Important Dates

May 13 – Complimentary Grad Ceremony tickets available (max 3 tickets /graduate)

May 14 – Last day to order Grad Reception tickets (Deadline extended)

May 16 – Deadline for complimentary Grad Ceremony tickets (all remaining tickets will be available for purchase on May 22)

Friday, May 17 – No school for students

Cafeteria closed for IB Exams for the week – Please relocate to Learning Commons.

Education Matters Scholarships

• Grade 12's, the Education Matters scholarships deadline is fast approaching!
• All applications must be submitted by May 30, 2024.
• If you have any questions, see Mrs. MacDonald in Student Services.

School Council Meeting

Please join us in person for the JGD School Council Meeting on Tuesday, May 14 at 6:30 PM in the Learning Commons.

Important Parking Information 

A reminder that only students who have paid for and currently display a JGD parking pass may park in the Student Parking Lot.  Reminder slips will be placed on vehicles not displaying their parking pass.  The license plate will be recorded.  If a car is recorded twice, the owner may receive a parking ticket or the car may be towed. 

Parents, please note that parking in the Staff Parking Lot is for Teachers only. Parents parking in Teachers’ parking spots prevents Teachers from parking safely and arriving to school safely and on time. There is a drop off location for parents to stop and let students out.

After school, please arrange to meet your student off school property such as the Superstore parking lot rather than parking in Teachers’ parking stalls.

Grad Weekly Update 

Graduation Events

There are only two official CBE sponsored events for Graduation:

• June 7 Ceremony at Centre Street Auditorium. 8:30 AM doors open  
• June 7  Reception at WinSport. 2:30 PM doors open 

All other events/parties/proms are run by private entities and are not affiliated or supported by the CBE or John G. Diefenbaker High School. Students and families are advised to do their own due diligence to determine if these events are right for themselves or their child. 

Please ensure that your student attends TA to receive all important Grad related information. 

Formal Reception – The menu is set, the DJ’s making his playlists and excitement is building as décor for the “Gala” theme is beginning to take shape! Don’t forget to fill in the Google Form to order your tickets. Due to IB exams, the deadline to purchase tickets has been extended to Tuesday May 14. Get your name on the form to join the fun!  

Formal Ceremony News

We are excited to announce that we will be livestreaming the ceremony for those who are unable to attend. This allows friends and family members who have small children or live afar to celebrate and watch their Grad cross the stage! Prior to the event, a secure link will be sent to families to view the ceremony, so please ensure that your contact email is correct with our digital mailout system. With many Grads celebrating their 18 birthday, often families no longer receive the Messenger mailouts. Please check with the Main Office to ensure you are receiving all the important information. 

The ticketing process for the ceremony begins next week! Beginning Monday, May 13, students will be asked to indicate if they require 1, 2, or 3 complimentary ceremony tickets.  A reminder that graduates, themselves, do not need a ticket for the ceremony.  Students will have until Thursday, May 16 to get their complimentary tickets. Tickets not requested and assigned during this first stage will be available for purchase on Wednesday, May 22 for $5 each.

Students must pay their Grad fees in order to receive tickets to the ceremony. 

Diefenbaker Vocal Jazz & Foreigner

The Diefenbaker Vocal Jazz rocked on and out Wednesday Night (10:30 PM) with the rock band Foreigner. The kids were pumped as they came off stage. 2500 people cheered them on as they sang “I Wanna Know What Love Is”. It warmed Mr. Schwartz’s heart to see the pure joy on their faces. Our Choral Program is still one of the best, according to Mr. Schwartz and our Dief staff, and the most vibrant in the City of Calgary. Foreigner also contributed $500 to our Choir Fund. Thanks for your support! 

Check out their performance on YouTube!

Sports Medicine 35 Field trip

The Sports Medicine 35 class had the opportunity to visit the U of C Human Performance Lab this week. The students spent the day interacting with Masters and PhD students participating in their research projects. The students had a great time away from school and seeing what all the post secondary possibilities are once high school life is over; in particular in the world of Sports Medicine, Biomechanics and Kinesiology.

Artist Spotlight

Tina C. is a Grade 12 student who works in traditional (pencil, acrylic and gouache) and digital mediums, as well as several crafting mediums (sewing, crochet, knit, woodwork, cross stitch and embroidery). They have kept sketchbooks since they were twelve and are always eager to learn new ways to make art.

Tina is inspired by artists they follow online, as well as friends and real life.  Their art is mostly self-indulgent, with the primary goals being improvement and self-satisfaction.  Tina enjoys interacting with communities of people with common interests to foster inspiration and motivation. They like to treat every art piece as a chance to practice and progress.

Tina plans to maintain art as a hobby where they can both relax and strive for self-improvement.

School Events

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 or 403-943-1500 

Distress Centre

Visit the Distress Centre for 24 hour crisis support, free crisis counselling, peer support, community resources or 403-266-4357 (HELP) 

Indigenous Mental Health Program - Sheldon Chumir Health Centre

Culturally appropriate mental health care and support for Indigenous clients or 403-955-6645 

Eastside Family Centre

Phone, e-therapy and walk in counselling available at Woods Homes or 403-299-9699 

Mental Health support through Alberta Health Services

Helplines, services and counselling supports Visit their website or 1-877-303-2642 

Calgary Counselling Centre

Affordable and subsidized counselling supports from the Calgary Counselling Centreor 833-827-4229 

The Alex Health Centre

Physical, emotional and sexual health care available for vulnerable Calgarians. Mature minors are supported. Visit the Alex Centre's website.

The Summit: Marian & Jim Sinneave Centre for Youth Resilience

Physical, emotional and sexual health care available for vulnerable Calgarians. Designed for children and youth. Emailthesummit@ahs.ca or 587-534-7200