Good Morning AFS Families,

We hope you had a restful long weekend with your families and are ready for school to begin again. It is a short but important week of learning at AFS.

School Reminders

No Trading at School

Trading is not allowed at school. This includes Pokémon cards and mini animal figures. Please encourage your child to arrange playdates with classmates if they would like to complete exchanges outside of school hours. Thank you for your support.

Missing Bag Tags and Zipper Pulls

Staff have been spending significant time searching for missing zipper pulls and supporting students whose belongings have been taken. Please speak with your child about not taking items that belong to others.

We are aware of a TikTok trend encouraging students to take bag tags or zipper pulls while at school. Stealing hurts classmates and does not support a safe, caring, welcoming, and respectful environment. We appreciate your partnership in reinforcing this message at home.

Bathroom Behaviour

Over the past few weeks, we have experienced ongoing issues in the boys’ bathroom. Students have been hanging on support poles and swinging on stall doorways. As a result:

  • One support pole was broken.
  • Reports were received of students swinging on stall doorways.
  • A second support pole has now broken.

Our CBE Facilities Department has been contacted by Mr. Ming, and repairs will be completed. However, these damages should not occur if bathrooms are used appropriately. Please speak with your child about safe and respectful bathroom use. Student safety is our priority.

Morning Supervision and School Start Time

School begins promptly at 8:42 AM. Doors open so students can be in class and ready to learn at that time.

  • Outdoor supervision begins at 8:27 AM.
  • There is no supervision prior to 8:27 AM.
  • Doors will not open before 8:27 AM, even on cold days.

Teachers will no longer be going outside early to supervise students who arrive before 8:27 AM. If your child arrives early, they will be outside without adult supervision. Thank you for your understanding and support in keeping everyone safe.

Grade 4 Assurance Survey

Grade 4 families are reminded to complete the Alberta Government Assurance Survey if you have not already done so. This is your opportunity to share feedback about Alex Ferguson School with the provincial government.

The deadline to submit responses is March 6.

School Council and Society Meetings

Our School Council and Society meetings will take place on Thursday evening at 7:00 PM. Please join us in person or online.

This month:

  • Mrs. Kaban will share about financial literacy tasks happening in her classroom.
  • Ms. Sharpe will present our School Development Plan (SDP).

We are looking for input and feedback on the SDP. There will not be another opportunity this year to provide feedback on this plan. Your voice matters, and we strongly encourage participation.

In March, we will seek feedback on our school budget. Please plan to attend the online meeting on March 12 as well.

The following documents will be shared:

Paul Davis Presentation (Grades 4–6)

All Grade 4–6 students will walk to Richmond School on Friday morning to attend a presentation by Paul Davis. His message focuses on online safety.

If you have not yet returned the Acknowledgement of Risk (AOR) form, please do so immediately.

Parent Presentation – Friday Evening

Parents are invited to attend Paul Davis’s adult presentation:

  • Friday
  • 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM
  • In the AFS gym

This presentation includes:

  • Key messages shared with students
  • Guidance for supporting safe and responsible technology use at home
  • Updated information and an opportunity to ask questions

Thank you to the School Council and Parent Society for organizing and funding this opportunity. We look forward to seeing you on Friday evening (adults only).

2026 Artist in Residence

Another Acknowledgement of Risk (AOR) form will be sent home on Wednesday in preparation for our 2026 Artist in Residence program.

This year, Jeff Stockton will work with all students from February 24 to April 30.

Please mark your calendars for April 29 and April 30, when all students will share their stories during evening presentations.

Volunteer Opportunity

On Monday, February 23 from 8:45 AM – 10:30 AM, we are seeking adult volunteers to help assemble approximately 200 story planners for students.

If you are available:

  • Please sign in at the front office.
  • Join School Council Chair Christine Jackson and Parent Society President Natasha Vallee in the staffroom.

Thank you for your support.

Grade 5 and 6 Camp Meeting

All Grade 5 and 6 families are reminded of the mandatory camp meeting on Thursday, February 26.

Please check:

  • Google Classroom
  • Your child’s agenda
  • Teacher emails

Attendance at this meeting is required for students to participate in the three-day camp experience.

Gong Xi Fa Cai (恭喜发财) to all who celebrate.

Have a wonderful week.