Supporting Student Well‑Being at West Ridge School
We know that life inside and outside of school can be complex for students. So, we work hard to create a place where students feel safe, known, and supported by focusing on healthy relationships, active living, and positive mental health. These are all key pieces in helping students feel ready for learning each day.
Our School Development Plan also keeps student well‑being at the forefront. One of its key priorities is strengthening students’ sense of belonging and connection, ensuring that the structures and routines in our school help students feel grounded and supported.
Listening to Students: Wellness & Suggestion Boxes
This year, one of the most meaningful shifts so far has come from the Wellness & Suggestion Boxes that we have had out for a few weeks. Students have already shared over 100 ideas, and the honesty and thoughtfulness in their suggestions have been invaluable.
More importantly, their feedback has already led to real change. Based on what students have told us, we have:
- Installed feminine hygiene product dispensers in all girls’ washrooms
- Started exploring comfortable hallway seating to create welcoming spaces for students to connect
- Increased recognition of student‑identified cultural events
- Put forward a request to adjust bell times next year to improve break and transition periods
These changes reflect what we value as a school community: when students speak, we listen, and then we do our best to act on it.
Student Led Conferences - Save the Date
We are preparing for Student Led Conferences taking place on Thursday, March 19. Student Led conferences are designed to give students the opportunity to share their learning, guide their families through classroom activities, and highlight growth and goals. These are not scheduled one‑on‑one meetings with teachers; instead, they offer a broad overview of your child’s learning across subjects through their own voice. Students must attend.
Thursday Evening Schedule - March 19
To support a steady flow through the building and to provide opportunities to visit all of your classes, families are invited to attend during their designated time slot:
- 5:00–6:00 p.m. – Families with last names A–J
- 6:00–7:00 p.m. – Families with last names K–Z
If you would like to discuss your child’s progress in more detail, have specific concerns, or require an individual meeting, we encourage you to reach out directly to your child’s teacher to arrange a separate conversation. Teachers will also be hosting invite‑only Friday meetings for situations where a more individualized discussion is needed.
Locker Locks – Safety & Security Reminder
We continue to see a number of student lockers without locks or with locks left open. At this time, more than 30 lockers are missing locks. As a reminder, all students are issued a CBE lock at the start of the year and are expected to use it daily. These locks are important because they allow admin key access when needed, including in emergencies or for safety or security reasons.
For students who require a different style of lock to support their learning needs, we do have some alternatives available.
If a student has misplaced or lost their CBE lock, a replacement will be issued and the cost will be added to their MyCBE account. However, if a lock is damaged or not working properly, we will replace it at no cost. Please just tell your child to bring their lock to the office for a replacement. Our goal is to ensure every student can secure their belongings safely and easily.
At this point, West Ridge School has already spent over $1200 purchasing replacement locks this year. We appreciate your support in reminding your child to lock their lockers at all times. When locks are left off, or left hanging open, items can go missing, leading to other issues.
Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and secure environment for all learners.
Raptors Athletics & PE
Athletics
The volleyball regular season has now concluded and our teams are busy preparing for the playoffs. Our Jr. Girls, Jr. Boys, and Sr. Boys all finished in first in their respective divisions, while our Sr. Girls finished in 2nd place. All of our teams earned a spot in the semi-finals next week. Please see the playoff schedule below for game times and locations:
- March 11 Semi-Finals @ Griffith Woods
- Jr. Girls @ 4:30pm vs. Winner of 4th vs. 5th (to be played on March 9)
- Sr. Girls @ 7:30pm vs. Winner of 3rd vs. 6th (to be played on March 9)
- March 12 Semi-Finals @ West Ridge
- Jr. Boys @ 4:30pm vs. A.E. Cross
- Sr. Boys @ 6:30pm vs. William D. Pratt
For a full list of games, locations, and times, (including playoffs) please visit our Athletics website.
Our Grade 5 Developmental Volleyball program has now concluded for the season. Thank you to all of the Grade 5 students who came out to learn the game and improve their skills. I would also like to thank Ms. Gordon for running all of these sessions.
Field Trips
Our Grade 9 Outdoor Education students enjoyed a fabulous cross-country skiing/snowshoeing trip at Peter Lougheed Provincial Park earlier this week. The sun was shining bright and we covered plenty of ground throughout the day.
Unfortunately, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the Grade 8 Outdoor Education field trip that was scheduled for March 11. We did not get enough student interest for this trip and with the low numbers, this trip is no longer feasible. We will look at planning future field trips this Spring.
WRS School Council Update
Pantry of Appreciation, Fueling Those Who Inspire!!
On Tuesday, March 17 we would like to FILL the school panty with a few of the West Ridge School Staff's favorite snacks for when the day is long, the morning comes too quickly, or a quick snack is desired!
Sign up to drop off an item or more, and with the help of our amazing school community, we can pack the pantry full of delicious snacks. The staff are very grateful for this generous offer and are excited.
Sign up HERE.
Healthy Hunger - Mar 12
Our next Healthy Hunger is A&W on Thursday, March 12. You can order lunches at www.healthyhunger.ca
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
This Week
Monday, March 9
- Grade 9 Vaccination Catch-Up
Tuesday, March 10
- 51 & 53 - Walking Field Trip
Wednesday, March 11
- CANCELLED - Grade 8 Outdoor Ed Cross Country Skiing Field Trip
- 52 & 55 - Walking Field Trip
- Jr. Girls VB - 4:30pm @ Griffith Woods vs. Winner of 4th vs. 5th (to be played on March 9)
- Sr. Girls VB - 7:30pm @ Griffith Woodsvs. Winner of 3rd vs. 6th (to be played on March 9)
Thursday, March 12
- Healthy Hunger Fun Lunch - A & W
- 54 & 56 - Walking Field Trip
- Jr. Boys VB - 4:30pm @ WRS vs. A.E. Cross
- Sr. Boys VB - 6:30pm @ WRS vs. William D. Pratt
Month Ahead
Mar 16 - 51 & 53 - Walking Field Trip
Mar 17 - Grade 7 Outdoor Ed Cross Country Skiing Field Trip
Mar 17 - 52 & 55 - Walking Field Trip
Mar 17 - Jr. & Sr. Girls & Boys VB Finals @Ernest Manning
Mar 18 - 54 & 56 - Walking Field Trip
Mar 19 - Pulse Studios Dance Residency
Mar 19 - Student Led Conferences (A-J 5pm to 6pm, K -Z 6pm to 7pm)
Mar 20 - No School - Non-instructional Day
Mar 20 - Student Conferences - By Invitation Only
Mar 21 - Mar 29 - No School - Spring Break
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.