School Message
Good Afternoon to our Western families,
On behalf of our entire staff, I'd like to welcome you to our Western Canada High School community, whether new to us or returning for another year. There is much start-up information in this first formal 26/27 edition of our newsletter, so I will keep my section rather brief.
Going forward, I would encourage you to look for these messages from us on Thursday afternoons or Friday mornings, highlighting important information for the week(s) ahead. While students will get some of this in other ways, such as daily school announcements or via our Instagram site, we encourage you to talk about pertinent items with them directly, as well.
Our staff contact information should now be up-to-date on our website, so please feel free to reach out to teachers/counselors/admin should there be any specific questions you may have.
Thanks, and we'll look forward to working with you over the year ahead.
Darrin Whitbread
Principal | Western Canada High School
Upcoming Dates
- Photo Catch Up Day | Friday, September 4th
- Grade 10 Locker Sign Up | Tuesday, September 8th
- Grade 11 & 12 Locker Sign Up | Wednesday, September 9th
- Terry Fox Run | Friday, September 18th
- Meet the Teacher Evening | Thursday, September 24th
- Non-Instructional Day (No School for Students) | Friday, September 25th
Student Spotlight
Congratulations to Nathan Z for achieving a bronze medal at the International Biology Olympiad this summer.
Updates
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 2,150 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!
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.
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.
MyCBE Accounts
MyCBE provides parents, students and staff seamless access to information and transactions using a modern and effective technology platform.
Parents have online access to view their children’s academic information (schedule, grades and attendance), view their children’s learning activities using Brightspace by D2L, register for transportation and noon supervision, pay fees and request fee waivers, and book school conferences. For information on how to set up your account, please see HERE.
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.
Peer tutoring program
If you wish to volunteer to be a peer tutor in the first semester or if you require a peer tutor this semester, please follow the link to fill out the request form. Peer tutors are student volunteers who would be comfortable assisting students with a class that they have already completed with at least an 80%+.
https://forms.gle/iwXC2LwwNS6NZTu4A
IB Students:
Grade 10 - you are encouraged to attend a panel discussion/information session with students who can encourage you and answer your questions about the Western IB programme. When and where? Wed, Sept. 16th at lunchtime in the main gym.
Grade 11&12 - partial IB students are no longer required to do 50 hours of online Theory of Knowledge modules. If you have already completed the modules and wish to have them evaluated for credit, please contact Ms. Rivers.
Please register for your May 2027 IB exams. The deadline is in November, but students should do it asap. Follow this link to fill out the quick request to register: https://forms.gle/UAfaUEL7YBfhojCU9
Earn three 30-Level Credits Online!
Looking to earn extra high school credits? Students can now self-register for free online safety courses to earn 3 CTS credits upon successful completion.
Available courses include:
- Workplace Safety Systems (HCS 3000)
- Workplace Safety Practices (HCS 3010)
- Agriculture Safety (AGR 3000)
To register, use your CBE email address and complete the online form here:
🔗 Register for a Safety Course
Once submitted, you will receive an email from SafeGen containing your LOGIN ID, PASSWORD, and instructions for course completion. Email the certificate of completion to Mr. Smith to have your final mark added to PowerSchool. Having trouble or have questions? Visit Mr. Smith in the Tech Centre (Room 083).
Individual Program Plans
An Individual Program Plan (IPP) is a supporting document for students who have been diagnosed with a learning, social/emotional, and/or medical need that impacts learning in an academic setting. If your child is not currently on an IPP, but has a diagnosed condition/disorder and would benefit from supports at school, please connect with IPP Coordinator Julie Dixon at jadixon@cbe.ab.ca.
If your student has come to Western Canada from the private school system or the Catholic school system, their IPP will not automatically transfer. Please reach out to Ms. Dixon (jadixon@cbe.ab.ca) and inform her that your child should be on an IPP.
WCHS Drama Exec
Any student wishing to join the WCHS Drama Exec may join at lunch in the theatre. The Drama Exec is open to all students. We plan social events in the theatre for our WCHS Arts Community, support the Drama program, and work to contribute to the greater school community through acts of beauty and culture.
NOVEMBER DIPLOMA EXAMS
If you need to write or rewrite a diploma exam this November, please email Mr. Wiebe (shwiebe@cbe.ab.ca) before Sept. 11th. He will email all interested students with more information.
Term 1 online CALM:
Term 1 online students were sent a start-up email on Wednesday, September 2nd. If you are in Term 1 online CALM, please check your edu school email for start-up instructions. You will also need to attend an orientation meeting on Sept 10 in area 4 of the library during the lunch hour. This is the only time you need to attend in person while taking Term 1 online CALM. If you cannot make this meeting, please email Ms. van Geel at mmvangeel@cbe.ab.ca for replacement orientation instructions. Parents of Term 1 online CALM students have also been sent an introductory email which includes notification of the sexual wellness content with an attached opt-in/opt-out form. Please read and fill out this form and return it to Ms. van Geel at mmvangeel@cbe.ab.ca . If your child is taking CALM outside of Western Canada, you will need to return the sexual wellness permission form elsewhere.
Join Choir!
Get involved in your school community and make new friends in Western’s award-winning choral program. With classes running in the AM block on Mondays and Thursdays, it’ll easily fit into your timetable. No experience is required, and you’ll earn extra credits! See Ms. Reinhardt in the choir room or email sjreinhardt@cbe.ab.ca for more info, or try a class on Mondays or Thursdays from 7:10 - 8:30 am in the choir room (084). You’ll be glad you did!
STUDENT SERVICES
Welcome back to the 2026–2027 school year! We hope everyone had a wonderful summer and is settling into the new school year.
📚 Course Changes
The last day to make any course changes for Semester 1 is Friday, September 4. Please make sure you connect with your counsellor before this deadline if you need to discuss a change to your schedule.
🎓 University Visits
📍 University of Calgary
September 11 | Main Foyer | Lunch
📍 University of Victoria
September 14 | Main Foyer | Lunch
📍 University of Alberta
September 15 | Main Foyer | Lunch
📍 McMaster University
September 15 | Library – Area 4 | After School
📍 King’s University College (Western University)
September 21 | Library – Area 4 | Before School
📍 Saint Mary’s University Calgary
September 24 | Main Foyer | Lunch
Students are welcome to drop in and speak with university representatives to learn more about their post-secondary options!
Rideau Park
2025-2026 Yearbooks Available @ Rideau Park School - For students who attended Rideau Park School for grade 9 last year, and who ordered yearbooks - they are available for pick up from the main office of Rideau Park School during their office hours.
Lifetouch Ordering & Customer Care
- Visit mylifetouch.ca to log in or create account
- Select "Student ID"
- Enter your school's Postal Code and Province
- Follow the prompts to view and order photos
For help: call 1-866-457-8212 or use live chat.
Images will be available online in 7-10 days
Lockers
Grade 10s can head to the library during lunch or after school on Tuesday, September 8th to sign up for a locker. Grade 11s & 12s can sign up for a locker during lunch or after school on Wednesday, September 9th. Lockers are shared at WCHS; students must come to sign up in a group of 2-3 with their student ID cards, alternate IDs, or their PowerSchool apps open on their phones.
Save on Student Study Guides & Digital Resources - Until September 25, 2026
We are excited to share a special offer for educational resources through a new partnership between EducationMatters and Castle Rock Research. You can purchase valuable study materials at a significant discount and help raise funds for EducationMatters.
This is a great opportunity to get supplementary resources to support your student’s learning this school year, especially in preparation for diplomas and final exams.
How to Order:
- Visit CBE’s unique online portal: CBE Site Sale — Castle Rock Research
- Select our school’s specific ordering page.
- Place your order and pay directly online.
All print materials will be delivered to the school and distributed to students.