Bonjour BP families
Hard to believe we are already in mid April. We are abuzz with activities such as planning for our incoming Grade 7 student tour, Wellness Day planned by our Leadership students, and many spring sports! Next week our students will be participating in the Student Vote, a mock federal election simulation just like eligible voters soon. This Monday is a non-instructional day for students. Teachers across the CBE will be participating in numerous professional learning sessions centered around various topics such as Language Pedagogy, Integrating Indigenous ways of knowing into lessons, Well being for students, and much more. We value teachers keeping atop lifelong learning and bringing their new found learning to the class.
Practice Lockdown
The safety of all students and staff of Bishop Pinkham School is of great importance. To that end, we have been working to establish appropriate safety measures for the various situations that may occur and affect our students, staff and school visitors.
On Thursday, April 24 at 10 AM, Bishop Pinkham School will practice a Lockdown drill. This drill is in preparation should an intruder enter the building. Teachers will be instructing students regarding the purpose and process of the drill. Our procedures are guided by regulations that expect all schools will close and lock all doors. Staff and students remain in a safe location in locked rooms. The role of everyone in the building is to remain quiet and calm until they are notified of “all clear”. No one is allowed to enter or leave the building during a lockdown procedure. We understand a lockdown can be difficult for some of the students. If your child seems anxious about this procedure, please help them understand that this is a practice and that there is no intruder. Staff will also be reviewing the expectations and purpose around this practice with students beforehand. **New this year**- the Lockdown practices at each CBE school will be led by the newly formed Lockdown Team with Calgary Police Services. They will be giving feedback to each class on what went well and on areas of improvement.
If your child has a pre-scheduled appointment from 10-10:45 AM, please make arrangements for their release prior to 10 AM, as our staff will also be participating in the lockdown practice, and will be unable to answer phones/door.
In case of an emergency which requires everyone to evacuate the school, the emergency evacuation site for Bishop Pinkham School is Jennie Elliott School.
As we continue to refine our school safety procedures, the safety precautions that are currently in place to protect everyone in the school building include:
Locking All Doors
Communication – In the event of an emergency, we will use School Messenger to communicate pertinent information.
Teachers working with students to ensure their understandings of safety procedures
All Visitors are expected to register at the office
Volunteers must complete a security clearance and wear nametags at all times
Substitute Teachers are provided with emergency information upon entering the school
Important Dates
- April 18- Good Friday, no school for students
- April 21- Non-Instruction Day, no school for students
- April 23 - Student vote
- April 24 - Healthy Hunger Edo Japan
- Order here
- Note: orders close 5 days before scheduled date
- April 28- May 3- Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec Trip for grade 8
- May 8- Westgate and Jennie Elliott grade 6's visit BP
- May 8- Healthy Hunger Coco Brooks
- Order here
- Note: orders close 5 days before scheduled date
- May 12- Grades 8-9 Band Festival
- May 14- Gauss Math Contest
- May 16- Non Instructional Day. No school for students
- May 19- Victoria Day. No school for students
- May 22- Healthy Hunger Subway
- Order here
- Note: orders close 5 days before scheduled date
- May 27- FLA grade 9 Part A PAT, 9-11 AM
- May 29- ELA grade 9 Part A PAT, 9-11 AM
- May 30- Wellness day for all BP students
Have a wonderful long weekend!
Rishma Hajee
Principal | Bishop Pinkham School