Celebrating a Remarkable Career
We would like to share some heartfelt news with our school community. After more than three decades of dedicated service in education, Ms. Gourdeau will be retiring on November 20.
Ms. Gourdeau began her teaching journey in 1993 with Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, where she held a variety of roles including Teacher Librarian, Guidance Counsellor, and Program Coordinator for outreach initiatives supporting at-risk youth. Her work at Oskayak and Bishop Murray High Schools reflected her deep commitment to Indigenous education and student well-being.
In 2010, Ms. Gourdeau joined the Calgary Board of Education, where she continued to champion Indigenous education, literacy, numeracy, and student support across multiple schools. Most recently, she has been a valued member of our team at West Ridge School, bringing her wisdom, warmth, and unwavering dedication to our students and staff.
Though my time working with her has been brief, I see the passion she has for supporting students and the care and concern she has for their well-being. Her joy of teaching and heartwarming laugh continue to be shared with the teachers and students at West Ridge School, leaving a lasting impression on all of us.
We are incredibly grateful for Ms. Gourdeau’s contributions to education and to the lives of so many students over the years. Her impact will be felt for years to come, and she will be deeply missed.
Please join us in wishing Ms. Gourdeau all the best in her well-earned retirement!
Mr. Lang
Student Walk Out
Some West Ridge School students in grades 5 to 9 participated in the student walk out that took place on Thursday, October 30. The walk-out is not a CBE event and was not encouraged by WRS staff. It was a regular school day and, as usual, students were expected to be in class unless excused by a parent or guardian. Student learning continued as scheduled.
Students who chose to leave were not prevented from leaving class; however, any students who were not present in class were marked accordingly in their attendance.
Matilda Jr. Auditions
West Ridge Theatre is now auditioning for Matilda Jr! Audition materials and sign up are outside the Drama room.
Auditions for roles will be after school November 3,4,5. Students will need to sign up for an audition slot and prepare one of the selected songs and one of the scenes. They will also need to fill out an audition form which they will bring to their audition.
Callbacks for major roles will be on Thursday, November 6 from 3:30-5 by invitation only. This list will be posted the morning of November 6.
Ensemble/Chorus only auditions will be on Tuesday at lunch in the Drama room. This is a great way for students to start with the musical as they get to be in all the big numbers of the show and perform in a group. They will need to prepare the song Revolting Children (sheet music outside the Drama room).
Rehearsals this year will be before school (8:00:8:40) and after school (3:30-4:30/5:30). Because our auditions are later this year students will need to be able to commit to coming to rehearsals regularly.
Excited to see all that West Ridge talent!
Mrs. Lutz
Individual Program Plans (IPPS)
Individual Program Plans (IPPs) will be starting to come home during the coming weeks as teachers finalize the learning targets and strategies, as some additional data may need be collected for some students. Thank you for your patience as we work to get the IPPs out as soon as possible.
Healthy Hunger - Boston Pizza - Cancelled
Sorry for the confusion. I was not aware at the time of sending the email on Wednesday that this weeks Healthy Hunger lunch had been cancelled. Please log into Healthy Hunger to take a look at the upcoming lunches.
School Council Update
Casino - Help Needed!
There are still many spots that we are needing filled. Please click here to see what roles still need to be filled!
School Council Meeting - Nov. 20 @ 6:30pm
Please join us for the last meeting of 2025 to get an update of what is happening around the school.
Sport Court Upgrades - HUGE Thank You to WSCRCA!
With the support of West Springs Cougar Ridge Community Association (WSCRCA) as well as Society and the CBE, WRS was able to complete much needed maintenance of the Sport Court this summer. The courts are used daily for gym and are very busy after school with the community. Some minor work will continue over the fall.
WRS Council and Society is grateful for the WSCRCA continued support and partnership.
School Council and Society VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We need the help of our parent community to ensure the success of our students and school initiatives. The following role remains open. Please consider volunteering:
- Fundraising Coordinator: Support with fundraising ideas and administer initiatives. 1-2 hours/month.
Healthy Hunger - Nov 6
This event has been cancelled. Funds will be credited to your account.
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
Raptor Gear
Rapotor Gear is arriving late next week and will be handed out as soon as it arrives.
Our School Survey
West Ridge School will be participating in an online school perception survey for students called the OurSCHOOL Student Survey for students in Grades 4 to 9. This anonymous survey is completely voluntary for all CBE students. Please find the details of the survey implementation below. The survey will run over the next few weeks.
CBE’s Education Plan prioritizes student voice and well-being in our decision-making processes. Responses from this survey will be utilized at the system and school level to recognize and improve what is necessary for students to feel safe, welcome and cared for when at school.
If you have questions or about the upcoming implementation of the OurSCHOOL Student Survey, please contact Ms. Gourdeau (csgourdeau@cbe.ab.ca).
This Week
Monday, Nov 3
- Raptor Shack Re-opens!
- Matilda Auditions - after school
Tuesday, Nov 4
- Matilda Ensemble Auditions – lunch time
- Matilda Auditions - after school
Wednesday, Nov 5
- Matilda Auditions - after school
Thursday, Nov 6
- Matilda Callbacks - after school
Friday, Nov 7
- Grade 5 Developmental Basketball – before school
- Recognition of Remembrance Day on Nov 11
Month Ahead
Nov 10 to 12 – Fall Break
Nov 13 – 9-3 Field Trip
Nov 14 – Grade 5 Developmental Basketball
Nov 14 – 7-3, 7-4, 7-5 Field Trip
Nov 20 – Booster Juice – Healthy Hunger
Nov 20 – 9-6 - Field Trip
Nov 20 - School Council Meeting (6:30pm)
Nov 21 - Grade 5 Developmental Basketball
Nov 21 – 9-1, 9-2 Field Trip
Nov 24 - Photo Retakes
Dates of Significance
November - Hindu Heritage Month
Nov 5 - Guru Nanak Gurpurab
Nov 5 to 11 - Veterans Week
Nov 7 - Inuity Day
Nov 8 - Indigenous Veterans Day
Nov 9 - 15 - Roc Your Mocs Week
Nov 10 - 16 - Metis Awareness Week
Nov 11 - Remembrance Day
Nov 16 - Louis Riel Day
Nov 17 to 21 - National Bullying Awareness Prevention Week
Nov 17 to 21 - Canadian History Week
Nov 20 - National Child Day
Nov 20 - Transgender Day of Remembrance