Important Dates

May 30 – Education Matters Scholarship deadline 

June 5 – Night of the Chiefs Annual Athletic Awards Banquet

June 7 – Graduation (School Closed)

Education Matters Scholarships

Grade 12s, the Education Matters Scholarships deadline is fast approaching!

All applications must be submitted by May 30th, 2024.

If you have any questions, see Mrs. MacDonald in Student Services.

Local 38 Scholarships for High School Students Available

Applications are open for current high school students to apply for various Local 38 scholarships. APPLY SOON: application deadline for all scholarships is 2024 May 31!

• Local 38 Heritage Scholarship: open to all children of Local 38 members (awarded to all who qualify).
• 2SLGBTQQIA+ Scholarship: open to a Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and additional sexual orientations CBE student or an ally to further their education at an accredited post-secondary institution (one scholarship available).
• The John Laurie Scholarship: open to an Indigenous student with outstanding merit in the Calgary Board of Education each year.
• Black Canadian Scholarship: recognizes a student who is actively engaged within the black community, who demonstrates outstanding merit and leadership within the CBE (one scholarship available).

While the Local 38 Heritage scholarships are open to children of Local 38 members, the other three scholarships are available to any graduating CBE student. Please apply before 2024 May 31!

Application forms and guidelines are found on the Local 38 website.

Grad Weekly Update 

Formal Graduation Ceremony | Friday, June 7, 2024

8:30 all Graduands to line up for procession
9:00 A.M. at Centre Street Campus (3900 2nd Street NE)

Tickets required for all except for Graduands.

Parking: Free 

All attendees, no matter age, are required to have a ticket to enter. There is a live stream of the ceremony for any family members who are unable to attend.  The link will be available on our website one day prior (Thursday, June 6) before the ceremony as well as the student’s Grad D2L shell.

Students are expected to arrive at 8:30 to line up with their TA Teachers and be ready for the procession.

Once the ceremony begins, guests are not allowed to leave their seats to come to the front to take pictures. Lifetouch will take a photo of your Graduate on stage with Principal Arrell. The photo is free of charge and will be mailed to your home address or to the school if no address with Lifetouch.

No food, drinks or noisemakers allowed inside the auditorium. This is a formal event. 

Formal Graduation Reception: Friday, June 7, 2024

2:30 – 5:00 PM at WinSport 88 Canada Olympic Rd SW

Tickets are required for all attendees

Once inside the hall, there are no in/out privileges. Please ensure you bring everything from the car with you before entering the hall. Tickets and bags will be checked upon entry. 

Participation in Graduation Ceremonies requires students to: 

• Have earned the required credits and courses to meet the Alberta Education requirements for a High School Diploma or Certificate of High School Achievement 

Yearbook Distribution

We are excited to announce that the 2023/24 yearbooks have arrived! Grade 12 Students can pick up their yearbooks on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, before school, after school, or during lunch NOT during class time. Grade 10 and 11 Students will be able to collect their yearbooks on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at the same times.

There are a very limited number of yearbooks still available for purchase. If you or your student have not yet purchased one, orders can be made at Jostens JGD Yearbook.

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.

Artist Spotlight

Aniket is a Grade 12, partial IB student who has dedicated a large amount of time to the Fine Arts Program at Diefenbaker.  His extensive musical background includes 10 years of piano, 7 years of drumming and band, 6 years of jazz band, and 5 years of singing.  He showcases his musical talent as a part of Diefenbaker’s Symphonic Band, Jazz 1, Concert Choir, Vocal Jazz, and Choral Ensemble.  Not only does Aniket play a critical role in the Music Program at Diefenbaker, he also aided in the establishment of Diefenbaker’s first ever Percussion Ensemble in 2023, which is entirely student led.  On the side, he has been performing at recitals for the vast majority of his life on the piano, drum kit, as well as singing. He is fortunate to perform almost weekly at various locations and events. 

Aniket is inspired to create music through the energy it brings him, as well as how playing music with others can bring people together.  Creating art is a way of expressing his emotions and challenging himself to overcome new obstacles.  It makes him feel connected with the world around him.  Art is a chance to show people what he is passionate about in life, the energy and the smiles from the music is more rewarding than anything else.  Through his process he attempts a new skill at his instrument every week and continues to build upon the foundation until he can say he vastly improves and achieves his goals.  Aniket plans on joining a University level choir, as well as auditioning to be a part of a community band near his future University - University of British Columbia.  This will help him gain first-hand experience on the drum kit, while playing the jazz music he truly loves.  To keep up with Aniket’s musical endeavors, you can find him on Instagram.

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

Resume Workshop

Are you a newcomer student and can legally work in Canada or a permeant resident? Trellis Society and The Calgary Bridges Foundation for Youth will be hosting a Resume workshop! 

Community Education Service

Calgary Community Food Resources

Do you need support in finding low or no cost food? Use the Calgary community food map to view a list of food resources across Calgary.

Access to food (calgary.ca) 

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 

Exam Schedule

See the Exam schedule page.