Weekly Update | May 11 - May 15

Diefenbaker's Athletic Awards Ceremony

Night of the Chiefs, is on Wednesday June 3 at the Thorncliffe Greenview Community Association from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Tickets for student athletes are included in team fees at a cost of $48.00. If you have not paid your team fees yet, please pay on MyCBE or pay in the Business Office with Ms. Prum.

Deadline to purchase tickets and pay outstanding team fees is Thursday May 14, 2026. Tickets will be handed out in the last week of May for those who have paid. This is an amazing evening to celebrate all our student athletes and our school teams. Trainers and student managers are welcome to purchase a ticket to join in the celebrations too, please see Ms. Prum in the Business Office.

Diefenbaker Diploma Exam Schedule June 2026,
please use link:   June Diploma Exam Schedule

Calgary Youth Science Fair

Congratulations to all our students who participated in the Calgary Youth Science Fair on April 11 this year! These individuals and their awards include: 

·         Emelia C. with a Silver medal

·         Ailin G. and Arabella D. with Honorable Mention

·         Apoorva D. and Pel K. with a Bronze medal

·         Julianna H. and Tram D. with Honorable Mention

Thank you to our club president Emelia and coordinator Ms. Mayer!

We look forward to seeing you and any new participants next year! 

See my attached file below for more details and information about the Calgary Youth Science Fair!

Bridge Foundation

As students approach the end of high school, planning for their future can be both exciting and challenging. To support families during this important transition, our school is collaborating with the Bridges to Better Life (BBL) initiative through the Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth. This program is designed to support newcomer youth ages 18-30 as they transition out of high school and explore meaningful pathways toward education, training, and employment.

BBL provides free, personalized support to help students:

• Find suitable adult English language programs (LINC/ESL)
• Access adult high school upgrading programs
• Connect with trade and career training opportunities
• Connect with college options, including application assistance
• Explore employment opportunities
• Access information and referrals for adult support programs such as AISH or PDD if applicable

We invite you and your child to attend one of the upcoming information sessions to learn more:

• Friday, May 15 | 1:00 PM | Online via Microsoft Teams
• • Join here
  • Meeting ID: 224 121 800 518 139
  • Passcode: vG2Un2ST
• Wednesday, May 27 | 4:45 PM | In-person at Diefenbaker, Learning Commons (followed by the Spring Awards Evening)

Students can also receive one-on-one or small group support based on their needs and interests. If you would like to register for a session or have any questions, please contact the school. We encourage all families with students nearing graduation to take advantage of this valuable support.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your child’s success.

Horatio Alger Association of Canada Vocational and Technical Scholarship

Attention Grade 12s and Grade 12 Families! The Horatio Alger Association of Canada Vocational and Technical Scholarship is awarding scholarships of up to $3,000 to students who plan to enroll in hands-on vocational, technical, or trades training for Fall 2026 at a public or not-for-profit institution. Applications must be submitted online by June 15.

To start your application, visit: https://horatioalger.ca/vocational-technical-scholarshp-eligibility/

Come see Student Services with any questions!

St. Mary's University Spring Open House

St. Mary's University is hosting a Spring Open House on Wednesday, May 13 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at McGivney Hall on the St. Mary's Campus (1400 Bannister Rd SE). Prospective students and their families are invited to explore programs, connect with faculty and alumni, and experience campus life. St. Mary's is accepting applications for Fall 2026 until August 1, 2026. Come see Student Services with any questions!

M. Cecil Brownlee Bursary - Free Money for Grade 10s

All Grade 10 students are encouraged to create an EducationMatters account and apply for the M. Cecil Brownlee Bursary. An award between $250-$500 is given to one Grade 10 student in each CBE high school - this could be you! Successful applicants will have at least 35 credits, a minimum average of 70%, and be involved in non-academic activities within our school and community. Visit www.educationmatters.ca or come see Student Services for more information.

Calling all Grade 12 Students

The Shaw Family Foundation scholarship is now open for applications. Scholarships range from $5,000 to $15,000 and aim to advance education by providing meaningful financial support. Applicants must reside in Calgary (or surrounding areas) and planning to attend a post-secondary institution recognized by Alberta Education.

Additional information (including the application form and application steps) can be found in Shaw Family Foundation Scholarship link in the GRAD26 D2L shell. The deadline for applications is May 22nd, 2026 and successful applicants will be notified by the beginning of August. 

Graduating Class of 2026

Dear Families of the Graduating Class of 2026,

Thank you for your support — we are pleased to confirm that our Graduation Reception at WinSport will be moving forward.

PowerSchool has now been updated with the number of tickets requested for each family. Please ensure payment is submitted by May 15.

Tickets will be distributed during lunchtime beginning May 20, 2026, in the Mall.

Thank you again for your continued support as we prepare to celebrate our graduates.

Ceremonies and Reception

We are excited to celebrate the accomplishments of this graduating class with an afternoon reception at WinSport June 5, 2026 (151 Canada Olympic Rd SW, Calgary, AB T3B 5R5) from 2:30PM-5:00PM. Parking is complimentary.  

Attendees at the reception will be able to enjoy delicious food, photo opportunities, and a dance. The student body voted and chose the following menu for the reception:

Taco Bar including a choice of chicken tinga or grilled fajita vegetables on soft flour tortillas with the following additions: house-made salsa, guacamole, sour cream, lettuce, cilantro grated cheese, jalapeños, sweet potato, bean salad, corn salad, zesty lime slaw and 3 small-bite desserts.

Dietary restrictions can be accommodated so please reach out to me by email.

Each attendee, including the graduate, requires a ticket for the reception. Graduates must be on the grad list to purchase tickets.  Please pay your grad fees and check MyPass to ensure you are on the grad list. If not, see your counsellor.

To sign up for tickets, please fill out this form: JGD Graduation Reception Tickets 2026 – Fill out form . This form will be closed on May 7, 2026.

Once the form is completed, the cost of tickets ($65 per ticket) will be uploaded onto PowerSchool for payment. Please allow a minimum of 3 business days for this to happen. Students may visit the business office to pay, or fees may be paid online.  All fees are due by May 15, 2026.

Tickets will be available to pick up later in May - students will be informed via D2L and announcements. All grad fees must be paid before students are able to pick up their tickets. 

Please email aigierach@cbe.ab.ca if you have any questions and require dietary accommodations.  

Grade 12 April Checklist:

The countdown is on for the big day! All graduating Grade 12 students need to:

·         Check the graduation list that is displayed in the main hallway* and make sure that your name is on it!

·         Make sure that you have access to/have created your MyPass account

(https://public.education.alberta.ca/PASI/mypass/welcome)

·         Check (and double check) that you have received credit in CALM as it is a GRADUATION REQUIREMENT

·         Make an appointment with your contact in Student Services if you are worried about your graduation status

*The graduation list will be updated again after T3 marks are finalized

Questions? Come see Student Services!

Summer School Update

CBe-learn and Chinook Learning (in-person) - Registration opens May 4!

Please come to Student Services on May 4 when your grade is called down.  Make sure you know which course you want to register in and if you are registering for in-person, make sure you know which location you would like to register for.  Please ensure you have the necessary prerequisite.  Important  information can be found at:

Summer School | High School | Programs | Calgary Board of Education

Vista Virtual - continues to be open for summer online course registration - visit the website below to watch the registration video and self register.

Vista Virtual School -

CTS Summer School Programs - See your Guidance Counselor on May 4! 

These hands-on courses are a great way to explore career pathways and earn credits.

New I CTS Summer School Programs

·         Introduction to Welding  (Forest Lawn HS)

·         Introduction to Cosmetology  (Centennial HS)

·         Introduction to Engineering  (Sir Winston Churchill HS)

·         Introduction to Broadcasting and Podcasting  (Sir Winston Churchill HS)

·         Introduction to Networking and Cybersecurity  (Sir Winston Churchill HS)

Summer Off-Campus Opportunities

Summer Off-Campus allows students to earn high school credits through paid or volunteer work in Calgary. Students must secure job a placement and have HCS3000 completed. Students without a job placement can apply with CAREERS for internships (careersnextgen.ca).

·                     Work Experience

·                     Internship

·                     Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP)

·                     Deadline: June 12, 2026.

How to apply for these programs: Students meet with their Off-Campus Coordinator - Mr. Coutts

Media & IT Virtual Information Sessions at NAIT, taking place on May 12 and May 13. These sessions are a great opportunity for prospective students to explore program options, hear directly from faculty, and ask questions in a live Q&A setting.

Session Details:

May 12 – Media & Communications Programs
Students interested in creative and media-focused careers can learn more about the following programs:

• Digital Design
• Narrative Cinema Production
• Game Development
• Media Communications and Production (Radio)
• Media Communications and Production (Television)
• Content Creator Entrepreneurship

Event link: https://www.nait.ca/events/media-and-it-virtual-info-session-may-12-a5kol000000b1oxyay

May 13 – Information Technology Programs
Students interested in tech-focused pathways can explore:

• Software Development
• Data Analytics
• Cybersecurity
• IT Systems Administration
• IT Business Analysis

Event link: https://www.nait.ca/events/media-and-it-virtual-info-session-may-13-a5kol000000bknlyae

Each session will include program overviews and a live Q&A, giving students the chance to connect with instructors and get a better sense of what to expect from their chosen field.

Diefenbaker IB Exam Schedule - May 2026

Please use the IB Exam Schedule link for the full schedule.

Athletics and Events Schedule