Orange Shirt Day – Truth and Reconciliaction
As part of West Ridge School’s commitment to reconciliation through education, students and staff participated in Orange Shirt Day & Every Child Matters on Friday, September 26.
Throughout the week, many classes engaged in age-appropriate activities to enhance student understanding and reflect on the lang acknowledgement and what it means to them. Please ask your children about what the land means to them.
To learn more about West Ridge School’s specific actions towards Truth and Reconciliation, please click here. All CBE schools will be closed on Tuesday, September 30 in recognition of National Truth and Reconciliation Day.
Please visit the City of Calgary’s Orange Shirt Day National Day for Truth and Reconciliation webpage for more information about community events for your family to participate in.
Thank You for Coming
It was wonderful seeing so many families at West Ridge School on Thursday night to tour the school and find out what your children are up to. Thursday night was an opportunity to meet your children’s teachers, but it did not provide opportunities for in-depth conversations about their learning. If you feel as though you would like to meet with your child’s teacher before the conferences in November, we ask that you email them to arrange a meeting.
We look forward to hosting more family events throughout the year that allow us to come together and celebrate your children and their learning.
Complimentary Connection
We were so excited to meet everyone at Meet the Teacher this week and talk about all the cool and creative things we are doing in the Complementary classes. Thanks for coming to chat with us! This week, we will feature updates from Mr. Hoag and Ms. Lonsdale/Mr. Scollard.
Mr. Hoag:
Grade 5 Music
Our fifth-grade music students are learning the basics of playing a wind instrument, the recorder. This includes proper breathing, finger placement, and reading simple music. These basics develop foundational music skills, such as rhythm and melody, while giving students an accessible and fun first experience with instrumental performance.
Grade 6 Music
The Zimbabwean-style marimba introduces students to a vibrant, community-based style of music-making that emphasizes rhythm, melody, and ensemble playing. Students are learning to perform traditional and contemporary pieces on wooden xylophone-like instruments, fostering teamwork, cultural appreciation, and musical creativity.
Grade 7 Band
Beginner band in middle school is an introductory music program where students learn the fundamentals of playing an instrument, reading music, and performing together as an ensemble. Students are focusing on building basic skills such as tone production, rhythm, and teamwork, while fostering a love of music.
Grade 8/9 Band
Students are preparing for our Remembrance Day Ceremony performance. This involves practicing music pieces, refining technique, and learning to listen and play as a group. Students work on balance, dynamics, and expression while building confidence to perform together on stage and share their progress with an audience.
Ms. Lonsdale/Mr. Scollard:
This week, the grade 9 foods classes made pie shells and mirepoix soup starters. The first recipe was chicken noodle soup and apple pies.
Photo Day
Lifetouch Student Picture Day is on Thursday, October 2. All students present will have individual photos taken. Pictures will be sent home with your child(ren) at a later date so that you can review them and decide if you would like to purchase them. Photo retakes will be occurring on October 24.
School Council Updates
School Council and Society VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We need the help of the West Ridge School community to ensure the success of our students and school initiatives. The following roles are open, so please consider volunteering:
- Secretary: Responsible for taking notes at School Council meetings. 1-2 hours/month
- Fundraising Coordinator: Support with fundraising ideas and administer initiatives. 1-2 hours/month
School Council and Society Meeting
Thank you to all those who came out to our school council meeting on Thursday. The minutes are posted on the school website.
Our next meeting will be on Thursday, Oct. 16, at 6:30pm. This meeting will cover our budget for the year and will also be a hybrid meeting. A link to the meeting will be sent on in the weekly update.
Congrats to Tamara Pulles as Vice Chair and Will Fong as Staff Appreciation Coordinator, who were voted on to the School Council.
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
Helmet Safety
With many of our students biking, scootering, and skateboarding to and from school, we want to take a moment to remind families about student safety and Alberta’s helmet laws.
In Alberta, it is the law that all youth under the age of 18 wear a properly fitted, safety-approved helmet while cycling. Beyond meeting this legal requirement, wearing a helmet is one of the most effective ways to prevent serious head injuries.
We encourage all families to check that their child’s helmet fits correctly, straps are secure, and that it is in good condition. By doing so, you are helping us ensure that students travel safely and responsibly each day.
Thank you for your continued support in reinforcing these important safety practices. Together, we can help keep all students safe while also modelling the importance of following the law.
For more information, please visit: Alberta.ca – Cycling safety equipment: Helmets for youths
Healthy Hunger - Subway
Subway is the first Healthy Hunger Fun Lunch of the year, and it takes place on Thursday, October 9, 2025. The last day to order is Saturday, October 4.
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.
Click here to submit your order!
Caregiver Series
The Calgary Board of Education invites all parents and guardians to join a live online series on supporting child and youth well-being. The series is hosted by the Recovery Alberta Community Education Service (CES) Program in collaboration with local experts from the Calgary community.
Below is a poster with sessions designed to provide families with knowledge, tools, and strategies to help navigate the challenges and opportunities of raising children and teens today. Along with the poster, additional session details are available on the Child and Youth Family and Caregiver Series webpage.
Returning Books from 2024-25
Any novels or other books from the 2024-25 school year that students have not yet returned will be charged in October 2025. If you have any questions, please call or email Mrs. Richards in the Learning Commons.
This Week
Monday, September 29
- No School - Non-instructional Day
Tuesday, September 30
- No School - National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
Wednesday, October 1
- Girls Soccer Game @ Bishop Pinkham
- Sr. Boys Basketball Games @ WRS
- X-Country Meet (Alternate Date)
Thursday, October 2
- Fall Photo Day
- Boys Soccer Game @ WRS
- Sr. Girls Basketball Games @ Senator Patrick Burns
Friday, October 3
- Grade 5 Developmental Basketball - Before School
- 7-1 & 7-2 Field Trip (9 am to 2:30 pm)
- Walk for Wenjack
Month Ahead
Oct 6 – Jr. Boys Basketball Game @ Twelve Mile Coulee
Oct 7 – Boys Soccer Game @ AE Cross
Oct 7 – Jr. Girls Basketball Games @ WRS
Oct 8 – Girls Soccer Semi-Finals
Oct 8 – Sr. Boys Basketball Games @ Senator Patrick Burns
Oct 9 - Subway - Healthy Hunger Fun Lunch
Oct 9 - Sr. Girls Basketball Games @ WRS
Oct 9 – Sr. Girls Basketball Games @ WRS
Oct 10 – Grade 5 Developmental Basketball – Before School
Oct 13 - No School -Thanksgiving
Oct 14 - Boys Soccer Semi Finals
Oct 14 - Jr. Girls Basketball Games Arbour Lake
Oct 15 - Girls Soccer Finals
Oct 15 - Jr. Boys Basketball Games @ Nose Creek School
Oct 16 - Boys Soccer Finals
Oct 16 - Sr. Girls Basketball games @ Sir John A MacDonald
Oct 16 - School Council and Association Meeting (6:30 pm - in person and online)
Oct 17 – Grade 5 Developmental Basketball – Before School
Dates of Significance
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
Oct 6 - Mid-Autumn Festival (Zhongqiu Jie), also known as the Mooncake Festival or Moon Festival
Oct 6 to Oct 8 - Korean Thanksgiving (Chuseok)
Oct 6 to Oct 9 - International Walk to School Week
Oct 6 to Oct 13 - Sukkot
Oct 10 - World Mental Health Day
Oct 11 - International Day of the Girl Child