September 2022 Newsletter

Dear Parents and CGLSS Community,

Welcome back to a brand-new school year and an exciting start with a few adjustments. We are excited to be welcomed back once again to the Capitol Hill Community where all of our Saturday children’s and weeknight youth programming are located. We have some new and exciting course offerings this year in both our youth and adult programs. Not only are we offering high school credit courses online, but we have also started an exciting “Cultural Café” for our adult learners where the teacher and students will be exploring a variety of cultural experiences from German cooking, art, music, and game nights that we know will be filled with laughter and fun. If you would like to participate in one or all of the activities, we encourage you to check us out on our website (www.calgarygermanschool.com) or follow us on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

We had quite a year last year and we want to thank all of you for your continued support as we share the German language and culture with our children, adults and community. We have some exciting volunteer opportunities in serving on our Board, organizing or participating in events, weekly snack table, casino fundraisers just to name a few. We are excited to be able to create new memories this year, however we will still need your help to ensure we have a healthy and safe year, so if anyone in the family is feeling unwell, we ask you to please keep your child at home and communicate with your teacher to make up any lost time and assignments. Our teachers and staff have been amazing over the last year and are ready to adapt to a variety of course delivery formats as we continue to navigate the upcoming year and any changes it may bring.

For our community of Saturday learners please ensure you check with your child’s teacher if your class is entering in the door near the deck or another entry point. Classes will release towards the playground side of the community centre where you will be able to pick up your child/ren. In addition, our Saturday times have changed and all classes begin at 9am at Capitol Hill Community Association and end promptly at noon, with the exception of preschool ending at 11:45am. At this time there is no gym access, so we will be having our breaks outside as much as possible, which means kids need to come to school ready for the weather and possible weather changes. Indoor shoes would be greatly appreciated to keep floors clean and tidy especially as we get ready to welcome autumn and wave goodbye to summer.

Our weeknight youth program also has a new 6:00pm start and end time with an 8:15 dismissal pick up. We know our students will continue to work hard during their time with us in the evenings. Students are encouraged to bring a healthy snack and water bottle as it is an intensive 2hr and 15 minute class, however we do ask that all students take any wrappers or food items home with them and to respect the spaces we are in as we are guests of the community. Teachers will notify classes directly if there are any changes to eating in class.

We do not currently have space for parents in the building at this time, but there is plenty of outdoor space for everyone to gather and easy on street parking and cafes nearby.

There will be no snacks for purchase at this time, but we are hoping for parent volunteers to help organize snacks and run the table in the near future, so please send a healthy snack with your child and one that can be easily taken outside and cleaned up. We would greatly appreciate it if you send only water bottles with your child to have during class and snack time.

Each learner should come to school with their personal school supplies in a labeled bag or pencil case with a list coming from your teacher for what is needed. Please do not have any toys, stuffies or playthings brought to class as we attempt to keep cross contaminants to a minimum.

We continue to utilize and blend approaches with our students having face to face classes as well as moving in and out of the virtual classroom as the need arises or as our curriculum combines the two approaches.

If you or your child are feeling unwell, please do not come or send them to class and notify a health professional for direction. We ask that you continue to monitor yourself and or your child for any health concerns and consult the AHS website for updates.

All our rental sites have strict cleaning protocols in place both prior to our using the space and when we exit. The safety of our community is first and foremost and we appreciate everyone following the health guidelines and mandates that exist to keep us safe. We are doing our best to enhance learning and create an environment where everyone can be comfortable.

Thank you all for being flexible as we move into a new school year with a few changes to our “normal” and the willingness to work with us and support your learners in a variety of ways and in various environments whether it is face to face or in the virtual classroom with our CGLSS staff of dedicated teachers.

We look forward to hearing from you and letting us know how we are doing, and connecting with you as a community.

See you all soon best wishes,

Marie Gailer,  M.Edl

Principal