Important Dates
June 17 – 20 – morning bus service only
June 21 – last day to claim items from lost and found
Exam and Credit Recovery Week
Calgary Transit buses will be running in the mornings only Monday to Thursday.
No exams Friday, June 21
Phys. Ed. Locker Clean Out
Phys. Ed. locker clean out began Thursday, June 13 during class. Please ensure all your belongings were removed and locks returned to your Phys. Ed. Teacher. Anything left in lockers after Friday, June 14 was donated.
Locker Cleanup & Lost and Found
Students’ lockers must be emptied by noon on Friday, June 14, 2024. Items left in lockers will be bagged and labeled with the respective locker number. These items must be picked up by noon on June 21, 2024. Any unclaimed items will be donated on Monday, June 24, 2024. Lost and Found will be on display in the Main Foyer from June 10 to June 21. Unclaimed items will be donated on Monday, June 24.
Message for Schools Who have Distributed the Yearbooks
It has come to our attention that an insert included in yearbooks produced by Jostens contains details about the war in the Middle East including a graphic photo.
Schools typically order this current event insert along with their yearbook order in the fall. We know many CBE schools and classes discuss current events, including the conflict in the Middle East, as part of their regular class work. The events in Israel, the Gaza Strip and other parts of the Middle East are cause for concern around the world and impact many people in our own community. We recognize that for some CBE families, the impact is deeply personal and can be devastating.
Having reviewed the insert, the CBE made the decision to remove this insert from all yearbooks where possible. Unfortunately, in our situation the yearbooks were already distributed to families.
We recognize children may have questions and we encourage families to answer these questions according to their own family beliefs and values. It is when children can engage in thoughtful conversations with a caring adult that they are able to build resilience for themselves and compassion for others.
As always, please contact us if you have any questions.
School Fees
Please ensure that any outstanding school fees are paid by logging into MyCBE or by contacting the Business Office.
Yearbook Pick Up and Purchase Reminder
URGENT MUST PICK UP THIS WEEK. Several students have yet to pick up their yearbooks. Yearbooks can be collected from the Humanities Office. Additionally, there are about 30 yearbooks still available for purchase. If you're interested, please visit Jostens Yearbook Store - JGD
Textbook Return
All textbooks must be returned to the Library if students do not need them for their Final/Diploma Exams. Please note that after Diploma Exams, students must return all their textbooks, otherwise a fee will be automatically charged to their account. All textbooks are barcoded with a unique number and students are asked to return the exact same copy signed out to them. Returning somebody else’s copy will not clear their account.
Library/Learning Commons
All library books are now due. Please return your books to the Library/Learning Commons.
Exam Schedule
Please visit our exam schedulepage for diploma exam schedule, rules, and what to bring.
Congratulations Graduates of Diefenbaker 2024!
So many great memories and moments shared.
Formal Ceremony: Crossing the stage and speeches
Reception: DJ, lights, dancing, mingling, delicious food!
Grad Committee Chair Sanika J. and Valedictorian Yeabsera E. celebrate at the reception.
Photos from the Reception Photo Booth are available at this link: JGD Photo Booth Reception photos. Please note: Download your photos since the company will DELETE THE PHOTOS ON JUNE 24. There are extra souvenir Graduation Ceremony Programs available in the Main Office.
Lifetouch Ceremony Stage Photos
The commencement image with Mr. Arrell is a printed 5x7 and will be mailed directly to all students who had a Prestige session taken with Lifetouch. Graduates that did not have a Prestige session will have their 5x7's sent to our Operations Centre in Edmonton. They will have to call the Lifetouch office to access those images. Students should expect to see these photos in 3-4 weeks, maybe quicker depending on Canada Post. Lifetouch asks students not to call their office within the first few weeks, as they won't be able to help them until processing is completed by the lab.
After the mailout, all images can be accessed online at Lifetouch Special Events. A proof sheet with online access codes for each individual is also mailed. Then if families wish, they can order additional copies though the site.
Artist Spotlight
Nadoo A is a Grade 12 Tech. Theatre and Band student. She plays tenor saxophone and often writes music in her free time. Nadoo had her beginning with Tech. Theatre in Grade 8 and has since participated in various school productions. She continued working in Tech. Theatre because she enjoyed the sense of community and the appreciation that others had for the productions. The creative journey - from start to finish, is what inspires Nadoo. She finds Tech. Theatre to be an exciting activity and likes the feeling of participating in something bigger than herself. Nadoo expresses her voice through prop design, as it allows for more subjective input. Her key skills for Tech. Theatre include observation, organization, utilizing Excel sheets, communication, and note-taking. Although Nadoo is unlikely to pursue Music or Tech. Theatre after high school, she is open to opportunities surrounding it, and wishes to continue to watch theatre productions and other performances. In addition, Nadoo will implement the skills she has learned, such as leadership, into other aspects of her life.
- Written by Krstina K
Math Contest update
This school year, over 30 students participated in the University of Waterloo Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing contests. These contests are written outside of class time and students prepare for these challenging contests independently. The contests highlight students’ critical thinking, problem solving, and resilience and we are proud of all the students that participated. This year, Alexander N, An H, Anika S, Antony Q, Arlene Z, Ashley C, Austin L, Baran H, Bekasyl Y, Bianca L, Chloe K, Emily W, Hailey T, Harleen B, Imran R, Jennifer D, Julia T, Kevin L, Kevin Y, Kian B, Larry W, Lucas L, Maryam A, Melissa T, Monisha K, Pranati R, Qudsia R, Samir S, Stanislav O, Tina C, Tina S represented a total of 67 contest written as many students wrote multiple contests. A special shout out to Antony, Bianca, Kevin L, Kevin Y, Chloe K, and Lucas L for participating in a 3 stage team competition at the end of the year! Congratulations and see you next year for more contests!
Diefenbaker Green Chiefs
The Diefenbaker Green Chiefs were busy this year. Along with school yard clean ups, gardening, living wall, two aquariums and recycling programs in the school, they also worked to place a new seating area with planter boxes near the Student Parking Lot. This will give students a comfortable pleasant space to sit and study or just to relax and smell the flowers. Thanks to Mr. Rai and all the Greens Chiefs who work to bring the Green to the Chiefs.
Important Information for Grade 12 students planning to attend Post Secondary 2024-2025
Students attending post secondary for Fall 2024-2025 may apply for Student Loans and the Alexander Rutherford Scholarship at the following website: www.studentaid.alberta.ca. Applications for Student Loans open some time in June, so it is advised to keep checking the website as they do not provide a specific date for when this happens. The Alexander Scholarship application opens in early August for students attending post secondary in the Fall of 2024. If you have had, or have an academic average in five courses at each grade level (or even one grade level) above 75%, you may be considered for as much as $2500. Please check out the eligibility criteria for the Rutherford Scholarship at the website cited above. Money is held in trust indefinitely for students who qualify for the Alexander Rutherford Scholarship, so if you take a gap year or many years before going to post secondary, you can still apply during the summer prior to your September start for monies. Please contact Mrs. MacDonald if you have any questions, or phone Student Aid Alberta at 1-855-606-2096 (they are very helpful).
National Indigenous Peoples' Day Community Celebration
Youthful Saturday
Calgary Community Resources for Mental Health Counselling and Supports:
Dial "911" for immediate help if you or others are in danger or at risk
Dial 403-266-1234 for non-emergency Calgary Police or EMS concerns
Kids Help Phone | text, phone, live chat or find resources: kidshelpphone.ca or 1-800-668-6868
ConnecTeen | ConnecTeen.com or 403-264-8336 (call) or 587-333-2724 (text)
Access Mental Health for Adolescents | free, short term mental health supports and resources: www.albertahealthservices.ca/services/page11443.aspx or 403-943-1500
Distress Centre | 24 hour crisis support, free crisis counselling, peer support, community resources: www.distresscentre.com or 403-266-4357 (HELP)
Indigenous Mental Health Program - Sheldon Chumir Health Centre | ulturally appropriate mental health care and support for Indigenous clients
Indigenous Mental Health Program or 403-955-6645
Eastside Family Centre | phone, e-therapy and walk in counselling available at: www.woodshomes.ca/programs/eastside-family-centre or 403-299-9699
Mental Health support through Alberta Health Services | helplines, services and counselling supports: www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/Page14063.aspx#details-panel14068 or 1-877-303-2642
Calgary Counselling Centre | affordable and subsidized counselling supports: calgarycounselling.com or 833-827-4229
The Alex Health Centre | physical, emotional and sexual health care available for vulnerable Calgarians. Mature minors are supported. thealex.ca
The Summit: Marian & Jim Sinneave Centre for Youth Resilience | physical, emotional and sexual health care available for vulnerable Calgarians. Designed for children and youth. thesummit@ahs.ca or 587-534-7200