Monday, May 20 – Victoria Day, No School

Spring Pep Rally–Wed, May 22 Modified Schedule

Period 2
9:00 AM - 10:13 AM

Period 1
10:17 AM - 11:30 AM

TA
11:35 AM - 11:40 AM (Attendance)

11:45 AM - 12:19 PM Outdoor Pep Rally - Rugby Field

Lunch
12:19 PM - 12:59 PM

Period 4
1:00 PM - 2:13 PM

Period 3
2:17 PM - 3:30 PM

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.

Grad Weekly Update 

Ceremony – Graduating students were able to pick up 1, 2 or 3 ceremony tickets for their guests from May 13-16.  Graduates do not need a ticket for the ceremony. The last day to pick up complimentary tickets was Thursday, May 16. Tickets not requested will be available for purchase for other families.  Remaining ceremony guest tickets that have not been requested or picked up by Thursday, May 16 will be available for purchase on Wednesday, May 22 starting at 8:30 AM.  The Google Form to request additional tickets will go live at 8:30 AM – it will only be posted to the GRAD D2L shell under Announcements. Please ensure that your student completes the form if additional tickets are needed.  Students will then be contacted to pick up their tickets from Student Services. There will be a maximum of 2 tickets per student, at $5 each, for as long as tickets remain. Payment must be made at time of ticket pickup.  Further questions regarding ceremony tickets may be directed to Ms. Lisa Early – lmearly@cbe.ab.ca

A reminder that the ceremony will be livestreamed! This means that you may include relatives and friends with small children or who would not otherwise be able to attend. The link for this stream will be sent out the week of Graduation.

Formal Reception

Tuesday May 14 was the last day to fill in the form to order Reception tickets. Sales were brisk! We are excited for the dance, DJ, fancy food and mingling! See you there!  There are a few additional reception tickets available for purchase in the business office.  

Night of the Chiefs Annual Athletic Awards Banquet

Diefenbaker’s Annual Athletic Awards Banquet, Night of the Chiefs, will be hosted on the evening of Wednesday, June 5, 2024. All attendees will need a ticket. Athletes, who have played for a Diefenbaker sports team this year, will need to insure they have paid for their ticket on PowerSchool. Tickets will be distributed the last week of May. Any other students, parents, or guests who want to attend can purchase a ticket by contacting the Diefenbaker business office. Tickets are $48 and include dinner and the awards evening.

Forward Summit

On May 14 and 15, the Forward Summit conference on Empowering Indigenous Economies took place at Grey Eagle Event Centre. This prestigious event hosted over 1000 guests and this year’s focus was on Economic Reconciliation. Four students from the Calgary Board of Education were selected to participate in a Youth Panel where they shared their thoughts on issues affecting Indigenous Youth in the workforce. Gabrielle J., a Grade 12 student here at John G. Diefenbaker, was one of the youth panel speakers and she delivered a passionate speech on the importance of mental wellness in all areas of economic development from education to training to workplace supports. Gabby will continue to explore her commitment to mental wellness by beginning a degree in Psychology at the University of Calgary in the fall. Thank you, Gabby, for being such a strong voice for your peers and for representing Diefenbaker at this amazing event!

Artist Spotlight

Leigh B. is a Grade 12 student at Diefenbaker. She has a vast range of experiences in the Arts in various mediums like acting, backstage, and painting; specializing in landscape painting. Leigh recently took a leap in being a part of the Diefenbaker’s production of Puffs, working costuming and make-up. She also found herself working in the fast paced environment of the stage wings executing swift costume changes for the actors. She enjoys being able to express her feelings through her art as well as through the experience. Leigh has been doing Art since the seventh Grade when she began acting. Leigh finds herself inspired by various media but derives most of her inspiration from Van Gogh. She finds herself entranced by the play Les Misérables, feeling stricken with the captivating and immersive nature of the play. Leigh was star struck by the painting The Execution of Lady Jane Grey, finding it impossible to look away. The Arts Program at JGD has truly given Leigh the opportunity to connect herself with the earth and her surroundings. Diefenbaker has given Leigh and many other students the chance to express themselves freely! Long live the Arts!      

- Written by Julia L.

Biology 30 IB Duckling

The Biology 30 IB class incubated and hatched a duckling as part of our reproduction and embryonic development unit in Biology 30.  The students are excited that the ducking is in our classroom until May 24, then it will be returned to its farm.  Other classes and teacher are enjoying visiting the duckling as well.  In this picture, the duckling is feeding in its water bin. The duck has been named Peeking Duck.

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 continue to 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.

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

Exam Schedule

Explore more information about our exam schedule.