Good afternoon families! ¡Buenas tardes familias! We hope that you are having a wonderful snowy late November weekend.

Below you will find the latest edition of the Colts’ Community Chronicle. Please take note that this Friday, November 29 is a non-instructional day and there is no school for students.

Last week marked the end of the basketball season for our Colts’ teams. They demonstrated skill, sportsmanship and pride throughout the season making it one of the most successful seasons in recent memory for A.E. Cross. Congratulations to our student athletes and our coaches, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Wong, Ms. Horne and Ms. Hernandez on a great season. Also, thanks to Mr. Richards and the student scorekeeping volunteers that worked the score table when A.E. Cross was hosting games throughout the fall.

Last week also allowed our Senior band to be on display at Central Memorial High School during their feeder school event on Thursday, November 21. Led by Mr. Rattan, the A.E. Cross band played “Marching Song” and then joined together with the bands from Vincent Massey, the Calgary Girls School and Central Memorial for the finale of “Fireworks and Fanfare”. It is always a great experience having the opportunity to listen to our musicians perform.

Finally, a big thanks goes out to two of our teachers who provided nearly 75 students an opportunity to experience a variety of trades-based careers in two different events. Sra. Prieto took 16 young ladies to SAIT last Wednesday for the “Jill of all Trades” event. On Thursday, Mr. MacRae organized 58 students to attend the “Try-a-Trade” event at Central Memorial High School. Both events were a great success and I hope that the students who attended came away with a great appreciation for those career pathways.

One of the foundational pieces that staff committed to at the beginning of the school year was to provide experiences to students for them to demonstrate excellence. The above events certainly meet that expectation and there are many more of these experiences to come throughout the school year.

We hope that you have a wonderful week. Esperamos que tengas una semana maravillosa.

Sincerely,

Randy Lewis

Principal, A.E. Cross School

Colts’ Community Chronicle | Nov. 25 – Nov. 29

(New information only. See newsletter for more.)

Athletics

Colt's Basketball

Congrats to all students who represented the Colts on the court this fall. It was one of the most successful seasons for A.E. Cross basketball in several years and that speaks to the dedication, hard work and talent shown by our student athletes. A special thank you goes out to the coaches, Mr. Simpson (Boys Basketball) Mr. Wong, Ms. Horne and Ms. Hernandez (Girls Basketball) for their time and effort with our student athletes. Student athletes should pay attention to announcements regarding wrap up parties for teams. These will be organized once all team fees are paid.

Colts’ Wrestling

Practices will occur:

  • Monday after school from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday before school from 8:00 am to 9:00 am
  • Friday before school from 8:00 am to 9:00 am
  • Wrestling Quad Meets
    o   December 4 – 6:30 pm at Ernest Manning High School (UPDATE)
    o   December 12 – 4:45 pm at A.E. Cross School
    o   January 15 – 4:45 pm at Vincent Massey School
  • Wrestling Divisional Meet
    o   January 28 – Genesis Center

Spectator Expectations for Athletic Events

CBE middle schools have set similar expectations for games that promote safety, respect, and a positive experience for all. They include:

  • All visiting student spectators/athletes must be under the direct supervision of their parent/guardian for the duration of the games.
  • There are no in and out privileges for spectators. If you leave the building, you do not re-enter.
  • Student spectators without parental supervision will be directed by the hosting school administration to leave the building.
  • Cell phones must remain in bags. No photos or recordings can be made by students. This is a privacy concern for the athletes from all teams.
  • Parents are asked to be mindful if they are taking photos or videos of their child. The privacy of other student athletes should be considered.
  • All spectators - students or adults - are expected to cheer and support players/coaches/referees/parents/guardians in a positive manner.
  • Disrespectful behaviours will be addressed by school administration promptly and may result in spectators being directed to leave the game and the school building.
  • Parents/guardians who bring younger children are responsible at all times for their direct supervision. Please ensure that they are not wandering the halls and playing on phys ed equipment in the gym/on stage If you have any further questions please contact Jace Richards at jarichards@cbe.ab.ca

Student Learning Supports

A.E. Cross School is happy to provide the following learning supports for students. I would encourage you to remind your children of these opportunities so that they are able to be as successful as possible. All grades are welcome in each of the spaces below.

  • Math Help Room – Room 26 (Mr. Reid) – Mondays 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm
  • Math Help Room – Room 6 (Mr. Virjee) – Tuesdays 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm
  • Homework Hotel – Learning Commons – Wednesdays – 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm • Math Help Room – Room 33 (Mr. Tyrrell) – Tuesdays and Thursdays at Lunch

A.E. Cross School Apparel

The A.E Cross apparel store is open once again. If you missed out on ordering swag for your student, please use this link or the QR code on the attached flyer. https://aecross-pe-apparel.itemorder.com/shop/home/ The store will close on December 1(not November 17). Items will be delivered followed the winter break.

Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth

We are pleased to have a partnership with the Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth (CBFY). They are able to offer many supports for students and families that are 1st or 2nd generation Canadians, a Permanent Resident, Refugee, or holding a Temporary Worker visa. 

NxtGen Club

Students have been invited to join NxtGen. This lunch time club will begin on Monday November 4, and runs every Monday, from 12:15 - 1:15PM, in the Drama Room. CBFY will provide a Youth Worker that will get the students to participate in exciting games, activities, and presentations. Snacks will be provided! Students attended an information session on Thursday and were provided with the attached poster. Please use the QR code to register your child in the program, or contact Janelle directly - jwong@cbfy.ca or 403-829-8058. 

Settlement Worker

We have access to a Settlement Worker at school every Monday beginning Monday October 28. They are available to meet with parents, or students, and can make connections to many community supports and resources. Their goal is to assist with the adjustment to life in Canada. Conversations can be held in many languages. Just let us know what you will need.

Lunchtime Expectations

Lunchtime at A.E. Cross School runs from 12:07 PM to 12:48 PM each Monday to Thursday. The structure of the lunch hour works as follows: 12:07 PM – 12:25 PM – Students are welcome to eat lunch within the school on the main floor. The hallways, cafeteria and courtyard are available for student use during this time.

Please note that there is currently no food service available to students at lunchtime. On days where the weather cooperates, students are also welcome to eat outside on school property. 12:25 PM – 12:48 PM – Students will be asked to go outside during this time period. It will be important that students get appropriate clothing from their lockers right at the end of the morning classes as the upper level of the school will be closed beginning at 12:10 PM. WITH PARENTAL PERMISSION, students are able to leave campus for lunch time.

  • Should students leave campus, it is an expectation that they are respectful to our community neighbours as they are representatives of A.E. Cross School. Ms. Wiseman and Mr. Lewis visited all businesses around the school to introduce ourselves and the businesses will contact us if there is something that we need to follow up on.
  • Students should not loiter at the businesses and they should buy their lunch and return to school property
  • Should students be abusing their off-campus privileges by causing disruptions in the community or are consistently late upon return to school after lunch, privileges to leave at lunch may be taken away
  • Back alleys and private yards are off-limits to students
  • PLEASE NOTE – A.E. CROSS SCHOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE SUPERVISION TO STUDENTS THAT ARE OFF CAMPUS AT LUNCHTIME.
  • Students will not leave campus on Fridays during nutrition break (10:45 AM – 11:00 AM) so please ensure that they come to school with a snack. Only drink containers with a screw-top lid are allowed in the school. Drink containers such as slurpee cups, bubble tea containers, coffee cups with a plastic lid and open cans of pop are not allowed in the school due to an increased risk of spillage.

Healthy Hunger

Please see attachments to see how you go about setting up your healthy hunger account for the new school year. Future Healthy Hunger/fun lunch dates are listed below:

  • November 27, 2024 – Boston Pizza
  • December 19, 2024 – Mr. Pretzel’s (Treat Day)
  • January 15, 2025 – Inglewood Pizza
  • February 12, 2025 – A & W • March 5, 2025 – Subway
  • March 20, 2025 – Cobs Bread (Treat Day)
  • April 17, 2025 – Mr. Pretzel’s (Treat Day)
  • April 30, 2025 – Edo
  • May 15, 2025 – Cobs Bread (Treat Day)
  • May 28, 2025 – Boston Pizza
  • June 20, 2025 – Booster Juice (Treat Day)

High School Open Houses

More information for high school open houses will be included as we receive it.

Physical Education

Students will continue to participate in outdoor activities. Please send a jacket, gloves and a toque to school with your child so they can participate comfortably as the weather gets colder. 

School Council

Hello A.E. Cross Families,

A few updates from the School Council/Parents' Association:

  • We are running a Clear the List campaign for the school during the month of November. We have compiled a list of items that could be useful in the school and classrooms and are looking for donations, as you are able. We thank you for your support to enrich the learning environment at A.E. Cross.
    o   A.E. Cross Wish List found here: https://www.amazon.ca/hz/wishlist/ls/35LGLK66C5Z6E?ref_=wl_share
    o   More details on how to order and help can be found here: Clear the List
  • FlipGive has been set up: shop online or purchase gift cards with many brands (like Home Depot, Walmart, Sport Chek, Indigo, Old Navy, Apple, Esso, Superstore and many more) through our Flip Give link and earn cashback to support A.E. Cross! Consider using this to do your holiday shopping or purchasing Project Kindness gift cards.
    o   Use this link to Shop or Buy Gift Cards and Support A.E. Cross: https://www.flipgive.com/c/428392
    o   Flyer for FlipGive
  • Casino event dates: June 10/11, 2025 - SAVE THE DATE!
  • Next Council Meeting: Thursday, November 28 7pm
  • Project Kindness: Our annual campaign to support families in need at A.E. Cross will be running prior to the holiday break. Stay tuned for more information!

Thank you for your support!

A. E. Cross School Council and Parents' Association Executive

School Forms

Each year, schools have a variety of forms that parents / legal guardians are required to complete or review and update, some of which are paper and others online. In CBE, the forms in an online format (SchoolEngage) are:

  • Demographic Verification - 2024-25 – This form includes your child’s personal information as well as parent / legal guardian contact information.
  • Citizenship Information Update - 2024-25 – This form becomes available if you change your child’s citizenship information on the Demographic Verification form.
  • Annual Authorization - 2024-25 – Combines the following forms:
  • School District Use of Personal Information - explains how CBE uses personal information in providing education services.
  • Consent for CBE Use of Student Information – provides an option to grant / not grant consent for additional use of student information by school/district and third parties.
  • Consent for Use of Student Information by News Media and Outside Groups (Third Party) - provides an option to grant / not grant consent for additional use of student information by outside groups and third parties

SchoolEngage is one of the applications found in your MyCBE account. This is the same account that you use to pay fees, view academic information, book school conferences, etc. 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).

To complete these forms:

1   | sign in to your MyCBE account

2   | click on the SchoolEngage icon

3   | select the form

4   | complete or review and update the form

5   | click on Submit to send the form electronically to the school

6   | repeat steps 3-5 for each form

Please submit the Demographic Verification and Annual Authorization forms in SchoolEngage for your child by Monday, September 16. These forms are mandatory every year for Alberta Education to confirm student funding. Thank you for completing them. 

If you have any other students with the Calgary Board of Education, you may proceed with completing their forms too.

If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school.

We thank those families who have already completed forms for their children.

2024-2025 Yearbook

Please watch this space for information about ordering your 2024-2025 A.E. Cross School Yearbook. The cover art has been selected and we are excited to share this in the coming weeks