Dear Higgins Families,
Below is the week ahead for the week starting May 26, 2025.
Grade 9 Families and the First Provincial Achievement Test
This Thursday, May 29, Grade 9 students will write their first Provincial Achievement Test: English Language Arts Part A. Below is some important information that we would like you as parents to reinforce with your children.
- The test begins at 8:30am and goes until 12:30pm. As always, students should arrive on time at 8am. Students are expected to be at school in the afternoon for school as usual.
- The exam will be administered digitally using the VRETTA platform which students have practices with several times.
- As per the ministerial order from Alberta Education, phone, smartwaches, and headphones are not permitted during the test, or in school. All items must be stored in their locker. This is not a change, but has been in place all year.
- Students may bring a book or drawing materials to use after completing the test. Distracting others when done early will not be tolerated.
- We encourage students to bring water and a snack to have during the test.
If you have questions about Provincial Achievement Tests please feel free to contact your child's homeroom teacher. We wish our students the best of luck on their tests.
Important Upcoming Dates from Now Until the End of the School Year
May 21 - June 5
- Track and Field Practices: Students should listen to daily announcements
May, 26 and 28
- The grade 7s and 8s will be participating in a cyber bullying presentation put on by the Calgary Police Service. As students seem to spend much of their free time in the digital world, this presentation is essential for their safety and mental health.
Thursday, May 29
- Grade 9 Provincial Achievemtn Test: English Language Arts Part A
Monday, June 2
- 8-1 and 8-2 Field Trip to Weaselhead Flats Environmental Area
Wednesday, June 4
- 8-3 and 8-4 Field Trip to Weaselhead Flats Environmental Area
Thursday, June 5
- Spring Concert: Starting Time TBA
Monday, June 9
- Track and Field Meet at Foothills Athletic Park. This event will go ahead unless weather conditions make it unsafe. If weather impacts the day, sadly it will not be rescheduled.
- 8-5 and 8-6 Field Trip to Weaselhead Flats Environmental Area (Track and Field Students in 8-5 and 8-6 will have the opportunity to attend another day's trip to the Weaselhead)
Tuesday, June 10
- School Council beginning at 6:30p;m in the Learning Commons
Wednesday, June 11
- 8-7 and 8-8 Field Trip to Weaselhead Flats Environmental Area
Friday, June 13
- Grade 9 Provincial Achievement Test: Mathematics Part A
Monday, June 16
- Grade 9 Provincial Achievement Test: English Language Arts Part B
Tuesday, June 17
- Grade 9 Provincial Achievement Test: Mathematics Part B
Wednesday, June 18
- Grade 9 Provincial Achievement Test: Social Studies
Thursday, June 19
- Grade 9 Provincial Achievement Test: Science
Tuesday, June 24
- Grade 9 Farewell in the afternoon
Wednesday, June 25
- Report Cards Viewable Online for Parents
Thursday, June 26
- Last Day of School - Dismissal at Noon
Friday, June 27
- Appeals Day (8am-Noon)
Celebrating the Northeast
This week, we had Dr. Pamela Weatherbee join us for the Higgins Speaker Series! Dr. Weatherbee has deep roots connected to our Northeast community, having grown up in Pineridge and graduating from Lester B. Pearson High School. At Pearson, she was no stranger to success as she won Pearson - Athlete of the Year for all three years she attended. However, the pinnacle of her success in High School sports would be winning the Gretta Schwartz Memorial Award (Grade 12 Female Athlete of the Year), honouring the top female student-athlete in all of Calgary and recognizing her achievements over three years of high school. Since the award was first presented in 1958, only three Northeast students have won it.
In her conversation with our students, Dr. Weatherbee shared her journey after High School to the University of Calgary to play on the Women’s Basketball team and complete her Undergraduate degree in Zoology. Pam mentioned the abundance of opportunities that the UofC has provided her to gain many skills through roles such as her time as Vice President - Students’ Union (Academic). She encouraged the students in attendance to get involved in the various extra-curricular opportunities they would be given in high school. She said that their own personal growth will be uncovered by getting involved in their school community outside of being a student.
After completing her first degree, she continued her academic journey at the University of Calgary and pursued her medical degree at the school in the Department of Psychiatry. Her deep passion for all sports led her to focus on sports psychiatry. Currently, she is the only Sports Psychiatrist in Alberta and has had the honour of working with many Olympians, NHL players, and CFL athletes.
Dr. Weatherbee concluded her talk with our students by mentioning the three pillars of her success: Grit, Courage, and Teamwork. On the topic of “Grit,” she wanted the students to develop the skills of perseverance, hard work, and discipline. With “Courage,” she encouraged our students to take calculated risks to push the boundaries of their character. Lastly, with “Teamwork,” she mentioned it was imperative to build community and others around you to ensure success for the greater good.
Thank you, Dr. Weatherbee, for being part of the Higgins Speakers Series!
Student Feedback
“She is a really inspiring guest! She has achieved so many things in life. She wasn’t hesitant to put in the effort and make sacrifices. She is just wonderful and amazing. She was just awesome to take the time to come and share such a wonderful journey.”
“I really like how giving up isn’t an option for her. She’s inspiring in many ways, but the one way that stuck out to me is her pillars of success. To me, grit means discipline, dedication, and not giving up. I really connected with that word! It tells me that no matter what I’m doing, I should be doing it with GRIT!”
“She inspired me by how she got back up and pushed harder every time she had a setback. I love how she let us into her life and uncover things that may be blind spots for us later in life. I hope she keeps excelling in her journey! I just got so much love for her as a person, athlete, and Doctor!”
“She inspires me to work hard to get where I want to be, and I have faith I will reach my goals over time. She grew my passion for being a doctor! An example of hard work will never fail you. You need to have the bravery to try different things to get where you want to be. Finally, use people's negative energy/words as motivation to put more effort into the person you want to be.”
Sincerely,
Colin McCracken
Principal