Happy Holidays!

It's almost time for our Winter Break! 

Are you ready to relax and read more books?

All About The Books

• Please return or renew any books you already have checked out
• If you borrow a book for the holidays, please do not take it with you if you travel
• Keep your school library books in a place you will remember so you can return them in January
• All books are due the week of January 8th 
• Keep track of the number of books you read so you can add beads to our jar!

Come up to the Learning Commons and borrow a book from our Snow Many Good Books display!

eBooks and Audiobooks

Want to read eBooks or listen to Audiobooks over the holidays? Use the Libby app!

• Download Libby
• Do you have a library card? Choose Yes
• Search Calgary to find Calgary Public Library
• Your library card number is your email ID (ex. jordanp23)
• Your PIN is 1234567
• Find a book to read or listen to!

Have a fabulous holiday! Relax, recharge, play games, be active, make some art, and read lots!

See you in the New Year!

Mrs. Dickson

Scholastic Book Fair

 The Scholastic Book Fair is this week!

This important library fundraiser will be in the Learning Commons this week! All proceeds will be used to purchase books and other resources to keep our collection current and relevant. 

We look forward to seeing families on Thursday evening during conference times!

• Monday : Set up
• Tuesday : Class previews
• Wednesday : Class previews
• Thursday : Sales 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and 5 - 8 pm

Brochures were sent home with students last Thursday and Friday.

Click 👇 to see a small selection of the books that will be available the book fair!

Help Needed! 

If you are able to volunteer during Sales, please contact Mrs. James in the office at cmjames@cbe.ab.ca or call the office at (403) 777-6900. Thank you!

Thank you for your support of this important library fundraiser!

Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day is Saturday, November 11th.

We will be honouring Remembrance Day on Wednesday, November 8th at Willow Park School. 

November is a good time to reflect on our history as a nation.

Come up to the Learning Commons and borrow a book. We have a great collection of fiction and non-fiction books on display for Remembrance Day. 

November 8th is Indigenous Veterans Day

The First Nations, Inuit, and Métis of Canada have a long and proud tradition of military service to our country. 

Click 👇 for more information.

Heritage Minutes are a great way to learn more about our history in Canada. 

Click 👇 for more information.

Take this Remembrance Day Quiz to see if you can answer these seven questions about this important day. 

Click 👇 for more information.

Why do we wear a poppy? Read about the history of the poppy in The Canadian Encyclopedia.

Click 👇 for more information.

To learn more, have a look at my slides. Each graphic is a link. 

Click 👇 for more information.

Latin American and Hispanic Canadian Heritage Month

October is Latin American and Hispanic Canadian Heritage Month.

From the 2023 Statement by Minister Khera . . . 

. . . a time to celebrate and remember past and current contributions of Canadians of Latin American Origin. Canadians of Latin American origin in Canada enrich communities across the country with their vibrant cultures, cuisine, music, and traditions. Their significant contributions to every facet of Canadian society -- from business to innovation, academics, arts, science, and more -- have also made our country more reslient. 

Click 👇

Read about Latin Canadians in the Canadian Encyclopedia.

Click 👇

Come up to the Learning Commons and borrow a book from our display!

For more information and resources, check out my Latin American and Hispanic Resources slide.

Click 👇

Islamic Heritage Month

October is Islamic Heritage Month in Canada!

From the 2022 Statement by Minister Hussen . . .  

Canada is the country it is becuase of its people and Muslim Canadians have greatly contributed to the overall success of our society. From science to business, academia to the arts and everything in between, Muslim Canadians have helped shape the modern-day Canada that we all know today. These diverse communities have an array of rich traditions and share a deep history from which we can all learn. 

Click 👇 

Take the Islamic History in Canada Quiz. Choose your difficulty level and number of questions. Test your knowledge of Islamic History in Canada. 

Click 👇

Read about Islam in the Canadian Encyclopedia.

Click 👇

Come up to the Learning Commons and borrow a book from our display!

For more information and resources check out my Islamic Heritage Month Slides. Each graphic is a link. 

 Click 👇

Women's History Month

October is Women's History Month in Canada!

This is a time to celebrate the women and girls from our past, and our present, who are contributing to a better, more inclusive, Canada.

Women of Impact in Canada is an online gallery celebrating women's achievements and contributions to Canadian society.

Click 👇

Women in Canadian History : A Timeline is a timeline of women's contributions and important milestones in Canadian History.

Click 👇

Try a Women in Canadian History Quiz. Choose your difficulty level and number of questions. Then test your knowledge of women in Canadian history. 

Click 👇

Watch some Heritage Minutes to learn about more Canadian women.

Click 👇

Come on up to the Learning Commons and borrow a book from our Women's History Month Display!

Check out more resources on my Women's History Month Slides. Each graphic is a link.

Click 👇

Orange Shirt Day and Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Today we honour Orange Shirt Day and Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is nice to see so much orange in hallways, classrooms, learning commons, and playground. Students and staff come together today to share and learn and create. 

Here are some resources to help you better understand.

Treaty 7 Land Acknowledgement from Calgary Public Library.

Canadian Encyclopedia's Indigenous Peoples Quiz.

CBC Kids News explains What is Reconciliation?

Listen to the CBC podcast This Place.

Learn more about National Day for Truth and Reconciliation from the Government of Canada.

Come up to the Learning Commons and check out a book. This display is just a small sample of the Indigenous books we have in our collection. 

Welcome to the Learning Commons

Welcome to the Willow Park School Learning Commons!

The Learning Commons is located upstairs in the middle of the school. It is a big bright space you can visit on your own or with your class.

I am Mrs. Dickson and I work in the Learning Commons. I can help you with books and technology. Or maybe you need a quiet place to work independently? I'm here for you!

You will find me in the Learning Commons . . . 

• Monday to Thursday
• 10 am to 3 pm 
• Periods 2, 3, over lunch, 4, and 5

Come visit me in the Learning Commons and check out our new books!

See you soon! 😊

National Indigenous History Month

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada. 

It is a time to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. Click 👇

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a day for all Canadians to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Click 👇

What is a land acknowledgement and why is it important to learn? Click 👇

Learn more about Indigenous peoples, history, and culture through stories and activities. Click 👇

Treaties with Indigneous Peoples in Canada explained by CBC Kids News. Click 👇

Come up to the Learning Commons and check out our display of books by Indigenous authors!

PRIDE Month in Canada

June is PRIDE Month in Canada!

Pride Season is a term that refers to the wide range of Pride events that take place over the summer (June to September) when 2SLGBTQI+ communities and allies come together to spotlight the resilience, celebrate the talent, and recognize the contribution of 2SLGBTQI+ communities. Click 👇

Calgary Pride Week will be celebrated August 26 to September 4, 2023. The Pride Festival will be held September 2 and 3 at Prince's Island Park. The Parade will return to Calgary on Sunday, September 3, 2023. Click 👇

Kids Help Phone : 2SLGBTQ+: What does it mean? Click 👇

Kids Help Phone : What are personal pronouns and why are they important? Click 👇

Kids Help Phone : 2SLGBTQ+ youth and allies, this is your space! Click 👇

Come on up to the Learning Commons and check out our Pride display!

Happy PRIDE!

 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

It's okay to not be okay. 

What is Mental Health?

For more information click 👇

Come on up to the Learning Commons and borrow a book from our display!