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!

2021 Casino Fundraiser: Call for Volunteers

This casino fundraiser is currently
postponed due to Provincial
COVID-19 protocols.

Stay tuned for new dates,
to be announced after March 22!

We are currently seeking volunteers for our upcoming casino fundraiser. 

NOTE: We understand that the dates and volunteer requirements for our casino fundraiser can change at any time due to COVID-19. All volunteers will be communicated with promptly about any changes to their shift(s). Please continue reading for more information about this fundraiser, which in the past has brought 60K to our school.

(If you have any further questions, please contact the Friends of Hawkwood School Society Casino Chair, Lori Jaffray, hawkwoodsociety@gmail.com.)

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Help raise some BIG dollars for Hawkwood School within 2 days! This is what a fundraiser casino allows us to do. The Friends of Hawkwood School Society appreciates all of those who help, whether it's at the casino itself or perhaps providing child care for a casino volunteer.

No previous experience working a casino is necessary. Training and support are provided by an experienced, licensed Casino Advisor in both the cash cage area and the count room where the volunteer shifts take place. The advisor and fellow volunteers make the experience one that you will want to repeat!

WHEN: Friday, February 26 and Saturday, February 27, 2021

WHERE: Cowboys Casino  (421 - 12 Ave SE, Calgary, AB)

SHIFT TIMES:

Shift one: 11:00 am – 7:15 pm
Shift two: 7:00 pm – 3:30 am*
Count Room: 11:15 pm - 3:30 am*
(*or earlier)

Please SIGN UP for a shift here >> signupgenius.com/go/60b0e4aafad2ca7f49-hawkwood

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Important Rules & Benefits for Volunteers:

• It is very important to arrive on time for your shift. Late arrival results in back-up volunteers being called in.
• If cancellation is necessary, notify the Casino Chair as soon as possible (well in advance).
• You will need to bring a piece of photo ID.
• The casino is non-smoking.
• The dress is casual, but please no torn or immodest apparel.
• Free parking is available on site - underground parking, Level 1. No reserved area for volunteers – first come, first park! Plenty of parking space.
• Volunteers CANNOT play the casino games or slot machines at all during the dates of our casino fundraiser, nor consume alcohol or cannabis before or while working.
• You have access to a locked Volunteer Lounge to take scheduled breaks and store your personal items (i.e. jackets, purse, water bottle, book or something to do during quiet times, etc.)
• Every volunteer can expense a meal or snacks provided at the casino (value of up to $35 per volunteer shift - if you go over this amount the Friends of Hawkwood School Society has to pay the difference). Note, if you want to eat a meal before a late shift, please arrive at least 1 hour prior to your shift time. The Volunteer Lounge is stocked with beverages and snacks.

COVID-19 Protocols & Safety

• Masks must be worn at all times.
• Hand sanitizer is provided and use of it in regular intervals is encouraged. Hand washing is expected before and after a shift, as well as before and after a break.
• Gloves are provided for the handling of cash, etc.
• Guests at a casino are expected to wear a mask at all times and barriers are in place to ensure physical distancing between players (i.e. maximum of 2 players per table, or large clear barriers to prevent transmission.)

Not sure what role is right for you?
Here are Volunteer Position Descriptions:

Please note that all volunteer casino positions are straightforward and not difficult. You will receive training and assistance from the Cash Cage/Count Room Advisor and casino staff who are fun to work with.

GENERAL MANAGER
Official representative for the organization while on-site.
Works closely with the Casino Facility Games Manager.
Supervisor for all volunteers.

BANKER
Controls Cashier Cage floats of chips and cash.
Assisted by Cash Cage Advisor.
Busy only during opening, volunteer shift changes and closing of the casino.
Keeps track of all cash/chip transfers on a casino tracking system.
Mathematical skills are helpful

CASHIER
Cashes in chips for players and makes change.
The cashier has their own float – does not share cash/chip float with anybody.
Transactions over $200 must be witnessed by General Manager, Banker or Cash Cage Advisor.
This position requires concentration and accuracy and is not recommended for color blind volunteers.

CHIP RUNNER
Courier (runner) for chip orders (requests) from casino games.
Volunteer must be prepared to move around.
The position is usually busy at opening and closing of the casino.
Volunteer must be able to carry up to five pounds (2 kilograms) of chips.

COUNT ROOM SUPERVISOR
Works with Count Room Advisor in recording cash counts and game wins and losses.
Administrative skills are useful, good math (number) skills are helpful.
Not required to handle cash.

COUNT ROOM STAFF
Sorts, counts and verifies all cash from table game drop boxes.
Volunteers should be good working with their hands - use of cash counting machines - and following procedures to ensure cash counts are verified.

Happy 2021: News & Important Dates

Welcome to 2021 Everyone

Here we go into another new year and already we're close to being halfway through this school year - wow!

To start we want to share the good news about the Friends of Hawkwood School Society's first online silent auction. The 'Tis the Season Silent Auction raised over $5,100:

There were amazing items up for bid including signed hockey jerseys, Sherwood hockey sticks, K2 skies & snowboard with bindings, gift baskets full of local goods, weighted blanket, yoga mat, Camelbak & Yeti tumblers, rum, wine, gift certificates for massages and more!

Your child could even be Principal for the day or bring a pizza party to their classroom. The parent volunteers had a lot of fun putting together this fundraising initiative so we are sure to repeat next year. 

Congratulations to all of the highest bidders and thank you to those who helped secure donations for the amazing auction items.

Now for some Important Dates

Mark your calendars for Monday, January 11th starting at 6:30pm for Hawkwood School Council's general meeting followed by the Friends of Hawkwood School Society at 7:30pm.

These meetings are virtual and held through Microsoft Teams. To get a meeting link, please RSVP to lgwooleong@cbe.ab.ca before 4:30pm on Jan. 11th.

Here are the meeting agendas:

We look forward to seeing some friendly faces Monday night!