Greetings returning and new Cappy families, 

I send this message for all families, especially those who like to have some early planning information! I see you! I too am one of those 'early planner' types! But first, a message from my heart about what is so important to me, your prinicipal.  

The Celebrations: 

I have been thinking about our students and families; I am excited for our upcoming school year. For teachers summer is often a time for reflection and planning. In reflection, I am tremendously proud of the work our staff, students and families have done over the last few years. When I arrived, we were still in the midst of Covid lockdowns and learning disruptions. Now we have made huge gains in literacy, numeracy, team collaboration, overall student population growth, extra-curricular connections, and community event offerings. We even have a new motto and logo! Our Cappy Parent Council is growing and our volunteer base is also growing. Cappy families, these gains are because of the hard work of our staff, our students and YOU! I love this community. I truly cannot wait to see what more we can do to ensure each of our students is learning to their highest potential.  

To ensure that we continue to thrive, I ask for your renewed commitment and continued reflection; as YOU, parents and guardians, are the single most important supporter of student learning.  

Creating Belonging and Safety: 

Our students are thriving – they have become more academically focused, reflective, socially-conscious, justice-oriented, and understanding of a wide range of world views. Each of our students belong. Each of them, and each of our families have a responsibility to create belonging in our school community. We are diverse! We have the ability and opportunity to learn from each other. Daily, at school, we see and hear multiple worldviews; daily we can recognize that we can be accepting of differences, even when we disagree.

There is room for all diversities at Cappy. At Cappy, we continue teaching our students that we follow the Alberta Human Rights Act, and do not allow any harassment or discrimination against each other because of the race, religious beliefs, colour, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability, mental disability, age, ancestry, place of origin,  source of income, family status or sexual orientation of that person or class of persons or of any other person or class of persons.  All diversity and all children belong at Cappy.  I am proud to be a principal of an outstanding public school where we can learn and grow through exploring perspectives and understanding the strengths of each other.

Key School Operation Reminders: 

• If you have moved during the summer or will no longer have your student attending Cappy Smart School, email our main school office (CappySmart@cbe.ab.ca) to let us know. It is critical that we know who will be attending in the fall.  
• Our office will be open for calls starting Aug 26th.
• School starts for our grade 1-6 students on Aug 29. Teachers will call prior to start up to introduce themselves to you and your student(s). 
• Kindergarten families, you will receive, before end of day Aug 26th,  a separate email with information about the days your child will be attending school. We do NOT have all K students attend the first days, as they need time to learn routine and will be attending in small groups.  
• We will have shortened days for our general population K-6 students on the 29th and 30th. This means we will follow our Friday schedule and finish school at 11:20 both Thursday and Friday.  
• Our EES students will have staggered entry, which means, student attending on the 29th will have a full day, students attending on the 30th will have a typical Friday schedule.  
• We have changed our school schedule. PLEASE ENSURE your daycares are informed. 

Next School Year - Bell Time Changes 2024-2025

I look forward to seeing you soon! And, I will send out another message next week with some ideas for prepping your students for the next school year! 

Yours, in learning,  

Rachel MacDonald, Principal

Be Kind. Be Courageous. Be Cappy Smart!