer and the promise of spring is around the corner. 

Chaparral School’s Weekly Mantra

Every Bit of Compassion Heals

(SEL Competency – Relationship Skills & IELLF – Heart Domain)

Showing kindness and understanding to others can make a big difference. This mantra reminds us that even small acts of compassion can help heal and make the world a better place.

Chaparral Updates for Families This Week

From the Office

Welcome Back

Welcome back Mrs. Lo! Mrs. Lo is teaching Grade 6. Students will still be able to see Mrs. Dugas for a while longer, as she will be a guest teacher in our school for the month of February. 

Safety

Dress for the weather! Brrrrr! It is brisk outside! Please make sure your students are bringing all their layers! We try to go outside whenever we can and we need to be prepared for all the seasons…in a day! This week is Winter Walk Day, and many classes have a walk planned. Recess will be outside unless it is colder than -20 Celsius. 

Thank you

It was terrific to see so many families engage in Family Literacy Week by reading with their children at home and by coming to the school.

Donations | What do we need?

We have several things ‘on the go’ around the school. We have a wonderful community that is very resourceful and helpful. If you, or someone you know, are looking to clear some of items, please check with us, as we would love to take a look. Here are some that we are looking for: 

  • Lego: We LOVE Lego and are currently building a Lego Table/Wall. If you have any Lego that you would like to donate to the school – please know it will be well loved and appreciated.
  • Clothing – various sizes: Sometimes kids have accidents and may not have a change of clothing with them. We do keep some clean/lightly used clothing in the office so that kids can change, stay at school and are comfortable.
  • We are looking for pants (all sizes), and new socks and/or underwear (all sizes) to restock our emergency cupboard.
  • Early Learning Games/Toys/Puzzles/Puppets: These items are used in classrooms during recess on Blue Days (when it is colder than -20 C and we stay inside), and for learning. Uno, Mastermind, Chess, Battleship, etc., are popular.
  • Crafty stuff such as full balls of yarn, ribbon, fabric, crochet/embroidery needles and hoops, scrapbooking stuff, wood pieces, marbles, etc.
  • Loose Parts / Maker Space items: If you are looking to get rid of a button collection, wine cork collection, pool noodles, feathers, pop tab lids, milk jug lids, pennies, stir sticks, cool rocks (polished or ‘jewels’), etc., that you have a lot of – we will take it! We use these items for counting, sorting, creating, writing, and much more.
  • Seasonal decor: Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter – we do it all! Please check with us if you are refreshing your décor!
  • Costumes (Adult: Santa/Mrs. Claus/Elf Suit; blow-up costumes; mascots) 

From our School Council

Our next School Council meeting is Thursday, February 20 at 6:30pm.

Please plan to come out, learn more about what is happening at the school and participate in important decision making. Teachers will be attending these meetings to give a short update related to what is happening in their grade. February’s teachers will be the Grade 6 team. This month, the school administration will be sharing our School Development Plan information with our school community. We encourage everyone to attend. 

Fun Lunch/Fun Snacks & Spirit Days

Our next Fun Lunch day is February 20. It is Subway. This can be purchased on the Healthy hunger website at www.healthyhunger.ca. Order deadline to order lunch is Saturday February 15. 

Our next Spirit Day is Thursday, February 20. It is Twin Day! Choose a friend or two and dress alike. It may be called ‘Twin Day’ but it can include many more if you wish. If you don’t know who you want to dress like, choose a teacher and dress just like them. 

Volunteering at Chaparral School

If you have completed your Police Check and our annual volunteer registration you are eligible to volunteer at our school. Please email the school at chaparral@cbe.ab.ca is you would like to come in on a regular basis. We are always looking for support to complete odd tasks throughout the school.

Month at a Glance

We have moved to a Month at a glance calendar rather than in the weekly updates. It will be provided at the beginning of the month each month and updates will be posted on our website as they occur.

Please visit our calendar page. 

Families are reminded that our website should always be your first point of information updates as it is consistent for the whole school.