Good morning parents/guardians,
Welcome to the 2024 – 2025 school year at MSS! The official start of school is still a couple weeks away, but we are getting the building and learning spaces ready for the return of students and staff. Today’s email will be providing some basic information for student’s return to school. Up-to-date information can be found on our website:
· Marshall Springs: CLICK HERE
· Back to School Information: CLICK HERE
· CBE 2024 – 2025 Instructional Calendar: CLICK HERE
MSS School Swag/Clothing Online Store
Our online school apparel store opens Monday, August 19th! There is a large variety of clothing options for students and adults with our new name and logo. The store will close on Sunday, September 15 at midnight. Orders will be shipped directly to the school and delivered to students approx. 3-4 weeks after the store closes on September 15th.
The online store will open again in February and May 2025.
MSS Online Clothing Store: CLICK HERE
Week of August 26 – 28, 2024
The main office will be open from 9:00am – 1:00pm August 26-28. These days are Non-Instructional Days – staff will be in the building but there are no classes for students. If you are new and/or returning to the CBE, you will need to register your child/children online.
· NEW and/or returning students to the CBE registration: CLICK HERE
o Students must register at their designated school based off their residential address. MSS will not be registering students that are not designated to our school based on residential address.
o Find your School: CLICK HERE
At this time, Marshall Springs is also not accepting transfer requests from other schools/areas in the CBE. If you have any questions, please call the school during office hours at 403-817-3528 or email marshallsprings@cbe.ab.ca
August 29 – 30, 2024
Thursday, August 29 is the first day of school for all MSS classes. Doors to the school will open at 8:20am and students will proceed to the following areas to start the day at 8:30am. Regular office hours resume (Monday – Thursday 8:00am – 3:30pm, Friday 8:00am – 1:00pm).
· Gr. 6 students:
o Will enter through the athletics doors on the East side of the building near the staff parking lot and proceed to the main gym. (Map attached).
o Staff will be inside and outside to support students and families.
o Parents/guardians will not have access to the building. Goodbyes and best wishes will be made outside before entering.
o School administration will welcome students and introduce teachers before students head up to their homeroom class.
· Gr. 7/8/9 students:
o Will enter through any entrance OTHER than the athletic doors.
o Staff will be inside and outside to support students.
o Homeroom lists will be posted in the main foyer and throughout the building.
§ Students who are not able to find their name on a homeroom list are asked to come to the main office.
o Students are to be in their designated homeroom class by 8:30am.
· Bell Schedule: 8:30am – 3:20pm
· There will be NO cafeteria service on this day. The cafeteria will open Tuesday, September 3.
Friday, August 30 is a regular Friday for all MSS students. Friday’s at MSS are early dismissal (8:30am – 11:40pm). There will be NO cafeteria services on Fridays throughout the school year.
Student Homerooms and Schedules
All MSS students will find out their homerooms, teachers, classes, and classmates on Thursday, August 29. In the spring of 2024, MSS teachers, along with our feeder schools, worked diligently to create homeroom class lists that we feel give students the best opportunities to be successful.
As a result of this work that is focused on student success and well-being, we are not accepting requests for homeroom changes.
***NEW*** MSS Bell Schedule 2024- 2025
Our new BELL SCHEDULE is attached. Please note the following changes.
· Later lunch period (Monday – Thursday).
· Added 10-minute nutrition break in the AM (Monday – Friday).
· Additional homeroom periods to promote sense of community and school initiatives.
· Later end of day dismissal (Monday – Thursday).
***NEW Provincial/CBE/MSS Cell Phone Policy***
As announced in June 2024 by the Government of Alberta and Alberta Education, a ministerial order beginning September 1, 2024 is in place for personal devices (cell phones) and social media in schools. You can access the ministerial order HERE. Numerous jurisdictions in other provinces and countries around the world are banning cell phones/personal devices from instructional time/learning spaces to limit distractions, increase safety, and focus on teaching and learning.
At this time, we are waiting for the CBE guidelines/policies/procedures to be drafted and shared. Once we receive these, we will communicate a finalized MSS Student Cellphone Policy to all students, staff, and community members.
At minimum, MSS students will not have access to personal devices (cell phones, ear buds, headphones etc.) during instructional time in all learning spaces. Personal devices will be stored in individual student lockers as they are not permitted in learning spaces. Exceptions will be made for students with learning needs that are documented by a medical professional.
As stated in a June 2024 weekly update to parents, we are guided by the following:
· Government of Alberta and Alberta Education Ministerial Order.
· An increased focus on teaching and learning.
· An increased focus on welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning and working environments.
· Promoting Social Interaction:
o Fostering face-to-face communication.
o Encouraging inclusivity.
· Reducing Distractions and Improving Mental Health:
o Encouraging mindfulness.
o Mitigating stress and anxiety.
· Promoting Healthy Habits:
o Encouraging physical activity.
The following website, AWAY FOR THE DAY, contains research and data supporting students not having access to cell phones during instructional time.
We encourage you to have a conversation with your child/children about personal devices no longer being used during instructional time.
Transportation – Yellow School Bus
CBE Transportation has released the yellow school bus routes and stop information for the 2024-25 school year. Families can access this information exclusively through their MyCBE account under “Bus Routes and Stops." Please note that only registered riders should use transportation services, and route updates for new registrations may take up to six weeks to process.
As the school year begins, be prepared for potential transportation delays or cancellations due to ongoing driver shortages. Families will receive a transportation registration confirmation email in September, with fees posted in MyCBE by mid-October. Cancellations without financial impact are available until the end of September.
For more details, please review the Transportation Family Checklist.
Athletics at MSS
MSS runs all CMLSAA middle/junior high school athletic activities. The first events starting in September are Cross Country Running, Soccer, and Basketball. More information regarding try-out dates/times will be posted in the school and on the athletics website. All students attending MSS have the option to try-out/participate in middle/junior high school athletics.
· MSS Athletics Website: CLICK HERE
Wishing you and yours the best for the 2024 – 2025 school year!
Kevin Godfrey
Proud Principal
Marshall Springs School