Dear Centennial High School Community,

We hope your week is going well.  We have a significant number of important updates to share with you.  Please read below.

CUPE Local 40 Job Action

• As you are likely aware, CUPE Local 40 members have served strike notice to the Calgary Board of Education
• The union, which includes school facilities and cleaning staff, are set to withdraw services beginning Monday, February 24
• Information to families regarding the strike action will be communicated centrally by the CBE – not by individual schools
• The information below is messaging from the Calgary Board of Education regarding the pending strike action:
• • The CBE is prioritizing in-person learning – all CBE schools and buildings will remain open and classes will continue
  • However, a strike will have an impact on schools and operations
  • We are committed to ensuring schools remain a place where students, staff and families feel valued, supported and safe
  • CUPE Local 40 members are an important part of our school communities
  • We value the contributions of all employees who support student success, and we respect the bargaining process
  • We are committed to bargaining in good faith to reach a new collective agreement
• The following link will take you to extensive information and updates regarding the strike: CBE Labour Action Page
• Please take a moment to look at the information in the above link, as it contains information relevant to your child and Centennial High School

Alberta International Band Festival!

• Good luck to our Concert Band and Wind Ensemble at the Alberta International Band Festival – Monday, February 24
• Thank you for representing our school community with such incredible grace and talent!

Virtual School Council Meeting

• Our next School Council & Parent Society Meeting will take place Wednesday, February 26 at 7:00pm
• This meeting will be virtual (via Microsoft Teams), through this link:  CHS School Council & CHiPS Meeting
• I will be sharing information about our School Development Plan and School Fees at this meeting
• We hope to see you there!

Class of 2025 Valedictorian Applications

• Grad 2025 is right around the corner – May 16 will be here before we know it!
• Nominations of students interested in serving as Valedictorian for the Class of 2025 are underway
• Students can be nominated by a staff member, or can pick up a self-nomination form from the Main Office
• The final day for nominations/self-nominations is Tuesday, March 4
• There will be a mandatory meeting for all Valedictorian nominees at lunch on Thursday, March 6 – Room T115

Women’s Week!

• The Centennial Women’s Empowerment Club is excited to announce that an event-filled Women’s Week will be held March 3 – 7 in honour of International Women’s (which is on March 8)
• There will be a unique initiative each day, designed to educate, excite, and encourage members of the Centennial community to address the topic of Female Empowerment
• Planned events include:
• Monday, March 3: shedding light on the struggles women have endured throughout history, continuing in modern times
• • The aim is to discuss challenges faced worldwide; from exploitation to the fight for individual autonomy, to the suppression of women’s rights in countries like Sudan, Yemen, and Afghanistan
  • We will also showcase women who have not been rightfully recognized for their accomplishments, including (but not limited to) Rosalind Franklin and Henrietta Lacks – who revolutionized scientific understanding without being granted the simple reward of recognition
• Wednesday & Thursday, March 5 & 6: hosting a school-wide clothing swap
• • We invite you to contribute to this event by donating any clothing that would feel more loved by another household!
  • This can range from blouses, t-shirts, jeans, shoes and more
  • Though this is hosted with the intention of empowering women and their families, the donations are not limited to gender – all forms of contribution would be greatly appreciated
  • Please drop off donations outside the Main Office in the marked bins
  • We will be collecting donations from February 24 until March 4
• We are very excited to be holding Centennials first ever Women’s Week, and thank you for your participation in this step towards further enriching our community!

Centennial Club Rush – Monday, February 24!

• Students interested in getting involved in extracurricular activities should go to the gym Monday at lunch, to learn more about:
• • Chess Club
  • Christian Fellowship Club
  • Elevate (Diversity) Club
  • Journalism Club
  • Model UN
  • Principal Advisory Council
  • Rugby
  • Yearbook

Athletics Updates!

• Wrestling Cities are pending and Basketball playoffs start in early March – GO ‘YOTES!
• Spring Sports are on the horizon – students should look out for posters and TV announcements detailing meeting and tryout information if they are interested in competing in:
• • Boys Soccer
  • Field Hockey
  • Rugby
  • Track & Field

Guidance News – 2025/26 Course Selection & Registration (repeat message from last week’s Messenger)

• Guidance Counselors will be addressing Grade 10 & 11 students in a virtual assembly during Period 2 Friday, February 21; they will be providing information on course registration for the next academic year
• Students with a Period 2 spare should go to the Learning Commons for the presentation and to collect their forms
• Students will receive a program planner and course selection registration packages, which should be taken home for parent/guardian discussion and signature
• Completed registration packages must be returned to Period 2 teachers by Wednesday, February 26
• Additionally, Grade 11 students will meet individually with their Guidance Counselor during the week of March 3 – 7, while Grade 10 students will have their meetings from March 10 – 14
• • During these sessions, selected courses will be entered into PowerSchool, and students will have the opportunity to ask any questions they may have

Winter Clothing Drive! (repeat message from last week’s Messenger)

• A reminder of our Winter Clothing Drive coordinated by our Green Earth Club
• Gently used clothing items can be donated until Friday, February 28
• Donation bins are located near the Main Office
• Thank you for encouraging your child to get involved in this meaningful cause!

Journey Forward Speakers! (repeat message from last week’s Messenger)

• A reminder that our Guidance team has arranged several speakers from various professions to share their journeys with CHS students; speakers from the following professions will be at Centennial this semester to discuss their careers and share their journeys:
• • Calgary Police – March 19, 11:15am – 12:00pm
  • Chef and Academic Chair, SAIT Culinary – April 16, 11:15am – 12:00pm
  • Physiotherapist – May 21, 11:15am – 12:00pm
• Students can sign up by a QR code posted in the school, or at T Wing Guidance

Thanks so much for taking the time to read all this information.  Have a fabulous rest of the week and weekend.

Sincerely,

Joe Sturgeon

Principal, Centennial High School