Maple Ridge Weekly Update | Sept 19

School Update 

As part of the CBE School Spotlight Series, Maple Ridge School opened its doors to showcase how students are living the motto: Imagine, Inquire, Innovate, Inspire.
 
Rooted in a scientific perspective, learners at Maple Ridge are encouraged to observe, question, and explore the world with curiosity and creativity. From solving authentic problems to collaborating as global citizens, students are developing the skills and confidence to thrive in a complex, changing world.

For those wishing to watch the video, click the link here.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend.

Maple Ridge Staff

Upcoming Important Dates

Grade 1-4 Meet the Teacher Night

Maple Ridge School, in partnership with the Maple Ridge Parent Association, invites all families to join us on Thursday, September 25th for our Meet the Teacher Evening. There will be Food Trucks on site from 4:00pm-7:00pm on our North compound as part of an opportunity to connect with other families in our community.

During this event, students and families are invited to head indoors to see the classroom. Each grade has two separate opportunities for a 15-minute Meet ‘n Greet presentation with the classroom teacher in the classroom.  

Please see the schedule below and select one of the times that works best for your family: 

Grade 1          4:00pm or 5:00pm 

·      Ms. McCaw (Room 3) | Ms. Meil (Room 4) | Ms. Matic (Room 5) 

Grade 2          4:15pm or 5:15pm 

·      Ms. Giborski (Room 6) | Ms. Potts (Room 7) | Ms. Sinclair (Room 8)

Grade 3          4:30pm or 5:30pm 

·      Mr. Burima (Room 9) | Ms. Watt (Room 10) | Ms. Kennedy (Room 15) | Ms. Wilpert & Ms. Chibuk (Room 16) 

Grade 4          4:45pm or 5:45pm 

·      Ms. Foster (Room 11) | Ms. Pittman (Room 13) | Ms. Giffen (Room 14)

We also want to remind everyone that the Scholastic Book Fair will be open Thursday evening.  We encourage everyone to come to the iLab and check it out.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at mapleridge@cbe.ab.ca

Terry Fox Run

This year, the weather cooperated, and we were able to have the entire school participate in the Terry Fox Run today. This event was a reminder of the resilience and determination that Terry Fox represented when he attempted his run across Canada. 

For families that are looking to donate to the Terry Fox Foundation on behalf of Maple Ridge School, you can do so by clicking here.

Volunteers Needed for Our Scholastic Book Fair!

We are excited to announce that our annual Scholastic Book Fair is coming soon, and we need your help to make it a success! The book fair is not only a fun event for our students, but also an important fundraiser that supports our school library and literacy programs.

We are looking for parent volunteers to help with running the fair in the evening of Thursday Sept. 25.  If you can give an hour or two, your time will make a big difference!

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact our librarian, Christine van Ringen-Oke at crvanringenoke@cbe.ab.ca.

Thank you for helping us bring the joy of reading to our students!

🎵 Notes from the Music Room🎵
This week in music, students listened and responded to a Cree song called Waniska which honours the rise of the morning sun.  Students responded by singing, asking questions, keeping the beat and identifying instruments and voices.

All students explored moving to music in a variety of locomotor and non-locomotor ways. Grade Four students worked together to demonstrate beat and rhythm accuracy with the Japanese clapping game called Omochio. Ask your child to explain and demonstrate this song to you!

🎵 Did You Know?  Birds are natural musicians!  Some birds, like nightingales and mockingbirds, improvise and remix songs, similar to jazz musicians.

Classroom Birthdays

As a birthday is an important date for many of our children, we are aware that some of our families want their children to have an opportunity to share in this occasion with their classmates. As a school, we ask that if our families want to bring items to school to share with their class, learning items such as pencils and erasers are strongly encouraged. Snacks and food treats are unfortunately something we are unable to hand out to students.

iLab Materials Still Needed 

iLab projects promote critical thinking skills and encourage students to use design thinking to solve real-world problems.

Knowing this, we are attempting to restock our iLab materials and are asking for donations.

If you are willing to donate any of the following items, please drop them off at the front door (in the wagon) or send them with your child. We will be accepting donations until further notice.

·      Natural materials such as pinecones, twigs, shells

·      Buttons

·      Paper plates, cups, and bowls

·      Wire

·      Caps from water bottles, detergent, markers

·      Cotton balls

·      Straws

·      Toothpicks

·      Paper towel rolls

·      Nuts and bolts

·      Old keys

·      Pennies

·      Zip ties

·      Beads

·      Paper egg cartons

·      Paper muffin/cupcake liners

·      Large springs

·      Paint sample cards

·      Small boxes no larger than a shoe box

If you have any questions or think you have something not listed that might be useful to our iLab, please email Mrs. Harris at anharris@cbe.ab.ca.  

Thank you in advance for helping us collect these items and support innovation at Maple Ridge!  

Maple Ridge School Council and Parent Association
 
Casino Fundraiser - October 2 & 3, 2025

( https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805044AA4A92DAAFC1-58353604-casino )

Volunteers needed!  Parents, guardians, grandparents and neighbours of Maple Ridge School students, we need your help.

It is that time again for our Parent Association with this important fundraiser.  Our Casino occurs approx every 2 years and is by far our largest fundraising initiative that earns over $80,000 for use at our school to benefit our children.  Casino funds from past volunteering events have paid for things such as:

·       Classroom technology, sensory items and books.

·       Larger purchases - Smartboards and the gaga ball pit.

·       Residencies - Art/photography/glass/inline skating/etc.

·       The list goes on…

Your time equates to $300-$350/HOUR, so please get involved, as we need approximately 40 volunteers over these two days.  We are lucky to be at an alternative school with teachers that go above and beyond, so please click and sign up to support.

·       Location is Deerfoot Inn & Casino

·       October 2nd & 3rd ; various timeslots

·       Click:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805044AA4A92DAAFC1-58353604-casino

Our bylaws ensure that families of Maple Ridge School as well as members of the community at large are welcome to volunteer for most of the positions.  So, please invite your extended family and friends (18 years or older) who may wish to volunteer in support of enhancing our students' educational experiences at our school.

Chat with other parents or complete a crossword during downtime.  The roles are simple, no experience is necessary, casino advisors provide the training, and a free restaurant meal is included!

If there are any questions or clarifications, please email Kody Shiels (Casino Coordinator) at mapleridgecouncil@gmail.com

Thank you

MRS Parent Association