School Update 

To the students and families of MRS,  

As we head into the weekend, we would like to wish all our Maple Ridge families a wonderful and restful few days ahead. We also want to remind everyone to continue taking extra care while outside of our building, as conditions remain icy in several areas around the school grounds. 

We also ask families to please refrain from parking or dropping students off in the staff parking lot. This area is reserved for staff vehicles and service access and is not designed for student drop-off or pick-up. The increased traffic in this space creates safety concerns, particularly during busy arrival and dismissal times, and limits visibility for both drivers and pedestrians.  

We appreciate your cooperation and support in keeping our school community safe. 

Maple Ridge Staff 

Upcoming Important Dates 

iLab Materials Needed

Thank you to our students and staff for taking care of our iLab space! There are a few loose parts and items we would appreciate as donations. If you are willing to donate any of the following materials, please drop them off at the front door (wagon) or send them with your child.    

• Cork  
• Puzzle pieces 
• Cotton balls, cotton swabs 
• Scraps of fluffy poly fiberfill or batting 
• Small wood pieces 
• Die cut shapes and scraps 
• Plastic eggs 
• Pool noodle pieces 
• Paper plates 
• Paper cups in any sizes 
• Chopsticks or disposable wood utensils 
• Tubing 
• Scrap pieces of wire such as packing twist ties  
• Packing box filler such as crinkle cut paper shred, packing peanuts, etc (please no solid Styrofoam or cardboard moulds) 

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

We really appreciate your donations and support!    

School Council & Parent Association 

Thank you to all who attended the Annual General Meetings last week!  

We're pleased to share our new slate of officers and coordinators: 

Thank you to all our incoming team members for volunteering your time and skills. 

There are a few vacant roles, noted above - if you're interested in learning more about one, please contact us at mapleridgecouncil@gmail.com. 

If you're interested in more information about the financial reports or anything else discussed at the meeting, please check the school website for the Minutes, which will be posted shortly. 

Healthy Hunger 

Please note that we have made some adjustments to Healthy Hunger dates - we encourage you to check your account. Thank you for your patience as we sorted through some system challenges! 

Reach us anytime at mapleridgecouncil@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram. 

Student Fees Request 

As we look ahead to upcoming field studies, we ask families to please ensure that all field study fees are paid through the MyCBE online payment system. Field studies play an important role in enriching student learning by providing meaningful, hands-on experiences that extend beyond the classroom. When fees are not fully collected, the school must absorb the remaining costs, and this can result in a deficit. To allow us to continue offering these valuable learning opportunities, we appreciate families keeping payments up to date. Thank you for your support with this. 

Registration Information for New Students 

Maple Ridge School recently hosted a Virtual Open House for new students interested in our program. This event was very well attended and provided families with an overview of the Science Alternative Program, as well as information about the registration and application process for students interested in joining the Maple Ridge community. 

For new families who would like an opportunity to visit the school in person, a self-guided Open House will take place on Thursday, January 29 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

The PowerPoint presentation from the Virtual Open House will be posted to the school website next week for those who were unable to attend or who wish to revisit the information shared. 

Registration packages will be accepted beginning on Monday, January 12, 2026. 

Please visit our website for additional details and ongoing updates. 

RT Alderman Open House – Jan 29 

The following information is provided from RT Alderman as this is the Grade 5 –9 Science Alternative Program that most of our Grade 4 students will attend next year. As a reminder for our Grade 4 families, all students attending Maple Ridge automatically receive a spot at RT Alderman. 

• Open House: RT Alderman Open House will take place on Thursday, January 29 from 6:00–7:45 p.m. A presentation on the Science Program will be offered from 6:00–6:45 p.m. Families already familiar with the program may use this time to explore the school. All families will have the opportunity to tour the school from 6:45–7:45 p.m. 
• May Scavenger Hunt: In May, students will be invited to participate in an RTA Scavenger Hunt, allowing them to explore the school during a one-hour Friday afternoon visit. 
• June School Visit: In June, students will be invited to visit during the school day to meet Grade 5 teachers, connect with the principal, and participate in a field experience. 
• Virtual Resource Meetings: For students with more complex needs, families will have the opportunity to meet virtually with a member of the resource team in June. 
• August School Tour: Early in the school year, the resource team will offer a school tour for families who may be feeling anxious about the transition. 

Please connect with RT Alderman should you have any further questions (RTAlderman@cbe.ab.ca)