Dear Centennial High School Community,

Happy May!?  We definitely live in Canada, as our weather is reminding us this week.  Please read below for some updates about all things Centennial.

Graduation Updates

• Students and families of our Class of 2024 – an important School Messenger to Grade 12 families only will be sent tomorrow, with a number of Grad-related updates
• It’s incredible to think that our Graduation Ceremony & Banquet are just over two weeks away!

2nd Annual Coffee with Joe!

• Tomorrow (Thursday, May 2) is the 2nd Annual Coffee with Joe event
• I will be set up all day at a table between the treadmills and the Pre-Engineering classroom upstairs, welcoming students to sit down and chat with me about anything important to them
• I will admit I was a bit skeptical about student uptake for this event last year (I thought I would spend most of the day at the table by my lonesome, catching up on emails and other work)
• However, dozens of students met with me individually and in small groups to share their thoughts on the high school experience and Centennial specifically, and how to make our school better for everyone – there was not a moment all day that I was not in conversation with students; it was a tremendous success
• The theme this year is how to enhance the feelings of belonging and connectedness at Centennial, though students are welcome to share anything they wish with me
• Thank you to our Chief Superintendent Student Advisory Council representatives, Student Wellness Action Team, and Ms. Kalala, for organizing this event
• Please encourage your child to pop by and share their thoughts with Principal Joe tomorrow (there will be treats!)

Alberta Student Leadership Conference (ASLC)

• With the dust barely settling after Friday’s fantastic Rock-A-Thon fundraiser (well over $10,000 was raised for the Alberta Children’s Hospital), 15 of our Leadership students joined Mr. B. Dickson and Ms. Kalala at the 33rd ASLC on Monday and Tuesday
• This was the very first ASLC since the COVID-19 pandemic, held at Bert Church High School in Airdrie
• Our Coyotes were fantastic representatives of the greater school community, and returned today inspired and refreshed
• Thank you to our Leadership students and teachers for your tireless dedication and commitment to making the world a better place

Hundreds of Trees Coming to Centennial!

• In partnership with Fluor Canada, Tree Canada, and the Calgary Board of Education, our Green Earth Club will have shovels in the ground on Friday, May 31!
• Initially the planting day was to be this Friday…but look outside and you can see how that might have been a bit messy
• Over 200 trees, plants and shrubs will be planted on the property immediately west of P Wing (the westernmost wing of the school)
• The green thumbs providing the labour will consist of Centennial students and staff, joined by Fluor Canada staff volunteers and representatives from Tree Canada
• Thank you to the student members of the Green Earth Club, led by Mr. Ostrander and Ms. Chafekar, as well as Ms. Kasumovich, Mr. Pierpoint, and the Centennial Facilities staff for leading this great initiative
• Many thanks as well to our corporate partners Fluor Canada and also to Tree Canada, for funding and guiding this project

Badminton Provincials Upcoming!

• Congratulations to all of our Coyote Badminton athletes and coaches on an outstanding season
• Good luck to Nevan G., who has qualified for Provincials this weekend after winning the City Championship!

Hats On for Mental Health Awareness

• Wednesday, May 8 is “Hats On for Mental Health Awareness” day
• Students & staff are encouraged to wear their favourite hat in support of mental health awareness and initiatives
• A reminder that all Centennial students are enrolled in a “course” in D2L called “Wellness”, where they can find many supports and resources related to mental health (and many other things including scholarships, post-secondary information, and much more)

Thank you for taking the time to read these updates, and for your ongoing support of our school community.  Centennial is a bustling school community, and it is a great place to work and learn.  We value and appreciate our students and their families very much, and as always we welcome your feedback.

Sincerely, 

Joe Sturgeon - Principal