JGD Weekly Update | February 23-27, 2026
Class of 2026 – Grad Gown Survey
We need some information! All class of 2026 graduates will need to complete the Grad Gown survey by February 25 (located on the D2L grad shell announcements page) to ensure that a grad gown is ordered on their behalf. This simple survey should take no longer than 2 minutes to complete. Please double check sizes before submitting, as once a gown is ordered, the opportunity to switch gowns is extremely limited. Once you've completed your survey, remind a fellow graduate to do the same!
Celebrate Pink Shirt Day on February 25
Pink Shirt Day originated in Halifax, Nova Scotia back in 2008 with two high school aged students that saw a need to be kind while another student was not being treated with kindness and respect. That one act of compassion quickly spread beyond the school.
In 2008, British Columbia’s provincial government proclaimed a provincial Anti-Bullying Day in February, and over time the idea of wearing pink to stand against bullying spread throughout Canada and then internationally. Today, Pink Shirt Day is observed annually in Canada on the last Wednesday of February.
Pink Shirt Day is now a national and global movement that encourages people of all ages to:
Wear pink as a visible symbol of support for kindness, inclusion, and respect for others.
Raise awareness and start conversations about why bullying is harmful and what we can do to prevent it.
Raise funds for programs that help children and youth build healthy self-esteem, resilience, and safe environments.
We recognize Pink Shirt Day every year to honour a grassroots act of kindness and to reaffirm our shared commitment to reducing bullying and creating welcoming, caring safe and respectful spaces for everyone.
Promoting inclusion is something that occurs in our schools every day. Check out some of the information and resources available!
School Council
Next meeting, AGM Tuesday March 31 at 6:00PM. Interested in being a member of school council, positions required are as follows:
- Chair: The Chair calls and presides at all school council meetings, is the chief spokesperson for the association (unless otherwise delegated), reviews all communication prior to distribution, votes at any meeting in case of a tie, and is an ex-officio member of all committees. The Chair is the liaison with school admin. reviews the minutes prior to distribution and before the next meeting, and prepares the presentation used at the meetings.
- Vice-Chair: The Vice-Chair assists the Chair in all school council activities and carries out duties assigned by the Chair. In the event of absence, resignation, incapacity, or extended leave of the Chair, the Vice-Chair assumes the responsibilities of the Chair until the next elections at the AGM. The Vice-Chair is copied on all communications prior to distribution.
- Secretary: The Secretary attends all meetings, keeps accurate minutes of the meetings, and send out the minutes for distribution. The Secretary also maintains the school council’s email account and distribution list and is in charge of all correspondence and documentation for the council.
- Key Communicator: This is not an Executive position. This person will attend the meetings put on by CBE (approx. 3-4 per year) and provide a synopsis of what was covered. This can be provided to Chair or Vice Chair to share at the next council meeting if unable to attend.
School Council Meeting at 6:30 PM on Tuesday April 14, Trustee Laura Hack will be attending and answering questions.
Please register through link below. Trustee Laura Hack meeting, Tuesday April 14, 6:30 PM at Diefenbaker High School. – Fill out form
Canadian Citizenship Ceremony
We are hosting a Canadian citizenship ceremony at John G. Diefenbaker High School on Tuesday, April 21st at 10:30 AM when 50 new Canadians will be sworn in as Canadian citizens. If you, any close family members, or even friends, have an open application for Citizenship with IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), please advise us what stage in the process you are in and if you are interested in being potentially scheduled for this event at John G Diefenbaker on April 21st. If you are reaching out to us, please include your UCI or Citizenship application number. Direct your replies to Mr. Bill Hilton at behilton@cbe.ab.ca and this information will be forwarded to IRCC.
2025-2026 School Fees
Semester 2 school fees are now posted and ready for viewing and payment through your MyCBE account or in person at the Business Office.
Additional Items Still Available:
- Calculator Rental: Calculator rental is still available. Please use this Form Link.
- Parking Pass: Parking passes are still available. Please use this Form Link .
Ride of the Chiefs
Our Leadership students are the organizers for our annual Ride of the Chiefs (ROTC) event. These students are reaching out to our JGD Community of parents to ask for help in order to continue this awesome legacy into its 11th year. Please help us keep this significant traditional strong!
ROTC is a 12-hour bike-a-thon that students engage in to raise money for the Alberta Children's Hospital. Over the past decade, our school has raised over $160,000, with $20,000 raised in our ROTC held last year. This year, our students will be working hard for five months to reach their fundraising goals to participate in ROTC, which will be held on April 17, 2026.
We Need You
We need you as Parent Volunteers to help supervise the 12 hour experience. Currently, we are looking for 12 volunteers to join us from 3:30 PM to 8:00 PM on April 17. Without enough parent supervisors, we will be forced to shorten the event to fit within regular school hours. We want to give our students the full 12-hour experience they’ve worked so hard for, and ensure we raise as much as possible for the children at the hospital!
How to Help
If you are available to help us maintain this incredible tradition, we would love to have you!
- When: April 17, 2026 | 3:30 PM – 8:00 PM
- Where: John G. Diefenbaker High School
- Requirements: A valid police clearance (ePIC) and registration as a volunteer.
To sign up as a volunteer, please go to SchoolEngage and complete the Volunteer Registration form. As soon as you complete the steps to register, please email your form and police clearance document to the school at johngdiefenbaker@cbe.ab.ca.
Thank you for supporting our students and the Alberta Children’s Hospital!
Cell Phone Use
John G. Diefenbaker teachers and staff are following Alberta Government’s law regarding cell phones. Teachers only allowed students to be on their phones when it is an integral part of the learning.
Parent please do not text or call your child when they are in their classrooms. Or if you do text or call, please do not expect an immediate response. Students are not allowed to take calls or texts during the learning and if they do, they face consequences. If there is an emergency, please call our main phone number and ask one of the Secretaries to call into the classroom. Parents contacting students during class time has become a concern in our building and we ask for your assistance!
Artist SPOTLIGHT
Riana R is a grade 12 student who has an aspiring gift for art! At the age of 12, Riana started pursuing art as a hobby, encouraged by the unwavering support of her parents. She soon grew to have a deep passion for art, as she gained inspiration from Marvel and D.C comics. Her work primarily incorporates realistic pencil sketches, created both on paper and digitally. Art also benefits Riana personally, as it gives her a strong sense of pride and accomplishment for what she creates. Currently, Riana is branching out and experimenting with new styles, such as cartoons. In the future, Riana wants to attempt animation and even try an animation course after post-secondary education! With her creativity, dedication, and willingness to explore new artistic paths, Riana’s future in art holds exciting possibilities. Way to go Riana!!!
Athletics & Events Schedule
Please check the upcoming events list. You can also click the School Calendar to see all the important Dates to Remember.