Dear WDS Families,  

This week our Grades 3 and 4 students visited Heritage Park. They were exploring connections to Alberta’s past. We also had our second practice fire drill of the year and a Healthy Hunger fun lunch. Thank you to our parent volunteers who helped distribute lunches on Wednesday. We also had Circle Friday and participated in land-based learning investigating nature. Students shared their observations in Sharing Circles and learned some Blackfoot words for some parts of nature.  

Staffing Updates 

Mr. Gutierrez-Medina has taken a leave of absence. We are excited to announce that Mr. Mark McGowan has agreed to remain at WDS in the Grade 5/6 position while Ms. Gutierrez-Medina is away. We are delighted to welcome Mr. McGowan to the WDS community.  

Ms. Jocelyn Greenwood will be joining WDS starting Monday as a lunchroom supervisor in Ms. Miller, Ms. Hume, and Ms. Joly's classrooms. 

Dressing for the Weather  

This coming week we will be experiencing more seasonal weather with cooler temperatures. Please ensure that your child is dressed appropriately and prepared to be outside for recess and lunch break.  

*A reminder that there is no School for Students on Friday, October 25 due to a Non-Instructional Day.   

Halloween Dance Thursday, October 24 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm 

School Dance Rules - #1 is to have FUN! 

• Normal school rules always apply for dances – this includes no horseplay, no running in the school or throughout the gymnasium 
• Parents must accompany and supervise their children during the dance  
• We kindly ask that NO accessories (masks, gory costumes, weapons, wands) are brought as part of your costumes 
• WDS students and immediate families are welcome at the dance. It is closed to students from other schools 
• Students are not allowed to wander the school during the dance and need to be supervised when they leave the gym 
• There are No drinks allowed in the gym 
• This is a cash-only event $10 per family per entry and treats are $1 (bring small bills and coins) 
• Leave your jackets at home or in your vehicles  
• Bring a water bottle  

Halloween, October 31 

Halloween is fast approaching, and students are getting excited to dress up. We are asking that all student costumes are school-appropriate, non-violent, and do not include face coverings, masks, weapons, or props for safety reasons. Wearing a costume is optional and students do not have to dress up. If students choose to wear a costume to school, please have them dressed in their costume before they arrive at school.  

Remembrance Day  

November 11 marks an important day for us to remember and honor all of those people who have served and are currently serving in our military. WDS will honor this day by hosting a Remembrance Day Ceremony on November 7 at 9:30 AM. Families are invited to attend the ceremony.  Students who are in Cubs, Scouts, Brownies, Guides, Cadets, etc are encouraged to wear their uniforms for this special assembly. 

We will be creating a video for the ceremony featuring photos of students’ relatives who have or are currently serving in the military. We are asking for families to send in photos of relatives to include in our video.  When sending in photos, please include information about the individual pictured (person’s name, relation to the student, student’s name, where/when the individual served). Please email pictures and accompanying information to Mrs. Glowacki at kaglowacki@cbe.ab.ca by November 1 to be included in the slide show. 

Important Dates  

Have a great weekend,  

Rhonda and Keri