JGD School Council Meeting in person in the Learning Commons on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 6:00 – 7:30 pm

School Safety

Students have shared in many ways they feel the washrooms are unsafe.  Students who loiter at the entrance to washrooms create an often-unwitting intimidating presence.  To increase and foster a community where all students feel safe, welcomed and cared for, we are increasing staff presence in and around the washrooms to direct loitering students out of and away from the washrooms.   We have been working with many students through direction and conversation to correct these habits.  Students who continue with these undesirable habits may receive disciplinary actions.  Additionally, according to CBE Administrative Regulation 6008 Student Personal Mobile Devices (7); Student Personal Mobile Devices (PMD) are not permitted to be used in bathrooms or changing rooms under any circumstances.  Students found using PMD in washrooms may find their devices being confiscated or may receive disciplinary actions.

Vista Virtual School

Registration opens for on line courses December 2 and closes March 24^.

Students may register themselves with the support of a parent at www.vvschool.ca

CBe-Learn

Any student wishing to take an on line course with CBe-Learn needs to see their counsellor ASAP.  Grade 12 students requiring a course for graduation need to meet with their counsellor ASAP as the registration before Christmas will only be open from Monday, December 9 to Wednesday, December 11.  The portal for all student registration opens January 7 and will remain open for just a few days!

If you have any questions you may reach out to your counselor.

Planet Youth Survey Forms

Last call for Grade 10 students for Planet Youth Survey Forms. The survey will occur during TA on Wednesday, December 11.  We encourage parents and students to complete the attached consent form so your student’s voice can be heard. Please email completed digital consent forms to johngdiefenbaker@cbe.ab.ca or return paper copies to the Main Office.  If you have any questions, please contact Ryan Hurley (Assistant Principal) at rjhurley@cbe.ab.ca

Access the Digital Consent Form

Lifetouch Appreciation

Dear Parents,

As a token of appreciation this holiday season, Lifetouch is offering discounts on school photography!  Codes are valid through December 14, 2024.

To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.ca or create an online account.  Thank you!

• 50% off a purchase of $50+ with code CDEC50
• 40% off a purchase of $40+ with code CDEC40
• 30% off a purchase of $30+ with code CDEC30

Lifetouch Fall Retakes

Fall Retakes are being offered by Lifetouch at their Calgary studio.  This is the perfect opportunity to retake an image if you weren’t able to do so at school.  Sessions are by appointment only in the Lifetouch Calgary studio on Saturday, December 14.  Please use the following link for online appointment booking.  Lifetouch Fall Retake Appointments

Step 1 – Default Session Type (Fall Individual 5 min) | Default School (Calgary Studio - Fall)
Step 2 - Select December 14 indicated by blue date link.
Step 3 - Select your Time.
Step 4 - Complete the Registration Form.
Step 5 - Confirm your Appointment.

Diefenbaker Swim Team Attends Bow Division City Championships Swim Meet

Congratulations to the Diefenbaker Swim Team on their outstanding performance at the Bow Division City Championships Swim Meet. Our swimmers made huge improvements on their times and achieved many personal bests. Your coaches (Ms. McDougall and Ms. Fox) are so proud of the strength, grit and competitive spirit demonstrated by our swim team at the meet and throughout the season! We are excited for the final results to come out after all the times and points are tallied by the meet officials. Let’s go Dief!!!

Updates from IB

Have you been a COMMUNICATOR this month? Students who are communicators understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others. How have you been a communicator this month?

How have you demonstrated being a strong communicator this month?  Enter to win FREE PIZZA by telling us how you or your friends have been COMMUNICATORs in December. A reminder that the draw date is December 18.

Artist Spotlight

Blake B. is a Grade 12 student who applies his love of art to his semi-realistic creations.  He started drawing around the age of five and has been expanding on his skills ever since.  Inspired by objects and artifacts from life, Blake gets meditatively immersed in his artworks.  His practice gives him an avenue to be expressive and let the world see his talents.  Rather than planning, Blake lets the pencil guide him on the paper.  His creativity unfolds naturally.  Blake’s artwork captures elements of the real world, but with an artistic twist.  His plans are to further expand and deepen his knowledge by continuing his studies at AUArts after high school. – By Ivy L.

Academic Accommodation Advising for Mount Royal University Bound Students

Do you have students with an IPP?

Your students who have applied for admission to Mount Royal University are invited to sign up to attend a one-hour overview of the self-advocacy coaching sessions that are available to them as they transition to post-secondary education. Session one provides an overview of the academic accommodation process and the skills that are necessary for a successful transition to Mount Royal University (MRU).  Information regarding documentation of disability requirements frequently asked questions, and the possibility of some funding for students with disabilities will all be reviewed.

Academic Accommodate Advising -- Bridge the Gap provides information, tools, and resources for students and their families regarding this critical and demanding transition, from high school to the post-secondary environment through a series of five focused sessions. 

We are excited to be partnering with Ana Pardo, Ph.D, who has spent the last thirty years of her career examining disability, diversity, and equity issues.  She has also had the opportunity to work with post-secondary students by teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in the areas of equity, diversity, and inclusion.  She has been the Director of Access and Inclusion Services at Mount Royal University and was previously the Director of Accessibility Services at the University of Calgary.  Most recently, she is the owner/advisor of Academic Accommodation Advising – Bridge the Gap.

Athletics and Events Schedule

Any Diefenbaker students attending games at other schools must have their student ID to be granted entrance.

Yearbooks on Sale

Calgary Christmas Resources

Please the following list of resources for the holiday season. 

Self Referral

Can contact directly to request support

• Rise Calgary email: info@risecalgary.ca (403)204-8280
• Calgary Children’s Cottage – Calgary West Family Resource Network (403)830-3153 They will connect participating families with toys, need to go through intake process.
• Calgary Food Bank – (403)253-2055 info@calgaryfoodbank.com Satellite Locations: Need Food? We are here to help. - Calgary Food Bank Identification for all household members required. Hampers include regular food items – no holiday extras provided
• Centre Street Church – (403)520-1227 If you want to become a recipient of a hamper please send an email to hampers@cschurch.ca
• Closer To Home- Adopt a Family Program – (403)543-0555 Call and speak directly with the Intake and Assessment Worker. Provides gift cards to over four hundred vulnerable families in Calgary, to purchase food, necessities, and gifts during the holiday season. Donors are matched with a specific family and donations are used to provide gift cards rather than physical gifts. This way adopted families can decide their needs during this season. Adopt a Family – FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for Families | Closer to Home
• Sacred Heart- Christmas Hamper Program – (403)244-2741 Referrals open Christmas Hamper Program – Sacred Heart Church (sacredheartcalgary.ca)
• Salvation Army-Christmas Toy Program for Children (0-12 years old) – (403) 220-0432 Registration begins October 2024 Families with children ages 0-12 can apply to receive Christmas toys for their children. To be eligible, families must reside within certain communities and be identified as low-income. This program is only for families who are not receiving toys from any other program or organization. Please note that there is no online registration this year. Home - The Salvation Army Community Services Calgary (salvationarmycalgary.org)
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul – (403)250-0319 Contact Society of St. Vincent de Paul or your local Catholic Church for more information (multiple locations available across the city). Contact – Society of St. Vincent de Paul Calgary (ssvpcalgary.ca)
• The Mustard Seed Hub – (403)269-1319 Christmas Hamper giveaway in Marlborough Park and Manchester Neighbour Centers. Screening is completed to determine eligibility to access Christmas food hamper. Proof of low income required (i.e., low-income transit pass). Clients can access a Christmas Hamper by contacting an Advocate directly at (587)393-4020 or by email wellness@theseed.ca For clients who would like to self-refer, they can email hubs@theseed.ca or visit the Hub locations: Marlborough Park: 6060 memorial Drive NE Manchester: 5757 2nd Street SW Marlborough Park Neighbour Centre | Mustard Seed (theseed.ca) • Northeast Calgary Adopt a Family Society (403)590 6656
• • Email: necaafs@shaw.ca Families are referred by the Community Resource Centers. Please contact the Resource Center in your community and arrange for an interview. Referrals open October 2024 North East Calgary Adopt a Family Society (necaafs.com)

For Seniors

• MPC Foundation Contact person: June Lee (587)480-7373
• Seniors Secret Service- Christmas Cheer Program – 403-257-8339 coordinator@seniorssecretservice.com Christmas Cheer | Seniors Secret Service

Agency Referral - must be referred by a qualified agency, health professional or support group

Kinette Club of Calgary- Adopt a Family Program Email:info@kincalgary.com Adopt-A-Family (kincalgary.com) Social Worker/Agency must refer Families they are actively participating in programming with. Families must meet the Low Income Cut Off (pre-tax) criteria. Restrictions:

• Single adult applicants or families with adults only are not eligible
• Client cannot be receiving a hamper from any other source
• Client may only receive a hamper from this program once every 3 years. (Eligible again on the fourth year)
• Made By Momma Christmas Programs – A Social Worker referral is required from an agency where the applicant is actively involved with agency programming. Referrals open from October until one week before Christmas (exceptions can be made). Requests for support must come through the “Contact Us” form on the website: https://madebymomma.org/contact-us-2 Christmas Programs support families with at least one child aged 1+ living in the home living in Calgary and surrounding communities
• • Adopt-a-Momma (matches families in-need with generous sponsors)
  • Santa’s Workshop
  • Holiday Food Hamper
• The Magic of Christmas – (403)8031619 Must be referred by a qualified agency, health professional or support group (Social Workers, Teachers, Doctors, Police Officers & Nurses, etc.). Referrals Open
• October 1 – December 15 Organizations can refer families for visits on Christmas Eve - To complete a referral, please contact the referrals team or call the office to request a referral. Families can access it once every three years.
• The Magic of Christmas - Loving, Caring, and Sharing