Dear Centennial High School Community,

On the eve of our big Graduation Day, we want to congratulate in advance the exceptional students and families who make up the Centennial Class of 2026.  We cannot wait to recognize you tomorrow.  For those of you with students in Grades 10 and 11, please remember that tomorrow is a Non-Instruction Day – there is no school for students.  Classes resume on Tuesday, May 19.  Please read on for a number of updates and celebrations.

Optimist Club of Calgary Accolades!

  • Congratulations to Justine H (part of our graduating class), for placing 1st in the Calgary Optimist Club’s Oratorial contest
  • The public speaking topic was The Moment I Realized I Belong – My Definition of Community
  • Justine also finished in the top 2 in Alberta, and this weekend will compete for a $5000 scholarship in Saskatoon
  • Congrats Justine, and good luck Saturday!

Track & Field Congratulations!

  • For many years, Centennial unfortunately did not have a Track & Field team…but those days are no more
  • Scores of Coyote students competed yesterday, with over two dozen qualifying for City Championships on May 23
  • Thank you to our coaches for resurrecting this program a handful of years ago, and growing it ever since
  • Good luck to all our student athletes on the 23rd!

Rock-A-Thon – Wow!

  • One might think that a bunch of students missing a day of class while camping out in our lower cafeteria rocking in chairs is odd…
  • …and then you realize: these kids raised over $17,000 for the Children’s Hospital Foundation to go specifically to the Flames Rotary House
  • Thank you to our incredible student and staff organizers, Rock-A-Thon participants, and generous donors!

Coffee with Joe – Tuesday, May 19

  • For one full day each May, I sit and chat with students about anything they want, with the intent of continuing to improve our school community
  • To the credit of Centennial students, each year they take me up on this offer – hundreds of students come and see me to share their thoughts
  • Please encourage your child to pop by and visit me Tuesday when they are not in class – their feedback is important and valued
  • I will be set up upstairs, near the treadmills and Design Thinking for Innovation classroom – and I have treats!
  • Thank you to the students and staff of our Elevate club for organizing this event

Summer English Additional Language Courses Still Available

  • Many EAL students find that Summer School provides value in maintaining and enhancing their language skills
  • The two-month summer break can, for some, result in a reduction of language skills
  • Chinook Learning Services has extended the deadline for EAL Summer School programming to May 22
  • If your EAL student is interested in registering, please have them meet with their Guidance Counselor

Youth Voices on Vaping

  • Alberta Lung is part of a larger coalition of organizations committed to tobacco and vaping harm reduction
  • The Alberta government is conducting a mandatory 5-year legislative review of the Tobacco, Smoking and Vaping Reduction Act this year
  • YOUTHDECIDE2026 is an Alberta-wide student referendum on tobacco and vaping protection running until May 30
  • This referendum gives students a direct vote on what they want the government to do about vaping in their schools and communities
  • Students can access more information on how to share their voice through this link: file:///C:/Users/jisturgeon/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/8JWLQZAU/Youth%20Decide%202026%20Poster%20V3.png

Coyote Football Fundraiser

  • Our football program has partnered with the Walden Bottle Depot (19618 Walden Blvd SE)
  • Proceeds from bottles and cans recycled there will go towards Coyote football – just identify Centennial football as your cause

Class of 2026 Pancake Breakfast

  • It is tradition at Centennial that staff cook and serve breakfast to our graduating students as they arrive on their last day of classes
  • This year, the pancake and sausage breakfast will take place at 8:00am on Tuesday, June 9
  • Thank you to CHiPS (the Centennial High School Parent Society) for funding this opportunity to honour our departing students
  • Thank you also to Fluor Canada, for donating a brand-new grill to Centennial on which to cook pancakes!

Yearbook Distribution

  • Yearbook Distribution will be during Block 1, Period 2 (9:09-10:33) on Tuesday, June 9
  • There will be a limited number of yearbooks for sale ($50) at the Business Office on the day of distribution (June 9)

Graduands

  • Please, take the time to enjoy your day tomorrow – Grad is a momentous occasion and you should be proud of your accomplishments
  • AND, please take care of yourselves and your friends if you choose to celebrate this weekend - be safe

Thank you for reading, and enjoy a fantastic May long weekend.

Sincerely,
Joe Sturgeon

Principal, Centennial High School