Dear JJ Families,
We are excited to welcome our students to Janet Johnstone for the 2025 - 2026 school year. Our staff has been working hard to get the school ready for our students and we have a lot of information to share with our families about start up.
Please see our Back To School information here for detailed information: Back To School
Here are the key things that families need to know:
- Thursday, August 28, 2025
- Grade 1-4 teachers will send an email to parents of students in their class to share information about the first day. Please email Mrs. Schmitt at kaschmitt@cbe.ab.ca if you do not get an email from your child's teacher by 4:00PM.
- Kindergarten teachers Mrs. Knight (English AM and PM) and Mme Ellen (French Immersion AM and PM) will also send a welcome email to families.
- Friday, August 29, 2025
- All students are invited to a drop in Open House to meet their teacher and see their classroom between 10:30AM and 12:00PM. This is optional for families that are able to come.
- Grades 1 to 4: The first day of classes is Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
- Teachers will meet their students outside at their assigned doors (see below) at 7:50AM -8:00AM.
- Grade 1-4 dismissal is at 2:30PM. Please meet your child at their assigned doors.
- First day of bussing for grades 1 - 4.
- Kindergarten: Kindergarten staggered entry is September 2 and September 3, 2025.
- Half of the class will attend on the first day and the other half of the class will attend on the second day.
- Kindergarten families will meet the teachers at the door on the west side of the school, near the garden boxes.
Tuesday, September 2, 2025
AM CLASSES (both English and French Immersion)
8:00 AM -10:50 AM - ONLY students with last names that begin with A-M
PM CLASSES (both English and French Immersion)
11:40 AM - 2:30 PM - ONLY students with the last names that begin with A-M
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
AM CLASSES (both English and French Immersion)
8:00 AM -10:40 AM - ONLY students with last names that begin with N-Z
PM CLASSES (both English and French Immersion
11:40 AM - 2:30PM - ONLY students with last names that begin with N-Z
Regular classes for all Kindergarten students begin on Thursday, September 4, 2025. Kindergarten students that are registered for the bus can ride the bus to school (AM students) or home from school (PM students).
***AM and PM Kindergarten classes alternate Fridays from 8:00AM to 12:00PM. On Friday, September 5, the AM classes will attend. Please see our calendar for the Friday schedule for the entire school year. Calendar
Entry and Exit Doors for the 2025 - 2026 School Year
Door | Classes |
|---|---|
West Doors by the garden beds | Kindergarten AM and PM |
Front Doors | Grade 1 French Immersion Grade 4 English |
Compound Doors (east - closest to the parking lot) | Grade 1 English Grade 2 French Immersion Grade 2 English (Ms. Puffer and Mrs. Wideman) |
Compound Doors (west - closest to the playground) | Grade 3 French Immersion Grade 4 French Immersion |
West Portable Door (by the playground) | Grade 2 English (Mrs. Fink) Grade 3 English |
Safety
The safety of our students is the most important thing. Please help us by following posted signs and using marked crosswalks when crossing the street. Please do not park in the staff parking lot or drive into the parking lot to drop off or pick up children. We have some new signs and a new Hug and Go this year! More information on traffic safety is here: Traffic Safety
Attendance
Having accurate attendance makes sure that students are safe.
If your child is absent or will be late, please call the Attendance Line at 403-777-8670 ext. 1. Please include your child's first and last name, teacher's name and the reason for absence.
Soft Start is from 7:50 to 8:00AM. Students can enter during this time through their assigned doors. They will go to their classrooms and be supervised by teachers. At 8:00AM, staff close the doors and go to their classrooms to begin teaching.
If your child is late, the doors will be closed and locked. Please bring them to the front door.
More information about attendance is here: Attendance
What To Bring and What Not To Bring
Bring to School:
- All students need a pair of indoor running shoes that will stay at school. Please do not send shoes with laces if your child cannot tie them independently.
- All students need a backpack that is big enough for their belongings and a large library book.
- Dress for the weather. We go outside every day. Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately.
- Younger children would benefit from having a change of clothes.
- Kindergarten students need a nut free snack that is easy for them to open. A water bottle is optional.
- Grades 1 to 4 students need a nut free snack and lunch. Please note: microwaves are not available for students. A water bottle is optional.
- Students who ride bikes, rollerblades or skateboards need to wear helmets.
***Please label everything!
Leave at Home:
- Toys and trading cards are not allowed at school. Please help your child to remember to leave them at home.
- Personal Mobile Devices (any personal electronic device that can be used to communicate with or access the internet, such as a cellphone, tablet, gaming device, laptop, smartwatch and devices capable of communicating with a mobile device such as headphones, and Bluetooth devices (e.g. earbuds and speakers) may not be used at school. Please see CBE's Administrative Regulation for more information: Personal Mobile Devices
- School supplies are provided by the school. Students do not need to bring pencils, notebooks or other school supplies.
Communication
We believe that school and home should work together as a team to support students. Teachers will send emails with updates and will also share information with their Google Classroom. They will invite students soon.
Each week, guardians will receive an update from Mrs. Schmitt.
Please visit our school website to see what is happening at JJ! Janet Johnstone
Follow us on Instagram!
Transportation
Students must be registered in order to take the bus. Please see information here: Transportation