Dear Centennial High School Community,

Well, here we are on the eve of another fantastic school year!  Back to school brings with it much excitement, as well as varying degrees of trepidation and angst for students (and their families).  On behalf of all staff at Centennial, I want to let you know that we are eager for tomorrow to arrive, and I want to assure you that we will do our very best to care for, support, inspire and educate your children. 

Our student population has grown dramatically in recent months and years, as the population explosion in south Calgary continues.  Just two years ago, in June 2022, we had 1290 students.  Two months ago we had 1570 students.  Today we hover around 1840 students.  We are big, but we are prepared.  With larger numbers we can offer more opportunities for students than ever.  We have hired a host of terrific new teaching and support staff, and we have a wide array of resources to support all students’ learning, social-emotional, and mental health needs. 

For students new to Centennial (Grade 10 students as well as those who have moved to our communities from other cities, provinces, and nations): WELCOME!  Please know that you are now a Coyote and you are never alone at Centennial – there will be countless opportunities to get involved in clubs and activities, and to meet new friends.

For students returning to Centennial, welcome back!  We look forward to another great year with you, and we know you will welcome our new students with kindness.  Thank you in advance for that.

To our parent/guardian community as well as our students, please read on for several important updates.

Schedule for Thursday, August 29

• A reminder that Grade 10 students meet in the Gym tomorrow (Thursday) at 8:40am for welcomes and orientation activities, followed by a lunch provided for all Grade 10s
• A HUGE thank you to our dozens of Link Crew student leaders, as well as Mr. Dickson, Ms. Kalala, Mr. Ostrander and Mr. Watson, who have spent countless hours this week preparing to welcome our incoming Grade 10s in a good way
• ALL students (Grades 10 through 12) will begin a mini class timetable at 1:00pm, attending each class for 35 minutes to meet their teachers and get started on a new school year
• • The order of classes for tomorrow afternoon is Period 1, 2, 3, then 4, with dismissal at 3:35pm

Fridays

• We begin regularly scheduled classes this Friday, August 30
• Please note (IMPORTANT): the first class on Fridays begins at 8:40am, with dismissal at 1:15pm
• • Mondays through Thursdays, tutorials begin our day at 8:40am, with the first class beginning at 9:15am and dismissal at 3:35pm
  • Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of tutorial time, during which they can access any of their teachers for additional support
  • It is essential that students understand that Fridays are different, and that they arrive on time for class each Friday

Lifetouch Student Photos

• We had an outstanding turnout of students getting their CHS yearbook/student ID card pictures Monday through Wednesday this week
• If any student missed getting their picture taken, they MUST do so on Friday, September 6 in the Lower Cafeteria
• It is mandatory for all students to carry their Centennial student ID card with them at all times while on Centennial property

Locker Distribution

• All Grades 10 and 11 students, as well as students in our Music and Cosmetology programs, have already been assigned an individual locker
• • The locker number, location, and lock combination were emailed to each student’s CBE email address, as well as to their personal email address if we have that on file
• All Grade 12 students were sent an email to their CBE email address (and personal email address if we have it on file) with an opportunity to apply for a locker as well; we will assign those lockers as soon as possible
• • Typically fewer than half of our Grade 12 students opt to use a locker, which is why we have allocated lockers the way we have, but we will have enough lockers for every Grade 12 student who wants one
• Students who did not receive an email regarding lockers can come to the Main Office for assistance – we have several new students who were registered this week, for example, who would not have received an email

Parking Passes

• Students can submit their parking pass application to the Main Office or Business Office
• The application form was included in the Student Information Package emailed to families earlier this month; alternatively students who need an application can pick one up in the Main Office
• We are in the process of finalizing our fee setup so that parents/guardians can pay for student parking passes soon
• Students are permitted to park in our student parking lot without a pass for the next couple of weeks, but parking passes will be required (and enforced) as we enter October

Personal Mobile Device and Social Media Restrictions in Grades 10-12

Please note that the communication below in italics is messaging from the Calgary Board of Education that is being personalized and shared by all CBE schools today.  Centennial High School will comply with new legislation.  At their discretion, staff may permit students to access PMDs (Personal Mobile Devices) from time to time for the explicit purpose of learning.  Students may still carry cell phones and other PMDs with them, but they must be put and kept away (in their backpacks, lockers, etc.) during class time.  I will share this information directly with students at opening assemblies this Friday, as well.

As you may have already heard, the Calgary Board of Education is implementing a standardized Personal Mobile Device & Social Media Use in Schools Policy effective August 29, 2024.  This policy will comply with the Ministerial Order provided by the Government of Alberta this past June.  The Order was informed by significant survey feedback provided by families, which overwhelmingly supported introducing restrictions on personal mobile devices in classrooms.  The CBE cares about the mental health and well-being of students. Restricting access to personal mobile devices and social media is expected to improve student achievement and learning outcomes, while supporting student mental health.

Personal mobile devices brought to school include cell phones, tablets, gaming devices, laptops, smart watches, Bluetooth speakers/headphones or any personal electronic device that can be used to communicate with or access the internet.  These must be powered off or set to silent mode and stored out of sight in student lockers, backpacks or other designated areas during instructional time.  Personal mobile device use may be permitted during breaks between classes, lunch times and when directed by the teacher for specific educational activities.

If a student is found to be using a personal mobile device in class without permission from the teacher, Centennial staff will work with the student to ensure the rules are understood.  We rely on good communication and other existing processes to ensure students know what is expected.  When necessary, schools will use a progressive student discipline approach in working with students.

Also, aligned with the Ministerial Order, students are not permitted to access social media on the CBE network.

These new rules will apply to all students, with exceptions for students using devices for health and medical needs, to support specialized learning needs, and for educational purposes.

Students who require access to a personal mobile device for health and medical needs will need to have their parent/guardian complete a Student Health Plan as soon as possible, submitting it to our Main Office.  For students who require access to a personal mobile device to support an identified educational need, families should contact the school to discuss this being included as an accommodation or support in the student’s Individual Program Plan (IPP).

For English as an Additional Language learners who require access to a personal mobile device, a new PMD Exception EAL form is pending, to be considered and approved by School Administration in conversation with parents/guardians.  

This system-wide policy is in place effective immediately, and will be reviewed at the system level in December, 2024.  Feedback from schools will be considered before the Administrative Regulation is finalized as of January 1, 2025.

Thank you for helping us to make this transition successful. For further resources, please view additional information on our website: https://centennial.cbe.ab.ca/news/personal-mobile-devices-and-social-media-use-in-schools-20240827194448.

Thank You

Thank you for taking the time to read this lengthy message, and thank you also for entrusting us with your children.  Go Yotes!

Sincerely,

Joe Sturgeon

Principal, Centennial High School