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Taradale Talk  

Principal Update 

September 22, 2025 

  

Dear Taradale Families: 

 

It was wonderful to see so many families attend our Meet the Teacher on September 11. There was excitement in the air as students were thrilled to introduce their teacher to their parents. Parents had an opportunity to learn about the curriculum, school and classroom information. We prioritize ongoing communication with home and school over the course of the school year and look forward to building positive working relationships with our families in support of each child’s success at school. 

Our next Parent/Teacher Conferences are Thursday, November 27 (evening) and Friday, November 28 (morning). 

 

School Council Meeting  

Our first school council meeting of the year will be held in the Learning Commons on Tuesday, September 23 at 6:15 pm. Please join us to learn more about School Council! 

 

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. Teachers will respond to email concerns after the school day has concluded or the next school day.  

 

Google Classroom 

Your child will bring home the log in information for Google Classroom. Please ensure you are checking this regularly. This is where important classroom information will be shared.  

 

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.  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 at 2:40 pm. All students must be picked up on time at their dismissal doors. Please do not crowd the doors or wait on the stairs. We want to ensure all our students can exit the building safely to their trusted adult. 

 

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. 

Playground 

Please note there is no teacher supervision on the Taradale Community Playground before and after school. Students are not permitted to be dropped off at school and then go to the playground without parent supervision. 

 

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 

 

It is very important that our Demographic Forms are filled out. Please go into School Engage to complete the outstanding forms. This needs to be completed by Sept 27.    

 

You will have received an email from CBE directing you to complete several forms in your MyCBE/PowerSchool account. It is very important that these forms are completed as soon as possible so that we have accurate information. 

 

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

Demographic Verification and Annual Authorization forms in SchoolEngage are now overdue..  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.  

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. 

 

If your child goes home for lunch. They will be dismissed from their door. When they return, please bring them to the front door of the school, and wait with your child until they enter the building. Please bring them to the front door of the school no earlier than 12:28.  

 

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.  

 

Community Walk Letter 

 

The CBE values the educational benefit of field trips. Some wonderful field trips can be taken in the Taradale Community. Please read the letter linked below for the Community Walk Letter. Teachers will provide 24 hours' notice for a community walk. The exception is the Taradale Community Playground which is used daily for recess and lunch recess. 

 

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 

We have an official Taradale School Instagram account. Please follow @TaradaleSchoolCBE for important school updates. 

 

Important Dates: 

September 23 – First School Council Meeting at 6:15 pm at the school. 

September 29 – Non-Instructional Day (NO SCHOOL for students) 

September 30 – NO SCHOOL National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 

  

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