Dear Highwood Families
December is a month of giving at Highwood School- giving of time and items.
Thank you to everyone who has generously donated to Highwood’s Donation Campaign! Friday, December 6 the last day to donate. All donations over $20 will receive a tax receipt. Please note that donations are used to benefit ALL students in the school. In the past we have used the funds to pay for Sports Day expenses, Yearbook for each student, books for the library, technology, etc.
https://www.educationmatters.ca/project-matters/highwood-school/
We are still in need of parent volunteers to help with making props for our big Lunar New Year performance. If you are able to help out (no previous experience required), we could really use your help! A reminder that children are not allowed to attend these prop making sessions for safety reasons:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094EADA928AAF49-53165614-lnyprop
Here are just a few information items and reminders for the month of December:
- 12 Days of Giving
- Celebrations- treats for students
- Parking
- Lunar New Year concert- January 21, 2025
- New Kindergarten and Grade 1 registration for the 2025-2026 school year
- Important December dates
12 Days of Giving
This year our “12 days of giving” campaign will be supporting the Veteran’s Food Bank and the Mustard Seed. Both organizations are in desperate need of donations as the number of Calgarians requiring support has significantly increased. We are asking for donations of the following items on the following days:
Monday, December 2: soup (cans, cartons, or dry packs of soup)
Tuesday, December 3: dry pasta, noodles, rice, Mac and Cheese
Wednesday, December 4: toothpaste and/or toothbrushes
Thursday, December 5: soap
Friday, December 6: toiletry items (brush, comb, lip balm, small tissue packages, band-aids, lotion). No razors and no mouthwash please.
Monday, December 9: shampoo and/or conditioner
Tuesday, December 10: canned meat, fish, beans
Wednesday, December 11: canned fruit and vegetables
Thursday, December 12: Bring a toonie or any cash amount to be donated to the Veteran’s Food Bank (they can use this money to buy fresh produce)
Friday, December 13: gloves, mittens, scarves, hats, air-activated hand warmers
Monday, December 16: socks (all ages, all sizes)
Tuesday, December 17: Anything!
Celebrations | Treats for Students
We understand that often students want to celebrate their birthdays or other special events with their peers at school. We ask that if you want to provide treats, all students in the class are included, and that they are store bought with an ingredient list (not homemade) and individually packaged. Individual packages provide teachers the option of sending the treat home so that parents can decide if the students should/ can have the treat. Please ensure that the treats are nut free as some students have allergies. Teachers do not have the time or resources to cut and distribute cake, doughnuts, cookies, etc.
Parking
Just a reminder that when you are coming to the school to do a drop off or pick up, please do not park in front of driveways. We do not want our neighbours to be upset because their driveways have been blocked. As well, we ask that you do not keep your car running if you are parked in the alley in the area facing the school brick wall. The exhaust from your car goes directly into the school gym, which is unpleasant and harmful to the students and staff.
Lunar New Year Concert January 21, 2025
We are hosting a big concert again this year to celebrate the new year! On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, we will be hosting our Lunar New Year gala concert at the Jubilee Auditorium at 7:00pm. This event invites all Highwood friends and family to attend to welcome in the year of the snake! Ticket sales will begin online via Ticketmaster in January. More details will be sent to you in early January. This event is not open to the general public. This is our biggest celebration of the year… we have over 1200 people in attendance!
Trickster Theatre will once again be working with students to put together this fun and entertaining concert.
New Kindergarten and Grade 1 registration for the 2025-2026 school year
Do you have a child that can start kindergarten/ grade 1 in September? Do you have friends and family who do? New kindergarten and grade one registrations for the 2025-2026 school year starts in January 2025, with the exact date yet to be announced and ends on February 11. Highwood is a lottery school because the number of applications we receive exceeds the number of open spots. The priority for the lottery draw is as follows:
- Priority 1: Students living in Highwood’s walk zone with a Highwood sibling who will also be at the school during the 2025-2026 school year
- Priority 2: Students living in Highwood’s walk zone
- Priority 3: Students living in a community designated to Highwood with a Highwood sibling who will also be at the school during the 2025-2026 school year
- Priority 4: Students living in a community designated to Highwood
Currently we have an in-person Kindergarten and Grade One Open House on Thursday, January 9 at 6:30pm in Highwood’s gymnasium. If you have a child who is currently attending or has attended Highwood School, there is no need to attend this Open House as you already know all about us! Please let any interested friends and family know about our Open House as Highwood parents are the best ambassadors for our school.
*NOTE: Students who are currently enrolled at Highwood School DO NOT need to reapply or reregister for the next school year. Students are automatically rolled over to the next grade. Current grade 4 students are automatically rolled over to grade 5 at Colonel Irvine School unless you tell us otherwise.
Important December Dates
Thursday, December 5: Grade 4 Parlee away at 2School
Friday, December 6: Monday/ Wednesday kindergarten students attend school
December 9-13: Grade 4 Tang away at 2School
Monday, December 9: Volunteer Prop Making at Highwood School Library
Tuesday, December 10: Volunteer Prop Making at Highwood School Library
Friday, December 13: Tuesday/Thursday kindergarten students attend school
December 16 & 17: Kindergarten: Firefighter presentation (in-school)
Monday, December 16: Volunteer Prop Making at Highwood School Library
Tuesday, December 17: Volunteer Prop Making at Highwood School Library
Thursday, December 19: Spirit Day – Pajama Day
Friday, December 20: Last day of school before Winter Break; Monday/Wednesday kindergarten students attend school
December 21- January 5: Winter Break (A reminder that if your child will be away on an extended Winter Break, please let the teachers and office know ahead of time.)
Monday, January 6: Students return to school
Happy Holidays!
Highwood School