New West Springs/Cougar Ridge Middle School
January 25, 2016
Dear Parents/Guardians,
I am thrilled to introduce myself as the principal of the new West Springs/Cougar Ridge middle school.
I have been an educator with the Calgary Board of Education since 1992. Throughout my career I have pursued my passion for middle level education and strived to develop schools where children are connected to their school, their teachers and their learning. I have worked in five different CBE middle schools and was a member of the teaching team when Tom Baines School first opened. My leadership experiences include assistant principal at Arbour Lake School and my current positon as the principal of Thomas B. Riley School. I am looking forward to the opportunity of opening the new West Springs/Cougar Ridge middle school.
As the principal of Thomas B. Riley School, I will continue to focus on my responsibilities there during the next few weeks and will support this school’s transition to a new principal.
At the beginning of April, I will be dedicated to the work of opening the new school. In the months leading up to the new school’s opening, I will be doing many things to prepare. Some of that work will include meeting with parents and students, hiring staff, determining the organization of the school and preparing the school budget for the 2016-17 school year.
As you may already know, the Calgary Board of Education has 21 new school construction projects underway in communities throughout Calgary to support its growing student population. The new West Springs/Cougar Ridge school is expected to open in January 2017 and will offer regular programming to students. I am excited to work with parents, students and staff to build a school community that reflects unique qualities of our students and families, and is a supportive and positive place for your children to learn.
I am interested in having your input on the organization of the new school. Please fill out this brief survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/725LV9Y before April 4, 2016
For information on the new school and answers to some of your questions, visit cbe.ab.ca/schools, click on Building and Modernizing Schools and then click on the link for the new school in your community. Please check back regularly for updates as new information is posted when it becomes available. You can also e-mail [email protected] with any questions related to new school construction and accommodation.
I look forward to meeting you and creating a dynamic middle school for your communities.
Ryan O’Shaughnessy Principal