School Message
Hello to our Western families,
After finishing our exams last week, it has been a busy few days as we’ve started the second semester. By the end of today, most class adjustments will have been made and students should now be settling into their new courses. We thank everybody for their understanding as some timetable changes were made.
As there is no ‘Meet the Teacher’ opportunity provided this semester, you are encouraged to check PowerSchool and make note of your child’s new teachers. If there is an emergent issue, please find their name under the ‘our staff’ section of the school website and send an email outlining your concern. Teachers will respond as soon as they are able. If necessary, you can also contact your child’s guidance counselor and/or assistant principal in the same manner.
A quick reminder that this Friday, Jan 31st is a non-instructional day across the CBE. We look forward to welcoming everybody back again on Monday.
Thank you,
Darrin Whitbread | Principal, Western Canada High School
Upcoming Dates
- Non-Instructional Day (No School)
- Friday, January 31st
- Teachers’ Convention (No School)
- Thursday, February 13th and Friday, February 14th
- Family Day (No School)
- Monday, February 17th
Updates
University Interview Workshop Repeat
Tuesday, Feb. 4th lunchtime in room 179 – Dr. Kaplan is back to repeat his lunchtime session on university interviews. This semester there should be plenty of space for any interested Grade 11 students who may be planning on applying to schools in the U.S. or for special programs in Canada which may require an interview.
Peer Tutor or Tutee requests
students who want to sign up for the Peer Tutor program for semester 2 can find the QR code around the school or follow this link.
British Biology Olympiad
Tuesday, Feb. 11th 3:45 pm – 5:15 pm - open to Grade 10 – 12 students looking for Biology enrichment. This competition costs $3 and consists of two 45-minute exams written on the computer. Anyone interested should sign up by Feb. 10 to wchsbioclub@gmail.com. A non-graphing calculator is recommended.
Attention Grads!
The Graduation 2025 newsletters for the Graduation Ceremony AND the Banquet & Dance are now posted on the school website at https://westerncanada.cbe.ab.ca/graduation. Some minor updates are still pending as information comes in from service providers. An update will be posted online.
There is a venue change this year for the ceremony, so please make sure you read the newsletters carefully.
Questions about the Ceremony can be directed to Ms. Scharfenberger. Direct questions about the Banquet and Dance to Mr. Smith.
Student Associations
A reminder that student associations begin next week again. The first meeting time is Tuesday, February 4th from 3:40 to 5:00. After this we will follow the regular Tuesday/Wednesday rotation until the end of the semester.
Yearbook
If you haven’t purchased your 2025 Yearbook, you can do so here (link). They are currently $57. Cover personalization is still available as well (for an extra $7), but only for a limited time.
Link: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1114704/Western-Canada-High-School/
Drama
Congratulations to all the students who auditioned for our spring drama production, Peter Fechter: 59 Minutes, and to the students who were cast. We look forward to welcoming audiences to see our show April 23rd – April 25th at 7pm in the theatre.
Food for Thought
In the cafeteria during lunch, February 6th. This edition is called “Cupcake Concerns”. Give feedback to a member of the Students’ Council or another club and receive a Valentine’s cupcake!
Individual Program Plans (IPPs) for Semester 2
Families of students with IPPs can expect a School Messenger Message by Friday with next steps in creating a Semester 2 IPP. Semester 1 IPPs were mailed to families, so please look for this in the coming weeks if you have not already received it.
April Diplomas
Any student wishing to rewrite a diploma - or who has deferred a previous diploma - has an opportunity to write in any diploma writing session. We have two such sessions remaining at Western this school year: April and June. If students wish to rewrite a diploma or write one that they have deferred in April, the deadline for students to register is February 17th. Ideally, they should let Mr. Wiebe know their intent by email before February 3rd - this allows Mr. Wiebe time to meet with the students and guide them through the registration process and any pertinent information before the 17th. Please contact Mr. Wiebe by email if you need more information.
Post Secondary Visits
- University of New Brunswick – February 4th at lunch in the foyer
- Centre for Arts and Technology – February 11th at lunch in the foyer
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy – February 18th at lunch in the foyer
- St. Francis Xavier University – February 19th at lunch in the foyer
- Acadia University – February 24th at lunch in the foyer
Feeling Hungry?
