Kindergarten 2025-2026

Full day Kindergarten was implemented based on parental requests for a one-year pilot project. In the effort to inform families as soon as possible we wanted to share that Griffith Woods will be returning to the half-day format for the 2025-2026 school year.  This has been done with careful consideration and consultation from the teachers to best support the pedagogical needs of our early learners.  The daily attendance observed to be more effective in supporting students in adjusting to routines and being prepared for direct literacy and numeracy instruction. As the complexity of our population increases, we want to ensure that our early learners are best supported both academically and social/emotionally through daily instructional opportunities. 

We wanted to share the termination of the pilot programming very early with families as we know it can affect the childcare choices you will have to arrange for the upcoming year.

Library Volunteers

Looking for interested parent volunteers to support in the library with Mrs. Howard.  If interested please sign up here: Library Sign Up Genius

PAT Schedule for Grade 6 and 9

Alberta Education has released its dates for Provincial exams.  All Grade 6 and 9 students complete standardized testing in core subjects.  The only exception is in Grade 6 Science this year, in which the province is not having the Grade 6 students participate.  This is the first year of the new Grade 6 science curriculum.  

The test results do not comprise part of the CBE report card, however individual results are communicated to families.

We request families consider the following dates and plan family events, tournament participation, or other absences from school at alternative times.  Please ensure your child is present at school leading up to, and on the dates of PAT’s.

High School Presentation

At our last School Council Meeting Mrs. Burrows presented on High School transition.  Here is the presentation if you could not make it, Grade 9 High School Transition Information

We also had both of our feeder High Schools, Ernest Manning and Central here this past Thursday presenting to Grade 9 students. 

Dance Residency

For the next two weeks we have a residency with Marcos Ravelo and the Havana Cuban Dance Studio.  It will be the fourth year we have had this in our school.  This week they’ll be working with the Grade 5’s to 9’s.  It will culminate in a performance on Friday January 24 at 10:30am in the Main Gym in which parents are more than welcome to attend.  Thanks to School Council and the Friends of Griffith Woods Society for footing the bill and supporting this residency in our school.

Middle School Awards & K-4 Shout Outs

As part of the Middle Years initiative at Griffith Woods we will be starting a monthly award program for grades 5-9 students that is geared towards specific qualities.  We have taken GREY WOLVES and created a value for each letter that we feel is fitting for our population. As we are already into month 5 we will just be using WOLVES for the remainder of this year. Teachers will be choosing 1 student a month in each grade from 5-9 to celebrate.  For the month of January we are looking at: WORK ETHIC - A student who makes responsible decisions, persevering through challenges, and stays reliable and consistent. 

In K-4 we have ‘Shout Outs’ where students get nominated by there teachers and staff for doing great things in the school.  Then on Fridays we draw names and recognize the students selected.

Bell Let’s Talk Day on Wednesday January 22

Classes will be having discussions about Mental Health this coming Wednesday.  If interested, please check out the resources to engage in these conversations at home.

Important Dates

Monday January 20 – Golden Bell

Monday January 20 - 24 – 5-9 Dance Residency

Wednesday January 22 – Bell Let’s Talk Day

Friday January 24 – M/W Kindergarten

Friday January 24 – Dance Performance 10:30-11:30 in the Main Gym

Friday January 24 – IPP’s sent home

Monday January 27 – Report Cards available on your MyCBE account

Monday January 27 - Edo

Wednesday January 29 – Central Memorial Open House 5pm-8pm 

Friday January 31 – Non Instructional Day (No School for Students)

Monday February 3 – BP’s

Monday February 10 – A&W

Thursday/Friday February 13/14 – Teacher’s Convention (No School)

Monday February 17 – Family Day (No School)