Dear Simon Fraser Families, 

Have a wonderful weekend as a family!  We look forward to welcoming your children back for a four day week next week!

Here are a few reminders and updates for the week ahead: 

  • May 15 - Panago Fun Lunch Orders Due Today  
  • May 13 – Grade 9 Part A English Language Arts Provincial Achievement Test 
  • May 16 – Mount Royal Fieldtrip Grade 7-9 Band 
  • May 17 – Non-Instructional Day (No School) 
  • May 20 – Victoria Day (No School) 

Class Make-Up 2024-25 Family Engagement

As we begin to prepare for next year, a critical piece of work is to transition students to a new year and homeroom.  This process has a great deal of rigor and we work to balance classes in many different ways.  This year, we are asking families to provide some feedback for their child(ren) for next year.  The feedback will be provided to the homeroom teacher to use while creating class lists.  The survey is very short and optional.  We always want to have minimal changes in September so please take this opportunity to let us know your thoughts ahead of time.

https://forms.office.com/r/Ag4hwSQL3b

Provincial Achievement Test (PATs) – English Language Arts  

We realize that the provincial achievement test may cause your child to worry or be anxious about writing the test.  These standardized tests reflect the essentials that all Alberta students are expected to achieve, regardless of school choice or location. 

PATs help: 

  • determine if students are learning what they are expected to learn 
  • report to Albertans how well students have achieved provincial standards at given points in their schooling 
  • assist schools, authorities and the province in monitoring and improving student learning 

With Alberta Education launching a new PAT environment, VRETTA, students have had to spend more time practicing in this environment to ensure the technology works for test day.  If your child is feeling overwhelmed or anxious, please remind your child that this is one assessment that will provide a snapshot of their learning.  We know our students will do great on the PATs!.  

OurSCHOOL Student Survey Administration 

Over the next two weeks, Simon Fraser students will be participating in an online school perception survey called the OurSCHOOL Student Survey. This anonymous survey is completely voluntary for all CBE students.  Please find the details of the survey implementation below.   

CBE’s Education Plan prioritizes student voice and well-being in our decision-making processes.  Responses from this survey are used at the system and school level to recognize and improve what is necessary for students to feel safe, welcome, and cared for when at school. 

Students provide feedback on: 

  • sense of belonging 
  • positive relationships 
  • anxiety 
  • feeling safe at school 
  • life satisfaction 
  • general health 
  • orientation to well-being 
  • goal-oriented 
  • self-regulation 
  • cultural awareness of others 
  • Additionally, Grades 6-9 students provide feedback on: 
  • depression 
  • self-esteem 
  • cultural awareness of self 

Demographic questions are also asked on this survey for norming purposes. These are include age, gender, Indigenous status, immigrant status, home language. Grade 6-9 students will also be asked questions related to grade repeater, reasons for changing schools, disability or medical conditions that limit participation in school activities or learning. 

If you have questions or would like to request more information about [name of school]’s upcoming implementation of the OurSCHOOL Student Survey, please contact kmvarner@cbe.ab.ca