Hello Mahogany Families!

The larger we grow the more important connection and belonging become. As a large elementary school, we are finding ways to do this from buddy classes to lunch time games, leadership club to choir and much more. The more we can work together as staff and model for our students, the more they grow and find ways to collaborate and connect. Creating a sense of belonging and caring in your classrooms is our staff superpower. Daily our staff work to lift students up, fill their buckets and create the structures and support systems to ensure students have what they need to be successful both academically and emotionally.

“Reseach shows that when our sense of belonging is threatened, even momentarily, we’re more likely to feel worse about ourselves, perform below our potential, behave impulsively, see others as hostile and lash out defensively when provoked.”  (G. L. Cohen)

There is power in this work we do as educators, and so much of our days are spent working on the social emotional and relationship teachings that support our academics. Learning comes in so many ways for our young students. Students need to feel connected; they want to belong and be a part of something bigger than themselves.

The second part of this quote shares, “On the other hand, even fleeting experiences of belonging, such as glimpsing pictures of people who care about us, can have far-reaching benefits. They raise our sense of well-being and self-worth, improve our performance, lessen our defensiveness and hostility, increase our tolerance of outsiders, and make us more compassionate” (G.L Cohen)

They have definitely come to the right place! This tells us that with your help and guidance that even just a little connection and sense of belonging-our students can thrive and grow in leaps and bounds. We are so lucky to be a part of this learning and growth and to create a connected story of learning, caring and belonging together at Mahogany.

Have an amazing weekend everyone!

<3

Tracy and Christine

Inspiration

"Belonging comes from feeling a part of something bigger than oneself.”

Weekly Wonder

How will you connect, and find your sense of belonging? How will you invite someone in to belong with you?

Updates and Administrivia

Parking and Safety Concerns

As you are aware, there are ongoing concerns regarding traffic safety, parking and students to and from school safety. We have worked alongside our School Council as well as with our CBE partners EverActive schools, CBE transportation, CPS and the City of Calgary to find safe and creative solutions for our parking and crossing. Over the past two years we have worked closely with EverActive Schools and have been able to develop a ‘Mahogany School Travel Plan’ along with our CBE partners (EverActive schools, City of Calgary, Calgary Police Services, Green Communities Canada) as well as our Mahogany School Council and Mahogany staff and students.

Challenges of parking and student safety crossing both morning arrival and dismissal continue to be a large concern. Over the past week I have noticed a large increase in challenges in our Hug n’ Go as well as on Mahogany Way, Mahogany Blvd as well as at the traffic circle. Additionally, we have had concerns raised by our community members and Neighbours. Ongoing parking concerns include multiple cars (up to 15) parked in the Ebony Apartment complex on Mahogany Blvd. This is private property and not parking for Mahogany School. This complicates people leaving their homes as well as resulting in multiple families and students crossing Mahogany Way illegally and unsafely. We also have many families who are crossing one at a time in the traffic circle creating a continuous stream of pedestrian crossing impeding the flow of traffic for the circle and causing a large back up of traffic on Mahogany Way and into the Hug n’ Go. Please also remember that the Hug n’Go area is not for parking, please help us with stopping briefly along the sidewalk to let in or pick up your child and in keeping the inner lane flowing by not stopping to wait for your child, this lane is for flow through the whole area.

Mahogany Blvd has seen some improvements with families respecting the limited parking in front of the school in the bus zone. Thank you everyone. We continue to have concerns about crossing illegally and dangerously on Mahogany Blvd and encourage you all to please take the time to go to the crosswalks at the traffic circle and by the mailboxes to safely cross for yourself and your children. As the mornings are darker and the weather will only get snowier we hope to continue with safe crossings at designated areas. We continue to work with the City of Calgary to find additional solutions and are still waiting on some 'traffic calming' measures to be completed on the school side of Mahogany Blvd to support further safety

Some additional resources and suggestions.

Last year we shared the following ‘Safe Travel’ poster created from this work (see below) and would encourage families to follow some of the additional and alternative ways to come to school as we know that this could help support student and community safety.

Safety First!

With Halloween up this week, we would like to take a moment to remind our students about safety and stranger danger. It is always good to have a family safety plan whether it is for getting off the bus and making it home safe or for the walk/bike ride home. Remind your children to always walk with a friend, if possible, avoid talking to people you do not know. If you are coming home on your own, make sure that you lock your doors behind you and always have a plan to connect with your parents or caregivers if you need help. If you are trick or treating, remember to dress in something bright or reflective so that you are visible to cars and remember to go with a parent or a group of people to make sure your evening is full of fun.

Non-Instructional Day

• Professional Learning Day Friday October 25, 2024

Reminder to Subscribe for Commercial Messages

This week an email was sent regarding our first School Fundraiser of Big Boxed Cards. There will also be a sample card coming home to each family so that you can check them out. The boxed cards are for sale through Healthy Hunger and will be listed on our Healthy Hunger (Fun lunch) account. If you did not receive the email regarding the cards then you may not be signed up for “Commercial Messages”. Please check your MyCBE account to subscribe to ensure you do not miss out on any messages which involve fundraising or paid events.

Veterans Food Drive

Mahogany School is hosting their third annual Veterans Food Drive. Starting Monday October 28 our school will be collecting non-perishable items to donate to the Veterans Foodbank of Calgary. The food drive will go until the end of November.

The Veterans Food Bank of Calgary supports veterans who’ve served in all branches of the Canadian Armed Forces, Reserves, and first responders. They provide food security and other resource needs of veterans from Calgary and surrounding areas.

Recommended foods are canned vegetables, fruits, proteins, and soups. Grains, such as pasta, rice and cereal. Other foods, such as pasta sauces, juices, peanut butter and baking goods. Hygiene items and kitchen supplies are also needed. Please only donate NON-PERISHABLE items in their original packaging.

Donations will be collected each morning in individual classrooms. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to Mrs.Theberge smtheberge@cbe.ab.ca.

School Council / Parent Society

Our next School Council Meeting will be on November 5, 2024, at 6:00pm at Mahogany School followed by our next Fundraising Association Meeting will be the AGM which will be held in person at Mahogany School All parents/guardians are welcome to join! Doors will be open at 5:45pm. Please join us in the Gathering Space.

Happenings

Upcoming

Veterans Week

Mon., Nov. 4 Day 4

• Regular Day

Tues., Nov. 5 Day 5

• Regular Day of Classes
• Mahogany School Council Meeting 6:00pm
• Mahogany Fundraising Association Meeting AGM 7:00pm

Wed., Nov. 6 Day 1

• Regular Day of Classes
• Wellness Wednesday

Thurs., Nov. 7 Day 2

• Regular Day of Classes
• Remembrance Day Assembly
• Mahogany Choir
• Fun Lunch-Little Caeser's

Fri., Nov. 8 Friday Schedule

• Non-Instructional Day – No School for Students
• Indigenous Veterans Day

November 14 – Photo Retakes