Welcome Back Chris Akkerman Families
I hope you and your family have enjoyed a happy, healthy, and restorative summer filled with opportunities to relax, reconnect, and create special memories together. As summer draws to a close, our staff are busy preparing for another wonderful year of learning, growth, and community.
We are excited to welcome our students and families back on Monday and are looking forward to a fantastic school year ahead. Before we begin, I would like to share a few important reminders and updates to help ensure a smooth start for everyone.
School Begins Monday
School starts on Monday for all Grade 1-5 students.
- Supervision Begins: 7:35 a.m.
- First Bell: 7:50 a.m.
- End of Day: 2:35 p.m.
If you are picking up your child at the end of the day, please ensure you arrive on time. Prompt pick-up helps us maintain a safe and orderly dismissal for all students.
Please do not arrive before supervision. Thank you!
Attendance and Registration Reminders
Our office is open. 8:00 AM - noon on Friday
If you are receiving this message but your family has moved out of Calgary or your child will be attending another school this year, please let us know as soon as possible. We have many families on our waitlist who would greatly appreciate the opportunity to attend Chris Akkerman should a space become available.
If your family is away on an extended vacation, please ensure you notify the school this week if you have not already completed the required extended absence forms.
It is extremely important that families communicate with us regarding attendance. If your child is not attending school next week and you have not already contacted us by email and received a response from Ms. Shilpa, please do so immediately. Students who do not attend school and whose families have not communicated with us may be at risk of losing their placement at Chris Akkerman. As many of you know, Calgary schools are experiencing significant enrollment pressures, and we must have accurate information regarding every student's plans.
Thank you in advance for your prompt communication and cooperation.
Traffic Safety
Student safety is always our highest priority.
We have recently received new slowing speed bumps in our school area. Please ensure you drive slowly and carefully whenever you are near the school.
When walking your child to school, please use the designated crosswalks. Jaywalking is unsafe, unlawful, and models behaviour we do not want our children to imitate.
Please do not enter or park in the staff parking lot. These areas are not designed for student drop-off or pick-up and present safety concerns for young children. We want students to understand that parking lots are not places where they should be walking or playing.
When convenience and safety compete, we ask families to choose safety every time. For late morning arrivals, using the alley for drop-off remains the safest option.
Thank you for helping us model safe and responsible behaviour for all students.
Bussing
Bus registration remains open. If your child will be riding the bus on Monday, please ensure they are registered.
Please note that bus registration must be completed every school year. If your child was not registered for bussing for the 2026-2027 school year, they will not be permitted to ride the bus home.
Every child must have a clear plan for getting home at the end of the day.
Kindergarten Students
Kindergarten students are not permitted to ride the bus during staggered-entry days.
Once Kindergarten students begin riding the bus (Wednesday, September 2), our Grade 4 student leaders will help escort them safely to and from the bus. This is part of our leadership program and these students serve as our "Mother and Father Geese," helping ensure our youngest students feel safe and supported throughout the year.
Changes to End-of-Day Transportation
Students who are regular bus riders are expected to take the bus home at the end of the day.
The only exception is when families contact the school before 1:00 p.m. to notify us of a transportation change.
If notification is not received before 1:00 p.m., parents must ensure they identify themselves to the bus driver and collect their child directly from the bus.
Building a Bus Community
At the beginning of the school year, we encourage families waiting at bus stops to introduce themselves to one another and exchange contact information.
There may be times when you need support from another family due to an appointment, an emergency, or an unexpected delay. Strong connections among families help create a supportive community for everyone.
Please also take time to introduce yourself and your child to the bus driver. It may take a few conversations before they remember every family, but building positive relationships with the people who transport our children is valuable and appreciated.
Bus Expectations and Safety
Kindergarten students always sit at the front of the bus.
Some bus drivers may implement seating plans, and occasionally the school may establish seating plans as well. We appreciate your support when these are required.
Families play an important role in reinforcing bus safety expectations. While we review safety regularly at school, these conversations should also happen at home, especially throughout September.
Important reminders include:
- Remain seated at all times.
- Face forward while riding.
- Speak quietly to the person beside you, or enjoy a quiet ride.
- Stay seated until the bus comes to a complete stop.
- Keep hands, arms, and belongings inside the bus.
- Keep hands to yourself.
- No horseplay or unsafe behaviour.
- Report concerns to the bus driver, teacher, and parents.
We encourage students to address problems when they are small rather than waiting for them to become larger concerns.
Bus Misconduct
Riding the bus is a privilege, not a right.
When concerns arise, students will be reminded of expectations, redirected, and supported in making better choices. Families will be informed of any significant concerns.
However, if a student receives a third bus misconduct within a learning term, they will lose the privilege of riding the bus for the remainder of that term. At that point, families will be responsible for making alternative transportation arrangements until the next learning term begins.
Student safety must remain our highest priority, and we appreciate your partnership in helping ensure all children travel safely to and from school.
Uniform Expectations
When families choose TLC, they make a commitment to follow our uniform guidelines. Wearing the uniform properly demonstrates responsibility, pride, and character.
Formal Uniform Days
Formal uniforms are required on:
- Mondays
- Assembly days
- Field trip days
- Parent conference days
Casual Uniform Days
All other school days are casual uniform days.
Spirit Fridays
On Fridays, students may wear their uniform bottoms with a Chris the Cub shirt.
From time to time, we may have additional special spirit days throughout the year, and we will communicate those in advance.
Formal Uniform Requirements
- White collared shirt
- Green crested cardigan
- Trousers or short trousers
- Please note that trousers do not include sweatpants, athletic pants, or leggings.
- TLC tunic/jumper
- Black or navy socks (not white)
- Black shoes
Black shoes may be either dress shoes or running shoes. Students who wear black running shoes do not require separate dress shoes.
Please note that colourful indoor shoes and colourful gym shoes are not permitted.
Outdoor shoes and home shoes may be any style students choose; however, they are not worn inside the school.
If a family chooses to have black dress shoes then students may use colourful indoor shoes only during PE
Casual Uniform Options
The following items may be worn on casual uniform days:
- Green crested vest
- Navy crested golf shirt
- White crested golf shirt
- Navy skirt
Additional Start-Up Information
Classroom Placements
All teachers will email families on Friday with information regarding classroom placements for the upcoming school year. This communication will also include details about where students should meet their teacher on the first day of school.
Kindergarten Families
Kindergarten teachers will be reaching out to families to confirm staggered-entry schedules and provide any additional information needed for a successful start.
As a reminder, Kindergarten students are not permitted to ride the bus during staggered-entry days. Once regular attendance begins, students may ride the bus if they have been properly registered.
Please also note that Monday and Tuesday are formal uniform days for Kindergarten students.
Meet the Teacher & Family Picnic
We are excited to invite families to our Meet the Teacher and Family Picnic on Thursday, September 10, in the early evening. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with staff, meet other families, and celebrate the start of a new school year together.
Additional details will be shared very soon.
What Students Should Bring on Monday
All Grade 1-5 students should arrive on Monday with:
- A backpack
- A full lunch
- A water bottle
- Indoor shoes
Please do not send school supplies, toys, trinkets, or other personal items to school. We have all of the learning supplies students will need. The only items required are their lunch, water bottle, indoor shoes, and a readiness to learn.
Helping Your Child Have a Successful First Day
A successful first day of school begins long before students walk through our doors.
As we head into the weekend, we encourage families to help prepare children for a strong start by establishing early bedtimes and morning routines. If your child has never stayed at school for lunch before, practicing opening containers, unpacking and repacking a lunch kit, and managing mealtime independently can help build confidence.
It is also helpful to review respectful use of public washrooms, handwashing routines, and the importance of showing kindness and patience to others. These everyday life skills make a tremendous difference in helping students feel successful and ready to learn.
At school, we will teach students to read, write, think critically, solve problems, and grow as learners. At home, families play an equally important role in helping children develop independence, responsibility, and respectful habits. When we work together, our students thrive.
We look forward to welcoming your children on Monday and beginning another fantastic year of learning together.
Proud Principal of Chris Akkerman School
Dr Bettesworth 😊