School Message
Hello to our Western families,
As we're about to enter into the last week of this first semester, another reminder to check PowerSchool to see how things are looking for your child. If you have any concerns, please reach out to the applicable teacher directly. This will need to happen before Tuesday, though, as PowerSchool will be temporarily restricted as of then to allow teachers to begin entering marks and comments to close out the semester.
While there are no diploma (or other final) exams to finish this semester, we have been made aware that diploma sittings will resume for April. Those exams will be considered "non-jeopardy". allowing students the possibility to improve upon their school-awarded mark for this first semester only. If a student does better, the overall mark will go up. If a student does worse, the class mark stands (though the diploma mark will still be visible on official transcripts). Interested first-semester students will have to sign up for this opportunity, with more information on how to do so coming from Mr. Wiebe either the last week of January or the first week of February. Please continue to check these weekly messages for that update, as well as the daily messaging that occurs within the school.
Our second-semester timetable continues to require some tweaking due to enrollment demands, shifts with our staff, and class balancing. While most changes have already been completed, there will be some additional adjustments to come over the next couple of weeks. While we understand that students are curious about semester two, who they'll have as teachers, and when those courses land in their day, we also ask for some ongoing patience as we complete the final necessary changes.
Finally, if you haven't already done so, please take a moment to look at the Celebrate Western auction message that came out earlier this afternoon.
Thanks,
Darrin Whitbread
Principal | Western Canada High School
Upcoming Dates
- Friday, January 23rd: Last Day of S1 Classes
- Monday, January 26th & Tuesday, January 27th : Credit Recovery Days
- No regular classes for students - teachers to connect with students/families requiring credit recovery
- Friday, January 30: Non-Instructional Day
- No school for students
- Thursday, February 12th and Friday, February 13th: Teachers Convention
- No school for students
Updates
IPP Families
Individual Program Plans (IPPs) will be available for students to take home this Friday. IPPs will be given to classroom teachers for handout.
Once the IPP has been reviewed with you and your student, students should consider their Semester 2 timetable and pick a new learning target. Please use this IPP Feedback Form to inform Ms. Dixon of any accommodations changes that may be needed, and select a new learning target.
IPP Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/ck6XVpWrYzdcZCH57
Please only fill out the form once.
*Currently, the IPP program is not allowing IPPs to be printed. This issue is working to be resolved, but IPPs may be delayed as a result.
Semester 2 Peer Tutor and Tutee Sign-up
Thank you to the over 150 students who were involved in the peer tutoring program in the first semester! If you are looking to become a tutor or continue being a tutor – please fill out the Google Form link. If you anticipate needing help in any of your second semester courses, please fill out the same Google Form link. We will email the tutor & tutee as soon as we have established a compatible connection, but any questions can be directed to serivers@cbe.ab.ca. https://forms.gle/iqM8huu2C29zBVQ18
City of Calgary - Summer Student Jobs
Whether you’re into tech, trades, animals, or urban planning—there’s a place for you at The City of Calgary. Students aged 15-24 can learn about upcoming 2026 Summer Student jobs and additional seasonal positions by attending the January 30th information session.
2026 Summer Student & Seasonal Positions
Virtual Information Session
Hosted by the Youth Employment Centre:
Friday, January 30, 2026
3–4 p.m.
Register to attend - https://tinyurl.com/5be63afp
First Semestser DIploma Update
Even though January diplomas have been cancelled, students who have taken a course in the first semester can still CHOOSE to write the diploma in either April or June. These diplomas are non-jeopardy, so if the diploma mark is lower than the school-awarded mark, the school-awarded mark will be the final grade. If the diploma mark is higher, the final grade will be adjusted with the diploma worth 30% of the final grade. Either way, if students choose to write the diploma, the diploma mark WILL show on the transcript, even if it is lower and doesn’t affect their final mark. If students are interested in this, they need to sign up in the main office with a DEADLINE of Friday, January 30th. If students need more information, they can connect with Mr. Wiebe at Shwiebe@cbe.ab.ca
Thank you to the Western Community
Extended Absences
It is the school’s responsibility to ensure parent(s)/legal guardian(s) understand the impact that extended absences may have on their child’s education. When parents/guardians wish to remove their student from school for an extended period of time (longer than 3 days) for reasons other than illness or bereavement, we ask that an Extended Absence form, available in the main office, be completed and submitted.
MyCBE Accounts
Parents, legal guardians, and independent students will need to create a MyCBE account to complete required forms, pay fees etc. To create an account, please see the MyCBE Support page HERE. If you are experiencing difficulties in creating your account, please see Ms. Hanley in the main office.
Attendance
To report your child’s absence, please call 403-228-5363, option 1 or email westerncanada@cbe.ab.ca. When providing an update, please include: The student’s full name (spell the last name slowly and clearly if leaving a voicemail). The reason for the absence. The timeframe of the absence. Please note: Attendance updates may take longer during transit delays, winter weather, or other events affecting attendance, as the school manages records for approximately 2,250 students. Updates may take up to one school day. To avoid delays, please do not leave multiple messages unless correcting a previous one. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
Subscribe to Stay Informed
Due to Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL), you need to subscribe online if you want to receive email or text messages on “commercial” school topics such as the Weekly Update or IPP communication.
Graduation Ceremony – Fee Now Due
The fee for the graduation ceremony this year is $85, including GST. This fee has been added to your graduating student’s account and is now payable via your MyCBE account, or in person at the Business Office.
A reminder that ALL outstanding fees, from current and previous years, must be paid in full, for students to be able to attend the graduation ceremony and banquet. If you are experiencing financial difficulties, please see below how to apply for a central fee waiver. This waiver must be completed for a student to be considered for a school-based waiver of fees.
Centralized Fee Waiver
No child is ever denied access to an education in the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) because of an inability to pay. If you can't afford the fees, there are several ways to qualify for a central fee waiver.
Waiver applications for the current school year are found online through your MyCBE account and are available from the start of the school year until June 30. Please check out more information here.
Lifetouch – Fall Photo Ordering
Thank you for allowing us to capture your child’s school photo this year!
It's not too late to order your fall photos at mylifetouch.ca using your child’s Student ID number (found in your student’s online profile, e.g. PowerSchool)
How to Order Online
Go to mylifetouch.ca
Log in to your account or continue as a guest
Select “Student ID”
Enter your school’s name, province, and postal code
Click the blue “Continue” button
Enter your child’s: Full name, Student ID number, Your relationship to the student
Click “Find Student”
When the photo appears, click “Yes, this is my student”
Choose from available photo package options
Complete your order online
Need Help?
Lifetouch Customer Care Line: 1-866-457-8212
Quick, easy, and secure ordering – your child’s school memories, delivered to you!
Grade 12 Grad Photo Bookings – Lifetouch Studio
Student Services
January Scholarship Updates:
The Schulich Leader Scholarship. A Schulich Leader is a student who has been selected by one of 20 partner universities to receive $120,000 or $100,000 to pursue an undergraduate degree in STEM. In addition to this large financial award, they join an elite network and benefit from student enrichment opportunities throughout the year. Schulich Leaders are entrepreneurial-minded and exemplify academic excellence AND leadership, creativity and charisma, with strong consideration for financial need. Our Schulich Leaders are pursuing careers in technology, engineering, entrepreneurship and business enterprise, and applied scientific research. For information: Schulich Leaders website
For nomination, please send the following to Mme Plante (maplante@cbe.ab.ca) by January 20th, 2026
- An essay on how you are entrepreneurial-minded, demonstrate leadership and creativity and meet the requirements for the Schulich Leader Scholarship
- A copy of your résumé
The National Scholarship Program – Western University Candidates
- National Scholarships are designed to recognize all-around excellence. They are awarded on the basis of outstanding academic performance to candidates who demonstrate the ability for creative and innovative thought and a passion for the pursuit of learning. National Scholarships also recognize exceptional achievement in extracurricular activities such as the arts and athletics. A special emphasis is placed on a candidate's commitment to community service through ongoing contributions to school and community life.
- National Scholarship Program Information
- If you want to be one of 4 Western Canada High School nominees, please have a one-page essay describing your ability for creative and innovative thought and your passion for the pursuit of learning, and a copy of your résumé by Feb. 2nd, 2026, to Mme Plante (maplante@cbe.ab.ca)
Career and Post-Secondary Planning
Students who are unsure about their future plans may benefit from exploring the following Career and Education planning tools.