PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE 

Flexible Literacy Groupings: Personalized Learning for Every Student

A principios de/Beginning in November, Glenmeadows School will introduce flexible literacy groupings for about 30 minutes each day to provide targeted instruction that meets students' individual learning needs.

Durante/During these focused learning periods, students in Grades 1, 2, and 3 will participate in short instructional cycles within their grade group. In Grades 4, 5, and 6, some groupings may include students working with different Division Two teachers for more personalized instruction. Based on ongoing classroom evidence and literacy learning needs, students will receive either targeted intervention to strengthen foundational skills or enrichment and acceleration to extend their learning.

Flexible grouping allows us to respond more precisely to where students are in their literacy development. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, teachers can focus on specific literacy components, provide instruction at an appropriate level of challenge, and adjust groupings as students develop new skills. These groups are temporary and responsive to student progress; they are not fixed ability groups or permanent placements.

Importantly, all students will continue to work toward their regular grade-level curricular outcomes. These focused sessions supplement classroom literacy instruction rather than replace grade-level learning. The goal is to ensure that students receive the additional support or extension they need to continue progressing toward those outcomes.

Last school year, students, teachers, and families gave this approach very positive feedback. We also observed encouraging growth in literacy, supported by student learning data. Building on that experience, we continue refining our approach so every student has meaningful opportunities to strengthen skills, build confidence, and experience success as a reader and writer.

En/At Glenmeadows, we are committed to knowing our learners, responding to their needs, and ensuring that every student is appropriately supported and challenged. Flexible literacy groupings are one way we bring that commitment into daily practice.

If you have questions about this approach, please contact Sra. Hettinga, Assistant Principal.

Hurricane Defender

Next Wednesday, participating students in the Hurricane Defender will receive their challenge score.  They will also receive a certificate of recognition for their participation!

After-School Playground Supervision Reminder

Con/With the continued nice weather, many students are enjoying time playing in our school playground areas after dismissal. We are happy to see students making the most of these opportunities to play and connect with friends.

Nosotros/We would like to remind all parents and guardians that children must be actively supervised by their parent or designated caregiver while playing at the school after dismissal. We have had situations where student disagreements or challenges have arisen without a supervising adult present, leading other parents to step in and help.

To support positive interactions, maintain safety, and avoid situations where parents feel they need to intervene or address the behaviour of children who are not their own, we ask that each family take responsibility for supervising their children and supporting them when needed.

Gracias/Thank you for helping us maintain a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for all Glenmeadows students and families, both during and after the school day.

Please remember that this coming Monday is a PD Day.  Have a great weekend! Tengan un lindo fin de semana!

With gratitude,

Ray Suarez

Principal


IMPORTANT DATES 

NEXT WEEK 

Oct 19 – Non-Instructional Day, no school 

Oct 20 – Apple pick-up 

Oct 21 – Healthy Hunger, Edo Japan 

Oct 23 - AM Kinder attends

Oct 23 - In-school field trip for Kinder

 

MONTH AHEAD 

Oct 27 – Grade 6 Field Trip 

Oct 28 – Healthy Hunger, Mucho Burrito 

Oct 28 – Grade 5 Field Trip 

Oct 30 - In-school field trip for Kinder

Nov 2 – Picture Retakes 

Nov 3-5 – Clay Residency (gr 2, 4, 5 & 6)

Nov 4 – Healthy Hunger, Booster Juice 

Nov 9-10 - Clay Residency (gr 2, 4, 5 & 6)

Nov 11-13 - Fall Break, no school

 

SCHOOL UPDATES 

DRESSING UP FOR HALLOWEEN

Students are welcome to dress up for Halloween on Friday, Oct. 30th. This day will still be a day of learning. We encourage students to wear their costume over their regular clothes or bring a change of clothes in the event that they become uncomfortable or find that it interferes with their activities like Physical Education or outdoor play.

The guidlines for costumes are:

  • No weapons
  • No masks - faces must be visible
  • No fake blood/gore with Halloween face makeup
  • All costumes should be culturally sensitive to all religions and races
  • Wear at your own risk, the school is not responsible for lost costume pieces or any damages, please talk with your children about remembering to bring all their costume pieces home with them.

Halloween, Costume, Classroom, Elementary School


SCHOOL COUNCIL & SOCIETY UPDATES 

📆📣October School Council & Society Meeting Recap.📆📣 

Thank you to everyone who showed up to our October Council & Society Meeting—what a great turnout! 

To view meeting agendas and minutes, please visit this link.  

Get in touch with us and join our Escuela Glenmeadows School (EGS) WhatsApp Community Page to stay connected.  

More Details: 

  • School Council leads, connects and oversees school initiatives whether led by administrators/teachers or parents. This includes school events, STEM activities, library and literacy promotion, language and culture celebrations, as well as overall volunteer coordination. For more questions, please reach out to schoolcouncilegs@gmail.com. 
  • School Society supports fundraising initiatives that help provide resources needed for any school events, materials or initiatives. For more questions, please reach out to chair@egmss.org. 

 

🎟️🎲EGS Casino Fundraising Event is coming up.🎟️🎲 

 We need 7 more volunteers!  

  • grandparents, aunts, uncles—anyone are welcome to sign-up  

What: Every two years, EGS hosts a Casino Fundraising Event, which generates approximately $80,000. The funds from this event help support important student programs and enriching opportunities for our children to further enhance their learning. This includes school residencies, sports/arts/STEM activities, and equipment purchases.  

When: November 7 and November 8, 2026 

Where: Cowboys Casino - 421 12 Ave SE, Calgary, AB T2G 1A5 

  • underground parking included 

More Details: 

  • A meal at one of the onsite restaurants is provided for all volunteers.  
  • No casino experience is required. AGLC-mandated advisors will explain each role before the shift and provide support throughout the two-day event. The only requirement is valid identification 
  • Volunteers can choose their own shift and preferred task. Please see the sign-up link below to view remaining options available.  

✅Ready to join? Sign-up here.✅ 

Thank you for your support! If you have any questions, please reach out to Husayn Lalji at husaynlalji@gmail.com  

 

🖨️📚EGS teachers need our help with laminating tasks. 🖨️📚 

What: Assist teachers with laminating various materials for classrooms 

When: Thursday mornings/week 

More Details: 

  • Please call the school the day before the date you’ve signed for up to confirm if there are items to be laminated  

✅Ready to join? Sign up here. ✅ 

 

🌳🍎Apple Fundraiser orders are ready for pick-up. 🌳🍎 

What: Our annual Apple Fundraiser is now closed and your orders will be ready soon! 

When: October 20 and 21, 2026 from 3:30 to 5:30 pm 

Please drop-by the school during this time to collect them.  

 

🧬🔬Donations needed for Makerspace to be used for STEM activities. 🧬🔬 

What: Teachers are looking for arts and crafts donations to be used for STEM-focused enrichment activities across the school.  

These items are used-up each year, so it's important that we get them replaced for our students. 

Donations can be dropped-off at the Front Office or sent with your child along with a label stating “Makerspace”.  

You can sign up for one or as many items, any and all contributions are appreciated! 

  • sample of items needed are: cotton balls, pack of tissue paper, cardboard pieces, etc 

When: Materials requested by November 10, 2026 

✅Please see here, for a full list of the requested supplies.✅ 

 

🤝💭Are you looking for other ways to help or raise funds for our school? 🤝💭 

🌱♻️Skip-the-Depot can collect your empty bottles, gently used clothing donations, and even electronics at your door! Please see this link to set-up your account and select “Glenmeadows School” as the fundraising recipient.  

 

✍️🏷️Mabel’s Labels provides personalised, waterproof labels for a range of school items for our kids (e.g.: water bottles, clothes, shoes, school supplies, and more). Please select “Glenmeadows School” during checkout.  

 

👕🧢Shop for Spirit Wear online here for a range of clothing styles to show off your school spirit. Note, a portion of sales will be going back to the school.  

 

YEAR-ROUND VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES  

Do you have a valid police clearance and your annual volunteer form filled out?  Want to volunteer at different events? Here is the link to see what volunteers we need throughout the year.