Important Dates Student Progress Conferences Online – November 28 Photo Retakes – December 3 Jostens Grad Rings - Dec 1 & 2 Teachers for Teachers’ - Christmas Market - Dec 8 4:30-7:30

Weekly Update | November 24-28, 2025

Student Progress Conferences - Virtual

Student Progress Conferences are being held on Friday, November 28 virtually from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Parents can sign up for one 10-minute meeting with each of your students’ teachers through School Engage starting November 17 at 8:00AM.

Indigenous Student Post-Secondary Recruitment Fair

​In friendship with the Post Secondary Indigenous Recruitment Association of Alberta (PIRAA), the Indigenous Education Teams from the CBE and Calgary Catholic School Division are hosting an Indigenous Student Post-Secondary Recruitment Fair on Thursday, Nov. 27 from 4:30 - 7 p.m. at Our Lady​ of the Rockies High School.

This event is open to Indigenous students currently in high school in Calgary and area. Students and families will have the opportunity to visit with post-secondary representatives from across Alberta sharing their programs and information specific to Indigenous students.

Casino Fundraiser URGENT

We have just over a week (November 21 & 22, 2025) until our fundraising Casino and we are still looking for the following positions to be filled:

• Friday Day shift (11:00 am to 7:40 pm): General Manager, and at least one backup for Cash Cage
• Friday Evening shift (7:15 pm to 3:45 am): General Manager, two Chip Runners, & one back up for Cash Cage
• Saturday Day shift (11:00 am to 7:40 pm): all shifts filled
• Saturday Evening shift (7:15 pm to 3:45 am): General Manager, 1 Cashier, & at least one backup for Cash Cage

Total 9 people needed. General Manager and Cashier need to be filled by a family member of student of JGD. 

JGD Chiefs Parent Association: JGD Chiefs Casino Fundraiser

This fundraiser is one of our major sources of funding to help the school pay for such things as sporting equipment, arts supplies, IB resources, computers, and so much more! It is very important that we fill all positions, including backup positions, to ensure that the Casino can run their tables those days and we don't lose our opportunity to fundraise like this in the future.  No previous experience is required, and training for each position will be provided on-site. Meals and snacks will be provided for volunteers during their shift as well.

Reimbursement for transportation can also be arranged, if required. Come out and meet other parents as part of this great volunteering opportunity! 

On behalf of the students, parents and staff: THANK YOU SO MUCH!! 

Student Drop Off

With the cold weather approaching, we see an increase in students being dropped off in the mornings.  We have a very efficient and safe drop-off procedure in the mornings.  

Please do not use stalls to park, drop off, and reverse out to leave.  This causes congestion and safety hazards. 

There are 3 safe and quick paths:

1. Enter from the south entrance on 4 St, head north along the school, drop off by the flagpole, and turn left to exit either via the north entrance onto 4 St or turn right to use the East exit by the portables.
2. Enter at the north entrance (by McDonald’s), go straight into the parking lot, drop off at the 2 large orange pylons, and exit via the East exit by the portables.
3. Enter via the East entrance by the portables (behind the McDonald’s), head west in the parking lot, drop off at the 2 large orange pylons, and exit via the north entrance onto 4 St.

Cars can only turn RIGHT between 8:00 and 9:00AM if exiting onto 4 St. and 3:30-4:00PM

We have also noticed many drivers driving excessively fast in our parking lots. For student safety we expect all drivers to drive slowly (under 15 km/h) while in our lots. With the snow coming and limited snow removal, our lot tends to get icy and excessive speed has resulted in accidents.
Please slow down for everyone’s safety.

Thanks for your cooperation to make drop off quick, efficient and safe for everyone.

Sr. Boys Basketball Tryouts

·         Monday, Nov 24: 5:30-7:30pm - all grades, 10/11/12

·         Tuesday, Nov 25: 5:30-7:30pm - grades 11/12 only

·         Wednesday, Nov 26: 5:30-7:30pm - invited students back only

Jostens’ Grad Rings

On Monday, December 1 and Tuesday December 2, Jostens will be set up in the Mall area for our Grade 12 students to come, see and reserve their Diefenbaker Grad 2026 ring.  Please mark in your calendar. 

Student Preparedness for the Workforce Sessions

Music Program Purdy’s Fundraiser

Each year, the John G. Diefenbaker Music Parents Association (JGDMPA) raises money to help support the music programs here at John G. Diefenbaker High School.  These funds are used to offset the cost of concert programs, clinicians, uniforms, student scholarships and field trips.

This means our Purdy’s Chocolate Fundraiser begins.... NOW! Go get your Christmas treats🎄🍫

This year, our goal is to raise $3000 so we need your help—but don’t worry, all the work you're doing is choosing which chocolates to order. It’s time to stock up on beautiful Christmas gift boxes, classic Purdy’s Favourites, Himalayan Pink Salt Caramels, Sweet Georgia Browns and so much more.

All profits will go directly to the JGD Music Parents Association to enhance our music students’ experience!

So, satisfy those cravings and get all your holiday gift-shopping done while supporting a great cause. 😊💜 

The deadline to order is December 2nd, 2025

Orders must be placed through this link: Purdy's Fundraiser

Once orders close, we'll send out a sweet notification letting you know when and where you can collect your delicious treats. 📦 Share the love with friends and family who might be interested – it means the world to us! 🌍💖

Thank you for supporting the Diefenbaker Music Program! 

Makel V. is an artist who likes to create surreal new worlds, as well as subjects who potentially live in those worlds.  They have depicted most of their ideas throughout many different sketchbooks. Makel has a collection of 50 sketchbooks!  Makel likes to use coloured pens on paper.  To date, they have made hundreds of creatures, each with their own unique characteristics.  Makel masterfully creates origin stories, stats, likes, dislikes and roles for each and every new subject that they imagine. 

Career Fair

Athletics & Events Schedule

Study Guides

EducationMatters has partnered with Castle Rock Research to offer students a special discount on study guides for grades 3-12 in Mathematics, English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies.

These print and digital resources are aligned with the Alberta curriculum and have been updated to reflect the 2025-26 curriculum. They are an excellent support for all students, including those preparing for finals and diploma exams.

SOLARO, $30.00 ($200 retail)

• 1-year access to up to 10 courses across grades 3-12 in Mathematics, English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies, available on any desktop, laptop or mobile browser.
• Offers more courses than are available in print, 10x the practice questions compared to print, plus tests and additional study tools 

The KEY Study Guides, $30.00 ($34.99 retail)

•  Mathematics, English Language Arts, Science and Social Studies editions have been updated for the 2025-2026 school year
•  New Pre-Test/Post-Test sections (Pre-Tests assess skills from the previous grade, Post-Tests reflect course content in which students must demonstrate proficiency) 

SNAP Workbooks, $30.00 ($34.99 retail)

• Student Notes and Problems (SNAP) Instructional content, practice exercises and unit assessments covering the breadth and depth of select Science and Mathematics courses.

Problem Solved and Class Notes, $22.00 ($24.95 retail)

• All of the questions from the respective SNAP workbooks are presented along with the detailed solutions. Included are excerpts that focus students on the explanatory notes for each topic. 

For more information, click the button below, or copy the link to place your order. Orders will be individually packaged and shipped to the school for pickup by your student.

If interested, please order: https://schoolorders.solaro.com/9860