Important Dates

Spring 2025 Parent-Teacher Conferences - POSTPONED

We are postponing Parent-Teacher Conferences until mid March to ensure we prioritize in-person instruction and comply with AHS Guidelines and occupational health and safety regulations given current labour action.

Conferences are now tentatively scheduled for the evening of March 20 and the morning of March 21.  Our apologies for any inconvenience. 

Lockdown Drill

Schools are required to have two lockdown drills per school year.  During the lockdown drill students will not be able to leave or enter the school and office staff will not be available to answer phones or work with our parent community until the drill is called to a close.  Calgary Police Service supports our schools and oversees these drills with school administration.  We see great value in running lockdown drills and practicing for unforeseen events

Pink Shirt Day

In response to a new Grade 9 student being bullied for wearing a pink shirt, two Nova Scotia high school students took a stand against bullying by distributing pink shirts to all the boys in their school to wear. This act of kindness has grown into a symbol against bullying in schools across the globe. 

Pink Shirt Day is an annual event against bullying.  This day was started in 2007, in Canada, where it is held on the last Wednesday of February each year.

​On Wednesday, Feb. 26, wear a pink shirt to help spread kindness ​and a sense of belonging! 

Help us stand up against bullying by purchasing bracelets and pins for $2 and T-shirts for $15 in support of Pink Shirt Day! Sales will take place Monday and Tuesday, so don’t miss your chance to show your support. Every purchase helps spread kindness and inclusivity. Let’s wear pink and make a difference!

Well-Being Action Team

Our Well-being Action Team recently attended a very informative and productive CBE wide initiative at Mount Royal University, where they spent the day collaborating with groups representing every middle-school across the city. Over the coming weeks our passionate team will be working on an ‘Action Plan’ in order to ensure that McKenzie Highlands School continues to lead the way in creating safe, caring and welcoming learning environments for all students.

Student Equity Program

Our Student Equity Program recently spent the afternoon working with Sarah Adomako-Ansah (Education Director at the Human Rights Museum) developing their ideas on helping McKenzie Highlands School create a greater culture of equity and inclusion in respect of the diverse student population that we are proud to serve. Their current, and upcoming work, includes acknowledging and celebrating the following:

• Black History Month
• Ramadan
• Holi

Thank you again to Sarah for her commitment and direction during this event!

Option Fees

School fees for Semester 2 options have been added to student accounts and payment can be made online using your MyCBE Account.  These courses run on a cost recovery basis and when they are not paid, we are unable to purchase the supplies and products needed to make these courses engaging and of high impact for your kids.  We still have many fees for options from Semester 1 outstanding.  Please log into your MyCBE account at your earliest convenience and confirm that fees are up to date.  Payment can also be made with cash, credit or debit in the main office during school hours. 

Week Ahead in Athletics

This weekend our Senior boys' and girls' team will be playing in our annual Monster Smash tournament. Our practice and games schedule will continue as normal. 

Learning Commons

Lunch Club News

Yarn crafts will continue next week, and as always, there will also be board games, Lego and other quiet activities available.

Mondays:  Grades 5

Tuesdays: Grade 6

Wednesdays: Grade 4

Thursdays: Grades 7-9

Book Highlights

February is Black History month, and we are highlighting books by some talented award-winning contemporary black authors.   Their novels teach us about the historical and current struggles of those in the black community, as well celebrating their many accomplishments. 

Here are three of our favourite titles: 

• A Good Kind of Trouble by Lisa Moore Ramee follows the story of Shayla, a 12-year-old girl who is navigating the challenges of middle school. When a police shooting of an unarmed black man shakes her community, Shayla is inspired to take a stand and speak out against racial injustice.
• Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson tells the story of enslaved siblings, 12-year-old Homer and his 7-year-old sister Ada, who in their quest for freedom get separated from their mother. 
• The Hero Two Doors Down: Based on the True Story of Friendship Between a Boy and a Baseball Legend by Sharon Robinson is the story of Stephen Satlow, a local Jewish boy who is an avid Brooklyn Dodgers' fan but a mediocre athlete, at best. When Jackie Robinson moves into his predominantly Jewish neighborhood and befriends Steve, his status changes instantly. Their bond deepens when Jackie commits a well-intentioned blunder.

 Author quote of the week

 “What does it mean when we say, 'Books unite us'? It means that books are the tethers that connect us culturally.  Stories ground us in our humanity; they convince us that we're not actually that different and that the things that are actually different about us should be celebrated because they are what make up this tapestry of life." -  Jason Reynolds

Upcoming ENVOE Trips

ENVOE 7A – Nordic Skiing – February 24 at 8:30am – 5pm

ENVOE 7B – Nordic Skiing – February 25 at 8:30am – 5pm

ENVOE 8 – Nordic Skiing – February 26 at 8:30am – 5pm

ENVOE 9 – Nordic Skiing – February 27 at 8:30am – 5pm

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ENVOE 7B – Climbing – March 11 at 8:30am – 11:00am

ENVOE 7A – Climbing – March 12 at 8:30am – 11:00am

ENVOE 8 – Climbing – March 13 at 8:30am – 11:00am

ENVOE 9 – Climbing – March 14 at 8:30am – 11:00am

Friday Schedule

Daryl Martin, Principal                Tiffany Jernigan, Assistant Principal