Dear William Reid Families,
Carnaval was a wonderful success! Thank you to everyone who volunteered and helped make this event so special for our students. The week was filled with fun and meaningful activities.
Congratulations to Mme Ferguson’s and Mme Chelsey’s classes, the winners of our banner competition! We kicked off the week with hot chocolate and activities, and on Wednesday, La Tire treated the entire school to a traditional sweet. Bonhomme made surprise appearances throughout the week, and Folkfolie delighted us with a fantastic demonstration of traditional French music and dance—highlighted by the unforgettable “train” that brought our entire student body together in the gym.
Our sports day finale was made possible by 24 parent volunteers and 11 alumni from Elboya, creating a memorable outdoor celebration of community.
Black History Month
This February, we celebrate Black History Month by honouring the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Afro-Francophone communities around the world. Countries such as Senegal, Haiti, Cameroon, and Côte d’Ivoire have deep traditions, and French-speaking Black communities have played an important role in shaping global culture, the arts, and social justice. This month reflects our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and bilingual education.
Below are some updates for the weeks ahead.
Upcoming Dates and Events
- Tuesday, February 10
School Council Meeting (7:00 PM – 8:30 PM) - Thursday–Friday, February 12–13
Teachers’ Convention – No School - Monday, February 16
Family Day – No School - Wednesday, February 18
Ramadan Begins - Thursday, February 19
Bottle Drive - Tuesday, February 24
Report Cards available for viewing on MyCBE - Wednesday, February 25
Pink Shirt Day - Thursday, February 26
Fun Lunch – Healthy Hunger (OPA!) - Friday, February 27
Non-Instructional Day – No School - Tuesday, March 10
Parent Council Hybrid Meeting – 7:00 PM - Monday–Friday, March 23–27
Spring Break – No School - Friday, April 3
Good Friday – No School
View Our Calendar for all upcoming events.
School Council Update | Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
We would like to thank Danisha Bhaloo-Shivji for stepping into the role of School Council Chair. Danisha brings valuable board experience to our team. We also extend our sincere thanks to Tiffany Ward for her support during the transition, particularly for chairing our recent meeting.
We are also pleased to welcome Sarah Moss, who has stepped into the role of Fundraising Society President.
Volunteer Opportunities
We currently have several open volunteer roles on both the William Reid School Council and the William Reid School Fundraising Society (WRSFS):
- Naturalization Lead
Coordinate annual garden clean-ups and organize the summer watering schedule for the school’s naturalized and garden areas. - Jacket Racket Coordinator
Organize the school-wide collection of jackets and winter gear to support Calgary families. Parents are encouraged to label children’s clothing with your family name.
These roles are not overly time-consuming but are essential to the success of Parent Council initiatives.
If you are interested, please contact wrchair@gmail.com.
Healthy Hunger – Special Lunch Volunteers
Our next Healthy Hunger Fun Lunch will take place on:
Thursday, February 26, 2026
OPA! – Deerfoot Meadows
The Saturday prior is the final day to place orders.
Ordering is available at: https://healthyhunger.ca/
Thank you to all volunteers who have already signed up to help organize and distribute food.
If you would like to volunteer for future fun lunch days, please sign up using the Healthy Hunger Volunteer Sign-Up.
Do You Have a Few Hours to Spare Mid-Day?
We are seeking individuals to help fill occasional lunch-hour vacancies.
Becoming a Casual Paid Lunchroom Supervisor at William Reid is a rewarding opportunity to connect with students and community while enjoying flexible, casual work and supplemental income.
There is no long-term commitment, and individuals may choose to work only at William Reid.
If you, a parent, grandparent, or neighbour are interested, please contact Mr. Jay at the school office:
403-777-6940
Soft Entry | Supporting Smooth Transitions to School
At William Reid, we offer a soft entry start time to support student success.
- Students may be dropped off beginning at 7:50 AM
- Students are seated and ready to learn by 8:02 AM
This structure helps maximize learning time and reduces classroom disruptions. Late arrivals can impact a student’s sense of calm and interrupt learning for the class.
We recognize that attendance concerns may reflect other challenges families are facing, and we are always here to support. Thank you for your partnership in helping all students thrive.
William Reid 2025–2026 Yearbook
Order your 2025–2026 Yearbook now. This keepsake captures key moments and memories from the school year and includes:
- 32 full-colour pages
- A custom cover designed by a student (details to come)
Use this link to order: WR Yearbook Orders
Yearbook ID Code: 14464826
Monthly Bottle Drive Fundraiser
To support year-end celebrations such as our Year-End BBQ, William Reid is hosting a monthly refundable bottle and can drive.
How It Works
- Held on the second Thursday of each month
- Drop-off begins at 7:50 AM on the cement compound along the fence line on 36th Avenue
- Bottle truck on site from approximately 8:15–8:45 AM
- Refundable drink containers only
Upcoming Pick-Up Dates
- Thursday, February 19
- Thursday, March 12
- Thursday, April 9
- Thursday, May 14
- Thursday, June 11
All funds raised go directly toward activities and events that benefit our entire school community.
Families may also donate bottles year-round at Manchester Bottle Depot (410 – 38A Avenue SE) and direct proceeds to William Reid School.
Questions may be directed to Mme Ferguson at kaferguson@cbe.ab.ca.
Ongoing Fundraising Opportunities
Mabel’s Labels
Label belongings and help reduce Lost & Found items:
Mabel’s Labels – WR Fundraiser
Financial Donations
Support school programs through Education Matters:
https://www.educationmatters.ca/project-matters/william-reid-school/
Bottle Donations
Donate refundable bottles at Manchester Bottle Depot and request proceeds be directed to William Reid School.
“Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things but learning another way to think about things.”
— Flora Lewis