Taradale Talk

Principal Update


September 2, 2025

 

Dear Taradale Families:

 

Dear Families,

Welcome back! We are so excited to begin the 2025–26 school year together. Whether this is your first year at our school or you are returning, we are happy to have you as part of our community.

A new school year means new friends, new learning, and new opportunities. Each day will bring chances for your child to grow, try their best, and celebrate their successes.

Please remember that classes begin at 8:10 am. Arriving on time helps students feel ready and confident for the day ahead.

Our teachers and staff have been busy getting classrooms ready and planning activities to make school safe, welcoming, and fun. We want every student to feel included and supported as they learn.

Thank you for your support and partnership. Together, we can make this a wonderful school year full of learning, friendship, and success.

Attendance

Under the Education Act, it is an Alberta Education expectation that all students under the age of 16 attend school every day. This includes our half-day Fridays. Even though students are only in school for the morning; there is still important learning that is taking place. Please make it a priority to ensure your child attends all days of school.

If your child is going to be away, please call out Attendance line 403-777-6270 option 1.

 

Communication

When you have specific questions about your child, your first point of contact is always the classroom teacher. Please email the teacher to book a time to talk. Teachers are not available to talk during school hours as they are teaching.

 

Late Arrival

 

Our doors open at 8:05 for students to come into the school to begin their day. The bell goes at 8:10. This is the beginning of instructional time. It is very important that your child arrives before 8:10 so that they do not miss learning time.  If your child arrives after 8:10 they must go around to the office to access the building and check in at the office. Please prioritize being on time for school.

 

Early Pick up

If you are coming to the school to pick up your child early, you must come to the office. There is a Sign-Out Sheet at the office to sign out your child. Students will not be released from their dismissal doors. Please ring the bell and let the office know you are here to pick up your child.

 

Dismissal

Students are dismissed promptly at 2:40 pm. We recognize this is a change of 20 minutes from last year. You must pick your child up at 2:40 pm.

 

Crosswalk Safety

There will be some changes in the way we are supporting the crosswalk this year. The crosswalk supervisor will not be walking into the middle of the crosswalk to assist pedestrians. The supervisor will press the overhead crosswalk sign and identify the intention to cross with an outstretched arm. Pedestrians will then cross the road. This will avoid the constant pressing of the crosswalk sign button, and we will be crossing pedestrians in large amounts to minimize disruption to traffic. This may mean pedestrians will need to wait a few extra minutes in order to cross the road. Please be patient as we want all of our pedestrians to be safe. We know that this is a big change from what has historically been done at Taradale School. These new changes are to prioritize everyone’s safety.

Bussing and Parking

Taradale School now has one school bus. The addition of our school bus has resulted in new signage along Taravista Drive and Tarawood Road. Taravista Drive (in front of the school) is now a no stopping zone (just past the bus shelter). You are not permitted to stop in front of the school, and park there to drop your children off. Tarawood Road is a no parking zone/loading zone. You are able to stop along this area for a maximum of 10 minutes. You can park on the road past the teacher parking lot. Thank you for paying attention to these new parking signs as these are mandated by the City of Calgary.

Students are not permitted to be dropped off in the school parking lot. This is not safe for students.

Dress for the weather

This is a reminder that we will be going outside during recess and at lunch for some fresh air to play and socialize with friends. This includes going outside in all types of weather. Please ensure your child is dressed for the weather.

 

Forms

Each year, schools have a variety of forms that parents / legal guardians are required to complete or review and update, some of which are paper and others online. In CBE, the forms in an online format (SchoolEngage) are:

·        Demographic Verification – 2025-26– This form includes your child’s personal information as well as parent / legal guardian contact information.

·        Citizenship Information Update – 2025-26 – This form becomes available if you change your child’s citizenship information on the Demographic Verification form.

·        Annual Authorization – 2025-26 – Combines the following forms:

o   School District Use of Personal Information - explains how CBE uses personal information in providing education services.

o   Consent for CBE Use of Student Information – provides an option to grant / not grant consent for additional use of student information by school/district and third parties.

o   Consent for Use of Student Information by News Media and Outside Groups (Third Party) - provides an option to grant / not grant consent for additional use of student information by outside groups and third parties

SchoolEngage is one of the applications found in your MyCBE account. This is the same account that you use to pay fees, view academic information, book school conferences, etc.

Please submit the Demographic Verification and Annual Authorization forms in SchoolEngage for your child by Monday, September 15.  These forms are mandatory every year for Alberta Education to confirm student funding.  Thank you for completing them.

 

Medical Health Form

If your child has a medical issue, we need to update forms each year. Please click on the link below to access the health form and return to the school.

Medical Form

Noon Supervision

If your child will be staying for lunch, please register through MyCBE/PowerSchool. Registration for lunchroom is on-going throughout the year. There is a fee that you will be charged for your child to attend the lunchroom program. Fees begin to be available for payment after registration around the end of September.

 

Brown Bagging

Taradale has a partnership with Brown Bagging 4 Kids who provide our school with lunches for students in need. If you are struggling to provide your child a lunch each day, please reach out and we will ensure your child receives a lunch. Please call the office to sign up for this program.

 

School Messenger

Please ensure you have subscribed to School Messenger so that you receive emails from Taradale School and CBE System Updates.  School Messenger and the Taradale School webpage are the primary means of parent communication.

 

MyCBE/PowerSchool

Please ensure you have created your MyCBE/PowerSchool account. This will enable you to book conferences, pay fees and see Report Cards. If you need assistance, please let us know.

 

Instagram Account

Follow us @taradaleschool for exciting updates of our learning journey for 2025-26.

 

Important Dates:

September 2 – First day of school

September 2-4 – Kindergarten Staggered Entry

September 5 – AM Kindergarten Attends

September 11 – Meet The Teacher (5:30-7:30)

September 29- No School (PD Day)

September 30 – NO SCHOOL National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

 

Karen Bose (Principal) and Tara Vandertoorn ( Assistant Principal)