Jumping right into January!

 

Happy New Year Everyone!

We hope the break was a good one and now we're back in action for January.

Coming up Jan 21st is Fun Lunch, and we're doing Popeyes!

Click here to order and save yourself a day of packing lunches: 

Popeyes Fun Lunch!

We will need volunteers to help sort the fun lunch, so if you have a couple spare hours on Jan 21st, 11:30-1:30pm-ish, please come join us. It's a really easy (and surprisingly enjoyable) way to help our school. SIGN UP HERE, SO FUN :)

If you want an inside look at what the parent society and school council do, or if you have any school questions or ideas you would like to share, please come join us for our monthly meeting at the school (available online also) Tuesday, January 13th at 6:30pm in the school library.

Dates of mention for this month:

Monday, Jan 12th - Kindergarten registration begins

Wednesday, Jan 21st - Popeyes Fun Lunch

Thursday, Jan 29th - Hawkwood School Science Fair

Friday, Jan 30th - No school

As always, if  you have any questions for us, you can send us an email at hawkwoodsc@gmail.com.

Have a Jazzy January!

Friends of Hawkwood School Society & Hawkwood School Council

 Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

Happy December, everyone! As we settle into our winter wonderland and head toward the holiday season, we’d love for you to join us for Movie Night on Thursday, December 18th, 6-8pm (doors open 5:45pm).

Thank you to everyone who voted on Facebook and Instagram — the winning movie is The Grinch (2018)!  Come enjoy an evening of festive family fun! Head on over to HEALTHY HUNGER to order food & get your tickets.

 

And speaking of Healthy Hunger, our next Fun Lunch is on December 10th & it's Boston Pizza! Click the link to order: Healthy Hunger. 

A friendly reminder about drop-off and pick-up safety.

We know mornings can be hectic, especially with a school as busy as ours. However, the same road safety rules that apply everywhere else also apply around Hawkwood School. 

Please help us keep students safe by remembering:

• No U-turns on roadways between intersections/ while unsafe to do so

• No backing up over/ parking on crosswalks

• No parking within 5 m of stop signs & crosswalks

• Always come to a complete stop at stop signs

Sometimes parking a little farther away and walking a short distance (while it can feel annoying) is necessary — and it makes a big difference in keeping our children safe. Thank you for your patience, cooperation, and ongoing commitment to our community.

A reminder that Winter Break runs from December 20 to January 4, and there will be no school during this time. 

Stay warm, stay safe, and may your kids' mittens never go missing! 

(Hahaha, yeah right…they will definitely go missing)

Hawkwood School Council & Friends of Hawkwood School Society.

November, No-problem!

Hello folks,

Wow, you lovely Hawkwood School Casino Volunteers! Council & Society cannot thank you enough!!! What an amazing gift you've given our school - your time has meant a lot (our casino liaison mentioned that each volunteer on shift is worth approximately $2,500 for the school) -  we will know the exact dollar amount raised February(ish) 2026. Thank you. Thank you! THANK YOU 💓

Ok, on to new business!

What to buy for people this holiday season? I know; it's easy, it's delish, it supports Hawkwood School & a local Alberta business. IT'S MEELA'S MIXES! Soups, breads, muffins, cookies, GF options and more! Simply click the link: Meela's mixes and select "Hawkwood School" at checkout. Pick up your mixes at Student Led Conferences Nov 27th & 28th at the school.

Want to get in on a FREE community event? Our Calgary-Edgmont & Calgary-Foothills MLAs, Court Ellingson & Julia Hayter are hosting a free community skating event on Saturday, November 15 from 1:30-4:30pm at Crowfoot Arena - 8080 John Laurie Blvd NW.

Free skates of various sizes will be available, along with hot drinks and light snacks. Everyone is welcome—come skate, smile, and connect with our neighbours.

To make sure they are prepared with enough snacks and drinks, please register at free skating event .

If you've any questions, please contact Julia's office at Calgary.Edgemont@assembly.ab.ca .

Fun lunch is coming up - Nov 19th and it's Subway! Click the link to order: Fun lunch.

We're going to do a movie night December 18th, and we'd like to hear from you! You can vote for your favourite film in our poll: instagram movie night poll (poll will be up soon).

Just a reminder to pack a pair of dry clothes for your child to bring to school in a waterproof bag. The wet & slushy season is upon us, and having a spare set of clothes at school can be really handy — it saves us from having to call you if your child gets wet or messy during the day.

 

That’s what’s new for now!

Take care & stay cozy,

Hawkwood School Council & Friends of Hawkwood School Society.

Hello Hawkwood parents, caregivers and well-wishers,

What a turbulent October this has been.  As we head into November, it’s a good time to pause and reflect on the important messages our teachers have shared this past month.

We know that public schools are chronically underfunded. While broader funding issues are outside our control, School Council and the Parent Society focus on what we can do — supporting our school community directly. Together we can make a real difference by supporting learning through fundraising.

                                      

And that’s where YOU come in.

Your volunteer hours at our casino fundraiser directly translate into tangible support for our students. Here are just a few examples of what your efforts have helped make possible:

• Technology in classrooms — iPads, laptops, updated smartboards, and software

• Flexible and supportive classroom furniture — wobble chairs, stationary bikes, and more

• Learning tools for our EAL (English as an Additional Language) students

• Subsidies for field trips (both in and out of school)

• School residencies such as Fit Ninja and Alien In-Line Skating

• Helping to fund the sensory room

Coming up on November 7th and 8th, we have one of our biggest fundraising opportunities — our casino event — and we still need volunteers!

If we can’t fill all the shifts, we risk losing out on approximately $80,000 for our school. This funding is crucial and directly benefits our kids.

The good news? Volunteering for the casino is one of the easiest ways to help. You don’t have to supervise children, and most roles are simply “on-call” positions.

As of October 30th, we still have 10 spots left to fill. Even one shift can make a huge difference for Hawkwood School.

We need your help. Volunteer shifts are still open, and our students will feel the impact if we can’t fill them.

Please click the link to sign up: hawkwood casino

Thank you to everyone who steps up — it truly matters.

In partnership & gratitude,

Hawkwood School Council & Friends of Hawkwood School Society

A different October...

Hello parents and caregivers,

We know that this October brings turmoil & uncertainty for a lot of families.  We, along with you, hope for a resolution to the upcoming strike that will benefit our children, teachers & public schools.  

Please note, that starting October 6th there will be NO SCHOOL. For the most up-to-date information about the strike action from CBE please visit: CBE labour action news

For those of you who have already ordered the October Fun Lunch, you can visit healthyhunger and cancel your order. It will be saved as credit toward any future orders.

October activities, such as field trips and the Halloween dance will be cancelled.

Once school does start up again, kids will need more supports than ever. Part of what Friends of Hawkwood School Society does is raise money to support students by:

-The Sensory Room 

-Artists in residence programs (dance, drama, art, etc.) 

-Updated computers and tablets for classrooms

-Buses for fields trips & field trip subsidies

-Books and library resources 

-Specialty physical education programs 

-Sports Day 

-Musical instruments

- Supplying additional learning tools to those new to English

-School furniture 

-We also aim to foster community within the school by hosting dances, movie nights, parent education nights, etc...

 

In order to do this, our BIGGEST FUNDRAISER, the casino,  is taking place November 7 & 8th, and positions need to be fully staffed by volunteers.

In the past, the casino fundraisers have brought between $60,000- $80,000 to Hawkwood school to supply the above mentioned supports!

The Casino fundraiser will happen regardless of a strike and we 

NEED VOLUNTEERS. 

 

These funds are integral for us to make Hawkwood School a place with opportunities & activities that benefit every child.  As of Oct 2nd, we have 13 spots that still need to be filled and we need your help to fill them.

 

Please click on the link for more information and to sign up: Hawkwood Casino Information

 

I have further questions!

Shoot us an email at hawkwoodsc@gmail.com

Thank you for helping Hawkwood School! 💗

Friends of Hawkwood School Society

Back to Blogging!

Hello Hawkwood School Parents & Caregivers,

We've heard feedback from you about needing clearer communication on events and we are going to start up the (previously retired) School Council & Friends of Hawkwood School Blog again!

We sincerely thank the parent volunteers that came out early this Friday the 19th morning to get the 'Muffins & Mingling' breakfast going. Thank you for helping to make it happen!

It was awesome to see the big turnout of parents & family coming together over coffee and muffins. It was a great way to start the day and the first month of school. Sage Valley Commons Tim Hortons co-sponsored this event and we are so grateful for their generosity & help to build community!

What is the Hawkwood Casino Fundraiser & why should I care?

Well, we'll tell ya!

Every two years, Hawkwood School has the opportunity to partake in casino fundraising. This means that we volunteer at the casino and in return, get a portion of the pooled funds. It is our biggest fundraiser. Last time we raised approximately $80,000 from it.

The funds go directly toward Hawkwood School which means 

• Field trip subsidies 
• Residencies in school - like Fit Set Ninja
• School furniture
• Chromebooks and technology for classrooms
• Reading programs for kids 
• E-learning tools for our EAL students
• Parent presentation nights
• Movie nights
• Dances

Without adequate volunteers for this fundraiser we will not be able to provide our kids with what we have in the past.

What do I do on a volunteer shift?

There are different jobs available such as a banker, cashier, chip runner, and count-room staff. You do not have to know anything about a casino or be a whiz with numbers to do these jobs. There are different time slots available, and we absolutely understand that because of jobs & life, people cannot always do a slot. If you want to help but are unable, please forward this information on to someone you think might be able to help. There are also on-call positions in case someone doesn’t show up. 

All of the positions are supervised by casino staff and you are given very clear instructions on what to do. Most people find there is some downtime and bring a book or spend time snacking and hanging out.  'Tis recommended to sign up with your friends! You can expense a meal and snacks provided by the casino, click the volunteer link below for more info.

Click here for more info: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E4AAFAD2CA7F49-44101441-hawkwood#/

Where and When is the Casino?

This year the casino is at ACE Casino Airport, 40 Aero Crescent NE. 

It is happening Friday, November 7th & Saturday, November 8th

How do I sign up?

You can click this link and sign right up! 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E4AAFAD2CA7F49-44101441-hawkwood#/

I have further questions!

Shoot us an email at hawkwoodsc@gmail.com

Important Dates Coming Up:

• Sept 24 - Fun lunch

• Sept 29 - Non Instruction Day (No School)

• Sept 30 - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (No School)

• Oct 3 - Truth and Reconciliation assembly

• Oct 13 - Thanksgiving NO SCHOOL

• Oct 15 - Fun Lunch

• Oct 20 - PD Day NO SCHOOL

• Oct 23 - Halloween Dance 6:30 pm

• Oct 31 - Halloween (students may dress up)

Have a great month!

Friends of Hawkwood School Society & Hawkwood School Council

November News: Casino Volunteering & Important Fall Fundraisers

Help Raise BIG Bucks for Students at Hawkwood School

Typically every two years the Friends of Hawkwood School Society is scheduled to host a casino fundraiser through AGLC (Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission). We are lucky to have this opportunity because within a short period of time -- 2 casino days -- we can raise close to $60,000 for our school. 

That's BIG bucks and supports things like new computers & technology, specialty classroom furniture like wobble stools & stand up desks, stationary bikes, bussing for field trips and more. Traditional CBE funding simply does not stretch this far.

Due to covid-19, it's been three years since we got to run a casino and thankfully we are all set for Sunday, December 5th & Monday, December 6th @ Cowboys Casino.

We need to fill a total of 34 volunteer shifts in order to make this a success and secure the tens-of-thousands of dollars for educational resources and programs; items that enrich the educational experience for students at Hawkwood School.

Please volunteer! Here is the sign up sheet with more information about the positions you can choose from and covid-19 protocols. >> 

signupgenius.com/go/60B0E4AAFAD2CA7F49-hawkwood4

PRO TIP: Invite a friend or family member to volunteer at the same time. Volunteers don't have to have a child attending Hawkwood School in order to help out. Please spread the word!

Coming Soon! 'Tis the Season Silent Auction

Our 2nd Annual 'Tis the Season Silent Auction will go live *online* starting November 24th @ 8:00am. 

The Friends of Hawkwood School Society launched their first online silent auction last year and it proved to be so much fun with bids coming in down to the last few minutes to secure hot ticket items like: signed hockey jerseys, fitness & wellness gear, unique Corkcicle wine glasses with a bottle of bubbly, and school experiences such as the ever popular "Principal for a Day".

During the online 'Tis the Season Silent Auction, you will have 10 days to bid on items for gifting, for yourself or for your kids such as a classroom pizza party. Also this year, each classroom is putting together a basket based on a theme such as treat yourself or winter wonderland. Will you be the highest bidder for your child's classroom basket? Mark your calendars and prepare to bid!

Here is the auction link >> elevateauctions.com/friendsofhawkwoodschoolsociety

*Items will appear once the auction goes live for action at 8:00 am on November 24th.

PRO TIP: You can share our auction link with friends and family, especially if there is something on their from your wish list ;)

If you have any questions about these fundraisers and volunteering opportunities, please reach out to the Friends of Hawkwood School Society via email.

Welcome to the 2021-2022 School Year at Hawkwood School!

Hello Hawkwood School Families,

This time of year seems to be full of excitement with a mix of nervous anticipation. So much is starting anew with the beginning of the school year and extracurricular activities for the kids.

The content in this blog is meant to help ease us all into Fall, which according to the leaves on the trees (and on the ground) seems to have arrived.

To start, here are some key dates for the month:

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, September 17 - Terry Fox Run
Monday, September 20 - Picture Day (elections also being held in the school's gym)
Thursday, September 23 - Meet the Teacher (virtual - more information to come)
Friday, September 24 - Non-Instruction Day *no school for students
Monday, September 27 - 1st Meeting of the Year for Hawkwood School Council (AGM) and Friends of Hawkwood School Society (virtual at 6:30pm - more information below)
Thursday, September 30 - National Truth & Reconciliation Day *no school for students

Another great resource for important dates in the CBE 2021 - 2022 traditional calendar that Hawkwood School operates from. You can take a look, download it and even print it to post up on your fridge from here >> CBE 2021-2011 Traditional Calendar

Meetings For Families

The volunteer board members of Hawkwood School Council (HSC) and Friends of Hawkwood School Society (FHSS) would like to invite all parents and guardians from our school community to the first meeting of the year on Monday, September 27th starting at 6:30 pm. We will be using Microsoft Teams to connect virtually - simply email us at hawkwoodsc@gmail.com and HSC will send you a meeting invite.

HSC & FHSS is a great way to connect with other families in the school community, get to know school staff members, have a voice in decisions related to your child’s education and make contributions to initiatives that provide resources and experiences for students.

There are some volunteer positions up for grabs on both HSC & FHSS Boards. These include Chair, President, Secretary and Fundraising Director. If you'd like more information, please check out the nomination form and the current Chair, Pia, or out going President, Janelle, will contact you for a meet-and-greet to answer any of your questions.

When we come together the impact is huge! Our school motto reflects this perfectly: Together We Soar!

To see just how much of a difference all of us can make to the educational experience at Hawkwood School, check out this video that shows what the fundraising dollars raised by FHSS brought to our school and its students last year:

Disclaimer: this is the first time I converting a PowerPoint into a video, in the attempt to add some fun music my dog was caught barking in the background - did you hear it? Enjoy the viewing, hope it makes you smile! :)

Acknowledgement: the fun music was sourced from bensound.com

Let's Meet! Bring Your Energy & Ideas to Council & Society

Can you believe the 2020/21 school year is coming to a close?

With it comes the Friends of Hawkwood School Society's AGM. Many great things happen during the annual general meeting. This includes reflecting on the hard work of the parent/guardian volunteers who inspired, planned and ran fundraisers throughout the year and being in awe of the outcome in terms of dollars raised. 

"What is that number?" you ask. It's over $11,000+ all of which goes towards enriching the learning experience for all students at Hawkwood School. 

Being a part of the Society is very rewarding. Every parent/guardian of a student at Hawkwood School are welcome to attend nearly monthly meetings where we plan all the fun stuff like holding events (when covid-19 allows; such as Movie Nights, Halloween Dance, Welcome Back Muffin Breakfast) and traditional fundraisers such as silent auction, product sales (i.e. Admazing Savings coupon books, The Mixing Spoon, Oliver's Labels, Indigo Fundraising), school-wide read-a-thon and wine survivor raffle.

Fresh, new ideas are always welcome! On that note, the Friends of Hawkwood School Society is looking to fill the following Board Member roles:

• President,
• Secretary (shared with Council) and
• Fundraising Director

The wonderful people in these roles have held them for almost three years and are moving on. Know that they won't be too far away (their kids still attend Hawkwood School) and can support those who enter these positions.

Join us during the Friends of Hawkwood School's AGM to find out more: 

Monday, June 14th @ 7:30 pm

RSVP for a Teams meeting link via Lucy: lgwooleong@cbe.ab.ca

*This meeting follows Hawkwood School Council's meeting which starts at 6:30pm. When you RSVP for one, you can attend both since they use the same Teams meeting link.

Tune in starting at 6:30pm to gain insight into the upcoming school year in terms of how Hawkwood School is planning for a "new normal", enrollment numbers and staffing. Hawkwood School Council is also looking to fill the positions of:

• Chair
• Secretary (shared with Society)

Nominations for these roles will commence at the beginning of next school year, in September, but come check things out as we wrap up 2020/21.

Learn more, follow us and like us:

SOCIETY EMAIL:      hawkwoodsociety@gmail.com

COUNCIL EMAIL:      hawkwoodsc@gmail.com

INSTAGRAM:            @hawkwood_school_council

FACEBOOK:             @hawkwoodschoolcouncil

The Positive Impact Fundraisers Have on Hawkwood School Students

 Every Little Bit We Do Makes a Difference

This past year and a half of school has been ____________________.

(Feel free to fill in the blank with your preferred adjective(s). I was trying to decide between things like special, unique, or crazy.)

What clearly has been AMAZING though is the level of support the Friends of Hawkwood School Society has experienced from small businesses and parents/guardians of students. Every year we set a goal to raise at least $11,000 for what we call "Legacy Funds". This allows the Society to give back to each classroom, the learning commons, music and physical education. Funds are also designated to a Grade 6 celebration and legacy gift to the school, as well as the leadership group.

This school year's fundraising initiatives included our first ever silent auction, orders for The Mixing Spoon, a spring into reading read-a-thon and finally, a wine survivor raffle. The level of participation in these fundraisers meant that the Society met it's fundraising goals!

Here are some highlights on how the money was used to enrich the learning experience for students (your kids!) at Hawkwood School:

• Art supplies for crafts: soapstone, air dry clay and more!
• Puppet theatre project
• Musical instruments and programs: hand drums, boom whackers and MusicPlay Online
• Virtual field trips and presentations: 
• Alberta History (Fur Trade), 
• Tipis, Tales & Teachings, and 
• Tornado Hunters
• Outdoor education supplies & resources for orienteering
• Many, many books for the learning commons
• School-wide virtual viewing of Storybook Theatre's Paper Bag Princess

For those who are more visual, below is our Impact Statement for the year.

Thank you everyone for such a great year!

2021 Wine Survivor Fundraiser

Pairing Wine with Fundraising

As we head into the sunny season here in Calgary, the Friends of Hawkwood School Society want to help you raise a glass of wine and cheers the day on your back deck, or perhaps on your driveway socially distanced with a friend or two.

Join us for our first WINE SURVIVOR draw for prize baskets full of an assortment of wine bottles curated by Crowfoot Wine and Spirits.

HOW WINE SURVIVOR WORKS

Daily draws will eliminate Hawkwood School Wine Survivors until there is one left standing. Will it be you?

There will be 3 winners total:

1. First place will win 50% of the collected bottles of wine
2. Second Place wins 30% of collected bottles of wine
3. Third place collects 20% of collected bottles of wine

You can ENTER now until Saturday, May 1st by emailing your full name and the number of entries you wish to purchase to: hawkwoodsociety@gmail.com

ENTRY = $30 per raffle ticket

Entry fee payment can be made by e-transfer to Society's email address as well. There is no limit to the number of times you enter, but all entries & payment must be received by May 1st.

ELIMINATION DRAWS

We will begin drawing names for elimination on May 3rd. The number of names drawn each day will depend on the number of entries received. If we draw your name, you are out of the game and no longer eligible to win the grand prize. Who will survive?

GRAND PRIZE

The final draw will take place May 19th. All names drawn on the last draw date are final. This will be a reverse draw which means the last names drawn are the winners of the Hawkwood School Wine Survivor! 

Participants will receive elimination draw results through email. Be sure to tune into our social media accounts where we will also post weekly elimination updates. 

Instagram: @hawkwood_school_council
Facebook: @HawkwoodSchoolCouncil

ALL money raised will go directly to the Friends of Hawkwood School Society to enrich the learning experience of our kids. In the past, our fundraising efforts have included updating technology, artists in residence, and special physical education programs.

Reach for a Book Daily, March 13-21st: Fun Activities & Prizes!

 Welcome to Hawkwood School's
"Spring Into Reading" Read-a-Thon

Have you seen this image circulating on the web these days? No matter what, every year it always makes me laugh.

To celebrate the change of seasons we are giving reading and literacy some extra attention. It's time to find a warm, sunny spot and curl up with a book. The challenge is to do this daily from Saturday, March 13th until Sunday, March 21st.

Packages went out to students this week with full details on: 

• how the read-a-thon works (tracking sheet & pledge form)
• special activities/events at school, and
• don't forget prizes!

We are excited to share with you more information about the fun stuff, including what students have a chance to win when they are entered into the "Reach for a Book" Draw Prize for participating in the Read-a-Thon. Find out more below. I promise it will excite everyone!

- - - - - - - - - -

Activities

• For the duration of the read-a-thon, a daily “stop, drop & read” announcement will be made at a random time. Students will pause what they’re doing, grab a book and read on the spot for 5 minutes.

• Classrooms will turn the school hallways into a visual library by decorating their doors like a book cover or storyline theme from a book voted on by students.

• Friday, March 19th is “Dress Up as Your Favourite Book Character” Day. Mark this date on your calendars and prepare a fun (no weapons) costume to celebrate everyone’s reading accomplishments.

Individual Prizes

• The student who reads, or is engaged with a book, for the most minutes in each grade, K-6 (a total of 7 students) will receive a $15 gift certificate for Indigo.

“Reach for a Book” Draw Prize

• Every student who participates (Student Tracking Sheet & Pledge Form due Monday, March 22nd to hawkwoodsociety@gmail.com) will be entered into a draw for a “wow” prize. Wait for it…

It's a GoPro HERO9 Bundle (worth $530!)

All winners will be announced on Wednesday, March 24th, 2021.

- - - - - - - - - -

You can download the full "Spring Into Reading" Read-a-Thon package by clicking >> right here!

The timing for the Friends of Hawkwood School Society's "Spring Into Reading" Read-a-Thon also matches up nicely with Hawkwood School's Scholastics Virtual Book Fair that runs from March 8-19th. Be sure to take a look at the great selection of books that'll keep our bookworms reading into summertime.

How to Bring Literacy Into Your Home (Family Literacy Day 2021)

Family Literacy Day is held annually on January 27th and was created by ABC Life Literacy Canada in 1999 to raise awareness of the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family.

This year ABC Life Literacy Canada is encouraging families to "Travel the world together". This theme is design to encourage families to use their imagination to explore and travel the world from the comfort of their own home – you never know what you’ll learn or where you'll want to go once it's safe to travel again!

At home, you can take time to celebrate Family Literacy Day and cultivate a life-long love for the written word by: 

• Reading with your child each night, 
• Playing games together, 
• Listening to podcasts or audiobooks as a family, or 
• Engaging in some word play.

Here are 4 fun websites that you can explore and have some laughs with:

1. Would You Rather?
2. Tongue Twisters
3. 25 Best Podcasts For Kids (Common Sense Media)
4. Word Games for Kids and Adults

There are more resources and activities for Family Literacy Day online (click here) where you can find activity sheets, maps and booklets specific to the theme "Travel the World Together".

Happy reading and above all, enjoy many laughs as a family!

2021 Casino Fundraiser: Call for Volunteers

This casino fundraiser is currently
postponed due to Provincial
COVID-19 protocols.

Stay tuned for new dates,
to be announced after March 22!

We are currently seeking volunteers for our upcoming casino fundraiser. 

NOTE: We understand that the dates and volunteer requirements for our casino fundraiser can change at any time due to COVID-19. All volunteers will be communicated with promptly about any changes to their shift(s). Please continue reading for more information about this fundraiser, which in the past has brought 60K to our school.

(If you have any further questions, please contact the Friends of Hawkwood School Society Casino Chair, Lori Jaffray, hawkwoodsociety@gmail.com.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Help raise some BIG dollars for Hawkwood School within 2 days! This is what a fundraiser casino allows us to do. The Friends of Hawkwood School Society appreciates all of those who help, whether it's at the casino itself or perhaps providing child care for a casino volunteer.

No previous experience working a casino is necessary. Training and support are provided by an experienced, licensed Casino Advisor in both the cash cage area and the count room where the volunteer shifts take place. The advisor and fellow volunteers make the experience one that you will want to repeat!

WHEN: Friday, February 26 and Saturday, February 27, 2021

WHERE: Cowboys Casino  (421 - 12 Ave SE, Calgary, AB)

SHIFT TIMES:

Shift one: 11:00 am – 7:15 pm
Shift two: 7:00 pm – 3:30 am*
Count Room: 11:15 pm - 3:30 am*
(*or earlier)

Please SIGN UP for a shift here >> signupgenius.com/go/60b0e4aafad2ca7f49-hawkwood

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Important Rules & Benefits for Volunteers:

• It is very important to arrive on time for your shift. Late arrival results in back-up volunteers being called in.
• If cancellation is necessary, notify the Casino Chair as soon as possible (well in advance).
• You will need to bring a piece of photo ID.
• The casino is non-smoking.
• The dress is casual, but please no torn or immodest apparel.
• Free parking is available on site - underground parking, Level 1. No reserved area for volunteers – first come, first park! Plenty of parking space.
• Volunteers CANNOT play the casino games or slot machines at all during the dates of our casino fundraiser, nor consume alcohol or cannabis before or while working.
• You have access to a locked Volunteer Lounge to take scheduled breaks and store your personal items (i.e. jackets, purse, water bottle, book or something to do during quiet times, etc.)
• Every volunteer can expense a meal or snacks provided at the casino (value of up to $35 per volunteer shift - if you go over this amount the Friends of Hawkwood School Society has to pay the difference). Note, if you want to eat a meal before a late shift, please arrive at least 1 hour prior to your shift time. The Volunteer Lounge is stocked with beverages and snacks.

COVID-19 Protocols & Safety

• Masks must be worn at all times.
• Hand sanitizer is provided and use of it in regular intervals is encouraged. Hand washing is expected before and after a shift, as well as before and after a break.
• Gloves are provided for the handling of cash, etc.
• Guests at a casino are expected to wear a mask at all times and barriers are in place to ensure physical distancing between players (i.e. maximum of 2 players per table, or large clear barriers to prevent transmission.)

Not sure what role is right for you?
Here are Volunteer Position Descriptions:

Please note that all volunteer casino positions are straightforward and not difficult. You will receive training and assistance from the Cash Cage/Count Room Advisor and casino staff who are fun to work with.

GENERAL MANAGER
Official representative for the organization while on-site.
Works closely with the Casino Facility Games Manager.
Supervisor for all volunteers.

BANKER
Controls Cashier Cage floats of chips and cash.
Assisted by Cash Cage Advisor.
Busy only during opening, volunteer shift changes and closing of the casino.
Keeps track of all cash/chip transfers on a casino tracking system.
Mathematical skills are helpful

CASHIER
Cashes in chips for players and makes change.
The cashier has their own float – does not share cash/chip float with anybody.
Transactions over $200 must be witnessed by General Manager, Banker or Cash Cage Advisor.
This position requires concentration and accuracy and is not recommended for color blind volunteers.

CHIP RUNNER
Courier (runner) for chip orders (requests) from casino games.
Volunteer must be prepared to move around.
The position is usually busy at opening and closing of the casino.
Volunteer must be able to carry up to five pounds (2 kilograms) of chips.

COUNT ROOM SUPERVISOR
Works with Count Room Advisor in recording cash counts and game wins and losses.
Administrative skills are useful, good math (number) skills are helpful.
Not required to handle cash.

COUNT ROOM STAFF
Sorts, counts and verifies all cash from table game drop boxes.
Volunteers should be good working with their hands - use of cash counting machines - and following procedures to ensure cash counts are verified.