Students Leaving Early
As we continue to work on building student independence and responsibility, we wanted to send a friendly reminder about early student pick-ups.
If you know your child will be leaving school before the end of the day, please email both the office and your child(ren)'s teacher(s) whenever possible. Ideally, this communication would happen the night before so everyone is aware and can plan accordingly at the start of the school day.
We also encourage families to let their child know about the early departure. A note from home to the teacher works great too, just as many of us used when we were in school. When both the teacher and student are aware, they can work together to ensure the student is at the office and ready to sign out at the appropriate time.
This helps reduce the number of calls and interruptions to classrooms throughout the day. At times, classes may be interrupted multiple times within a single period to locate students, which takes away from learning time for everyone.
We understand that unexpected situations arise, and in those cases, calling the office is absolutely appropriate. We will always work with families when plans change. We would simply prefer that calling students out of class become the exception rather than the norm when advance notice is possible.
Thank you for your support as we work together to maximize learning time while helping students develop independence and responsibility.
Supporting Well-Being
Well-being is a precondition for student achievement. Student well-being supports learning and success. Students bring strengths, experiences, and capacities that can be nurtured through supportive relationships and inclusive learning environments. As students navigate challenges that are connected to mental health and well-being, we have an opportunity to strengthen belonging, build skills, and ensure access to responsive supports.
The CBE invites all parents and guardians to join us for a live online series focused on supporting child and youth well-being. Hosted by the Recovery Alberta Community Education Service (CES) Program in collaboration with experts from the Calgary community, this year's sessions will explore a range of timely topics.
These sessions are designed to equip families with the knowledge, tools, and strategies to navigate the challenges and opportunities of raising children and teens today.
These sessions are free and provide information, resources, helplines, and services to support healthy child and youth development.
This week's sessions include:
- Mental Health & Youth
- Unmasking ADHD in Girls Part 1: Understanding Female ADHD
- Unmasking ADHD in Girls Part 2: Supporting Females with ADHD
Click here for more information about the series including dates and times of the sessions.
Raptor Gear - Last Day to Order – Sunday, Oct 4
Visit https://westridgeapparel.itemorder.com to see all the amazing Raptor Gear that you can purchase. Both adult and youth apparel are available.
The store closes on Sunday, October 4, and items will be available for pick up at school three to four weeks later.
WRS Student Voice Committee
The Student Voice Committee will give students in Grades 5–9 opportunities to share ideas and help plan projects related to student well-being, belonging, and cultural diversity. Committee members may help plan Wellness Day, organize a cultural food fair, create cultural displays or bulletin boards, and develop other initiatives based on student interests.
Students in Grades 7–9 may also have an opportunity to participate in the Student Wellness Action Team (SWAT) and attend a wellness symposium. Students in Grades 5 & 6 can participate as Junior SWAT members.
We are looking for responsible, enthusiastic students who want to help make a positive difference at West Ridge!
Click on the link or image below to fill out the form!
https://forms.gle/uXyoLChjkDvCCa4m9
2026-27 Yearbook Sales Have Begun!
It’s more than a yearbook; it’s a collection of moments that define your year.
Order your yearbook between Oct 10 and 23 and save.
Get 4 free ICONS added to your book when you personalize with your name on the cover."
To order, click the image below or scan the QR code.
Girls Excel in Math (GEM) Calgary
Girls Excel in Math (GEM) Calgary is a Saturday enrichment program for grades 6 - 8 girls. Students will have fun exploring mathematical topics that they would not normally see in the classroom.
Students will begin in a large lecture hall with a session led by Lauren DeDieu an Associate Professor with the University of Calgary. They will then split into a smaller classroom with other students from their school. This smaller session will be led by a teacher or teachers from West Ridge School, with support from undergraduate/graduate student volunteers.
If your child(ren) is interested please fill out this form or click the image below:
https://forms.gle/JoHgQ6EzqNmHSRVS9
Fall 2026 / Winter 2027 Dates:
GEM will take place at the University of Calgary from 9am – 12pm on the following dates:
- Saturday, Nov. 7th, 2026: Prisoner’s Dilemma
- Saturday, Dec. 5th, 2026: Fractals
- Saturday, Jan. 23rd, 2027: Origami
- Saturday, Mar. 13th, 2027: Eulerian Graphs
This Week
Monday, Oct 5
- International Walk to School Week
- World Teacher’s Day
- Grade 9 Science Field Trip – 92, 94, 95, 96, 97
- Musical Auditions – After School
- Girls Basketball Games @ William D. Pratt
- Boys Soccer Semi-Final Game @ Bishop Pinkham
Tuesday, Oct 6
- Grade 9 Science Field Trip – 91 & 93
- Musical Auditions – After School
- Boys Basketball Games @ West Ridge
Wednesday, Oct 7
- Gr 8 Outdoor Education Field Trip
- Ensemble Musical Auditions - Lunchtime
- Musical Auditions – After School
- Girls Basketball Games @ Arbour Lake
Thursday, Oct 8
- Grade 9 Outdoor Education Field Trip
- Boys Basketball Games @ Vincent Massey
- Girls Soccer Semii-Final – TBD
- Musical Auditions – After Schoole
Friday, Oct 9
- Grade 5 Developmental Basketball – Before School
- Walk for Wenjack
Month Ahead
Oct 12 – No School - Thanksgiving Day
Oct 13 – Grade 8 Science Field Trip – 84, 86 & ½ of 85
Oct 13 – Girls Soccer Finals - TBD
Oct 14 – Grade 8 Science Field Trip – 81, 83 & ½ of 85
Oct 14 – Girls Basketball Games @ West Ridge
Oct 14 – Boys Soccer Finals – TBD
Oct 14 – Junior Basketball Tournament @ Simons Fraser or H.D. Cartwright
Oct 15 - Grade 8 Science Field Trip – 82
Oct 15 - Junior Basketball Tournament @ Simons Fraser or H.D. Cartwright
Oct 15 – Boys Basketball Games – A.E. Cross
Oct 16 – Grade 5 Developmental Basketball
Oct 16 - Junior Basketball Tournament @ Simons Fraser or H.D. Cartwright
Oct 16 – Ernest Manning Feeder Basketball Tournament
Oct 19 – No School – Alberta Referendum & Non-Instructional Day
Oct 20 – Boys Basketball Games @ Bishop Pinkham
Oct 21 – Girls Basketball Games @ T.B. Riley
Oct 22 – Grade 6 Field Trip
Oct 23 - Grade 5 Developmental Basketball
Dates of Significance
Please find the link to the CBE Dates of Significance below which also contains additional details for each date. CBE Dates of Significance. These dates are provincially and federally recognized and are identified by the Calgary Board of Education. At West Ridge School, our goal is to ensure that all students feel welcomed, valued, safe, and that they have a strong sense of belonging within our school community.
Oct – Canadian Islamic History Month
Oct – German Heritage Month
Oct – Latin American Heritage Month
Oct – Women's History Month
Oct 10 – World Mental Health Day
Oct 11 – International Day of the Girl Child
Oct 12 – Thanksgiving
Oct 17 to 22 – Secret Path Week
Oct 18 – Persons Day
Oct 20 - Dussehra
Oct 22 – Take Me Outside Day
Oct 31 – Halloween
November – Hindu Heritage Month Canada
November – Lebanese Heritage Month