Panorama Hills School News:
‘The Weekly Howl’
January 30, 2026
🐾 Principal’s Message
It’s hard to believe we are already at the end of January. This month has flown by. We began the year with true Calgary winter weather, cold temperatures and snowy days that reminded us winter was still very much here. A Chinook rolling through this week was a welcome change and a very Calgary way to wrap up January.
January has been a busy and productive month at PHS. As shared in earlier Weekly Howls, students settled back into routines, reconnected with classmates, and quickly returned to focused learning across the school. There has been a strong balance of academic work, physical activity, and opportunities for students to connect with one another.
In the gym, January was dedicated to gymnastics. Throughout the month, students worked on building strength, balance, coordination, and confidence as they explored a variety of gymnastics skills. This learning culminated this past week with students participating in the Mission Impossible challenge, where teamwork, perseverance, and problem-solving were front and centre.
Students have also been learning beyond the classroom. Our Grade 3 students had the opportunity to attend the TELUS Spark Science Centre, engaging in hands-on learning and exploration, while our Grade 4 students enjoyed skiing at WinSport, building both skill and confidence on the hill. These experiences add meaningful depth to classroom learning and are always highlights for students.
We were excited to welcome families back for our first School Council meeting of the new year. School Council also introduced the Read-A-Thon for the month of February, and we look forward to seeing students build excitement around reading in the weeks ahead. Another highlight this month was the School Council sponsored dance, which provided a great opportunity for families to come together as a school community. It was a fantastic evening filled with music, laughter, and energy. A big thank you to School Council, as well as the staff and volunteers who helped make the event such a success.
Across the school, learning and connection have continued in many forms. CAD has started again, students in Grade 2 shared their learning through a Reader’s Theatre assembly, and classes have been participating in sharing circles to support relationship building and student voice. In the Discovery and Learning Centre, students have been deeply engaged in activities designed to build grit, resilience, and problem-solving skills.
As part of our ongoing School Development Plan, staff are also in the process of collecting writing samples to better understand student growth over time. This work helps guide our instructional planning and ensures we continue to support student learning in meaningful and intentional ways.
As we move into February, we look forward to continuing this strong momentum. Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support and partnership.
Have a wonderful weekend. – Mr. Jeffrey
📋 Grade 4 Parent Survey – Share Your Voice!
Alberta Education and Childcare is inviting Grade 4 families to take part in its annual survey about students’ school experiences. The survey asks about things like safe and welcoming classrooms, student engagement, and family involvement.
The survey is open from January 28 to March 6, 2026. Grade 4 parents should have received an email from School Improvement with a link, a unique access code, and instructions for completing the survey.
If you need a paper copy or would prefer the survey in another language, please contact the school office and we’ll help you out.
Your feedback is important and helps inform our work at PHS, across the CBE, and with Alberta Education. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.
📅 Important Days
February 12 & 13 – No School - Teachers’ Convention
February 16 – No School – Family Day
February 24 – Report Cards Available for Viewing in your MyCBE account
February 27 – No School – Non-Instructional Day