Remembrance Day Ceremony

Last Thursday, November 7, our school community hosted an incredible Remembrance Day Service. Dief’s student population is so large this year, that our Grade 12 & 10 students were able to attend in the gym and the Grade 11s saw the service over TEAMs.  We had 14 cadets: army, air, and navy, also participate in our service. Under the direction of Parade Commander Flight Sergeant Emily L. and Flag Party Commander Flight Sergeant Divisha A., our cadets have been practicing their parade, flag and wreath protocols since early October to ensure that the service went smoothly and professionally.  We are very proud of all our students who were respectful throughout the service and conducted themselves with the etiquette expected for such a somber occasion. It is an important aspect of school to help guide our students to take the time to honour those who have committed their lives to protecting the freedoms and rights of our citizens as well as globally.

In order to continue our support, we have extended the deadline to November 28 for collecting up non-perishable donations for the Veterans Food Bank as well as for the 1500 poppies the Veterans provided our school for the students. Please encourage your child to bring in some food donations and a loonie or toonie for the poppy they received and wore.

Congratulations Football Team!

Congratulations to the Diefenbaker Football Team for their incredible win over Bishop McNally to become the Div. III City Champions!

Our football team consisted of over 68 boys and girls from both Diefenbaker and James Fowler and this final game made for an amazing finish to their 9-0 season!

Winter Concert – November 26 Save the Date

The John G. Diefenbaker Winter Concert is being held on Tuesday, November 26 at Foothills Alliance Church.  Doors open at 6:30pm, Music starts at 7:00pm.

Tickets will be sold at the door: $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 13-17, children 12 and under get in free. 

Congratulations to all of last year’s Grade 10 and 11 Honour Roll Students!

Honour Roll Certificates were distributed this week to all of last year’s Grade 10s and 11s who received an overall average last year of 80% or higher. Courses which are not included in this calculation would be any course taken off campus and not during the school year at Diefenbaker.

We are proud of our students for all of their hard work as they strive for excellence!  52% of Grade 10 students and 40% of our Grade 11s achieved Honour Roll status! Congratulations and well done!  We are very proud of you!

Artist Spotlight

Meet Madison (Max) P., a talented flutist and trombonist whose musical journey is as diverse as her artistic expressions.  As a member of the John G. Diefenbaker High School Symphonic Band, Max showcases her exceptional skills on the flute, bringing a unique sound to the ensemble.  Her versatility shines through as she also takes on the role of a trombonist in the Jazz Band, where her remarkable ability in improvisation captivates audiences and fellow musicians alike.

Max's love for music is matched only by her passion for art.  When she’s not performing, she draws and creates stunning artworks that reflect her vibrant personality and creative spirit.  This duality of music and visual art allows Max to express herself in multifaceted ways, embracing the beauty of both disciplines.

What truly sets Max apart is her openness to the diversity of music.  She believes that each genre has its own story to tell, and she approaches every performance with acceptance and enthusiasm.  This mindset not only enriches her own musical experiences but also inspires those around her.

As Max continues to hone her skills and explore new artistic avenues, there's no doubt she will leave an indelible mark on both the music and art communities.  Keep an eye on this rising star as her journey as a talented artist is just beginning!

RAP and Skilled Trade Fair

We are excited to invite you and your family to the RAP and Skilled Trade Fair hosted by CAREERS, taking place at All Saints High School on Wednesday, November 20, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM in the main gym.

This event is a fantastic opportunity for students to explore different career pathways and connect with over 50 industry professionals. Your child will also have the chance to learn about paid internship programs, including the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP), which provides hands-on work experience while students are still in school.

We encourage you to attend and support your child as they explore potential career opportunities and receive valuable guidance from industry experts.

Please use this link to register: https://www.careersnextgen.ca/events/calgary-career-fair-237 

Veterans Food Bank & Poppy Donations

Thank you for all the non perishable food items already donated.  We will continue the collection of donations in the front foyer until Thursday, November 28.  We would also ask that any contributions to the Poppy Fund be brought to the main office.  We will continue to collect financial donations until November 28 as well. 

Jacket Racket Donations

We are collecting lightly used/clean winter apparel to donate to Jacket Racket for other schools.  Please bring items to the front foyer before November 28.  If you are a family who require winter apparel, please reach out to Ms. Cat Turner cjturner@cbe.ab.ca.  We have previous years’ donations from Jacket Racket we can share. 

Child and Youth Well-Being Family and Caregiver Fall/Winter Series 2024/2025

The Calgary Board of Education invites all parents and guardians to join us in a pre-recorded and live online series focusing on child and youth well-being. These sessions will be hosted in partnership with experts from Alberta Health Services and Recovery Alberta and will explore topics such as Peer Pressure, Healthy Relationships, Mental Health for Highly Sensitive Teens, and navigating Parent-Teen relationships.

Acting on feedback from participants who joined us during our live online sessions over the past two years, moving forward we invite all guardians and parents to listen to the pre-recorded or live sessions at their convenience.

Suggestions from the Well-Being team are listed below:

Upcoming Live Sessions 

1| November 20 | 1:00-3:00pm | Can we Talk: Healthy Relationships | Diana Wark (She/Her), Parent Program Coordinator for Centre for Sexuality – Register Here

2| November 21 | 12:00-1:30pm | Building Resiliency in Today’s Youth | Andrea Halwas Larsen, PhD, CT, REACE – Register Here 

3| November 28 | 10:00am-11:30am | Mental Health for Highly Sensitive Teens; Unique Struggles for those Emotional Feelers | Tracy Fields, MSW, RSW – Register Here

Pre-Recorded Sessions 

1| Adolescent Brain Development and Navigating Parent-Teen Relationships

Erin Dawson Myers

Description: In this session we will discuss the adolescent brain, how to support healthy brain development, promoting resilience, and navigating the ways that your relationship with your teen will evolve as they slowly but surely become little adults. 

2| Screen Time: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly | Dr. Caroline Buzanko Description: The effects of screen time on the developing brain. The behavioural outcomes of too much screen time and how and when technology can be beneficial. 

3| Understanding Autism & ADHD to Promote Long-Term Success

Dr. Caroline Buzanko

Description: This session focuses on the complex nature of Autism and ADHD, as well as the associated strengths and challenges.

Mental Health Literacy Series (Pre-Recorded):

1| Focused and Engaged: Finding Balance through Self-Regulation Information Sheet

Click Here

2| Sleeping Your Way to Better Mental Health | Information Sheet Click Here

3| Behavioural Challenges of School Aged Children | Information Sheet Click Here

Planet Youth Calgary Wants To Hear From Our Youth!

Your voices matter - we want to hear how your community can support youth!

Planet Youth is a program led by United Way of Calgary and Area. With local partners and data, we help young people live their best life.

On December 4, Grade 10 students have a choice to take a survey. This survey is part of Planet Youth Calgary's work to improve community resources and recreation. The data will help identify key support areas, promoting connection, belonging, and growth. Please use the following PDF to view the FAQ about Planet Youth. 

The survey is completely anonymous, takes 15-30 minutes, and asks about substance use and social life in four areas: family, friends, school, and leisure activities. No personal identifiers are attached to the survey responses and data is stored securely. faq

We need to hear directly from our city's youth. Listening to youth voices is crucial for making them feel valued and respected. The Planet Youth survey is the first step in understanding youth needs and guiding our community work.

Survey results will be shared in the new year with Community Action Teams, schools, and communities. These teams will use the data to find strengths and needs, then create plans to support youth.

We encourage you to complete the 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.

We will host two parent/guardian information sessions at Diefenbaker to provide more information and an opportunity to ask questions to the survey organizers. The sessions will be held on Wednesday, November 6 and Thursday, November 14 from 4:00-4:30pm in the library.

Updates from IB: IB Learner Profile Contest 

November’s focus will be on the Learner Profile of “Carer”. These students show empathy, compassion, and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and the world around them. Entries to this month’s contest are due November 22. Students can enter through the form on D2L. Parents, who wish to nominate their child, can email Ms. Ulanicki at tjulanicki@cbe.ab.ca. 

IB Open House and Exhibition 

November 18 will see exciting things happening in IB! Grade 11 IB Science Students will present their Collaborative Science Projects. Grade 12 IB Diploma students will showcase their Theory of Knowledge Exhibitions and Diefenbaker will host our Open House to Grade 9 families.   

6:00 – 6:30: Doors are open to Grade 9 students and families to view the Exhibition held in the cafeteria.  

6:30 – 7:30: 

• Information session about our IB program will be held in the Learning Commons for Grade 9 students. The Chinese Academy will be on site to provide registration information for interested families.  
• Parents and families of our current IB students are invited to view student work in the cafeteria.  

Basketball Tryouts

Tryouts begin Monday November 18.  The doors open at 7 am: Junior boys in the main gym, Senior girls in the east gym, Senior boys after school at 5:15 – 6:45.  Doors close 15 minutes after the tryouts begin.  Please show up on time.  A reminder to have your student check the announcements and with the PE department for updates.

Athletics & Events Schedule