Friday, September 11, 2026

September 8-11, 2026

 

Dear EES Families,

We had another wonderful week settling into our classroom and building the foundations for a successful school year. We have started our ability groups this week. Our students were divided into three learning groups for three core subjects: Language Arts, Math and Life Skills. So, we have been learning new routines, exploring new classrooms, learning transitioning between activities, and practicing important skills through hands-on activities, songs, and games.

Language Arts

This week, we focused on learning our classroom rules and what they look like in action. We explored the visuals that match each rule through songs, sign language, visual stories, and interactive games. Students also practiced tracing and writing the classroom and school rules, helping them become familiar with both the words and the expectations they will use throughout the year.




















Math

In Math, we continued building our number sense through different hands-on activities. Students practiced counting and recognizing numbers using manipulatives, enjoyed number songs, and participated in games that made learning fun while strengthening their foundational math skills.




Life Skills

Our Life Skills lessons focused on our classroom routines. Students explored our daily schedule and practiced using First-Then boards to understand what comes next in their day. These visual supports help build predictability, encourage independence, and make transitions smoother as we continue settling into our classroom community.

  

Science

Our science activity was definitely a class favorite this week! We experimented with dry-erase markers by drawing pictures on glass, and placing it in water. What an excitement it was to watch the drawings floating off the surface and drifting in the water like magic!  It was a great way to spark curiosity and encourage scientific thinking.








Music

Our Music class was full of energy and fun this week! We explored rhythm and practiced our listening skills by learning to play some instruments only when we hear the music. Students enjoyed exploring different instruments and discovering the unique sounds each one made. We also had a fantastic time playing a parachute game together, which brought lots of laughter while encouraging teamwork and listening.



Important dates and reminders:

Terry Fox Run  

MTS Terry Fox run will take place on Wednesday, September 23 at 9:00 am.

Starting tomorrow, we encourage students to bring in a toonie for Terry. Our fundraising goal is $1200, which is approximately a toonie for every student and staff member in the school. 

Mr. V is in need of 5-8 volunteers for each grade to make it a successful event.  Volunteers will be asked to help mark students' hands (so they can track their laps), and help with clean-up afterwards. Volunteers will be needed from 8:45am – 10:00am.  

For parents and guardians who have completed their Annual Volunteer Clearance, you will receive a Sign-Up Genius from the MTSPA Volunteer Co-Ordinator.


Don't Forget to Label Please!

To ensure your student doesn't loose any items, please make sure to label all clothing, lunch bags and water bottles.

Found items with no names, will be in the lost and found box at the front entrance.


Fun Lunch

Fun Lunch will start on Wednesday September 23. You will have until September 18th to register for the first lunch.

Fun Lunch is only for grades 1-4 and our EES students. 

  • Go to healthyhunger.ca
  • Log into you existing account or create a new one.
  • Add your child’s information in the “add child” box – name, province, city, school, grade and class.
  • All Fun Lunches will then populate – select the order now button!

Please make sure to send a morning snack with your child on Fun Lunch Days.


Nut Aware School 

We are a “nut" aware school. We have students with severe allergies that are life threatening. Please avoid sending nut products to school. 


Have a wonderful weekend!

Ms. Veronika, Ms. Emma and Ms. Renee

Friday, September 4, 2026

August 31-September 4, 2026

 Dear EES Families,

It has been a wonderful first week of school!  

Thank you to all of the families for your support with our staggered entry process.  Although it is a bit complicated, it is also incredibly helpful for our students to allow them a calm and quiet space for their first day of school.  Everyone starts the year in a much more settled way thanks to your flexibility!

We jumped right into our daily schedule of Morning Meeting, Language Arts, Math, and Life Skills in the morning, with Meditation and Gym in the afternoon.  The students are starting to adjust to this busy schedule, and have been having a lot of fun! 

We made some beautiful art today that will be put together to create a shared piece to display in our hallway outside our classrooms.  The students also had their first music lesson today where they explored a variety of songs and instruments.  Our classes have music every Friday, which is always a highlight of the week!

Overall we had a fantastic first week, and we look forward to seeing all the learning that is going to happen this year :)












Important Information:

Student Health Plans were sent home this week with every student. 

This form is to be completed:

  • if a physical or medical condition may affect the student's attendance at school
  • if medication is to be taken at school
  • reviewed and updated annually or sooner if there is a change in the student's health concern or school registration.


Annual Volunteer Forms

To have a successful school year, MTS requires parent volunteers to help support throughout the year.

Here are just a few events that require Parent Volunteers.

  • Terry Fox Run, Sports Day
  • Field Trips (Calgary Zoo, Calgary Farmyard, Storybook Theatre)
  • Fun Lunch support
  • Classroom events and reading with students

The CBE requires volunteers to complete an Annual Volunteer Form. 

Parents and guardians can register as volunteers through the SchoolEngage tab in their MyCBE account. As part of the registration process, all volunteers must review the POPA requirements and sign to indicate their agreement with the conditions outlined in the form.

Once completed, the school will process the information and email the parent/guardian a letter to submit to the Police Service. Once approved, the volunteer is asked to share it with the school. Clearances are good for 5 years.

Approved Volunteer phone numbers and email addresses, will be shared with the MTSPA Parent Co-ordinator. 

If you have any questions, please email mckenzietowne@cbe.ab.ca


Terry Fox Run  

MTS Terry Fox run will take place on Wednesday, September 23 at 9:00 am.

Starting tomorrow, we encourage students to bring in a toonie for Terry. Our fundraising goal is $1200, which is approximately a toonie for every student and staff member in the school. 

Mr. V is in need of 5-8 volunteers for each grade to make it a successful event.  Volunteers will be asked to help mark students' hands (so they can track their laps), and help with clean-up afterwards. Volunteers will be needed from 8:45am – 10:00am.  

For parents and guardians who have completed their Annual Volunteer Clearance, you will receive a Sign-Up Genius from the MTSPA Volunteer Co-Ordinator.


Bus Students

Just a reminder to notify the office, not the teacher, if your child is not riding the bus home.

We take attendance at the end of the day and will hold a bus if we can't find a student.

If you have decided to cancel your transporation this year, please make sure to log into your account and hit the cancel button before fees are added in October.


Don't Forget to Label

To ensure your student doesn't loose any items, please make sure to label all outdoor clothing, lunch bags and water bottles.

Found items with no names, will be in the lost and found box at the front entrance.


Fun Lunch

Fun Lunch will start on Wednesday September 23. You will have until September 18th to register for the first lunch.

Fun Lunch is only for grades 1-4 and our EES students. 

  • Go to healthyhunger.ca
  • Log into you existing account or create a new one.
  • Add your child’s information in the “add child” box – name, province, city, school, grade and class.
  • All Fun Lunches will then populate – select the order now button!

Please make sure to send a morning snack with your child on Fun Lunch Days.


Nut Aware School 

We are a “nut aware" school. We have students with severe allergies that are life threatening. Please avoid sending nut products to school. 


Food Support

Did you know that the Breakfast Club of Canada has shared research demonstrating that 40% of Alberta’s children experience food insecurity?  This means that 4 out of 10 children do not have access to food when they are hungry. 

If your family is experiencing challenges with providing food for your children you can find help at Brown Bagging Calgary. 

Complete this form for support and they can deliver lunches to McKenzie Towne School for your children. https://go.bb4ck.org/l/858913/2024-01-15/38fdbw You can also find out more information on their website https://bb4ck.org/

Brown Bagging for Calgary's Kids


Upcoming Dates

September 7                             NO SCHOOL - Labour Day

September 23                           Fun Lunch - Subway

September 23                           Terry Fox Run

September 24                           MTS Open House 5:00pm - 6:30pm (More Information to Follow)

September 25                           NO SCHOOL - Non-Instructional Day

September 29                           Orange Shirt Day

September 30                           NO SCHOOL - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

October 7                                  Picture Day

October 12                                NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving

October 19                                NO SCHOOL - Non-Instructional Day

October 28                                Fun Lunch - Domino's


Have a wonderful long weekend,

Ms. Emma, Ms. Veronika & Ms. Renee