School Message
Hello to our Western families,
I would like to take most of 'my' section of the newsletter to acknowledge the tremendous response to our online Celebrate Western fundraising initiative. While numbers are still unofficial, it seems that families, friends, alumni, and other interested stakeholders helped raise more than $50,000 to support our school and enrich the experiences for our current and future students, with an emphasis on our Fine Arts, Athletics, and Clubs programming. As I've said a few times this year already, we are extremely grateful to our community for the varied support that is continually offered.
On behalf of the Friends of Western, I would like to especially thank Adrienne Jorgensen, Kristie Smith, Bob Jones, and Kirby Podavin for the many hours put into finding and collecting auction items, setting up the website and populating the content, fielding emails, and arranging for the distribution of items (here at the school tomorrow). Condensing their efforts into a few sentences truly
'undersells' the amount of work involved, but we wanted to point them out publicly before thanking them more personally.
Finally, a reminder that registration for the 2026/27 school year is currently taking place. Any potential IB transfers, for CBE and non-CBE students, have to be submitted by March 15th. While we know these messages go to our current families, if you have family friends who are still trying to navigate this process, then please have them reach out to the office if they require assistance.
Thanks,
Darrin Whitbread
Principal | Western Canada High School
Upcoming Dates
- Friday, February 27th: Non-Instructional Day
- No school for students
Student Spotlight
Congratulations to the singers of the choral program on their stand-out performance at CBE Sings last Friday. Check out their performance of the South-African song Tshotsholoza alongside 10 other CBE choirs, comprising over 400 singers, here!
Updates
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.
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.
Grad Gown Survey
There are many students in grade 12 who have not yet completed the grad gown survey. To avoid being allocated a gown that is too large or too small, please confirm your graduating grade 12 student has completed the survey on the graduation page of the school’s website: WCHS Graduation Information 2026. Your student will need to be logged into their Google account in their browser to access the form.
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.
Grad Fees – Now Due
Grad fees this year are $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 we ask ALL outstanding fees, from current and previous years, be paid in full prior to the end of the year. 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.
DISCOVER YOUR FUTURE
CBE Unique Pathways Information Night 2026
March 11, 2026
5:00 – 7:00 pm
Lord Shaughnessy – Career & Technology Centre
Application Opens: March 9
Application Ends: April 11
Explore exciting high‑school opportunities that connect you to post‑secondary learning, industry partners, and hands‑on career experiences—all while earning high‑school credits your way. For full program details & requirements, see https://tinyurl.com/387u6sv7
PROGRAM AREAS INCLUDE
- Academic & Career Pathways
- (NEW) Introduction to Indigenous Studies
- Business Management
- Calculus
- Computer Science
- ICT Software & Web Development
- Solving Tech Problems
- Healthcare Career Essentials
- Psychology
- Kinesiology
- Medical Terminology
- Introduction to Sports Management
- Applied Ecology
- Green Certificate
- Veterinary & Medical Pathways
- Introduction to the Veterinary Profession
- Veterinary Technical Assistant Certificate (In-person)
- Veterinary Technical Assistant Certificate (Blended online)
- Pharmacy Assistant Certificate
- Trades & Technical Pathways
- (NEW) Civil Engineering Technology
- Boilermaker
- Building Trades
- Carpentry
- Electrical Trades
- Finishing Trades
- Ironworkers
- Pipe Trades
- Sheet Metal Trades
- ICT Interactive Design
- Culinary & Hairstyling
- Culinary Trades (SAIT)
- Hairstylist
READY TO APPLY?
See Mr. Smith in the Tech Centre for help with your application.
Book online: https://calendar.app.google/z9dFzp2LH4ZhqCVo9
Semester 2 Peer Tutor and Tutee Sign-up
https://forms.gle/iqM8huu2C29zBVQ18
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.
Field Hockey Tryouts & Forms
Field hockey tryouts start next week! Athletes cannot walk on the field without having their forms completed and returned to Ms. Savoie (Room 330) or Mrs. Reierson (Room 356). If you still need forms, please see one of the coaches for the package. Mouthguards are also mandatory! Tryouts are all at the Calgary Soccer Centre at the following times:
- Senior Girls
- Monday, March 9 – 4:30 - 5:45 (annex alpha)
- Tuesday, March 10 – 4:30 - 5:45 (annex delta)
- Friday, March 13 – 2:00 - 3:30 (main building)
- Junior Girls
- Wednesday, March 11– 4:30-5:45 (annex alpha)
- Thursday, March 12 – 4:15 - 5:30 (annex delta)
- Friday, March 13 – 2:00 - 3:30 (main building)
IPPs
The purpose of an IPP is to outline specific learning goals, accommodations, and/or supports that help a student access the curriculum and demonstrate their learning. IPPs are most effective when they are collaborative, student-centered, and focused on targeted growth. If your child is accessing accommodations, the selection of a learning target is an important part of the IPP process. Without this selection, teachers have nothing to comment on. If you have not done so already, please select a learning target for Semester 2 by filling out the IPP Feedback Form
Student Services
Course Selection for Next Year Grade 11 and 12 Students:
The deadline to complete Course Selection for the 2026/2027 school year has now passed. If your child has not input their course requests into PowerSchool for the next school year, they need to visit their guidance counselor in Student Services as soon as possible.
2026 Graduation List
The 2026 Graduation List will be posted outside the Guidance Office on Friday, March 6.
If students are expecting to see their student number on the list and do not, they are asked to please contact their guidance counselor as soon as possible.
University Visits at Western:
Waterloo University will be here at Western on Monday, March 9th, at Lunch in the main foyer.
WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) Bootcamp
U of C – March 14th. If you are interested in signing up for the event, use the QR code in the poster.
Sr Boys Soccer:
Tryouts begin Wednesday, March 11, at the Calgary Soccer Centre at 4 pm. Students must hand in their forms to Mr. Hunchak or Mr. Muirhead in Room 106 or at the main office prior to tryouts. Please see either of the coaches or go to the main office if you need the forms.
Teacher Conferences
Teacher conferences will occur in-person from 5:30-9:00 PM on Thursday, March 19th, and online from 9:00 AM -12:00 PM on Friday, March 20th. Any parents/guardians interested in meeting with their student’s teachers during these times are required to pre-book meetings through PowerSchool. School Conference Manager will open to parents/guardians on Friday, March 13th at 9 AM and will close on Wednesday, March 18th at 3 PM. More detailed information regarding how to sign up for conferences will be sent via School Messenger next week.