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