Hello SWS families! 

Now that the hot weather has hit, it’s probably a good time for students to return to school! Good thing our school has air-conditioning…and it really is too bad that this stretch of hot weather wasn’t more aligned with our summer plans. 

We are very excited for our halls and classrooms to be filled with students. Our school is not a school until our students return- they are the heart of our building and our work. 

There is always a lot of information to share for Back to School so we will do our best to give you the details that you need to know for the first few days.   

August 27-29, teachers will be calling the students in their homeroom to give them information about the first day of school etc. Please do not call the school- it’s important that we allow time for the teachers to make these calls. 

Administration will not be making class changes. In a school of almost 850 students, making changes to lists is very complicated. Students will have many opportunities to see their friends throughout the day.  When students are in class, their primary focus is on learning. 

Office hours this week are 8:00am-1:00pm. Outside of these times, the phones will not be answered.

THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: (no relaxed entry during the first week of school) 

Please note: Parents and guardians are not allowed to enter with students.  Staff will be welcoming and supporting students at each designated entry. 

• ENTRY AT 8:55AM 
• PLP (Paced Learning Program): students on specialized transportation will be greeted by PLP staff and escorted into the building. Students that do not take transportation will be greeted at the front doors of the school. 
• Grade 5: students will be greeted by the grade 5 team at the portable doors by the playground 
• Grade 6: students will be greeted by the grade 6 team at the portable doors that face Father Doucette School (along Shannon Drive) 
• Grades 7-9: students will be greeted by administration at the gathering space doors (along Shawinigan Drive) 
• DISMISSAL AT 3:40 
• PLP: students will be escorted to the buses and supervised until they board. Students that are picked up will be escorted out the front doors of the school. 
• Grade 5: students will be dismissed out the portable doors by the playground  
• Grade 6: students will be dismissed out the doors that face Father Doucette (along Shannon Drive) 
• Grade 7-9: students will be dismissed out any door, most exit out the gathering space doors (along Shawinigan Drive). Bus students will catch the bus on Shawinigan Drive. 

On the first day of school, period 1 will be Homeroom. This will be further explained in the teacher phone calls. 

Bell Schedule 

• Relaxed entry: 8:45am (not in effect until the second week of school) 

• MONDAY TO THURSDAY: 
• Entry time: 8:55am (first week of school) 
• Bell time: 9:10am (classes begin) 
• Nutrition Break: 11:04-11:11am 
• Lunch: 1:05-1:46pm 
• Dismissal: 3:40pm 

• FRIDAY: 
• Entry time: 8:55am (first week of school) 
• Bell time: 9:10am (classes begin) 
• Nutrition break: 11:28-11:37am 
• Dismissal: 1:20pm 

Lunch Supervision 

• PLP, Grade 5&6: 1:05-1:26 eat in their classrooms 1:26-1:46 outside for lunch recess. Students are supervised by EAs, lunchroom supervisors, and teachers (only outside). 
• Grades 7-9: eat in the gathering space, halls, pods, and outside.  
• SWS is a closed campus- students need parent permission to leave. Parent Permission forms can be picked up in the office if your child requires one. 

Storm Store 

• The Storm Store will start on the first day of school for Grades 7-9 ONLY. 
• Grades 5 & 6 will have access to the Storm Cart closer to the end of September. Students will need to bring their own lunches in grades 5 & 6. 
• Menu and pricing for the Storm Store will be shared in the coming days. 

Student Supplies 

All grade 5, 6 and PLP students will have school supplies provided for them.  Grades 7-9 students need to bring their own supplies. 

Physical Education 

Students must have appropriate footwear for gym every single day.  Our primary goal is to keep students safe and wearing proper footwear helps prevent serious injuries to feet and ankles. Examples of what NOT to wear in GYM: 

• Crocs 
• Uggs 
• Flipflops 
• Birkenstocks 
• Slides 

Students can change into their running shoes for gym.  

Lockers 

Students will be assigned lockers and locks on the first day in their homeroom. Students will learn how to use a combination lock if they are in PLP, grade 5 and 7. Only SWS locks can be used due to security reasons. No outside or personal locks are permitted and will be cut off if in use. 

Transportation 

• CBE Transportation 2025-26 

Safety and Security 

We take the safety and security of our school very seriously. Administration works very hard to ensure that students and staff are secure and safe each day.  

Parents are expected to use the front door during school hours to pick up their student(s). Our front office staff, Mrs. Russell and Mrs. Mathes, will help find the student as quickly as possible. Please remember that in a large school, it is sometimes difficult to locate classes (they may be in the gym, split up into options, or outside). We recommend that you notify the homeroom teacher OR the teacher for that period when your child needs to be picked up so that the teacher can assist with a more speedy pick up. Parents and guardians will be asked to wait outside so we can maintain a safe and secure office. 

We work closely with the Calgary Police Service, as well as our CPS School Resource Officer. Our lockdown team supports CBE in making decisions about the safety and security of CBE buildings. 

Other 

An excellent source, and usually the best source, of information is our school website.  Here are some very important links, phone numbers and emails that you should book mark and save for easy reference: 

• Samuel W. Shaw website 
• Attendance: 
• Email: swsattendance@cbe.ab.ca PREFERRED METHOD TO REPORT ATTENDANCE 
• 403-777-6163 EXT 1 to leave an attendance message 
• Teacher email contacts: listed on the school website under the tab ABOUT US, then OUR STAFF.  Staff member names are linked directly to their email for your convenience (hover your mouse over the name and it will turn blue). 
• SWS Staff Page 

We hope you enjoy a wonderful final long weekend of summer!  See you on Tuesday, September 2!

Bobbi Kivi

Principal