Playground Surplus Funds Survey

March MTSC/MTSPA Meetings Recap

Last night, the school Council and Parent Association met for its monthly meetings.  Highlights of the Council meeting included a discussion about the CBE budget and how the projected $61.7 million shortfall will affect classrooms next year.  Parents can expect to hear more information over the coming months as it comes available.  In the Teachers Report, Mrs. Pragnell talked about the kindergarten classes and their ongoing inquiry work into the story of a tree.  Kindergarten will expand on their work with an upcoming trip to the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.  They are also working with clay and beginning their residency with Directors Cut.  Mrs. Kruger provided us with a report on the grade one classes and their ongoing study of endangered animals.  The classes are beginning to prepare for a grade one assembly in April and are also spending time on the question of "What is My Story".  Upcoming field trips to Aggie Days and to Fort Calgary will expand on their learnings. 

During the Leadership Report, Mrs. Sarginson raised the idea of using electronic agendas rather than the current book format.  The cost for the agenda books is quite substantial.  If you have feedback about how you would like to see agendas for next year, please let Annette know.  On April 7th, parents are invited to come to a Gabuccino at the school at 8:30 am.  Enjoy some coffee and conversation about traditions and culture at MTS.  The volunteer tea is being planned for May 18th with the theme of "Royal Tea".

In the Parent Association meeting, Jaime gave us an update regarding the recent Family Dance, which was a huge success, raising approximately $2500 for the PA!  Special thanks go out to the caretaking staff, Rod and Sandy for all of their help with the dance, as well as to the volunteers who helped that evening and the sponsors of our silent auction.  As the Fundraising Committee is still without a Director, there are no further fundraisers planned.  The date for our casino will be drawn on May 5th; we know that it will be sometime in the fourth quarter of 2011 and funds will not be available until towards the end of the 2011-2012 school year.  This means that fundraising may still be an important priority for the parent association, but cannot continue without a Director in place.  If you are considering helping out in this role, please contact the chair at chair@mtsparents.com.   In the playground report, Sean T gave an update regarding the availability of some surplus playground funds and is looking for feedback from parents about how to spend these funds.  Look for a survey to be posted on this site in the very near future. 

Next month's meetings are scheduled for April 18th, beginning at 6:30 pm.  We hope to have our school board Trustee Carol Bazinet in attendance to talk about the budget and we will discuss some options about how we as a school council can have our concerns regarding the budget heard.  In addition, the school's wish list will be reviewed again and potentially some spending decisions will be made at the PA meeting.  Hope to see you there!

Reminder - MTSC/MTSPA Meetings

Join us for this month's MTS Council and Parent Association meetings tomorrow night beginning with an informal meet and greet at 6:15 at the school.  You can download and print the agenda for each meeting here and here. The council meeting begins at 6:30 pm and will include updates from the Chair and Key Communicator as well as the Teacher's Report, featuring Mrs. Kruger and Mrs. Pragnell and the Leadership Report from Mrs. Sarginson and Mr. Murphy.

The Parent Association meeting will begin at 7:40 pm.  During this meeting, we will hear an update from the Fun Lunch committee, the Playground Committee and the Casino Director as well as an update about the recent Family Dance.  Parents are encouraged to attend one or both meetings. 

You can also click to view the ratified minutes from the January Council and PA meetings as well as February's unratified minutes of the Council and PA.  Hope to see you tomorrow night!

CBE and CAPSC Meeting March 16th

 A message from Karen Drummond, Communications Advisor at the CBE:

Naomi Johnson, chief superintendent of schools, will join CAPSC to talk about the CBE's vision for education, the progress we are making and some of the challenges we face. The presentation will be followed by an open question period. The meeting takes place Wednesday, March 16, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in the library (2nd floor) at AE Cross Junior High School (Richmond Road and 37th St SW). Everyone is welcome.   More information is available at: http://www.capsc.ca/

As well, the CBE has posted updated budget information on the CBE website. If you would like to share print information on the budget with the parents at your school, please feel free to link to or circulate this one-page document that can be found here.  Information on the overall budget survey results has also been posted for your information: http://www.cbe.ab.ca/New/budget11/default.asp

Fabulous Family Dance!

A fabulous time was had by all at last night's Family Dance.  An incredible display of school spirit was demonstrated with over one hundred families in attendance.  It was wonderful to see so many students, teachers and families dancing and visiting together.  The gym was transformed with the glowing of the wands and bracelets worn by so many students.  The limbo and conga line were my particular favourites of the evening! 

From a fundraising perspective, the Family Dance was a huge success as well.  An update will be provided at this month's Parent Association meeting on the 21st with the amount that was raised through ticket sales, the store and the silent auction.

We'd like to thank the following generous supporters of our silent auction:


Whissell Contracting                                                 Calgary Herald
Linda Bourque                                                          Supercuts
TD Bank-McKenzie Towne                                         Starbucks-Copperfield and Indigo
Christine Buhr and Shakers Family Fun Centre            Stacey Sanderson and Topper Bowl
Jaime Nason-Epicure                                                Michelle Coleman-Laughter Yoga
Cravings Restaurant                                                  Jenny Edwards-The Pampered Chef
Erin Penaluna and Fitness with Kids                            Sherri Macson-Stampin’Up!
Heritage Park                                                            McKenzie Meadows
Marchmount Cleaning Service                                    Calgary Corn Maze
Meghan Clements-Scentsy                                        Sherry Turanyik
Karen Hannigan-Fifth Avenue Jewelery                      Heather O’Mahoney
Tami Adams-BeautiControl                                       Cheri Sieppert and the Calgary Flames
Tina Pratt-ImageIn Weightloss and Reshaping  Centre

Thank you to all who came out to support this fundraiser.  We hope you had a great time with your family and left knowing that the funds raised will be put to good use in support of programs at the school.  We'll look forward to the 3rd annual dance next year!

Family Dance Tonight!

It's finally here!  The second annual MTS Family Dance is tonight, from 6:30-8:00pm at McKenzie Towne School.  Be ready to dance, browse and bid for items at the silent auction and stop by the candy and novelty store to purchase some treats!  Remember, it's all for a good cause; your Parent Association, which supports programs and activities at the school. 

Looking forward to seeing everyone tonight!

Key Communiqué - March 7, 2011

Click here to read the latest edition of the CBE's Key Communiqué.  In it, you will find a budget update, a link to the results of the budget survey that was recently completed as well as the parent communication survey results.