Good morning MSS families,

It looks like spring has officially started as the next few weeks appear to have plus temperatures and lots of sunshine. But, as we know with mountain weather, things can change quickly. As the weather improves, we will once again start using our beautiful outdoor spaces for learning. Please ensure that your child(ren) is dressed for the weather.

MSS has a busy couple weeks coming up as we move through April with badminton, field trips, school council, and community engagement opportunities. Please see the weekly update and our website for more information.

Upcoming Dates

  • Tuesday, April 14:
    • Springs Time Session 3-1-5.
    • Field Trip | Grade 9 (9-2, 9-4) Calgary Zoo.
  • Wednesday, April 15:
    • Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) Semi-Finals.
  • Thursday, April 16:
    • Springs Time Session 3-1-6.
    • Field Trip | Grade 9 (9-3, 9-6) Calgary Zoo.
    • Pioneer Lodge Parent Meeting | 600-630pm.
    • MSS Community Presentation | Alison Springer "Mirror Mirror" | 630-730pm.
  • Friday, April 17:
    • Coffee & Conversation with School Administration | 1000am at MSS.
  • Monday, April 20:
    • Field Trip | Grade 9 (9-1, 9-5) Calgary Zoo.
  • Friday, April 24:
    • Non-Instructional Day | No classes for MSS students.

Staffing Updates

Ms. Headdy is currently on leave - we are working diligently to secure a consistent temporary teacher for the remainder of the year. Mr. Chisholm's last day at MSS will be Thursday, April 23. We wish him well and thank him for his support of the MSS community. We are also working to secure a consistent temporary teacher to cover the rest of the year for Mr. Chisholm.

Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs): Grade 6 & 9

In May and June of this year, Grade 6 and 9 students across the province will participate in the Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs) using the Digital Assessment Platform (Vretta). Grade 6 and 9 students will complete PATs in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.

Marshall Springs is implementing the new Grade 6 Social Studies curriculum this year. Therefore, we will not be administering the Grade 6 Social Studies PAT in 2025-26.   Grade 6 Math, English Language Arts and Literature (ELAL), and Science will be administered and will reflect the new curriculum.

Results from these tests will provide Alberta Education, school administrators, teachers, parents/guardians, students and the public with information about what students know and can do in relation to provincial standards at the end of Grade 6 and 9. Provincial Achievement Tests are based on what students have been learning throughout the school year. The dates of the assessments are as follows:

  • Grade 6 (No Social Studies due to NEW curriculum).
    • ELA "A" (Written): Monday, May 25.
    • ELA "B": Thursday, June 4.
    • Science: Friday: June 12.
    • Math "A": Monday, June 15.
    • Math "B": Thursday, June 18.
  • Grade 9
    • ELA "A" (Written): Thursday, May 21.
    • ELA "B": Tuesday, June 9.
    • Math "A": Tuesday, June 16.
    • Math "B": Friday, June 19.
    • Social Studies: Monday, June 22.
    • Science: Tuesday, June 23.

Pascal Math Assessment Results (Gr. 9)

Congratulations to Mr. Sauverwald, the grade 9 math team, and students who completed in the Pascal Math contest. The Canadian Average was 93.1, Alberta was 90.1, and MSS was scored 95.1! Nine of our students received distinction scoring in the top 25% of all Canadian participants. MSS was the 10th ranked school in the province of Alberta! 

Special mention to Jayden Zhang - our school champion this year, scoring 136! He now holds the record for the highest score at MSS.

MSS School Council Meeting and Updates

Our next school council meeting will take place on Monday, April 27, 2026 at 500pm in the MSS staff room. This meeting will also be streamed online via Microsoft Teams.

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/29602176414057?p=8bVSWSQSwCQZjPSaCZ

Meeting ID: 296 021 764 140 57

Passcode: 4v5fK7bG

MSS School Council is also proud to present an engagement session called "Mirror Mirror" featuring Alison Springer on April 16, 2026 at 6:30pm @ MSS. Food trucks for this event have been cancelled.

"Mirror Mirror is an entertaining presentation with a powerful message that inspires students to lead by embracing who they are and how they were made. Alison helps students expose the ‘lying mirrors’ in their lives and the three causes that distort how they view themselves (media, comparison and things that people say). Students will learn positive and helpful ways to protect their dignity and the dignity of others. Alison shares some of the struggles she faced being black, tall and loud, along with her academic struggles. Students will realize that their strengths and weaknesses serve a specific purpose." - https://youthspeakers.ca/speaker/alison-springer/ 

This is a free event for MSS community members, their families, and their children. If you plan on attending, please RSVP HERE.

Dr. E.P Scarlett High School 101

We cordially invite you to attend our “High School 101” presentation on Wednesday, April 22 from 5:30-7:00pm in person at Dr. E.P Scarlett High School.

The presentation will go over high school basics, course planning, and resources for student success. The main presentation will be followed by a discussion on transitions for students with IPPs.

Counsellors will be available to support with any questions or concerns you may have about this exciting transition in your students’ educational journey.

We hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Dr. E.P Scarlett Administration and Student Services

MSS Athletics Update - Badminton

MSS will be running ONE Badminton Team, a one-day cut process consisting of 22 players total! To ensure fairness and equity in the tryout process, the following rollout plan will be implemented:

1. Tryout Structure
The tryout process will include a one-day-cut process. We already have additional volunteers organized who will support during the tryout days so that we have multiple evaluators present, allowing for more balanced and objective decision-making.

  • Tryouts: the link to sign-up is in your child's homeroom Google Classroom.
    • Tryout #1: Grade 8/9 ONLY - April 1, 2026 @ 800-900am. (complete)
    • Tryout #2: Grade 6/7 ONLY - April 2, 2026 @ 800-900am. (complete)
    • Tryout #3 INVITE ONLY - April 8, 2026 @ 800-900am. (complete)
    • Tryout #4 INVITE ONLY - April 9, 2026 @ 800-900am. (complete)

2. Development Opportunities
Badminton development days have also been scheduled on Mondays (Grade 8/9s) and Wednesdays (Grade 6/7s) to ensure that students still have opportunities to improve their skills and remain involved even if they are not selected for the competitive team.

  • Week After Spring Break:
    Open gym badminton time @ Lunch will be available and evenly distributed among grades.
  • Second Week After Spring Break:
    Mondays (Grade 8/9s) and Wednesdays (Grade 6/7s) will be designated Badminton Development Days. SIGN UP Only...This allows students from the first round of cuts to transition into development opportunities the following week.
  • Third Week:
    Badminton development will continue while the team roster becomes more solidified moving forward. Students not on the competitive can still participate in development.

All information for the badminton season of play can be found on the MSS Badminton Webpage.

Cafeteria Menu

Follow MSS on Social Media

  • @marshallspringscbe
  • @principalKMG

Have a great Easter weekend!

Kevin Godfrey
Proud Principal & Public Educator
Marshall Springs School