Happy Thursday, Citizens of Nellie!

A reminder there is no school tomorrow. As we move into the Good Friday long weekend, we would like to wish all our students and families a safe, restful, and enjoyable break, and happy Easter and Passover to those who celebrate. May this time offer an opportunity to relax, recharge, and spend meaningful moments with loved ones. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday refreshed and ready for the weeks ahead!

WEEK IN REVIEW

• This week and next, we are excited to have Alien In-Line Skating in residence for physical education.  Learning how to inline skate develops skills and confidence that transfers to many other activities and helps students remain active for life! It serves as a tool for developing locomotor skills, balance, and agility across the grades.  In the Alberta Physical Education and Wellness curriculum, students begin to use new equipment like inline skates to perform and refine basic skills. The curriculum also specifically requires students to describe and apply safety rules when using equipment such as inline skates.
• On Thursday,  Grade 2 students enjoyed a Teacher's Pet In-School Field Trip, exploring the Alberta Science curriculum topic: Life Systems. How do humans, plants and animals interact in the ecosystem? Do all living organisms go through the same life cycle? How can human behaviours affect plants and animals? Students found the answers to these questions and much more by joining Pearl the Squirrel on an interactive experience through different habitats, learning the stages of life of different living things. Students got to take home a wooden house and backyard model.
• With the launch of the Artemis II rocket into space this week, grade 4-6 students were surprised with a guest speaker who attended the NASA Teacher in Space Program as one of 25 educators across North America, back in 1992- Ms. Terlecki! She shared photos and experiences of practicing technical tasks in space walks chairs, moon gravity slings, orbital spin trainers,  and other micro-gravity simulators. Student hear about mission practice inside the shuttle simulators and a thrilling emergency shuttle sea evacuation procedure. Space exploration is a key part of the Alberta Science curriculum, learning about the wonders of the Sun, Moon, and stars (Grade 4), uncovering patterns and relationships within our solar system (Grade 5), and diving into space exploration, technology, and the study of celestial bodies (Grade 6). 

You can see video highlights of our in-line skating, Ms. Terlecki's Teacher in Space presentation and other activities on our school Instagram: NellieSpark

IMPORTANT NELLIE PARENT COUNCIL MEETINGS

• Join us next Tuesday April 7th, at 6:30pm in Ms. Polly's room.  Receive updates from the Principal, hear about plans for fundraisers, other fun events and provide your input. Everyone welcome!  No need to take on a role. We are a friendly and relaxed group, committed to supporting our kids - please join us to see what we are involved in! We will have pizza and babysitting available. If you can't make it in person, but would like to participate online, click here: Join Virtually
• Mark your calendar- Our Nellie McClung School Council Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Thursday, May 14th. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Elementary School Council is an important opportunity for parents and guardians to stay informed, share their perspectives, and play an active role in shaping the school community. Attending the AGM allows families to learn about council initiatives, provide input on key decisions, and help strengthen the partnership between home and school. Your voice matters, and your participation helps ensure a supportive, inclusive, and thriving environment for all students.

THE WEEK AHEAD:

• April is Sikh Heritage Month, and Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation, & Prevention Month
• April 1-9 is Passover 
• March 30- April 14      Alien in-line skating residency
• Sat. April 4    Refugee Rights Day
• Sun. April 4   Easter
• Mon. April 5 Easter Monday- School is open & classes are in session!
• Tues. April 7 World Health Day; Green Shirt Day

        AM- Gr. 3 in school field trip: Earth's Hidden Secrets;

        6:30pm School Council. Join us in person or Join Virtually

• Wed. April 8  Birth of Buddha
• Thurs. Apr 9 Fun Lunch: Little Caesar. Please sign up to be a Fun Lunch Volunteer 

PBP COMMUNITY

• The PBP Community Center is looking for CASINO VOLUNTEERS on April 21 & 22. One of their initiatives is to provide a Buddy Bench to Nellie McClung as part of our new playground initiative. Buddy Benches and Friendship Benches, are a place where children feeling lonely can simply sit to signal to other kids their need for companionship, they are intended to foster kindness and inclusivity on school playgrounds.  Please help. SIGN UP HERE to volunteer: PBP Community Centre Casino Sign Up

COMING UP:      

• April 13-17     Alberta Education Week
• Tues. Apr 14   Vaisakhi
• Thurs.Apr 16  Life Touch Spring Photo day- individual
• Fri. April 17  Bottle Drive. Sign up to be a Bottle Drive Volunteer
• April 19-26     National Volunteer Week
• April 20-24     Support Staff Appreciation Week
• Mon. Apr 20  Medicine River Wildlife visit in Kindergarten
• Wed. Apr 22   Earth Day, Administrative Professionals Day;
• Thurs. Apr 23 Spring Concert 9:30am and 6:30pm
• Fri. April 24  CBE wide Professional Learning Day- No School for Students
• Wed. April 29  Seven Sacred Teachings assembly- (Siemieniuk; Tackaberry)

Stay on top of everything going on by visiting our school calendar and link it to your phone.

SCHOOL COUNCIL

Next School Council meeting: Tues. April 7th The meeting will be offered both in person and online. Everyone welcome!  Receive updates from the Principal, hear about plans for Spring family dance, fundraisers, other events and provide your input. No need to take on a role. We are a friendly and relaxed group, committed to supporting our kids - please join us to see what we are involved in! 

• School Council minutes are always posted on the Nellie McClung school website
• Fun Lunch dates are listed here: Healthy Hunger
• We need help delivering Fun Lunches to each class! Please sign up to be a Fun Lunch Volunteer 
• Please sign up to help out with our next Bottle Drive: Bottle Drive Volunteer
• Be friends with our Nellie School Council on Facebook Nellie McClung Community

VOLUNTEERS

If you would like to volunteer with your child's class, please ensure:

1. You have a current, valid police information clearance including vulnerable sector search
2. Your name is current in our CBE Security Clearance database.
3. You have filled out the Annual Volunteer Registratio​n Form for the 2025-2026 school year.

If you are not yet registered to volunteer, follow the steps outlined here: CBE Volunteer Clearance Process

NEWS STORIES AND PHOTOS

• Please see the Nellie McClung School Website for all of the latest news.  
• For pictures and videos from the week,  follow Nellie on Instagram: NellieSparks
• Be friends with Nellie School Council on Facebook Nellie McClung Community

Kindest regards,

Aleta 

Aleta Terlecki

Pronouns: she, her

Acting  Principal | Nellie McClung 

Calgary Board of Education | cbe.ab.ca

t| 403.777.8620 

e| adterlecki@cbe.ab.ca