School Message
Hello to our Western families,
As we return from break, we are grateful to have our facilities staff back in our building, with everything much shinier/cleaner, along with the ability to return to normal programming hours. There is truth to the cliché that ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’, as we definitely have some extra appreciation for them upon their return.
After the snowy starts to the last couple of days, we are definitely looking forward to some decent weather – for any number of reasons, but also because we want to get our spring sports teams up and running. We are also looking forward to the variety of other activities that are coming over the next several weeks as we head into the last cycle of the school year.
We’ve seen a bit of a trend over the past while, with students taking a bit longer getting to their classes, and especially after lunch. As we did a couple of months into the fall semester, we’ll be doing a bit of a blitz over the next couple of weeks to help encourage students to be more aware of their ‘sense of timing’. A nudge from home about this might also help with the overall response. Thank you, on behalf of our teachers.
Thank you,
Darrin Whitbread
Upcoming Dates
- Last Day of Term 3
- April 9th
- Good Friday (No School)
- April 18th
Updates
Upcoming Drama Production Tickets
Tickets for the spring drama production Peter Fechter:59 Minutes by Canadian playwright Jordan Tannahill will be on sale soon. Tickets are 5$ and will be available for purchase in the theatre foyer. Show runs April 23, 24, 25 2025, at 7pm, in the theatre at WCHS.
Indigenous Students Association
We are excited to introduce the Indigenous Students Association at Western. The association is a student-led group that provides a supportive and inclusive space for Indigenous students and allies, while also promoting awareness and understanding of Indigenous cultures, traditions, and perspectives within the school community. We meet every Thursday at lunch in room 310
Yearbook
Don’t forget to purchase a copy of the 2024-2025 Yearbook! Limited copies available. Final date to purchase is April 28th, so purchase your copy today to avoid disappointment!
ABC Challenge Week April 28-May 2.
ABC means Anything But a Car! Prepare yourself mentally and physically to propel yourself to Western on your own power! Accepting bike and scooter donations to help more of our community get on board. The goal is battle School vs School in a petroleum-free commuting showdown.
Culture Day
Culture Day is just around the corner, taking place on Wednesday, April 9th, and we’re excited to celebrate the rich diversity of our school community! At Western Canada High School, our students come from various backgrounds, histories, and traditions, and this special event is an opportunity to honor and showcase that diversity.
As part of the celebration, we’ll be hosting a potluck, where students will have the chance to share and enjoy foods from different cultures. We would love your support in making this event truly special by contributing a dish! If you’re able to prepare or provide food, please have your child sign up by April 7th using the link below.
Sign-Up Link: Students Council Link Tree
We appreciate any contributions and would love your help in making this event a success! Your generosity will help create a memorable experience for students as they come together to learn, share, and celebrate their cultures.
Thank you for your support!
June Diploma Rewrites
Students wishing to rewrite a diploma in June need to make an appointment with Mr. Wiebe to do so before April 9th. They need to bring their cellphone with their MyPass on it, and a debit/credit card to pay the Alberta Education fee of $26.25 per rewrite. Students can make the appointment by emailing Mr. Wiebe at shwiebe@cbe.ab.ca. Students taking any diploma course online through a provider OTHER than CBe-Learn will not be able to write the June diploma at Western. They need to contact their online education provider for the writing location.
Student Associations – Associations resume their normal 3:40 – 5:00 timing. Remember the next few meeting times are on April 9, April 15, April 23 and April 29 this month!
Deadline for Dual-Credit & Exploratory Programs
Are you interested in Dual Credit or Exploratory programs this summer or next fall? Check out the various course options available – applications are due 10 April!
Dual Credit programs include:
- Esport Management & Media
- IC Interactive Design
- Building Trades (Exploratory Program – not dual credit)
- Early Childhood Education
- Medical Office Assistant
- Pharmacy Assistant
- Veterinary Technical Assistant
- Pre-employment Heavy Equipment Technician
Book an appointment with Mr. Smith at the Tech Centre (R083) to drop off your application BY APRIL 10. Email questions to bgsmith@cbe.ab.ca.
Graduation Banquet and Dance
This is an important announcement regarding the Graduation 2025 Banquet & Dance taking place on Thursday, 22 May 2025
- Sales run April 14 – 21. Tickets are $125 including GST. no tickets will be sold after 21 April.
- If you are planning to attend, you will need to purchase tickets.
- Students on grad list and with no outstanding school fees are eligible to buy tickets – check MyCBE
- Tickets are sold online via MyCBE website.
For Grads requesting additional tickets, the purchase of those tickets will be done separately. Instructions to follow. If you require additional tickets, please complete the following form before 10 April.
Grad information is updated on school website: https://westerncanada.cbe.ab.ca/graduation
Online Safety Courses
Students considering enrolling in Work Experience or RAP for the summer or fall should complete HCS3000 online prior to June. See Mr. Smith in the Tech Centre (R83) for instructions – or view PDF instructions found on school website.
There are 4 30-level credits available through online learning.
Volunteer Middle School Tutors and Mentors Requested
Mount Royal School has reached out to see if any students are interested in working with some of their students. Some incoming Grade 10 IB students are also looking to connect with current IB students to answer questions and give advice. Please email serivers@cbe.ab.ca with interest in either opportunity.
Student Services Update
Registration for Next Year – Grade 10 & 11 Students
We have extended the deadline to put in your course requests for next year. The system is again open in PowerSchool and can be accessed until April 15.