Learning Together, Friends Forever. 同窗四季，挚友一生
*If you would like to have a translated version of this message, please click here to view the web versions of these messages on our website using the Google Translate tab at the top.
Hello / Nǐ hǎo Marion Carson School Families,
What a wonderful first couple of weeks back at Marion Carson! It has been so nice to see our hallways filled with the energy, excitement, and smiles of our students. There is something special about the beginning of a new school year, and I am very excited about the year ahead.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognize and sincerely thank Mr. Dustin Turner for his leadership and many contributions to our school community. He has given so much time, care, and energy to our students, staff, and families, and his leadership has helped shape Marion Carson into the welcoming and caring school community that it is today. As he begins his leave, I know our community joins me in expressing our appreciation for all that he has done for Marion Carson, and we wish him well during this time.
I know that transitions can sometimes bring questions or uncertainty, and I want to reassure families that our focus remains the same: our students, their learning, their well-being, and our strong school community. Our dedicated staff know our students well, and we are committed to ensuring a smooth transition. Our Area Office team is currently working to confirm an Acting Assistant Principal who will join our school leadership team and support the Marion Carson community. We will share an introduction with families as soon as the appointment is confirmed.
I feel fortunate to be part of the Marion Carson community, and I look forward to getting to know more of our students and families throughout the year. Thank you for the trust you place in us each day, and I look forward to a wonderful year of learning, connection, growth, and success together.
In this message…
- Terry Fox Run
- Backpacks for Kids
- Brown Bag Lunch Program
- School Photo Day
- School Conferences (K) / Meet the Teacher (1-6)
- Forms Due
- School Council and Parent Association Meeting and upcoming events
Some items of note…
1. Terry Fox Run – Sept 18, 2026
We will be having our annual Terry Fox Run in conjunction with FE Osborne School on Friday, September 18, 2026, starting at 10:00am and continuing until approximately 10:30am. In consideration for the new trees that have been planted near our sandbox and rock circle, this year’s run will take place solely on the FE Osborne School field. Parents, guardians, and family members are welcome to participate. Please wait outside at the FE Osborne School field for the event to begin.
For families wishing to donate to the Terry Fox Foundation, we have setup our online Marion Carson Terry Fox Fundraising Page, found here: https://schools.terryfox.ca/137178. Student leaders will also be visiting classrooms on our Terry Fox Run Day collecting cash donations. If able, please consider donating a Toonie for Terry.
2. Backpacks for Kids
The Backpacks for Kids campaign by Education Matters provides families with backpacks and learning essentials (supplies) to students in need across Calgary. We have about 20 backpacks to provide to students who could use a new backpack and some supplies. Please see the CBE news story here for more information and contact your child’s teacher or our school office if you would like this support.
3. Brown Bag Lunch Program
Should your family be suffering from food insecurities and could benefit from some support with your child(ren)’s lunches, please contact your child’s teacher or the school office. Brown Bag Lunch program provides daily healthy lunches for students in need each school day. We need parent/guardian’s permission to sign up students for this program. If your student is in need, please don’t hesitate to ask.
4. School Photo Day
Get your smile ready! Our school individual and class photo day is Wednesday September 16 for most students in Kindergarten through grade 6. Mandarin Bilingual Kindergarten students in the Tuesday/Thursday class will have their photos on the morning of Thursday, September 17, 2026.
5. School Conferences / Meet the Teacher
Grade 1-6 Students
For grade 1-6 students, September 24 in the evening will be a Meet the Teacher event for families. The evening will run from 4:30pm – 7:30pm and be separated into 30 minute bookings where up to 6 families at a time are able to book with their homeroom teacher. During each 30 minute time slot, there will be opportunities for families to view a slideshow about classroom routines, process, and expectations, followed by time for children to show their parents the classroom, meet the teacher, and ask any general questions (see booking information below). Please note that specific questions about your child’s learning should be communicated through email, or if needed as a separate phone call or meeting with the teacher. Please also be sure to come as a family to visit the music room with Ms. Seto and the gymnasium with Mr. Ledene. Parent supervision is required in these spaces.
*Mandarin Bilingual program families except for Grade 2 Mandarin Bilingual students, we ask that you book your 30 minute timeslot with your just your homeroom teacher, do not book with both teachers. Families can visit both classrooms and visit with both the English and Mandarin teachers.
5A- Ms. Saretsky’s class:
Ms. Saretsky will be hosting her Meet the Teacher time on Wednesday, September 23rd from 4-5pm and Friday, September 25th from 9-11am.
Kindergarten Students
For Kindergarten students, September 24 (evening) and September 25 (day) will be Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences where families will have a dedicated time to meet with the teacher individually to set up their elementary school journey (see booking information below).
How to book your Meet the Teacher (1-6) / School Conferences (K) time slot
The booking window to secure your Meet the Teacher (grades 1-6) or parent-student-teacher conference (Kindergarten students only) with your child’s homeroom teacher will open Saturday, September 19, at 10am, and close Thursday, September 24 at 1pm. Bookings are completed through your MyCBE account by clicking on the Book and Manage Meeting Times tab. Please be sure to book your conference / Meet the Teacher time slot for this important initial conversation with your child’s teacher to help set the stage for the year, and support their daily learning moving forward.
6. Forms Due
A reminder that all forms (online and printed/signed) found in the September 4 weekly message are due next Friday, September 18, 2026. Thank you to all families for completing these forms to support student safety and school organization.
7. A Message on Behalf of School Council / Parent Association
School Council and Parent Association Meeting
Our first School Council / Parent Association meeting of the year is this Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 6:30pm in the Learning Commons. Meeting minutes and upcoming agendas are posted to our school website here once finalized. All parents are automatically members. We hope you consider joining us at these meetings throughout the year.
Various Events upcoming:
September 12- Volunteer opportunity!
Come to the boulder circle Saturday the 12th at 10am to dig holes and help plant our new forest. It’s going to be muddy, physical work so bring your boots, gloves, and muscles. And thank you!
September 18 — Inclusive Playground Grand Opening
Join us September 18 at 12:00 p.m. to celebrate our new inclusive playground! We’ll be flipping burgers, donated by Kal Tire and hear from some of the donors and parent volunteers who helped make this project possible.
Most importantly, come play, connect and celebrate with other Marion Carson families!
Please ensure there is a parent/guardian present with your student so they’re able to enjoy the bbq. Check out our social media for more details.
Davison Orchard Apples:
Davison Orchard apple fundraiser is now live! Support Marion Carson school by ordering your 15 lb boxes of delicious Davison apples before Sep 30th at 11:59pm. Pick up at the school on Oct 20th between 3:30 and 6pm. The apples are grown in Vernon, BC, picked by hand and packed by hand. Order here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/marion-carson-davison-orchard-apple-fundraiser--2026
Marion Carson Spirit Wear
Show your school spirit! Order your school apparel by September 28 and have it delivered directly to your child's classroom with no shipping cost.
Shop here: https://stores.freshbrandgear.com/marioncarsonschool/shop/home
A portion of every sale supports school initiatives and activities.
Sincerely,
Ms. H. Ly
Acting Principal
Marion Carson School
Important Dates:
Sept. 15: School Council and Parent Association Meeting (6:30pm)
Sept. 16: Class/Individual Photos (K-6)
Sept. 17: Class/Individual Photos (MB Kindergarten Tu/Th Group)
Sept. 18: Terry Fox Run (starts at 10:00am)
Sept. 19: Conference / Meet the Teacher Booking System Opens at 10am – book at MyCBE
Sept. 24: Conference / Meet the Teacher Booking System Closes at 1pm – book at MyCBE
Sept. 24: Meet the Teacher Evening for Grades K-6 (4:30pm – 7:30pm)
Sept. 25: Parent- Student-Teacher Conferences for Kindergarten class and Ms. Saretsky’s class Meet the Teacher
- Community English Kindergarten from 9am – 12pm
- Mandarin Bilingual Kindergarten from 8:30am to 2:00pm
- Ms. Saretsky’s class- 9am-11am
Sept. 25: Non-Instructional Day- No School for all students
Sept. 25- Mid Autumn Festival
Sept. 29: Orange Shirt Day
Sept. 30: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – No School
Sept. 30: Deadline to order Davison Orchard apples