Wednesday Warrior - Oct 1
Principal’s Message
Dear HWW Students, Families, and Community members,
Thank you for your thoughtful commemoration of our National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We appreciate all the Orange Shirts worn on Friday and the variety of events attended yesterday. At the Confluence event, it was so impactful to see the young performers, drummers, dancers, and the community support for this important ReconciliAction work. Thank you, Warriors.
I also want to acknowledge that we are in complex times. We understand there will be a variety of perspectives, impacts and experiences.
Please stay informed about potential ATA Labour Action through the CBE Labour Relations page.
One additional update, students and staff were temporarily evacuated from the school this afternoon due to a false fire alarm.
The Calgary Fire Department responded and gave the allclear to students and staff to return into the building after about 30 minutes. All students are safe and classes continued as scheduled for the remainder of the day.
I want to thank students and staff for handling this situation in such a prompt and responsible manner. Through regular and effective fire drills, we were well rehearsed and able to follow emergency procedures effectively.
With gratitude,
Aileen Smyth, Principal
Attention Grade 12 Partial IB Students:
A mandatory introductory meeting for ToK 35 will take place on Friday,
October 3, from 2:15 to 3:30 pm in the King Gym. Please mark
this in your calendars and plan to attend. At this meeting you’ll review
the course outline, the course expectations, and the course
timelines. You should also check out the D2L shell for the course,
as that is where you’ll be accessing most of the course content. If
you’re unable to access the D2L shell, that can be corrected at the
meeting on October 3.
Online Grade 11/12 IB Information Session
Grade 11/12 IB students and families – there will be an online information
session on Wednesday, October 1st at 6:00pm. The session
will cover the basics of participating in the IB program at Henry
Wise Wood, including requirements, fees and important dates. The
session will be recorded and can be viewed later.
The join the session and/or view the recording, visit http://
info.hwwib.ca
If you have questions, please email Mr. Glenn Finockio – IB Diploma
Programme Coordinator – at gofinockio@cbe.ab.ca
Math Contests
Students interested in writing any of the three math contests available
this fall should see Ms. McKay in room 304 this week with cash
payment.
• Canadian Intermediate or Senior Math Contest: $14
• Canadian Open Math Challenge: $30
Alberta High School Competition: $2
Weekly Athletics Update
October 1 (Wed) – Cross Country Meet #3 @ St. Mary’s University
@ 4:45 pm
October 2 (Thurs) – Girls Soccer – HWW vs JCS. Location:
HWW @ 4:30pm
Jr. & Sr. Girls Volleyball – HWW vs Beaverbrook. Location: HWW
@ 5:00 pm & 6:30 pm
BOYS' SOCCER
If you were on the Junior or Senior Boys' Soccer team last year,
please stop by room 314 to pick up your photos. And if you are interested
in a paid refereeing opportunity, please email Ms. Olinger
or stop by 314.
Kick Off the Year With myBlueprint
myBlueprint is available for all CBE staff and students in grades 7–12. It’s a one-stop platform for pathway planning, goal setting, and portfolios.
Why it matters: myBlueprint helps students connect their learning today with their high school planning and future pathways. It supports meaningful explorations into who they are, what interests them, and where they want to go next.
How to get started:
• Visit myBlueprint.ca/cbe and select School Account Login
• Watch this quick Getting Started video
• Explore the Alberta Resource Hub for lesson plans and guides that support pathway planning in every subject and grade
Students are encouraged to log in right away so you can begin capturing goals, interests, and achieve-ments early.
This opportunity is being provided by Education Matters:
Subject: Save on Student Study Guides & Digital Resources
Dear Henry Wise Wood Families,
We are excited to share a special offer for educational resources through a new partnership between EducationMatters and Castle Rock Research. From September 15 to October 3, you can purchase valuable study materials at a significant discount and help raise funds for EducationMatters.
This is a great opportunity to get supplementary resources to support your student’s learning this school year.
How to Order:
Visit our school's unique online portal: https://schoolorders.solaro.com/9836
1.
Place your order and pay directly online.
The deadline to order is Friday, October 3, 2025.
All print materials will be delivered to the school after the closing date and distributed to students. For more details, please see the attached PDF flyer.
We appreciate your help in sharing this valuable opportunity with your community.
I am pleased to announce that EducationMatters is currently accepting applications for the following stu-dent awards for the 2025/2026 school year.
• Laurie Sommerville Scholarship – Deadline December 1, 2025
• Breakthrough Opportunity Bursary for New Immigrants – Deadline December 1, 2025
Details of both awards are attached and are also available on our website (https://www.educationmatters.ca/students/student-awards/).
To apply, students must register an account in EducationMatters’ online application portal (https://applications.educationmatters.ca). From there, they will have access to the applications for each of these awards. If they already have an account they do NOT need to create a new one.
NOTE: There are no other awards for students to apply for at this time. Applications for the majority of EducationMatters awards will open March 1, 2026. Stay tuned for more information,
NOTICE OF AGMs
Please join us for our Annual General Meetings, on Monday, October 27,
where we will elect new executive teams for the 2025-2026 school year:
● Henry Wise School Council AGM – 6:30 pm
● Henry Wise Wood Parents and Alumni Association AGM – immediately following the conclusion of the School Council AGM
Join the meeting now
Backup Date:
Due to the Teacher’s strike, starting October 6th, a backup date has been selected for the AGMs: Monday, November 24th.
A notification will be sent on or before October 24th if the strike has concluded and the AGMs are possible to be held that day, otherwise notification will be sent closer to the November date.
Agendas:
HWW SC AGM Agenda 2025
HWWPAA AGM Agenda October 27, 2025.docx
Prior to the meeting, please review the minutes from the previous AGMs,
found on the Henry Wise Wood website, here:
HWW SC AGM Minutes Oct 28 24
HWW PAA AGM Minutes Oct 28 24
If you are interested in helping out,
please reach out to us at schoolcouncilhww@gmail.com
TEACHER’S STRIKE RESOURCE DOCUMENT
A list of resources provided by ASCA to all Alberta School Councils may be helpful for parents with questions about the Teacher’s strike:
ASCA_LabourDisputeResources_SEEpg9
Oki (oak-key)- Blackfoot
Dadanast’ada (dada-nast-adah) - Tsuut’ina
Âba wathtec (amba-wastitch) - Îyârhe Nakoda
Tânisi (tawn-say) - Cree
Taanishi (tawn-i-shi) - Michif
Boozhoo (boo-jzhoo) - Ojibwe (My nation!)
Bonjour (bon-joor)- French
Hello!
My name is Andy Stefanato (I go by Andy or Stef with students). I am Ojibwe, from Thunder Bay in On-tario. I am the Indigenous Student Grad Coach at Henry Wise Wood. Welcome to the 2025/2026 school year!
My job is to support our self identified Indigenous students in their success throughout high school. This can look like a variety of things. Students come in for support with academic questions, advocating with teachers, planning for post secondary, connecting with outside community supports, connecting with cul-tural supports, and many other things! Whatever our students need in order to be successful in high school, my job is to support with that. I will often be involved in meetings with assistant principals and guidance counsellors when they meet with our self identified Indigenous students.
I send weekly emails to students in my cohort, as well as updates in the learning lodge D2L shell. Be-yond that, I am available throughout the day for students.
If students want to come say hello or to access support, I am available in The Learning Lodge (room 120). Students often se the room as a space to work, connect with resources, or spend break times in. We also keep snacks in room 120!
Thanks, and I'm excited to continue into this school year!
Yearbook Orders
Capture all the memories of the 2025–26 school year with our official yearbook! Pre-order now for only $45. Prices will in-crease to $50 starting January 1, 2026, so don’t miss out on the early bird discount. Go to this website to get your book or follow the QR code:
https://ybstore.friesens.com/757869
Secure your copy today and give your student a keepsake they’ll treasure for years to come!
Scholarship Information
National Book Award (University of Toronto)
The National Book Award is awarded to a student who demonstrates superior academic performance, original and creative thought, and exceptional extra-curricular achievement in a broad context. Your nominee must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person, currently in their final year of secondary school.
If interested, complete the application form and submit to the office by Friday, October 3rd at 2:00pm.
Loran Award
Applications for the Loran Award are now open – the award is designed for students who demonstrate strength of character, a deep commitment to service, and intrinsic leadership potential. Approximate value is $100,000.
Criteria:
Be graduating from high school in 2026. Note: Students who graduated in 2025 and are currently taking a gap year are eligible to apply.
Present a minimum cumulative average of 85%.
Hold Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status.
Be born between January 1, 2004 and September 1, 2010.
To apply, visit apply.loranscholar.ca – application deadline is Thursday, October 16th at 10:00am.
TD Scholarship for Community Leadership
Since 1995, TD has awarded millions in TD Scholarships for Community Leadership to recognize stu-dents who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to community leadership. TD Scholarships for Community Leadership recipients receive up to $70,000 for tuition and living expenses as well as opportunities for paid summer employment, peer networking and mentorship.
To apply, visit portal.scholarshippartners.ca/welcome/td_en/ - application deadline is Wednes-day, October 22nd at 11:00am.
Wolf Scholars Program
Wolf Scholars is a transformative scholarship program designed to develop Canada's next generation of thoughtful builders, innovators, and leaders. Each year, 16 exceptional incoming undergraduates across the University of Toronto's Faculty of Arts & Science will form a tight-knit cohort. Wolf Scholars will join a four-year enrichment program centered on developing their critical thinking skills, emotional intelligence, resilience, and creativity for life.
Each year, up to 16 Wolf Scholars will benefit from:
• Full funding for tuition and ancillary fees over four years
• A generous living stipend
• Funded Canadian and international travel
• Access to top internships at Canada’s leading organisations (business, politics, tech, non-profit)
Rigorous seminars, mentorship, a tight-knit cohort, and much more
Applications are live now on the website and will close on November 10th, 2025.
Attention Grade 12 Partial IB Students:
A mandatory introductory meeting for ToK 35 will take place on Friday, October 3, from 2:15 to 3:30 pm in the HWW Courtyard. Please mark this in your calendars and plan to attend. At this meeting you’ll review the course outline, the course expectations, and the course timelines. You should also check out the D2L shell for the course, as that is where you’ll be accessing most of the course content. If you’re unable to access the D2L shell, that can be corrected at the meeting on October 3.
Community Parking
Our neighbors at the Kingsland Shopping Centre have asked that we remind families not to pick up/drop off students in their parking lot. The lot is not available for student overflow parking. The parking spaces at the shopping center are for patrons and staff only. The property manager has advised that they have brought in extra security to patrol the lot. Students and families may be ticketed and/or towed if they are found to be parking in the lot.
Weekly Athletics Update
Wed, Sept 24 – Jr Football HWW vs Centennial @ Shouldice (Stampeder Field) 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Cross Country Meet #2 at Bowness Park starting at 4:45 pm
Thurs, Sept 25 – Sr Football HWW vs Ernest Manning @ Shouldice (Stampeder Field) 7:30pm – 9:30 pm
Girls Soccer HWW vs Ernest Manning @ HWW 4:30 – 6:00 pm
JR & SR Girls Volleyball HWW vs Our Lady of The Rockies @ OLR (JR game @ 5 pm & SR gam @ 6:30 pm)
BOYS' SOCCER
If you were on the Junior or Senior Boys' Soccer team last year, please stop by room 314 to pick up your photos. And if you are interested in a paid refereeing opportunity, please email Ms. Olinger or stop by 314.
English Test Centre
Location: Room 116
You must discuss making up missed work with your teacher prior to the date of the testing centre. Please know your ASN to make the process run smoothly.
Wednesday, September 24th | 3:45 – 5:45 |
Wednesday, October 8th | 3:45 – 5:45 |
Wednesday, October 22nd | 3:45 – 5:45 |
Wednesday, November 5th | 3:45 – 5:45 |
Wednesday, November 19th | 3:45 – 5:45 |
Wednesday, December 3rd | 3:45 – 5:45 |
Wednesday, December 17th | 3:45 – 5:45 |
Wednesday, January 7th | 3:45 – 5:45 |
EAL BENCHMARKING
EAL Assessments continue this week for all EAL-Coded Students who are required to complete Language Proficiency Assessments in all four strands (Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening) twice this year - in September and May.
· EAL students with a spare: please come to room 314 to complete the assessments during their spare this week.
· EAL students in a sheltered EAL class will complete the assessments in class
· All other EAL students will be completing the reading/writing assessments in their English or Social Studies class; and the speaking/listening assessments in their Math or Science class
· Any students who miss their in-class assessment will be required to complete it on their own time: either at lunch or after school
· Students who are not in core classes this semester will be pulled out of class to complete the assessments.
· The deadline to complete all EAL Assessments is this Friday September 26, 2025
· Results from these assessments will not impact student grades
Should you have any questions about the EAL Benchmarking process this year, please contact Ms. Olinger (taolinger@cbe.ab.ca) or stop by room 314.
Kick Off the Year With myBlueprint
myBlueprint is available for all CBE staff and students in grades 7–12. It’s a one-stop platform for pathway planning, goal setting, and portfolios.
Why it matters: myBlueprint helps students connect their learning today with their high school planning and future pathways. It supports meaningful explorations into who they are, what interests them, and where they want to go next.
How to get started:
· Visit myBlueprint.ca/cbe and select School Account Login
· Watch this quick Getting Started video
· Explore the Alberta Resource Hub for lesson plans and guides that support pathway planning in every subject and grade
Students are encouraged to log in right away so you can begin capturing goals, interests, and achievements early.
POST SECONDARY PRESENTATION: Wednesday, September 17th, 5:00-6:00pm, HWW Courtyard
As part of our Meet the Teacher evening, our Student Services team will be hosting a presentation in the courtyard on the topic of Post Secondary. The purpose of this session is to introduce students and families to admission procedures, entrance requirements, scholarships and key information to keep in mind when navigating the process of transitioning to postsecondary programming. This presentation is ideally suited for Grade 11 and 12 students and families
POST SECONDARY VISITS:
We are fortunate to be able to welcome several postsecondary institutions to Henry Wise Wood throughout the year. As each institution offers unique programs and differs slightly in admission policies and procedures, these presentations are the best way to learn more about campus offerings and opportunities as well as have specific questions answered
SCHOOL | DATE | TIME | LOCATION |
WESTERN UNIVERSITY | Tuesday, October 7th | Lunch | Library Classroom |
OUT OF PROVINCE POST-SECONDARY FAIR | Wednesday, October 22nd | 9:00-11:30am | Courtyard |
Yearbook Orders
Capture all the memories of the 2025–26 school year with our official yearbook! Pre-order now for only $45. Prices will increase to $50 starting January 1, 2026, so don’t miss out on the early bird discount. Go to this website to get your book or follow the QR code:
https://ybstore.friesens.com/757869
Secure your copy today and give your student a keepsake they’ll treasure for years to come!
Lifetouch Photo Orders
Don't Forget to Order This Year's School Pictures
ENJOY 10% OFF
your order!
CODE: F202510OFF
EXPIRES: July 31, 2026
Scholarship Information
National Book Award (University of Toronto)
The National Book Award is awarded to a student who demonstrates superior academic performance, original and creative thought, and exceptional extra-curricular achievement in a broad context. Your nominee must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person, currently in their final year of secondary school.
If interested, complete the application form and submit to the office by Friday, October 3rd at 2:00pm.
Loran Award
Applications for the Loran Award are now open – the award is designed for students who demonstrate strength of character, a deep commitment to service, and intrinsic leadership potential. Approximate value is $100,000.
Criteria:
Be graduating from high school in 2026. Note: Students who graduated in 2025 and are currently taking a gap year are eligible to apply.
Present a minimum cumulative average of 85%.
Hold Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status.
Be born between January 1, 2004 and September 1, 2010.
To apply, visit apply.loranscholar.ca – application deadline is Thursday, October 16th at 10:00am.
TD Scholarship for Community Leadership
Since 1995, TD has awarded millions in TD Scholarships for Community Leadership to recognize students who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to community leadership. TD Scholarships for Community Leadership recipients receive up to $70,000 for tuition and living expenses as well as opportunities for paid summer employment, peer networking and mentorship.
To apply, visit portal.scholarshippartners.ca/welcome/td_en/ - application deadline is Wednesday, October 22nd at 11:00am.
Wolf Scholars Program
Wolf Scholars is a transformative scholarship program designed to develop Canada's next generation of thoughtful builders, innovators, and leaders.
Each year, 16 exceptional incoming undergraduates across the University of Toronto's Faculty of Arts & Science will form a tight-knit cohort. Wolf Scholars will join a four-year enrichment program centered on developing their critical thinking skills, emotional intelligence, resilience, and creativity for life.
Each year, up to 16 Wolf Scholars will benefit from:
· Full funding for tuition and ancillary fees over four years
· A generous living stipend
· Funded Canadian and international travel
· Access to top internships at Canada’s leading organisations (business, politics, tech, non-profit)
Rigorous seminars, mentorship, a tight-knit cohort, and much more
Applications are live now on the website and will close on November 10th, 2025.
CALGARY – YAMATE HIGH SCHOOL (JAPAN)
EXCHANGE 2026
CALGARY HOMESTAY
As part of an Alberta – Japan Cultural Exchange Program with Alberta Learning, the Calgary Public, and Rockyview School Boards will host approximately 80 students from Yamate High School in Yokohama, Japan. The program involves a two-week reciprocal hosting arrangement of interested schools. Japanese students visit Calgary in April 10 - 24th of 2026 and the return trip to Japan is July 18 - August 1, 2026. This is Calgary’s 10th time to share our hospitality and culture with the students from Yamate High School. Calgary and area only participates in this exchange every 3 years so this is your chance! This is an extraordinary opportunity to learn about Japanese culture and develop new friendships.
HOSTING EXPECTATIONS
Normally, two Yamate students are billeted with each hosting family; however, some students may be placed as singles. The focus of the program is on cultural and lifestyle exchange. The Japanese students are studying English and it is expected that English would be spoken in the home during their stay. The hosting family would be able to provide the following:
A bedroom that would accommodate the two Yamate students. Exceptions to this may occur. Experience has shown that two students together are better able to handle their English difficulties than one student alone. The result has been improved communication between the hosts and guests.
Food and local travel costs, eg. transportation to the hosting school, transportation to and from any group events and field trips. School lunches provided daily or provide money to purchase school lunch.
An opportunity for the students to take part in normal family activities such as, shopping, visiting local attractions, church (if applicable), family meals and normal family leisure activities. The goal is to enable Japanese students to be part of day-to-day living which reflects Canadian culture as it is experienced in the Calgary area.
All families wishing to host will be required to submit to a background security check.
GENERAL HOSTING COMMENTS
Alcohol and Smoking – Yamate students are not permitted to drink alcohol or smoke during their visit. Yamate students might be uncomfortable in the presence of cannabis.
Driving – Yamate students are not permitted to drive motor vehicles of any type.
Spending Money - Yamate High School stresses that the Calgary visit is for cultural exchange purposes. The Japanese students are responsible for the costs of their personal purchases; however, they may require help with their money, as they may not be familiar with Canadian currency.
SPONSORED ACTIVITIES
The Japanese students will attend classes with their host student. In addition, the Calgary – Yamate Exchange Coordinating Committee has planned the following activities:
A welcoming ceremony at which the host families will meet their guests
An icebreaker for host families and Japanese students
Two – one day tours (Banff and Drumheller)
Yamate Cultural Performance Evening for the host families
RETURN VISIT TO JAPAN
The return trip to Japan is scheduled for 2026 and there are approximately 36 traveling positions open to all Calgary and Rockyview High School. Host students that are traveling to Japan will be required to make a $500 non-refundable deposit.The remainder of the cost would be due in March, 2026. Two students will be billeted with each Japanese host family although in some instances students may be placed as singles. Japanese hosts are responsible for food, shelter and local transportation to the school. There are three day trips (a tour of Yokohama, a tour of Tokyo and a trip to Tokyo Disney) and a Cultural Day hosted by Yamate High School. As well, there is an International Friendship Day where visiting students from Calgary and other cities will perform for the Japanese hosts. In the past, the Calgary group sang a song and performed a line dance. As it is summer break, students will not be attending classes in Japan.
Hosting students that are not able to travel this summer but would still like the cultural exchange opportunity of hosting would be given a $300 honorarium.
Please Note: Because the return trip to Japan occurs during the summer vacation, this trip is NOT sponsored by the School Boards. It is under the Alberta Yamate Exchange Committee, which is a non profit organization created specifically for the Yamate exchange. Liability insurance, etc. is obtained by the Exchange Committee for travel to Japan. Travel insurance for the student is provided with the purchase of the airfare.
Students will need a passport to travel to Japan. Students traveling on valid Canadian passports do not require a visa. If a student has any other passport, it is the student’s responsibility to determine if a visa is required and to obtain the visa. Please check with the Japanese Consulate: Phone – 294-0782, Suite 2300, Trans Canada Tower, 450 – 1st St. SW.
The cost to travel will be approximately $3500-5000. This cost includes return airfare, bus transportation to and from Narita Airport to Yokohama, travel/health insurance, as well as the three day trips mentioned above. In addition to the travel cost, students should expect to take approximately $500 - $800 CDN for spending money, souvenirs and bus / train transportation when not travelling to the school. Similar to when the Japanese students come to Calgary, students would be expected to take some small gifts for each member of their host family. Should the airline impose any additional travel surcharge, such as fuel, that cost will be paid by the traveling student.
For more information, contact: Ms. Breau at knbreau@cbe.ab.ca
Information Meeting in the Leadership Room at lunch on Friday September 26, 2025
Youth Central is excited to partner for another year with the Trellis Society to bring more opportunities and joy to graduates across Calgary through the GRADitude Project!
We are proud to open the Project to youth of all genders, offering suits alongside dresses. We will also welcome volunteers of all gender identities.
Registration for 2026 is now open to all Grade 12 graduates.
Henry Wise Wood Neighborhood Drop-Off and Pick-Up Routes
In an effort to help HWW students and parents make drop-off and pick-up times safe, HWW School Council has put together a map with details about possible routes to and from the school (Link).
Please take a look through and consider which routes could benefit your family and help keep the area in front of the school safe for all pedestrians and vehicles
