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Weekly Update | October 26-30, 2026

Yearbook on Sale Now!

The 2027 John G. Diefenbaker High School Yearbook is on sale now!

Student ID Cards

If you have not received a Diefenbaker student ID card, please see Ms. Richards in the Learning Commons.If you have lost your ID card, replacements cost $5.00. Payment must be made at the Business Office. Bring your receipt to the Learning Commons to have your card reprinted.

Halloween Dress Expectations

Dressing up for Halloween is often a highlight of the year for many students. However, costumes must also meet safety and school expectations.

All students are expected to dress in a manner that is age-appropriate, school-appropriate, and suitable for a learning environment. Costumes and attire should not be excessively revealing.

The following items and themes are not permitted:

• Weapons of any kind
• Costumes that glorify sex, racism, war, or conflict
• Masks during instructional time

For everyone's safety, students may be asked to remove their masks to confirm their identity.

Students who do not meet these expectations will be asked to change or adjust their costumes, surrender prohibited accessories, or go home.

Following these guidelines will help make Friday, October 30, a fun and eventful day!

Lion Dance Costume for Drama Production

This year’s drama production promises to be a story full of fantasy and imagination!

To support costume production, Dief Drama connected with The Chinese Academy and The Jing Wo Cultural Centre to learn about Lion Dance costumes. It was an incredible evening spent learning about the history, significance, and intricacies of Lion Dance and its costumes.

Through the generosity of The Chinese Academy and The Jing Wo Cultural Centre, a Lion Dance costume and $300 were donated to Dief Drama. Pauline, one of their instructors, and renowned Lion Dance instructor Mr. Simon Lo shared their instructional and cultural knowledge with us.

After the production, the Lion Dance costume will be returned to its original state and housed in a place of honour at the school. It will serve as a reminder of the significant connections between The Chinese Academy and Diefenbaker High School over the past 30 years.

Outdoor Pursuits Class

The Outdoor Pursuits class recently completed a three-day canoeing trip at the Outdoor Learning Centre.

Students practised tandem canoeing skills, fire building, navigation, and shelter building. They finished the trip with a voyageur canoeing day and pond studies.

New School Entrance Requirements

Beginning Monday, October 26, Diefenbaker will implement new school access procedures in accordance with a ministerial order and updated CBE security requirements.

All school doors will remain locked throughout the school day, except during designated entry times when the front doors are directly supervised. These changes are intended to help keep students and staff safe.

School Entry for Students

• The front doors will be open and supervised by administration from 8:30 to 9:00 AM. The front door and all other doors will remain locked during the school day outside this designated entry period.
• Students arriving after the doors close must use the front door buzzer and show their Diefenbaker ID card and lanyard to the camera to gain entry. Replacement ID cards are available from Ms. Richards in the Learning Commons for $5.
• Students arriving before 8:30 AM for athletic practices or morning classes will be permitted supervised entry with their teacher or coach in the minutes. Late entry to practices or classes cannot be permitted.
• Students who are not under direct teacher supervision must wait until 8:30 AM to enter the building.
• Students who park in the student parking lot must enter through the front doors.

School Entry for Visitors

During school hours, families and other visitors must use the front door buzzer and explain the reason for their visit to office staff before entering.

School Entry for After-Hours Events

• For athletic events in the gym, the east entrance (mall doors) by the student parking lot will open 30 minutes before the game begins. Once the game starts, the doors will be locked, and administration will provide entry at intervals throughout the event.
• Entry procedures for other after-hours events may differ. Any alternate arrangements will be communicated in advance.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we implement these changes. If you have questions, please contact jsarrell@cbe.ab.ca.

Marks Visibility

In preparation for the release of report cards on Monday, November 9, students' overall course percentage marks will be hidden beginning at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, October 27.

Students and families will continue to have access to:

• Attendance records
• Individual assignment due dates
• Assignment submission status
• Individual assignment marks

This allows teachers to mark student work, update marks in real time, and enter comments before report cards are issued.

Overall course percentage marks will become visible again on Monday, November 9, alongside the release of report cards.

Calling All Grade 12 Students!

REMAX Canada Quest for Excellence Program

The REMAX Canada Quest for Excellence Program is an annual scholarship initiative that recognizes Grade 12 students who demonstrate leadership, community involvement, and future aspirations through a written essay submission.

Forty students will receive a $1,000 scholarship to support their post-secondary education.

Who is eligible to apply?

The program is open to eligible Canadian Grade 12 students who are graduating in the current academic year and planning to pursue post-secondary education.

How do I apply?

Students can apply by selecting one of three essay themes, writing a minimum 500-word essay, and submitting their entry through the online application form before March 15, 2027.

For more information and to begin your application, visit the REMAX Canada Quest for Excellence Program website.

Questions? Come see us in Student Services!

The Impracticality of Modern-Day Mastodons

Sign-up sheets for auditions and crew interviews for this year's theatre production of The Impracticality of Modern-Day Mastodons will be available beginning Wednesday, October 21.

Students must sign up for a time slot using the forms posted outside the drama room (Room 175). There are only a few days available for auditions and crew interviews, so don't miss your opportunity to participate in this enriching experience!

Auditions and interviews:

• Students auditioning must prepare a monologue to perform more than once during the audition.
• Crew members and actors must complete the information form and submit it at the time of their audition or interview.

Basketball Open Gyms

Interested in playing basketball this season for the junior or senior teams? Work on your skills and get into shape before tryouts with open gyms run by Coach Simpson and Coach Spence.

Open to all students, whether you're a returning player or new to the team!

Tryouts take place the week of November 16.

International Baccalaureate Exam Fees

Students registered in 30-level IB courses will write their IB exams in May. The cost is $210 per exam.

Exam fees can now be paid through MyCBE or at the Business Office.

The deadline to order exams is Friday, October 30. Exam fees are non-refundable after this date, as payment will be made to the IB Organization.

Chinese exam fees will be added at a later date.

Unique Pathways and Dual Credit Programming

Applications for Unique Pathways and Dual Credit Programming opened on October 5.

For more information or to book an appointment, email Mr. Coutts at djcoutts@cbe.ab.ca.

Mr. Coutts is available in his office, Room 242B (Library), Monday to Friday during Block 3.

In-School Events

Athletics / FACTS Events

Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth

Free Community Resources

View our free community resources by clicking here or the sidebar on the right.