Week Ahead         

Upcoming Important Dates 

Principal’s Message| 

This year, we are using the book The Circles All Around Us by Brad Montague as a guiding text to help us think about community, belonging, and caring for one another. 

The story begins with a small circle—our own circle. As we build relationships, our circles grow to include our families, friends, classmates, school, and community. Each time we welcome someone, show kindness, help another person, or make someone feel that they belong, we make our circle a little bigger. 

At Douglas Harkness, we are connecting this idea to our school-wide expectations: 

Take care of myself. 
Take care of others. 
Take care of this place. 

Throughout the year, students will explore what it means to create larger circles of care. We will encourage students to notice others, build new relationships, include people who may be outside their usual circle, and think about how their words and actions affect the people and places around them. 

Our hope is that every child feels that they are an important part of our Douglas Harkness circle. Together, students, staff, and families can continue to grow a community where everyone feels safe, welcomed, valued, and cared for. 

You can continue this conversation at home by asking your child: Who is in your circle of care? How did you make your circle bigger this week? 

Lisa and Kate 

Back to School Event – Open House | 

We would like to invite you to our Open House/Meet the Teacher Event on September 24 from 4:30-6:30pm. This will provide an opportunity for families to meet teachers and visit classrooms. We look forward to seeing you there. 

CBE Annual Forms| 

Each year, schools have a variety of forms that parents are required to complete or review and update. The following forms are available online in SchoolEngage. SchoolEngage is one of the applications found in your MyCBE account. This is the same account used to pay fees, view academic information, book school conferences, register to volunteer etc. 

• Demographic Verification - 2026-27 – This required form is an Alberta Education and Childcare requirement as proof of Registration for funding purposes and includes your child’s personal information as well as parent / legal guardian contact information.  
• Citizenship Information Update - 2026-27 – This form becomes available and is required to complete if you change your child’s citizenship information on the Demographic Verification form. 
• Annual Authorization - 2026-27 – Combines the following forms: 
• School District Use of Personal Information - explains how CBE uses personal information in providing education services. 
• Consent for CBE Use of Student Information – provides an option to grant / not grant consent for additional use of student information by school/district and third parties. 
• Consent for Use of Student Information by News Media and Outside Groups (Third Party) - provides an option to grant / not grant consent for additional use of student information by outside groups and third parties 
  o Consent for Student Participation in Annual CBE Surveys – these surveys support school and system planning and help improve programs and supports offered to students 
• Parental Opt-In for Notifiable curriculum for students in grades 3 to 9 – written consent of parents prior to providing instructions or materials that deal primarily and explicitly with human sexuality, gender identity or sexual orientation. Students are unable to participate in this portion of the curriculum unless consent is granted. 

Invite| National Day for TRC & Orange Shirt Day Events 

All CBE staff, students, families, friends, and neighbors are invited to continue learning and show support at the 5th annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation & Orange Shirt Day event taking place at the Confluence Historic Site on Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 9-10:30 a.m. This important community gathering is a collaboration between the City of Calgary, CBE, Calgary Catholic School District, Calgary Police Service, Calgary Fire Department, and The Confluence. A CBE group photo will be taken at the CBE Smudge Tipi at the end of the event. Meet us there! 🧡 

For more information, visit City of Calgary events. FREE Parking! All Calgary Parking on-street parking is free on September 30 each year. 

Looking for more ways to engage? Check out these community events. All are welcome. 

University of Calgary & Calgary Public Library National Day for TRC 
Orange Shirt Day at The Confluence 
Werklund Centre National Day to TRC 
Indigenous Runners Alliance Orange Shirt Day Run/Walk 

School Council|  

Douglas Harkness is thankful to be supported by an AMAZING School Council.  

Thank you to everyone who joined us at our first school council meeting. We are excited to work together this year. 

Please check your child’s backpack for a notice from School Council.