Windsor Park School Updates

Mr. Grant's Retirement

Windsor Park School celebrated our dear teacher Mr. Ian Grant with a heartwarming afternoon of songs, memorable stories from students, and several special mementos. He will miss the students and all of the happiness and joy he felt every day at our school. It was a privilege to send him off with a song and lots of well-wishes - he promises to stay in touch! Special thanks to Ms. McCowan, Mrs. Sprau, and Mrs. Seddon for preparing our entire student population for the performances and making Mr. Grant's special day even more spectacular.

May4 1

May4 3

May4 4

May4 5

May4 6

Earth Day

All of our students had the opportunity to plant seeds and share ideas about gardening, farming, and taking care of Mother Earth (Na'a). We had conversations about ecology and what we could do at Windsor Park to care for our earth. Earth Day (April 22) aligns with Indigenous worldviews that emphasise reciprocity, stewardship, and the belief that all life is interconnected.

Official School Opening Celebration

All staff and students at Windsor Park are busy preparing for our opening celebration - we are the only new CBE school this year! Parents and community members are welcome to join us on Wednesday, May 13 at 1:30 PM for our dress rehearsal. On Thursday, May 14, we will have an assembly with invited guests and students at 1:00 PM. As our gym can only accommodate a certain number of people, we ask that parents attend the dress rehearsal on May 13.

Yearbook

Windsor Park School will be creating a yearbook to celebrate our first year together as we nurture a strong sense of belonging and a positive, wholesome school culture. We will continue to collect photos from field trips and assemblies until the end of June. Families will be able to order yearbooks beginning May 11, and they will be delivered in August. Our Keep Calm and Puffin On whole school inquiry project will be a highlight!

Planning for the New School Year

In May, we will begin the process of creating class lists for the upcoming school year. This is a highly intentional and collaborative process where we carefully balance individual student needs with the overall learning environment to create classes where all students can be successful. Our staff invests significant time and thought to ensure each placement supports both the learner and the entire group.

In developing class lists, we consider a wide range of factors including:

  • Attention to the learning needs of students as individuals and as a group
  • Academic, social, and emotional dynamics of all students
  • Keeping students with complementary classmates and friends
  • Overall classroom composition

As part of this process, we intentionally incorporate student voice. Each student identifies 2-3 positive peers and friends who they feel help them stay focused, learn, and be successful at school. At home, you may wish to have a conversation with your child about who they might identify as a positive peer.

Given the complexities detailed above, it is not possible for parents to request specific teachers or students for their child. We ask families to trust in this process, as significant time and care is taken to ensure the best possible learning environment for all students.

If there is information related to your child's educational needs or placement that the school may not already be aware of, you are welcome to share this by contacting Principal Christine McCrory at cnmccrory@cbe.ab.ca no later than May 15, 2026. While all input will be considered, we are not able to guarantee that specific requests can be accommodated.

Staffing Updates

Windsor Park has added an additional Educational Assistant, Sammy Ansari, for the remainder of the year, working primarily in Ms. McCowan's class. We also welcome Mrs. Anju Giri to Windsor Park, who will be covering Ms. MacFarlane's leave alongside teacher Ms. Divya Raja. Ms. Raja will also be supporting Learning Leader Mr. Vanderlinden's class in the afternoons.

Message from Windsor Park Council and Calgary Windsor Park Parent Fundraising Society

Thank you to all who attended the Fundraising Society meeting on April 8. The next meeting will be held in conjunction with the School Council meeting on May 6. Here are some highlights from our last meeting along with a few upcoming events:

  • Cheque writing campaign to support our upcoming swimming program - more details coming soon
  • Casino Application submitted - thank you to Claire for submitting our application
  • Parent Social Night - targeting May/June for a night where Windsor Park parents can get together and raise a few funds
  • Family Movie Night - targeting June for a family-friendly event with a movie, popcorn, and a small concession

If you are interested in helping out with any upcoming events or initiatives, or have one you would like to spearhead, please reach out to WindsorParkVolunteer@gmail.com.

The Fundraising Society is always looking for more volunteers. Current elected positions are held by:

  • President: Beckie Sparrow
  • Vice President: Candice Goudie
  • Treasurer: Stan Wei
  • Secretary: Kalpani Walpita
  • Casino Chair: Claire Wood

Next School Council Meeting - Wednesday, May 6 | 6:30 PM

Please join us in person at the school or online via Microsoft Teams.