Finishing the Year Strong
There are only two weeks left of school of the 2025-26 school year. While this time of year can feel busy and exciting, it is important to remember that every day continues to be a full day of learning right through to the end, June 26.
This is also true during Grade 6 and Grade 9 PAT days. While exams are an important part of the day, regular classes resume immediately afterward, and meaningful learning continues for all students.
If your child is unable to attend for the full day during these final weeks, we kindly ask that you inform West Ridge School by email or phone before 10:00 a.m. This allows us to process absences more efficiently, as the recent volume has created a significant administrative workload for Ms. Santo and Mrs. Flanagan.
Alongside classroom learning, we also have a number of field trips, celebrations, and activities planned in these final weeks. These are intentionally organized to support students’ learning, help them connect with one another, and provide a positive close to the school year.
We recognize that this is a busy time for families; however, we ask for your continued support in ensuring that students are at school, on time, and engaged for the full day. These last few weeks are important, and each day provides valuable opportunities for students to learn, participate, and be part of our school community.
Grade Configurations and Bell Times
Grade Configurations
Our funding for the 2026–27 school year will be based on the number of students enrolled as of September 30, 2026. As in previous years, we expect to welcome additional students over the summer, which may allow us to make further adjustments at that time. At present, our staffing decisions have been made based on the anticipated number of students for the upcoming school year.
At the May School Council and Association meeting, we shared our preliminary plans for next year, including school organization and class composition. Since then, we’ve taken time to reflect on this school year, analyze updated enrollment data, and collaborate as a staff to consider what’s best for student learning.
Also, we are pleased to inform you that West Ridge School has been allocated two additional teaching positions)for the 2026–27 school year through the Government of Alberta’s Class Size Reduction Grant. This grant funds teaching positions that support improved learning conditions in kindergarten to Grade 9 classrooms. This funding is specifically intended to help reduce class sizes in core subject areas (English Language Arts/French Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies), with priority given to schools experiencing the greatest class size pressures which at West Ridge School is in Grade 7 and Grade 9.
This decision was made using system-wide data that considers:
- The number of classes exceeding provincial class size benchmarks
- Projected enrolment and class organization
- School programming and grade configuration
As a result, we are making some organizational adjustments designed to strengthen how we can support students.
For the 2026-27 school year, we anticipate having six Grade 5, 6, and 8 homerooms and seven Grade 7 and 9 homerooms.
Bell Times
Though our start and end times will remain the same we have made adjustments to our bell schedule based on feedback from students and families. With some creative scheduling, we have created a 2-minute transition between classes (from 1 min), kept the nutrition break at 5 minutes, and extended our lunch from 38 minutes to 42 minutes. The morning now consists of 5 periods and the afternoon only 2, with a nutrition break happening after the third period.
As a leadership team, we feel that this makes the most sense when considering middle years learners and their greater ability to focus in the morning. This now also removes the overlap of lunch times with West Springs School. Friday’s schedule will remain the same.
Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu | |
Bus Arrival | 8:35 |
Relaxed Entry | 8:35 - 8:45 |
Warning Bell | 8:40 |
Period 1 | 8:45 - 9:33 |
Period 2 | 9:35 - 10:23 |
Period 3 | 10:25 - 11:13 |
Nutrition Break | 11:13 - 11:18 |
Period 4 | 11:18 - 12:06 |
Period 5 | 12:08 - 12:56 |
Lunch | 12:56 - 1:38 |
Transition Bell | 1:16 |
Warning Bell | 1:33 |
Period 6 | 1:38 - 2:26 |
Period 7 | 2:28 - 3:15 |
Buses Leave | 3:25 |
Fired Up
West Ridge School artists in Art 3D classes have learned so much about building with clay over the last few months. Final projects coming out of the kiln are full of colour, textures and each one is unique. Grade 7 has created ceramic monsters, Grade 8 has created canopic inspired animal jars, and Grade 9 has created their own mugs with additive features of their choice.
School Council Update
Join the WRS School Council
Consider joining as a member of School Council or School Societyl for the 2026-2027 school year. We have a few positions available. If interested, send an email to: wrscouncil@gmail.com
Healthy Hunger - June 18
Our last Healthy Hunger of the year is Tim Hortons. You can order at www.healthyhunger.ca
Welcome Back Breakfast - Friday September 4
Planning has already begun for the Welcome Back Breakfast for the next school year! Please SIGN UP to volunteer to help kick off the new school year.
Stay in the Loop
Quick links for fundraisers and sign-ups Skip-the-Depot
Check out the school webpage
Send us an email:
Council: wrscouncil@gmail.com
Society: infowrss@gmail.com
City of Calgary - Free Summer Programs
The City of Calgary will be running free summer programs for children ages 3-12 years old at various locations across the city. Some activities offered in the program include: crafts, games and active play. Click here for more information
Ultimate Summer Challenge
The Ultimate Summer Challenge is a free summer program through the Calgary Public Library that encourages children ages 0 – 12 and teenagers ages 13 – 17 to read, learn, and create all summer long! There are even chances to win some pretty cool prizes.
Students can look forward to a themed challenge map and activities in addition to free, in-person and virtual programs and reading challenges.
To find out more about this event, please click this link: Ultimate Summer Challenge 2026
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This Week
Monday, June 15
- Gr. 8 Outdoor Ed Field Trip
- PAT - Grade 6 - Math Part A
Tuesday, June 16
- PAT - Grade 9 - Math Part A
Wednesday, June 17
- Gr. 8 & 9 Outdoor Ed Field Trip
- Gr. 5 Outdoor Experience Field Trip - Group A
Thursday, June 18
- Gr. 5 Outdoor Experience Field Trip - Group B
- PAT - Grade 6 - Math Part B
- Bowness Football Information Session @ Lunch in Gym
- Healthy Hunger Fun Lunch - Tim Hortons
- Night of the Raptor
Friday, June 19
- PAT - Grade 9 - Math Part B
Month Ahead
June 20 - 8-1 & 8-2 Science Field Trip
June 20 - PAT - Grade 9 - Social Studies
June 23 - PAT - Grade 9 - Science
June 23 - Grade 7 Social Studies Field Trip
June 23 - Grade 9 Farewell Ceremony - 4:30 pm
June 23 - Grade 9 Farewell Evening - 6:00 pm
June 25 - Report Cards Viewable Online
June 26 - Last Day of Classes
June 29 - Report Card Appeals Day
Dates of Significance
Please find the link to the CBE Dates of Significance below which also contains additional details for each date. Please scroll down on the site to find the current date.