Hello Mahogany Families,  

With the arrival of spring, we welcome this season of renewal even though the air is filled with snow instead of April showers! Springtime offers the promise of new beginnings and the opportunity to reflect on our own journey of growth and transformation. For students, spring symbolizes the culmination of a year filled with hard work, dedication, and perseverance. It is a time to celebrate accomplishments and acknowledge the challenges you have overcome along the way. Let us reaffirm our dedication to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where every individual can thrive and realize their full potential.  

As we embrace the spirit of renewal that spring brings, let us also be mindful of the importance of sustainability and stewardship of our planet. Let us strive to tread lightly on the Earth, cherishing and preserving the precious resources we have with a reminder of Earth Day on April 22. In the midst of life's hustle and bustle, take a moment to pause and appreciate the beauty and wonder that surrounds us and find joy in the simple pleasures of blooming flowers, chirping birds, and the renewal of a spring breeze.  

Take care everyone, 

❤️  

Tracy and Christine  

Inspiration| “Despite the forecast, live like it is spring!” - L. Pullitzer 

Weekly Wonder| With all of this snow and cooling temperatures I am sure we are all looking forward to warmer spring days. This morning, I heard our backyard Robins sharing their wake-up calls with the other birds and wondered what they were thinking about this snow! From the forecast it looks like there is hope on the horizon for us all for warmer days. I wonder, how are you preparing for spring? 

Connection Corner

• Thank you to all of our volunteers who have been and will be joining us for all of the amazing off-site learning experiences our staff have been planning for our students – we are grateful for you. 
• Thank you to all of our student teachers for an amazing run! Year one practicum is under your belts and we can't wait to see what you do next! 
• Congratulations to our Golden Broom Winners this week - Grade 2 Class - Mrs. Lewendon for their hard work in keeping our school looking amazing! 

Upcoming

• Spring Photos Monday, April 8, 2024 - Bring your smiles for our second round of photos. 
• Partial Eclipse of the Sun Monday April 8, 2024 – Students will be indoor on Monday at lunch and all blinds will be closed. Students will not be permitted to look at the Solar Eclipse. Please DO NOT send your child with solar eclipse glasses to school as they will not be able to use them.
• Professional Learning Day April 19 – No School for Students 
• Gymnastics! April 22.  

Planning for next year

(As per email sent April 5) 

We would like to provide you with some initial information as we plan for the 2024-2025 school year. To create an optimal learning environment for all students we are examining the organization of the school, the class configuration and teaching assignments of teachers.  

Although the start of the next school year is still several months away, we can share a few updates with you:  

• Every homeroom will be placed in a classroom.  Teachers may elect to create teaming environments by opening walls between classrooms to create shared learning spaces; 
• Each homeroom will be assigned a teacher, and this teacher will be your main contact for assessment and learning information; 
• All of our teachers work in grade teams to provide a similar experience for each student; 
• We will be organized using “straight grades” (no multi-age or split grades);  
• All students will not only learn in their homeroom classroom, but also in other flexible learning environments such as the learning commons, gym or music room;  
• Current teachers may teach a different grade than they are teaching this year;  

In May, we will begin the process of creating class lists for next year. As a staff, we spend a great deal of time preparing these lists to create optimal learning environments to ensure success for each student. The following criteria go into our processes:  

• Attention to the complexities of learning needs of specific students and as a group.  
• Academic, social and emotional needs of students;  
• Matching of teacher skill set with student need;  
• Keeping students with complimentary classmates / friends;  

Given the complexities detailed above, it is not possible for parents to request specific teachers. We believe our personalized processes allow us to make the best decision for your child. Should you have additional information regarding your child’s learning needs that you would like us to consider when creating class lists, please email Mrs. Kohan no later than May 10 at mahogany@cbe.ab.ca detailing this information.   

Everactive Schools

As you know we have been working with our partners at Everactive Schools to find ways to support, mitigate and adapt our traffic challenges at Mahogany School. In February, we met as an administration team alongside members of our School Council, Everactive Schools, City of Calgary, Counsellor Evan Spencer, to find some alternative solutions. Please see the attached map created through our partnership with some excellent ideas for alternative parking and walking to school and for pick up. This is perfect timing as we head (hopefully) toward warmer weather next week. 

Mahogany Park and Walk 2023 - 2024 Map.pdf 

School Council / Fundraising Association

We are thrilled to share some exciting news about an upcoming fundraiser! 

We have paired with Auburn Bay Fit Body Boot Camp, who is generously assisting us in raising funds for Mahogany School. Fit Body Boot Camp will be hosting a special 6-Week Transformation Challenge open to parents, friends, and family members and will be donating 100% of the profits back to our school. 

Registrations will open on Monday April 12 and the program will begin April 29! 

Our next Mahogany School Council and Fundraising Association Meetings will be held on Tuesday, May 6 at 6:00pm. Please join us to be a part of this amazing school.  

Coffee with Tracy and Christine  

Please Join us for Coffee with Tracy and Christine on Friday, May 10 at 8:00am. Please join us to discuss current celebrations, issues and hot topic items for Mahogany School. This is an adult only event.  

We would really love for you to join us – if you have any feedback on alternative ways we could connect please email Tracy at tckohan@cbe.ab.ca  

Healthy Hunger

A friendly reminder to place your order for the upcoming week's snacks/lunches. Please go to www.healthyhunger.ca to place your order.  

Happenings

Upcoming

Mon., April 15, 2024 

• Regular Day 

Tues., April 16, 2024  

• Regular Day  
• Finding Nemo Choir rehearsal 

Wed., April 17, 2024 

• Regular Day   
• Wellness Wednesday  

Thurs., April 18, 2024 

• Regular Day 
• Finding Nemo Choir rehearsal 
• Grade 5 Farewell Parent Meeting 3:00pm 

Fri., April 19, 2024 

• Early Dismissal 12:00pm 

• PM Kindergarten attends 
• Golden Broom Award  

Gymnastics April 15-23