Weekly Message - May 5-9

May will be a very busy month at Captain Nichola Goddard School with field trips, orientation and open house events for our future students and families, a band concert/art show, badminton tournaments, preparation for track and field, and flag football seasons.  

Celebrating Captain Nichola Goddard 

May 2, is Nichola’s birthday, and she would have turned 45 years old today had she not died in service of our country on May 17, 2006. In honour of Nichola and her legacy we hosted a pancake breakfast celebration for all our students. A big thank you to the Lions Club of Bowness for cooking pancakes and making the event run smoothly. 

Track and Field In PE 

With our first week of training under our belts, we need to send a couple reminders to families to help their students remember: All students should be coming to school with shoes that are safe for running and jumping, if a student has an inhaler it must be current and at school with them as we are outside running many days of the week.   

We’ve had many students not feeling well after working their hardest running. It is common for us to find out our students have chosen not to eat breakfast. Please encourage your child to eat breakfast every day as it’s helpful both to them in their classroom but also in PE. Calories are important for developing brains and minds! 

Transportation Update - Walk Zones and Transportation 

Changes in provincial legislation have resulted in updates to the walk zone maps for schools in the CBE for the 2025-26 school year. Walk zones are based on grade level so Captain Nichola Goddard will have two walk zones; one that applies to grade 6 and another for grades 7-9. The main CBE website has a very helpful Q&A page to assist in understanding the changes.

These changes will have minimal impact on our school as we will continue to be serviced by Calgary Transit for student transportation and our bell times remain the same as this year.

Updated maps for the walk zones will be added to the CBE website on May 8 and will be accessible through the Find a School Tool. 

Families that reside outside the newly designated walk zone(s) may be eligible for transportation subsidies through Calgary Transit. Families can access low-income monthly passes through the City of Calgary's Fair Entry Program. This program offers a streamlined application process for City subsidy programs, including reduced rates for transit passes. You can find more information about the program at www.calgary.ca/fairentry. 

Hats on for Mental Health 

Wednesday, May 7 is Hats on for Mental Health Day. Students across Alberta are encouraged to wear a hat to raise awareness of the importance of good mental health. To learn more please visit the website Can We Talk? from the Alberta Teachers’ Association   

Reflecting on Mental Health Week 

The Calgary Board of Education recognizes the importance of advancing mental health and well-being in connection with the Canadian Mental Health Association’s 74th Mental Health Week, which runs from May 5 to 11, 2025. 

We want students to be successful in their learning, and we recognize that positive mental health enables students to participate in their learning fully. When teachers identify students who appear to be struggling with mental health and well-being, we work with community partners to refer and suggest resources for students and their families. Supporting student mental health and well-being takes a village: students, families, Alberta Health Services, community supports, and school staff all play a role. 

We also recognize that staff mental health contributes to building a culture of well-being within our workplaces. When employees are healthy and experience well-being, students benefit. Protecting mental health and well-being has always been, and continues to be, a priority for the Calgary Board of Education. 

This year, Mental Health Week takes place during a time when mental health concerns are increasingly prevalent. We all need to find ways to build resilience and support each other. 

Mental Health Week gives us a chance to reflect on the many ways we can promote mental health in schools and across the system. The CBE encourages everyone to check out the resources available. 

Resources 

For immediate and non-urgent assistance available to Calgarians, please visit: Canadian Mental Health Association - Calgary 

Additional resources: 

 

The Week Ahead 

Monday, May 5 

School hours – 8:05am-2:45pm 

Extra-Curricular Activities: 

JR Badminton Practice – 6:45-8:00am 

JV Badminton Practice – 2:45-4:30pm 

Grade 9 Homework Club – 2:45-3:30pm (Rm 202) 

Tuesday, May 6 

School hours – 8:05am-2:45pm 

Healthy Hunger Fun Lunch 

Extra-Curricular Activities: 

SR Badminton Practice – 6:45-8:00am 

INT Badminton Practice – 2:45-4:30pm 

Grade 6 Homework Club – 2:45-3:45pm (Mrs. deJong’s- Rm M102)    

Grade 7 Homework Club – 2:45-3:45pm (Ms. Oakes - Rm 114) 

Jazz Band – 7:00-8:00am (Ms. Tonn - Rm 135) 

Wednesday, May 7 

School hours – 8:05am-2:45pm 

Healthy Hunger Fun Lunch  

Extra-Curricular Activities:  

JV Badminton Practice – 6:45-8:00am 

JR Badminton Practice – 2:45-4:30pm 

Grade 8 Homework Club – 2:45-3:45pm (Ms. Walsh - Rm 204) 

Thursday, May 8 

School hours – 8:05am-2:45pm 

Extra-Curricular Activities: 

INT Badminton Practice – 6:45-8:00am 

SR Badminton Practice – 2:45-4:30pm 

Strings Club – 7:00-8:00am (Ms. Tonn – Rm 135) 

Grade 6 Homework Club – 2:45-3:45pm (Mrs. de Jong - Rm M102)  

Grade 7 Homework Club – 2:45-3:45pm (Mrs. Honywood - Rm M113) 

Grade 9 Band – 3:00-4:00pm 

Friday, May 9 

School hours – 8:05am-12:10pm