November News: Casino Volunteering & Important Fall Fundraisers

Help Raise BIG Bucks for Students at Hawkwood School

Typically every two years the Friends of Hawkwood School Society is scheduled to host a casino fundraiser through AGLC (Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission). We are lucky to have this opportunity because within a short period of time -- 2 casino days -- we can raise close to $60,000 for our school. 

That's BIG bucks and supports things like new computers & technology, specialty classroom furniture like wobble stools & stand up desks, stationary bikes, bussing for field trips and more. Traditional CBE funding simply does not stretch this far.

Due to covid-19, it's been three years since we got to run a casino and thankfully we are all set for Sunday, December 5th & Monday, December 6th @ Cowboys Casino.

We need to fill a total of 34 volunteer shifts in order to make this a success and secure the tens-of-thousands of dollars for educational resources and programs; items that enrich the educational experience for students at Hawkwood School.

Please volunteer! Here is the sign up sheet with more information about the positions you can choose from and covid-19 protocols. >> 

signupgenius.com/go/60B0E4AAFAD2CA7F49-hawkwood4

PRO TIP: Invite a friend or family member to volunteer at the same time. Volunteers don't have to have a child attending Hawkwood School in order to help out. Please spread the word!

Coming Soon! 'Tis the Season Silent Auction

Our 2nd Annual 'Tis the Season Silent Auction will go live *online* starting November 24th @ 8:00am. 

The Friends of Hawkwood School Society launched their first online silent auction last year and it proved to be so much fun with bids coming in down to the last few minutes to secure hot ticket items like: signed hockey jerseys, fitness & wellness gear, unique Corkcicle wine glasses with a bottle of bubbly, and school experiences such as the ever popular "Principal for a Day".

During the online 'Tis the Season Silent Auction, you will have 10 days to bid on items for gifting, for yourself or for your kids such as a classroom pizza party. Also this year, each classroom is putting together a basket based on a theme such as treat yourself or winter wonderland. Will you be the highest bidder for your child's classroom basket? Mark your calendars and prepare to bid!

Here is the auction link >> elevateauctions.com/friendsofhawkwoodschoolsociety

*Items will appear once the auction goes live for action at 8:00 am on November 24th.

PRO TIP: You can share our auction link with friends and family, especially if there is something on their from your wish list ;)

If you have any questions about these fundraisers and volunteering opportunities, please reach out to the Friends of Hawkwood School Society via email.

Welcome to the 2021-2022 School Year at Hawkwood School!

Hello Hawkwood School Families,

This time of year seems to be full of excitement with a mix of nervous anticipation. So much is starting anew with the beginning of the school year and extracurricular activities for the kids.

The content in this blog is meant to help ease us all into Fall, which according to the leaves on the trees (and on the ground) seems to have arrived.

To start, here are some key dates for the month:

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, September 17 - Terry Fox Run
Monday, September 20 - Picture Day (elections also being held in the school's gym)
Thursday, September 23 - Meet the Teacher (virtual - more information to come)
Friday, September 24 - Non-Instruction Day *no school for students
Monday, September 27 - 1st Meeting of the Year for Hawkwood School Council (AGM) and Friends of Hawkwood School Society (virtual at 6:30pm - more information below)
Thursday, September 30 - National Truth & Reconciliation Day *no school for students

Another great resource for important dates in the CBE 2021 - 2022 traditional calendar that Hawkwood School operates from. You can take a look, download it and even print it to post up on your fridge from here >> CBE 2021-2011 Traditional Calendar

Meetings For Families

The volunteer board members of Hawkwood School Council (HSC) and Friends of Hawkwood School Society (FHSS) would like to invite all parents and guardians from our school community to the first meeting of the year on Monday, September 27th starting at 6:30 pm. We will be using Microsoft Teams to connect virtually - simply email us at hawkwoodsc@gmail.com and HSC will send you a meeting invite.

HSC & FHSS is a great way to connect with other families in the school community, get to know school staff members, have a voice in decisions related to your child’s education and make contributions to initiatives that provide resources and experiences for students.

There are some volunteer positions up for grabs on both HSC & FHSS Boards. These include Chair, President, Secretary and Fundraising Director. If you'd like more information, please check out the nomination form and the current Chair, Pia, or out going President, Janelle, will contact you for a meet-and-greet to answer any of your questions.

When we come together the impact is huge! Our school motto reflects this perfectly: Together We Soar!

To see just how much of a difference all of us can make to the educational experience at Hawkwood School, check out this video that shows what the fundraising dollars raised by FHSS brought to our school and its students last year:

Disclaimer: this is the first time I converting a PowerPoint into a video, in the attempt to add some fun music my dog was caught barking in the background - did you hear it? Enjoy the viewing, hope it makes you smile! :)

Acknowledgement: the fun music was sourced from bensound.com

Let's Meet! Bring Your Energy & Ideas to Council & Society

Can you believe the 2020/21 school year is coming to a close?

With it comes the Friends of Hawkwood School Society's AGM. Many great things happen during the annual general meeting. This includes reflecting on the hard work of the parent/guardian volunteers who inspired, planned and ran fundraisers throughout the year and being in awe of the outcome in terms of dollars raised. 

"What is that number?" you ask. It's over $11,000+ all of which goes towards enriching the learning experience for all students at Hawkwood School. 

Being a part of the Society is very rewarding. Every parent/guardian of a student at Hawkwood School are welcome to attend nearly monthly meetings where we plan all the fun stuff like holding events (when covid-19 allows; such as Movie Nights, Halloween Dance, Welcome Back Muffin Breakfast) and traditional fundraisers such as silent auction, product sales (i.e. Admazing Savings coupon books, The Mixing Spoon, Oliver's Labels, Indigo Fundraising), school-wide read-a-thon and wine survivor raffle.

Fresh, new ideas are always welcome! On that note, the Friends of Hawkwood School Society is looking to fill the following Board Member roles:

• President,
• Secretary (shared with Council) and
• Fundraising Director

The wonderful people in these roles have held them for almost three years and are moving on. Know that they won't be too far away (their kids still attend Hawkwood School) and can support those who enter these positions.

Join us during the Friends of Hawkwood School's AGM to find out more: 

Monday, June 14th @ 7:30 pm

RSVP for a Teams meeting link via Lucy: lgwooleong@cbe.ab.ca

*This meeting follows Hawkwood School Council's meeting which starts at 6:30pm. When you RSVP for one, you can attend both since they use the same Teams meeting link.

Tune in starting at 6:30pm to gain insight into the upcoming school year in terms of how Hawkwood School is planning for a "new normal", enrollment numbers and staffing. Hawkwood School Council is also looking to fill the positions of:

• Chair
• Secretary (shared with Society)

Nominations for these roles will commence at the beginning of next school year, in September, but come check things out as we wrap up 2020/21.

Learn more, follow us and like us:

SOCIETY EMAIL:      hawkwoodsociety@gmail.com

COUNCIL EMAIL:      hawkwoodsc@gmail.com

INSTAGRAM:            @hawkwood_school_council

FACEBOOK:             @hawkwoodschoolcouncil

The Positive Impact Fundraisers Have on Hawkwood School Students

 Every Little Bit We Do Makes a Difference

This past year and a half of school has been ____________________.

(Feel free to fill in the blank with your preferred adjective(s). I was trying to decide between things like special, unique, or crazy.)

What clearly has been AMAZING though is the level of support the Friends of Hawkwood School Society has experienced from small businesses and parents/guardians of students. Every year we set a goal to raise at least $11,000 for what we call "Legacy Funds". This allows the Society to give back to each classroom, the learning commons, music and physical education. Funds are also designated to a Grade 6 celebration and legacy gift to the school, as well as the leadership group.

This school year's fundraising initiatives included our first ever silent auction, orders for The Mixing Spoon, a spring into reading read-a-thon and finally, a wine survivor raffle. The level of participation in these fundraisers meant that the Society met it's fundraising goals!

Here are some highlights on how the money was used to enrich the learning experience for students (your kids!) at Hawkwood School:

• Art supplies for crafts: soapstone, air dry clay and more!
• Puppet theatre project
• Musical instruments and programs: hand drums, boom whackers and MusicPlay Online
• Virtual field trips and presentations: 
• Alberta History (Fur Trade), 
• Tipis, Tales & Teachings, and 
• Tornado Hunters
• Outdoor education supplies & resources for orienteering
• Many, many books for the learning commons
• School-wide virtual viewing of Storybook Theatre's Paper Bag Princess

For those who are more visual, below is our Impact Statement for the year.

Thank you everyone for such a great year!

2021 Wine Survivor Fundraiser

Pairing Wine with Fundraising

As we head into the sunny season here in Calgary, the Friends of Hawkwood School Society want to help you raise a glass of wine and cheers the day on your back deck, or perhaps on your driveway socially distanced with a friend or two.

Join us for our first WINE SURVIVOR draw for prize baskets full of an assortment of wine bottles curated by Crowfoot Wine and Spirits.

HOW WINE SURVIVOR WORKS

Daily draws will eliminate Hawkwood School Wine Survivors until there is one left standing. Will it be you?

There will be 3 winners total:

1. First place will win 50% of the collected bottles of wine
2. Second Place wins 30% of collected bottles of wine
3. Third place collects 20% of collected bottles of wine

You can ENTER now until Saturday, May 1st by emailing your full name and the number of entries you wish to purchase to: hawkwoodsociety@gmail.com

ENTRY = $30 per raffle ticket

Entry fee payment can be made by e-transfer to Society's email address as well. There is no limit to the number of times you enter, but all entries & payment must be received by May 1st.

ELIMINATION DRAWS

We will begin drawing names for elimination on May 3rd. The number of names drawn each day will depend on the number of entries received. If we draw your name, you are out of the game and no longer eligible to win the grand prize. Who will survive?

GRAND PRIZE

The final draw will take place May 19th. All names drawn on the last draw date are final. This will be a reverse draw which means the last names drawn are the winners of the Hawkwood School Wine Survivor! 

Participants will receive elimination draw results through email. Be sure to tune into our social media accounts where we will also post weekly elimination updates. 

Instagram: @hawkwood_school_council
Facebook: @HawkwoodSchoolCouncil

ALL money raised will go directly to the Friends of Hawkwood School Society to enrich the learning experience of our kids. In the past, our fundraising efforts have included updating technology, artists in residence, and special physical education programs.

Reach for a Book Daily, March 13-21st: Fun Activities & Prizes!

 Welcome to Hawkwood School's
"Spring Into Reading" Read-a-Thon

Have you seen this image circulating on the web these days? No matter what, every year it always makes me laugh.

To celebrate the change of seasons we are giving reading and literacy some extra attention. It's time to find a warm, sunny spot and curl up with a book. The challenge is to do this daily from Saturday, March 13th until Sunday, March 21st.

Packages went out to students this week with full details on: 

• how the read-a-thon works (tracking sheet & pledge form)
• special activities/events at school, and
• don't forget prizes!

We are excited to share with you more information about the fun stuff, including what students have a chance to win when they are entered into the "Reach for a Book" Draw Prize for participating in the Read-a-Thon. Find out more below. I promise it will excite everyone!

- - - - - - - - - -

Activities

• For the duration of the read-a-thon, a daily “stop, drop & read” announcement will be made at a random time. Students will pause what they’re doing, grab a book and read on the spot for 5 minutes.

• Classrooms will turn the school hallways into a visual library by decorating their doors like a book cover or storyline theme from a book voted on by students.

• Friday, March 19th is “Dress Up as Your Favourite Book Character” Day. Mark this date on your calendars and prepare a fun (no weapons) costume to celebrate everyone’s reading accomplishments.

Individual Prizes

• The student who reads, or is engaged with a book, for the most minutes in each grade, K-6 (a total of 7 students) will receive a $15 gift certificate for Indigo.

“Reach for a Book” Draw Prize

• Every student who participates (Student Tracking Sheet & Pledge Form due Monday, March 22nd to hawkwoodsociety@gmail.com) will be entered into a draw for a “wow” prize. Wait for it…

It's a GoPro HERO9 Bundle (worth $530!)

All winners will be announced on Wednesday, March 24th, 2021.

- - - - - - - - - -

You can download the full "Spring Into Reading" Read-a-Thon package by clicking >> right here!

The timing for the Friends of Hawkwood School Society's "Spring Into Reading" Read-a-Thon also matches up nicely with Hawkwood School's Scholastics Virtual Book Fair that runs from March 8-19th. Be sure to take a look at the great selection of books that'll keep our bookworms reading into summertime.

How to Bring Literacy Into Your Home (Family Literacy Day 2021)

Family Literacy Day is held annually on January 27th and was created by ABC Life Literacy Canada in 1999 to raise awareness of the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family.

This year ABC Life Literacy Canada is encouraging families to "Travel the world together". This theme is design to encourage families to use their imagination to explore and travel the world from the comfort of their own home – you never know what you’ll learn or where you'll want to go once it's safe to travel again!

At home, you can take time to celebrate Family Literacy Day and cultivate a life-long love for the written word by: 

• Reading with your child each night, 
• Playing games together, 
• Listening to podcasts or audiobooks as a family, or 
• Engaging in some word play.

Here are 4 fun websites that you can explore and have some laughs with:

1. Would You Rather?
2. Tongue Twisters
3. 25 Best Podcasts For Kids (Common Sense Media)
4. Word Games for Kids and Adults

There are more resources and activities for Family Literacy Day online (click here) where you can find activity sheets, maps and booklets specific to the theme "Travel the World Together".

Happy reading and above all, enjoy many laughs as a family!