Meet the Teacher - Save the Date
West Ridge School is hosting the Meet the Teacher evening on Thursday, September 25 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm. Please meet us in the gym at 6:30 pm for brief opening remarks from the West Ridge Leadership Team.
After our time in the gym, families will have the opportunity to meet their child's teachers and tour our P.E. and complementary course spaces. To ensure that families are able to attend multiple grade sessions, each teaching team will have a designated time slot for the grades that they teach.
Please note, this is not a conference and there is no time allotted to speak one one-on-one with your child’s teacher about your child and their learning. If this is required, please email your child’s teacher to set up a meeting at another time.
More information and a schedule will be shared in the coming weeks.
We look forward to meeting new families and seeing familiar faces!
Communicating With West Ridge School
At West Ridge, we believe it is important to be open, clear, and honest in our communication about student learning. By working together, we can create the best possible opportunities for your child’s success. If we have concerns or celebrations to share, we will connect with you promptly, whether through a meeting, a phone call, or an email.
We are also exploring additional ways to share and showcase student learning more regularly, to give you a clearer window into your child’s academic progress.
If you have questions about your child’s learning or would like to meet with a teacher, we encourage you to email them directly to arrange a time. Addressing questions and concerns early helps ensure the best outcomes for students.
When communicating with staff, we kindly ask that conversations come from a place of care, curiosity and collaboration. Some sentence starters you may find helpful include:
- “I am reaching out to ask about…”
- “Could you please clarify…”
- “We are hoping to better understand…”
- “How can we best support ___ at home with…”
- “We are concerned about ___ and would appreciate your perspective on…”
- “Could we set up a time to meet and talk about…”
- “Thank you for your support with…”
- “We appreciate the effort you have put into…”
Together, we can create a positive and supportive learning environment for all students.
Stay Connected with MyCBE / PowerSchool
Did you know you can access your child’s grades, attendance, report cards, and school fees all in one place?
Using MyCBE / PowerSchool gives families a convenient way to support their child’s learning and stay actively involved in their school experience.
If you do not have a MyCBE account, on the MyCBE page click on Create a MyCBE Account. For online help, refer to MyCBE - Creating an Account (includes instructions and a video).
Safety Patrol
As the school year continues, we want to remind everyone of the importance of safety in our school zones, especially during drop-off and pick-up times. The safety of your children is our number one priority, and that is why our Safety Patrol program is in place.
Here are a few key reminders to help ensure the safety of all students:
1. Stop for Safety Patrols: When the Safety Patrols raise their stop signs, please come to a complete stop and do not proceed until the signs are down. This ensures that students and patrol members can cross safely without any risks.
2. Avoid the Bus Zone: Please refrain from parking or dropping off your children in the designated bus zones. These areas must remain clear to ensure the smooth arrival and departure of school buses.
3. No Drop-offs on the Road: For your child’s safety, do not drop off your child on the road. This can be extremely dangerous, as children may need to cross through traffic to reach the sidewalk or school entrance. This would also be considered jaywalking.
Your cooperation is essential to creating a safe environment for all students. Thank you for doing your part to keep our school zone safe and following these guidelines.
Raptor Shack
The Raptor Shack is now open! We offer a variety of affordable snacks and drinks for students to enjoy.
We do not accept debit or credit card payment, and we are unable to break large bills, so please send your children with change or smaller bills.
Complimentary Courses
It has been an exciting couple of weeks in our Complementary classes! Students have jumped right in to learn and create in Band, Construction, Robotics, Guitar, Foods, Legal Studies, Finance, Art 2D and 3D, Drama, Technical Theatre, Film Studies, Dance, French, Fashion, Cosmetology, Outdoor Ed, Leadership, Design, Photography, and Tourism.
Mrs. Lutz:
-Students in Dance have been learning a dance to Golden from K-Pop Demon Hunters, and have learned elements of K-Pop dance.
-Students in Drama have been moving their bodies in learning Tableaux, and have begun their first projects with Drama 7 students working on Tableaux sets with Soundtracks, Drama 8 students working on their Fairytale Newscasts, and Drama 9 students beginning planning their Children's Picture Book Mini Plays.
-Film students have jumped into their first projects with gusto with Grade 7s learning Shot Types and Camera Angles through their Storyboard Tell-A-Story project, Grade 8s are working on their framing and editing skills in their Side by Side Scene recreations, and Grade 9s are channelling their inner Rocky by creating montages!
-In Tech Theatre, we have sketched and discussed the design process in creating a musical production. Next, we will begin our props/scenic painting unit, where we begin to create props and set pieces for West Ridge Theatre's production of Matilda Jr!
Mrs. Hassett:
-Art 2D – Grade 7 is starting their “all about me” explosion book project. Grade 8 is working on their mini personalized “still life” object drawing project. Grade 9 is building their own sketchbook based on a chosen quote “to live by” theme, drawing and collaging their covers.
-Art 3D – Grade 7 is working in small groups to create paper wearable animal sculptures. Grade 8 students are completing a design challenge of creating their own wearable paper shoes. Grade 9 students are creating sculptural headpieces using a range of materials based on a specific theme of their choice. Pictures coming soon!
Mr. Hoag:
-Band-Our band students are reviewing classroom expectations, rehearsal procedures, and proper care of their instruments. These first classes balance structure with enthusiasm, giving students the foundation they need to grow musically and the confidence to succeed as part of the band. The beginning band students are trying different band instruments to find the ‘perfect fit.’
Mr. Weremey:
-Guitar- Students have been picking up their guitars and learning basic strumming patterns, notes and have started to play Happy Birthday!
-Construction- Students have been measuring up and learning all about the safety and skills needed in the Construction room.
Mr. Scollard:
-Foods-Students are in the process of finishing up Food Safety units before starting our first recipes. Grade 7 and 8 students will be having their quizzes occurring as early as the week of Sept. 15. Grade 9 Advanced Bakers will be starting on Pies, and Grade 9 Advanced Foods will be starting on Soups and Stocks
-Finance-We are wrapping up our learning on the History of Money and will have a knowledge and understanding quiz to establish our baseline of knowledge. We are learning about different financial concepts, such as Inflation, Interest, and Fiat Currency
-Legal Studies-We are learning about the different legal systems within the world, starting on Civil Law and Common Law. We are going to learn about Religious Law later on this coming week. We are exploring various case studies that had been resolved by Civil Law and others that had been resolved by Common Law. They are to summarize the facts and background of the case, determine the judge's ruling, and the rationale for the ruling.
Mme. Gill:
-French students have been working on a project called “Tout sur moi” (All About Me). They are using personal adjectives and visuals to describe themselves, talk about their likes and dislikes, share highlights from their summer, and introduce their families. This activity helps them practice vocabulary and sentence building while gaining confidence in expressing who they are in French.
-Cosmetology students have been exploring introductory topics in the world of cosmetology. Discussions have focused on the power and influence of cosmetology in everyday life and culture, as well as how appearance can impact confidence and self-expression. We have also introduced conversations around body image, highlighting the importance of practicing both body positivity (appreciating our bodies as they are) and body neutrality (valuing what our bodies can do rather than focusing on appearance). These foundational ideas are helping students think critically about the role cosmetology plays in shaping identity and well-being.
Ms. Lonsdale:
-Fashion-Students are creating a unique clothing hang-tag with them as the fashion designer.
-Tourism-Students researched and discussed terminology related to the tourism industry ex: attractions, accommodations, eco-tourism, food and beverage and transportation.
Mr. Whelan:
-Outdoor Ed-All classes are learning about the seven principles of “leave no trace” and implementing these principles through worksheets, nature walks and scavenger hunts. The grade 8’s are going over water safety in preparation for their field trip on September 16th, and working on their national park project, where they are planning a trip based on Leave No Trace principles. Grade 9’s have spent lots of time outside this week practicing leave no trace principles and doing worksheets to support their learning. Next week, they will be starting their shelter building unit with lots of knot tying practice.
-Leadership-Leadership is focusing on all things Terry Fox at the moment. My grade 8’s and 9’s have both been hard at work creating posters for the school. They have also been helping plan events and set up other terry fox resources. Many students have already started volunteering their time around the schools with things like the pep rally and raptor shack. Next week, announcements will start up with help from my grade 9 leadership team and all of my classes will be helping me with donations and fundraising in the mornings and lunches next week.
Mr. Stratton:
-Design-Our Design students are creating hand drawn patterns that will be digitized and repeatable.
-Photography-The lab upstairs is starting to light up with exciting activities. -The Photography students are learning about the exposure triangle. Our grade 8’s went outside on Friday to take photos.
-Robotics students are starting to explore the Spike Prime robotics kits and are having fun building with the Lego.
School Council Meeting & Updates
We would love to see all West Ridge School families represented at the upcoming School Council and Society meeting. The meeting is on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 6:30 pm and will take place in West Ridge School’s Learning Commons.
The meetings are a great opportunity to find out more about West Ridge School, ask questions, and be a part of something bigger. At this meeting, you will get a chance to meet Mr. Lang and Mrs. Carter, find out about what is happening at school, while hearing updates from the School Council and Society.
You can be an active participant in the meeting or just listen to what is being shared. It is with the support of West Ridge School Families and the community that we can provide such wonderful learning opportunities for all students.
Volunteers needed for School Council and Society!
We need the help of the school community to ensure success for students and school initiatives. Together, we support the students and staff at West Ridge School by building community, supporting learning, and adding as much fun as we can. The following roles are available:
- Vice Chair
- Secretary
- Staff Appreciation Coordinator - needed for meet the teacher on Sept 25
If interested, send an email to: wrscouncil@gmail.com
The Society is also looking for a couple of volunteers to coordinate the following fundraisers:
- Bottle Drives
- Winter poinsettias and arrangements
If you’re interested in helping with one or both, please email infowrss@gmail.com.
Social Media and Online Safety - Paul Davis - Monday, Sept. 15 at 6:30pm
Join us for a parent speaker evening! Paul Davis will be providing information on social media, harms, digital trails, smartphones, digital security and more. This talk is designed for adults.
To be held at Wolfe Calgary, 768 101 Street SW. Light snacks & refreshments will be served. Please sign up! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054FAFA62FA2FF2-57301134-parent
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
Athletics
Congratulations to all of our student athletes who made the Girls and Boys Soccer Teams, as well as our Sr. Girls and Boys Basketball Teams. We are looking forward to sharing in all of your successes as seasons get underway! Competition was stiff during the tryout process and we want to recognize the dedication and sportsmanship displayed by all of those who were in attendance.
Junior basketball tryouts are underway and will continue next week on the following dates and times.
- September 15: Jr. Girls @ 7:30 am and Jr. Boys (invite only) @ 3:20 pm
- September 16: Jr. Girls (invite only) @ 7:30 am
Friday, September 19, will be the first Grade 5 Developmental Basketball session. It will run from 7:45-8:30 am in the Main Gym. These sessions are open to any Grade 5 students who are interested in further developing their basketball skills.
Our Cross-Country Team also competed in their first meet on Thursday afternoon. As usual, West Ridge had an incredible turnout and should be proud of their efforts. The second meet is scheduled for September 16 at North Glenmore Park. Good luck to all athletes who are competing next week!
The first soccer games are also scheduled for next week. Both teams kick off their seasons with a pair of home games against Vincent Massey. The girls are set to play on September 17, while the boys are playing on September 18. Games start at 4:30pm. Come on out and support the teams!
As usual, all pertinent information will be posted on the West Ridge Athletics website in a timely manner. Please refer to the website for a list of tryouts, practice times, game schedules, and more. We thank you for your continued support of Raptor Athletics!
Terry Fox Run
It’s that time of year when our school-wide Terry Fox Run is fast approaching. We will be hosting two fundraising events next week.
Hit Me With Your Best Shot will happen at lunch time on September 17. Students will have an opportunity to purchase water balloons ($0.50 each or 3 for $1.00) and throw them at their teachers.
The second annual Beepin’ for Bucks takes place at lunch time on September 18 on the soccer field. Students will compete in their grade groups in a Beep Test challenge. Entry costs $2.00 per student, with all proceeds going to the Terry Fox Foundation.
On Friday, September 19, there will be a full school assembly in Period 3, followed by our Terry Fox Run outside. Students will be dismissed at the usual time (12:45 pm) once the run is complete. All students are encouraged to bring a Toonie for Terry if they aren’t participating in any of the above fundraising activities.
If families would like, they can also donate online here: https://schools.terryfox.ca/98269
Healthy Hunger is Back!
We are happy to announce that with the support of the Parent Association/School Council, we are ready to launch Healthy Hunger lunches for this school year. The dates and choices are already loaded in Healthy Hunger. Subway is the first one and it takes place on October 9, 2025.
Please note that you do need to register your child with Healthy Hunger each year (so we have the correct home room for them).
We will also need volunteers to help hand out the lunches. A sign-up will be created in the coming weeks for those who can help out.
If this is all new to you, please see more detailed information below.
What is Healthy Hunger
This program allows parents to purchase food for their child(ren) on specific dates throughout the year. It not only provides fun food for the students, but it also serves as a valuable fundraiser for our school.
How Can My Child Participate?
All orders are posted for West Ridge School on the Healthy Hunger website and require a parent account to participate.
How Do I Register?
Visit www.HealthyHunger.ca and click on Register Your Student. Fill in the required information and select Create My Account. You will then add each child who is participating to your account. Once completed, you will have access to all the options that the school has posted.. Click here for more information on how to sign up!
What If I Already Have an Account?
If you already have an account with Healthy Hunger, simply log in and enter your child’s new information. **This will have to be updated every year as teachers and grades change.
What if I Have Questions?
For program information, please email West Ridge School’s Parent Society (infowrss@gmail.com). For any account issues, please contact the Healthy Hunger team through their website.
Casino Fundraiser
West Ridge School and West Springs School Casino is taking place on November 13, 14, 17, & 18.
The two casinos are expected to raise $70,000 for each school. No previous casino volunteer experience is required.
If you have any questions, please email westspringswestridgecasino@gmail.com.
Click on this link to sign up and see a list of volunteer position descriptions: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B054BABAE22A4FD0-57039201-november#/
Raptor Gear
Our online apparel store will be open from September 2 to 21. We have hoodies, t-shirts, jogging pants and hats to help show your West Ridge spirit. Purchases can only be made online and will be delivered to the school the week of October 20. Please use the link below to view what is available and make your purchases.
https://westridgeapparel.itemorder.com/shop/home/
This Week
Monday, September 15
- Jr. Girls Basketball Tryouts - Before school
- Paul Davis Presentation - Social Media and Online Safety
- Jr. Boys Basketball Final Tryouts (invite only) - After school
- Paul Davis Presentation for Parents (6:30pm)
Tuesday, September 16
- Jr. Girls Basketball Final Tryouts (invite only) - Before school
- Grade 8 Environmental and Outdoor Education Kayaking Field Trip
- Cross Country Meet #2 - North Glenmore Park
Wednesday, September 17
- Hit Me with Your Best Shot! - Terry Fox Fundraiser - Lunchtime
- Girls Soccer Game @ West Ridge School
Thursday, September 18
- Beepin’ for Bucks - Terry Fox Fundraiser - Lunchtime
- Boys Soccer Game @ West Ridge School
- School Council and Society Meeting - 6:30 pm @ WRS Learning Commons
Friday, September 19
- Grade 5 Developmental Basketball - Before School
- Terry Fox Run and Assembly
Month Ahead
Sept 22 - Cross Country Meet #3 - North Glenmore Park
Sept 22 - Girls Soccer Game @ WRS
Sept 23 - Boys Soccer Game @ Bishop Pinkham
Sept 24 - Apple and Pear Fundraiser Delivery
Sept 24 - Jr. & Sr. Girls Basketball Exhibition Game
Sept 24 - Girls Soccer Game @ A.E. Cross
Sept 25 - Meet the Teacher / Open House (6:30 pm)
Sept 26 - Grade 5 Developmental Basketball - Before school
Sept 26 - Truth and Reconciliation Assembly
Sept 29 - No School - Non-instructional Day
Sept 30 - No School - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day
Oct 1 - Girls Soccer Game @ Bishop Pinkham
Oct 1 - Sr. Boys Basketball Game @ WRS
Oct 2 - School Fall Photos
Oct 2 - Boys Soccer Game @ WRS
Oct 2 - Sr. Girls Basketball Games @ Senator Patrick Burns
Oct 3 - Grade 5 Developmental Basketball - Before school
Oct 3 - 7-1 and 7-2 Field Trip
Dates of Significance
Sept 12 - 21 - Welcome Week
Sept 19 - National Trades Day
Sept 21 - 27 - Gender Equality Week
Sept 22 - Treaty 7 Day
Sept 22 - Fall Equinox
Sept 22 to 24 - Rosh Hashanah
Sept 30 - National Day of Truth & Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day
October - German Heritage Month
October - Canadian Islamic History Month
October - Latin American Heritage Month
October - Women’s History Month
Oct 1 - Yom Kippur
Oct 2 - Dussehra
Oct 2 - Custodial Staff Appreciation Day
Oct 4 - Sisters in Spirit Day
Oct 5 - World Teacher’s Day