APRIL 2026

I am hoping that April will bring us some consistently nice weather. March was unpredictable from day-to-day!

This is the month that the new 2026 Affordability Funding is signed. We have signed onto the Canada-Alberta Canada-Wide Early Learning and Childcare Agreement which means that your fees will not change from $326.25 for the next year. They government did see a need to raise our fees by 2% to account for the cost of living and operating costs. Again, this does not affect your fees. I will send home new fee sheets for families once summer and fall forms are finalized.

We will be closed on Friday April 3rd and Monday April 6th  for the Easter holidays. If your child is going to be away over the Easter week, please let staff know. All school divisions are closed during that week; however, we will be open. There will be no speech services or social thinkers during Easter week.

I am hoping that we will be outside on these spring days. It’s been hard to guess how to dress because the mornings are quite cool, and it has been such a mixed bag of weather. Please have a warm coat for morning walks. Many times, when we venture out it is still only a few degrees and chilly. Your child needs a coat, toque, and mittens still, as well as boots for a few more days at least. It is best to have a little bit of everything for a few more weeks.

As the weather steadily warms up (fingers crossed) it is important that the children have good footwear for their daily outings. Many cute sandals and boots are not practical to walk in, and cause blisters, socks and runners are best for everyone.

It is always a good idea to have a sweater or hoodie to keep at school as the temperature can also fluctuate inside the classroom. Often, we open windows or have the fans running which cools off our space.

Many of the extra clothing bags are due for additional clothing added. We are trying to send home bags that are missing clothes to ensure your child has a complete set in case they need them.

Graduation will be the week of June 15th-19th. We have 10 graduates this year. Once the graduation date is confirmed, we will be sending home all the wonderful details.

We need to reiterate that we are trying to keep everyone healthy during these cold and flu seasons (that seem to never end). It is of utmost importance to keep siblings’ home if there is illness in your home. This includes pinkeye, cough, vomiting, diarrhea  etc., even if the sibling does not attend Montessori, the bugs can be transmitted into our school. This also includes parents who become ill, sending your child puts all staff and students at risk to catching the bug that is going through your household. Our policy is 48 hours symptom free for everyone in the household. This, along with daily doses of fresh air and sunshine should help us see the end of these bugs!

The school boards have started to ask if we have children who need to be screened for the fall. The CELT teachers will do a screening to see if your child needs further assessment or assistance with sounds/language development. If your is turning 3 then they do have to wait until closer to their birthday to complete the testing. If your child is screened and you have further questions, please be sure to ask and we will find the answer for you.

If, and when, the weather permits, we will be doing outside/playground pick ups. The children will take their coats, lunchboxes etc. to the side yard and be playing in the backyard. Be sure to let a staff member know that you have arrived to collect your child and as always keep the gate closed for safety. It is very important that the children do not climb on the gate and try to unlock it. Over the winter, it got sprung and does not close on its own anymore, which is a major safety concern to us.

When you come to pick up your child from the backyard, they need to get ready for you and leave promptly. We recognize that they are having fun; however, they have been in the yard at other times during the day or will be the following day. The staff are scheduled on ratios and if 4 or 5 children hang around while you are waiting for them to be done, the staff must wait too, making their day longer than expected. Siblings are not permitted to play on the equipment at pick up as well.

-Mrs. Weimer is away April 18-25th, 2026. If you need to report your child absent, please call the school line 403-526-7966.

Have a great month everyone!!