Dear DRBS families,
I hope you all enjoyed a restful Fall Break with your children. My apologies that this email is coming out a bit later than usual, as I was away last week. It has been wonderful to see students back in the building, reconnecting with friends and staff and settling back into routines.
Student Learning Conferences
If you have not already done so, please log into your account and book a time to meet with your child’s teacher. This is a valuable opportunity to celebrate your child’s growth and discuss next steps together.
Conference Times:
- Friday, November 21 – 1:30–3:30 p.m. (Online)
- Friday, November 28 – 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. (In person)
Mayor’s Food Drive
This year, Dr. Roberta Bondar School is proud to participate in the 37th Annual Mayor’s Food Drive in support of the Calgary Food Bank. From December 1 to December 18, we invite students to bring donations of food and other essential items to school.
Acts of service, like contributing to the food bank, help students learn about empathy, social responsibility, and community engagement. Together, we can make a real difference for families experiencing food insecurity.
To help meet the Calgary Food Bank’s needs, each grade will focus on a themed donation:
- Kindergarten – “Birthday Party!”
Party supplies, cake mix, icing, candles, games, and small toys - Grade 1 – “Pasta Night!”
Pasta, pasta sauce, canned tomatoes - Grade 2 – “Baby Bundles!”
Diapers (sizes 1–6), baby formula - Grade 3 – “Protein Power!”
Peanut butter, beans, lentils (canned or dried) - Grade 4 – “Hygiene Help!”
Shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, deodorant - Grade 5 – “Grains Galore!”
Rice, cereal, oatmeal, flour - Grade 6 – “Garden Goodness!”
Canned vegetables, fruit, soup
Please check expiry dates and avoid glass containers so donations are safe and usable.
If you prefer to make a cash donation, you may do so online at:
https://calgaryfoodbank.donorsupport.co/page/DrRobertaBondarSchool
Thank you for supporting this important initiative. Your generosity helps build a stronger, more caring community.
Save the Date – Winter Celebration Concerts
Our Winter Celebration Concerts will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
Given the time it takes to prepare, we normally begin this work in October. With the events of this year, we have less preparation time than usual and will not be able to host concerts on the same scale as the past two years. However, we are very pleased to be planning a celebration where families can join us to see students share their talent and learning, and to celebrate the spirit of the season together.
Concert Times – Thursday, December 18, 2025
- 10:30 a.m. – Grades 5 and 6
- 11:30 a.m. – Kindergarten
- 12:30 p.m. – Grades 1 and 2
- 2:00 p.m. – Grades 3 and 4
Please mark your calendars and plan to join us!
Applications to Other Schools
In recent weeks, some families have requested that teachers complete reference letters or provide additional testing to support applications to other schools.
Please note that, in accordance with CBE policy, school staff are not able to complete reference letters or additional forms for these purposes. Parents/guardians already receive copies of report cards and IPP’s (if applicable), which represent your child’s current progress in school. These documents are the only ones we are permitted to share or complete.
Thank you for your understanding as we follow system policies and ensure equity and consistency for all students.
This Week at a Glance
(Week of Monday, November 17)
Monday, November 17
- Grade 3 (Prazak) at Open Minds
- Kindergarten working with artist-in-residence Lana Skauge
Tuesday, November 18
- Grade 3 (Prazak) at Open Minds
- Kindergarten working with Lana Skauge
- 6:45 p.m. – School Council Meeting
Wednesday, November 19
- Grade 3 (Prazak) at Open Minds
- Kindergarten working with Lana Skauge
- Evelyne (AM) and Kim (PM) at system meetings
Thursday, November 20
- Kim away – Diane Kaine covering
- Grade 3 (Prazak) at Open Minds
- Kindergarten working with Lana Skauge
- Grade 6 Vaccinations
Friday, November 21
- Kim away – Diane Kaine covering
- Grade 3 (Prazak) at Open Minds
- Grade 3 (McLeod) at Open Minds
- Signed IPP’s due back to the school
- 1:30–3:30 p.m. – Online Student Learning Conferences
Upcoming Dates
- November 24 – Grade 5 field trip to the Flight Museum
- November 24–27 – Grade 3 (McLeod) at Open Minds
- November 25 – Kindergarten story-making residency
- November 27 – Fun Lunch
- November 28 – EAL Benchmarks due
School Council Updates
Work Bee – Help Our Teachers!
- Next Work Bee: Thursday, November 20 (morning)
- Meet in the staff room to craft, cut, glue, photocopy, and prepare materials for teachers
- Sign up via Sign Up Genius:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044DA9A828A6FD0-59192227-work - Work Bees will be held 1–2 times per month
- Questions? Email: drbsworkbee@gmail.com
- No experience necessary and no police clearance required
Jacket Racket
Jacket Racket has been providing clean and gently used winter jackets to Calgary children since the 1980s. You can learn more at: http://www.jacketracketcalgary.com/
We are collecting gently used jackets, snow pants, hats, and gloves/mittens until November 18. Donation boxes are located in the Launch Pad.
Questions? Contact Nicole at drbsvolunteers@gmail.com.
We are also looking for a few volunteers to help with packing and delivering the jackets. Sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044DA9A828A6FD0-58955864-jacket#/
School Council Meeting
- Tuesday, November 18, 6:45 p.m.
- Join in person at the school or virtually:
https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/290978220388?p=LAv1PEgECuxNVmJHsb - All parents and guardians are warmly welcome.
- Questions? Contact Nick at drbscouncilchair@gmail.com.
Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support of our students, staff, and school community. It truly is a privilege to work with your children each day.
Warmly,
Evelyn Lamontagne
Principal, Dr. Roberta Bondar School