School Update 

To the students and families of MRS, 

As we prepare for our Photography Gala on June 4, we are seeking parent volunteers to help with event setup. While we are still finalizing details with our Artist in Residence, Janet, we are currently looking for volunteers who have some flexibility on June 3 and are willing to lend a hand. 
If you are available to assist, please reach out to Sandy McNeil at samcneil@cbe.ab.ca. Your support makes a meaningful difference. Thank you! 

We would also like to express our heartfelt thanks to the families who continue to support our outdoor garden and naturalization area. The recent work and care invested in this space is helping transform it into a beautiful and engaging learning environment for our students. We are truly grateful for your ongoing support. 

Finally, with no school on Monday in observance of Victoria Day, we wish all our families a safe and enjoyable long weekend. We look forward to welcoming our students back on Tuesday, May 20. 

Maple Ridge Staff 

Upcoming Important Dates 

MRS School Council & Parent Association   

Thank you to all who supported Maple Ridge School through our Growing Smiles fundraiser. We raised over $2,000 to go towards resources and experiences at the school. And a huge thanks to parent volunteers Veronica, Pam and Danyelle for organizing the fundraiser - we couldn't have done it without you! 

School Council / Parent Association Meeting Next Thursday  

Please join us next Thursday, May 22 for our last meeting of this school year. Time sure flies! As a reminder, every parent and guardian of a Maple Ridge student is welcome to attend just to listen, or to jump in with questions or comments. We will be hearing from the grade 2 teachers, so if you have a child going into grade 2 next year this is a great chance to hear what they'll get up to! 

Kindergarten Orientation 

If you're available on May 29, we will have a Parent Association table at Kindergarten Orientation to welcome families to the school. We're looking for volunteers to help hand out treats. If you'd like more info, please email us at mapleridgecouncil@gmail.com.  

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

Kindergarten Orientation– May 29th (5:45pm–7:00pm) 

As part of our commitment to a smooth start for our incoming Kindergarten students, we’re hosting a Kindergarten Orientation on Thursday, May 29 at 6:00 PM (doors open at 5:45 PM). 

This in-person event offers students and their families the chance to: 

• Meet our Kindergarten teaching team and school staff 
• Learn what to expect in the upcoming school year 
• Explore the Kindergarten classrooms 

We look forward to welcoming you and beginning this exciting journey together! 

Photography Gala – June 4th  

As a celebration of our Photography Residency, we invite all families to join us for a Photography Gala on June 4th, where students will showcase their work. 

Please see the schedule below for event details: 

We hope everyone will join us to celebrate and appreciate the incredible hard work of our students. 

Internal Lockdown Practice- May 22 (Morning) 

On the morning of May 22, our school will conduct its second internal lockdown drill in partnership with the Calgary Police Service (CPS). Much like our regular fire drills, this exercise follows our Emergency Response Plan and helps ensure that both students and staff are prepared and know how to respond in the event of a real emergency. 

Next Year Considerations 

As we prepare for the year ahead, we are entering the initial stages of planning for our classroom configurations. If there are specific learning considerations we should know about your child when planning class lists, we would appreciate your input. Requests for specific teachers should not be made as staffing changes can vary from year to year in terms of who is teaching at our school and what grades they are assigned to teach.    

Please put your requests in writing and email them to drlaidlaw@cbe.ab.ca no later than Tuesday, May 27th, 2025. While no guarantees can be made, we will make every effort to consider your request. Please be assured that we put many hours into creating classes that have the best possible configurations to support the learning of all students. 

Next Year Planning – 2025-2026 

As we look ahead to the 2025–2026 school year, we kindly ask families of students currently in Kindergarten to Grade 3 who do not plan to return to Maple Ridge School next year to notify us as soon as possible. You can do so by emailing us at mapleridge@cbe.ab.ca. Early notice helps us support a smooth and seamless transition for your child. 

Asian Heritage Month 

May marks Asian Heritage Month in Canada. This is a time to celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures, traditions, and histories that shape Asian communities across the country. 

Canadian author Joy Kogawa, of Japanese heritage, once wrote: “As we reflect on the stories of the past, we uncover the pathways that guide us forward.” Her words remind us that understanding our shared history is essential to creating a more inclusive and equitable future. 

To explore more, visit the Government of Canada’s Asian Heritage Month page.