Foothills News

On Saturday, the Alberta government confirmed that the province will enter Step 2 starting on March 1.  As part of that step, they have stated that “any remaining school requirements are removed”.

As of Monday 14th February, schools will no longer be empowered by provincial health order or CMOH recommendations to require students from grades 1-12 to wear masks to attend school in person or to ride a school bus.

Grade 6 students are marvellous storytellers.  Not a day goes by without one of them telling a tale of one adventure or another!  Their teachers, Mrs. Henze, Ms. Merrick, Mrs. Hughes, and Ms. Goldberg are often left in stitches as they add colour with their detailed description and enlightening point of view. When it comes to writing, there is no shortage of inspiration - whether they are regaling each of us with information about their weekend adventures, or informing us of the goings-on in the world.  Their finger is on the pulse of what is happening, now!.  Each one of the twenty-seven students has a unique point-of-view and a vast array of interests.

This week we should receive rapid tests and medical-grade masks for all students, which will provide an additional layer of protection for all.  Every student will be provided with one box of five rapid tests and a two-week supply of masks. The rapid tests are for Alberta Education’s At-Home Rapid Testing Program, and it is optional whether you participate or not.  If you DO NOT want the rapid tests and/or the masks sent home, please let us know at schoolreception@foothillsacademy.org

Foothills Academy is a safe and caring environment and we are excited to see our students return to in-person learning on Monday, 10th January.

Due to the rising number of cases of the highly transmissible Omicron COVID-19 variant, the Minister of Education made an announcement this evening that the kindergarten to Grade 12 winter break will be extended province-wide until January 10.

The Board of Governors of the Foothills Academy Society would like to take a moment, during this month of Learning Disabilities and ADHD Awareness, to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of the staff at Foothills Academy – both in the School and in Estelle Siebens Community Services, and to thank them for all they do, not just during these unprecedented times, but at all times. Not only does this incredible group ensure that students receive a first-rate education and the supports they need to succeed, but they continue to innovate and think outside the box.

There have been some recent changes in the way schools are managing the COVID-19 pandemic, notably around the government’s guidance on how families will be notified of positive COVID-19 cases.

In addition to October being Learning Disabilities Awareness Month and ADHD Awareness Month, the Alberta Ministry of Education has declared that October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. This may cause some confusion, because is it not the case that dyslexia is a Learning Disability?

Students are returning to in-person learning on Tuesday, May 25th

We are happy to announce that Foothills Academy has added a new web accessibility and language toolbar to our website. Having accessibility tools right on the website will make it accessible and inclusive for as many people as possible.

Although the Calgary Board of Education and Calgary Catholic School Division announced today that their grade 7 - 12 classes will be moving online for at least two weeks, Foothills Academy remains open for In-person learning for all grades

You are most likely aware that the new draft curriculum was announced by the Minister of Education during the first week of Spring Break. Media attention about the draft curriculum has been rife, and there is some consternation about the draft. The draft curriculum is K-6 (Math, English Language Arts/Literature, Science, Social Studies, Fine Arts and Physical Education & Wellness), and will be trialled by some schools this September. At this juncture, Foothills has no intention to volunteer to trial the curriculum this coming school year.

It is with a heavy heart as well as an inordinate amount of gratitude and respect that we announce the retirement of Alison Roberts.  Alison is retiring with immediate effect so that she can focus on some current medical issues and regain good health.

Happy New Year and welcome back to school life with a return to regular routines in 2021.

In 2020, the readers of the Calgary Herald and the Calgary Sun voted Foothills Academy one of the top 3 Private/Charters schools in Calgary.

Dear Parents and Guardians of grade 7-12 students, As we enter another period of at-home learning, we want to assure you that we are striving for as smooth a transition as possible for every student and family. We want to provide as much continuity as possible for each students’ ongoing learning of the rigorous Alberta curriculum, whilst continuing to be vigilant with our support of students’ social and emotional needs. It is important for us to be clear that the health and wellness of all of our students and families is paramount during these unpredictable and challenging times.

Dear Parents and Guardians,  As you are most likely aware, this evening the Government of Alberta called a state of public health emergency, part of which impacts students' in-person attendance at school.

Due to COVID-19, our in-person September General Meeting will not be taking place. Instead, please watch and listen to this presentation from our co-Executive Directors Simon Williams and Karen MacMillan.

After 170 days of silent hallways and empty classrooms, it was a delight today to welcome all of our students back into the building. The extensive preparation and planning put into making school re-entry safe and welcoming is a testament to the care and commitment of all Foothills staff. Our aim for the first day back was to normalize the school day, have students reacclimatise to the building, and reengage positive connections with other students and staff, all of which are essential for successful learning and growth moving forwards. This seems to have been a success, despite the masks, cohorts, handwashing, directional flow in hallways and physical distancing. It really was quite wonderful to see shining eyes peeking over the tops of masks, as students arrived ready for the new school year today. Thank you to all parents and guardians for helping to prepare your children for the first day of school, as this had a huge impact on helping to make today successful.

The COVID-19 School Re-Entry Protocols has been updated on August 26th. Additionally, a summary sheet has been provided for parents to use each day with their student. A new Parent/Student Handbook is also available.

The return to school in September 2020 will look a little bit different than other years. To help everyone prepare, we are offering some virtual Meet and Greet times before classes start and have prepared a short video showing some of the changes students should expect.

As the return to school date draws ever closer (September 1st) we want to share with you our plan for re-entry to Foothills Academy. Please review the Foothills Academy re-entry document for details about our plans to open school as safely as possible.

The Minister of Education Adriana LaGrange, and Premier Jason Kenny, announced yesterday that all schools in Alberta will return to classes in the new school year, with health measures in place.  Foothills Academy’s school year is scheduled to begin on Tuesday September 1st.  We are excited to be able to return to school in September, whilst being able to keep every student, staff member and visitor as safe as possible.

As a school, we are committed to ensuring a continuation of quality educational programming for your child.  Regardless of the baseline standards of teaching expected by the Ministry of Education, Foothills Academy recognizes the utmost need to maintain our own high academic, social and emotional supports for all students. Foothills Academy will not be reducing the number of educational assistants from the school program for May and June. We recognize the essential role of educational assistants working with students with Learning Disabilities in DSEPS such as Foothills Academy. We will continue to provide a quality school-program during these very trying circumstances whilst also ensuring positively high levels of consistency, learning and support; for your children and yourselves.

Some families started back to school this week after an extended break and others are just getting back to school next week. Regardless, we are all just beginning to navigate this new world of online/distance learning. With school resuming, there is more need for structure in our days, which can also be good for our mental health in the long run. Here are some things to consider so you can set your household up for school success.

How are you doing? The need for Social Distancing (or, more accurately Physical Distancing, since we want to maintain as much social contact as possible!) has many unintentional impacts on our home lives. No doubt, all this unexpected “togetherness” is causing increased tensions in many households. Along with heightened concerns about health, and the significant adjustments to our lifestyles, there are also financial impacts for many families. According to an Angus Reid survey released on March 25th, half of the households in Alberta said that they had already experienced work or job loss due to COVID-19. These added stressors can put pressure on all the relationships in a home. And, given these realities, we all need to find ways to regulate our emotions and communicate effectively. Below are some Q & As to support those goals.

The amount of information we are all getting is overwhelming as we try to adjust to the new realities of COVID-19. We are all trying to make decisions and make sense of something the world has not seen in over 100 years. And as we are trying to adjust, our children and adolescents are looking at us to help them make sense of it as well. Welcome to our new Weekly Wellness E-news that will be written while the schools are closed. It is intended to support families as we navigate this new territory. Below is a Q & A for families regarding some common concerns.

Until further notice, our in-person Community Services programs will no longer be operating. Current clients will be contacted by their instructor or psychologist. Our online professional development and parent courses are still available. We are pleased that Counselling services are continuing and will be delivered online or over the telephone.

As you will likely have heard by now, on the news, or from your homeroom teacher, there is a provincial-wide class closure for all schools due to COVID-19. Foothills Academy will not be open for school this week, so please do not send your student(s) to school on Monday 16th March 2020 and until further notice. Community Services one-to-one services remains open to clients however we will enforce strict zero-tolerance policy regarding no sickness in the building. All group programs have been suspended until further notice.

At this time, we request that if you or your child has symptoms such as fever, cough and difficulty breathing and has travelled outside Canada or has been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, stay home and call Health Link 811.

On March 3, 2020, the Chief Medical Officer of Health for Alberta has issued an update for Alberta Education.

On Wednesday, September 18, 2019, Global Calgary reporter Gil Tucker came to Foothills Academy to report on the FAPA car raffle. He interviewed FAPA president, Kathy Laycock and Foothills Academy students.

Our 2019 Valedictorian Dani S. shares her thoughts with the graduating class and their families at our Graduation Banquet on May 24, 2019.

Every year in the month of February, we encourage our students to "fall in love with reading"! We feel it is important to make literacy more visible and to communicate its high priority. For many of our students, reading at school is the only time they read. We want all of our students to see themselves as readers, and to know that all of their teachers, assistants and support staff along with parents welcome them into our reading community to discuss, recommend, and share books.

On Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, Rotary Club of Calgary South presented Karen MacMillan and Simon Williams with a cheque. Their generous donation will be used to purchase 10 C-Pen Readers for our students. Because of their support, our students will be able to be more independent with their learning.

Foothills Academy participated in the Bell Let's Talk 2019 campaign. All students were asked to write down ways that they support their own and others mental health.