Weekly Update: April 20 - April 24

Happy Sunday, Grizzly Families! 

Last week messages about our upcoming modernization went home to all families of Annie Gale and Colonel J. Fred Scott schools.  We expect that a message will go home to all families at Chief Justice Milvain School this week as well.  Mr. Barisow and I met virtually with homerooms from Grades 6 – 8 on Friday morning, gave students some more information, and answered their questions.  Some of the details haven’t been worked out yet, but I explained that we will be ready for the changes in the fall.  Classroom visits will occur this week to ask students what they would be interested in for their complementary courses next year.  Continue to read our newsletter for more information. 

Last Wednesday’s lockdown drill was a success!  Calgary Police Service was here to support and staff and students completed the drill in a very short amount of time. 

Last week was Education Week and students delivered slips of paper to staff with all kinds of wonderful words such as “Give this to a staff member who you will never forget”, “Give this to a staff member who makes you feel important”, and “Give this to a staff member who loves being a Grizzly”.  Students had fun choosing which slips to give to which staff members and seeing the smile emerge on a staff member’s face.  Our office staff loved watching the students make those choices.  Annie Gale is fortunate to have such a dedicated staff! 

A huge congratulations goes out to the Annie Gale Science Fair Club who competed with students around the city last weekend at the University of Calgary Olympic Oval.  Our Grizzlies demonstrated some seriously awesome science, with some students taking home awards!  One of our Grade 7s won a Bronze Medal for Fractured Earth: Energizing Tomorrow and also won The University of Calgary Department of Earth, Energy and Environment Award for Energy Science.  Another Grade 7 won a Silver Medal for Dust Impact on Solar Panels.  Two students in Grade 9 won a Silver Medal for The Hidden Plastic Problem.  Many others deserve honourable mentions for their efforts on their projects.  Thank you to all students for their amazing commitment to exploring science! 

CONNECTING HOME AND SCHOOL:  Parenting Teenagers 

Last week I shared some general information about parenting teenagers.  For most of our parents, these ideas will not be new; however, with the changes in the lives of parents and teens, a reminder is often helpful to reflect on what’s working and what might need some changes.  Read on for this week’s ideas.  

  • Accept that your way isn't the only way.  Recognize that your teen will likely approach tasks or situations differently than you. For example, your teen may do homework with a headset on while lying on the floor of an extremely messy room. You may view this as an undisciplined and chaotic environment that makes it impossible to concentrate. But focus on the outcomes. If your teen is doing well, accept that these methods work.  
  • Be flexible.  Teens want and need boundaries with limits that fit their age and development. As your teen matures, change rules as appropriate to reward responsible behaviour. Also, realize that being fair sometimes means agreeing to bend the rules. Teens are less likely to resent a parent who discusses situations rationally and in an adult manner. Sometimes finding a compromise with your teenager is the most effective solution.  
  • Believe in your teen.  Recognize that we all go through difficult phases. Although some teens struggle, most teens manage common challenges without major problems. Many teens develop a sense that they are not living up to an idealized view of how they should be. Accept that your teen is not perfect and will inevitably make some mistakes. Let your teen know your love is unconditional. 

Retrieved on April 14, 2026, from:  https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthwise/tips-parents-teens 

DID YOU KNOW?  

REPEAT:  We put our outside bell on continuous ring during a lockdown drill or a lockdown.  This continuous bell is a signal to all NOT to enter, as we are having a lockdown drill or are in a lockdown.   

REPEAT:  TLC uniform purchasing window for the spring will open on April 15th and will end on May 31st.  We remind families that uniforms must be in good condition and a suitable size.  Many of our students have grown and they need new uniform pieces.  For more information about purchasing uniform pieces now, over the summer, or for the remainder of this calendar year, click here.   

REPEAT:  Save on Student Study Guides & Digital Resources 

We are excited to share a special offer for educational resources through a new partnership between EducationMatters and Castle Rock Research. You can purchase valuable study materials at a significant discount and help raise funds for EducationMatters. 

This is a great opportunity to get supplementary resources to support your student’s learning this school year, especially in preparation for diplomas and final exams. 

How to Order: 

  1. Visit CBE’s unique online portal: CBE Site Sale — Castle Rock Research  
  2. Select our school’s specific ordering page. 
  3. Place your order and pay directly online. 

 All print materials will be delivered to the school and distributed to students.  

REPEAT:  Our next School Council meeting will be this Wednesday, April 22, at 6:00 p.m.  Watch your emails for the virtual link or join us online.   

REPEAT:  The next Fun Lunch is Wednesday, April 29.  

WEEKLY EVENTS – APRIL 20 TO APRIL 24 

Monday, April 20 

  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Grade 9 Badminton Practice 
  • 3:45 – 4:45 | Grade 6 Badminton Practice 

Tuesday, April 21 

  • 1:00 | Scheduled Fire Drill #6 (dependent on field conditions) 
  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Grade 8 Badminton Practice 
  • 3:45 – 4:45 | Grade 7 Badminton Practice 
  • Wednesday, April 22 
  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Grade 6 Badminton Practice 
  • 3:45 – 4:45 | Grade 9 Badminton Practice 
  • 6:00 | School Council – blended format (virtual and in-person) 

Thursday, April 23 

  • 12:00 – 12:40 | USAY lunch visit 
  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Grade 7 Badminton Practice 
  • 3:45 – 4:45 | Grade 8 Badminton Practice 

Friday, April 24 – NON-INSTRUCTION DAY: NO STUDENTS 

Sincerely, 

Tammy Quiring 

(Proud) Principal 

 A MESSAGE FROM SCHOOL COUNCIL 

Hello Annie Gale Parents, 

It’s almost that time again when the school year will be coming to an end, and we will be having elections for the executive positions on our school council and fundraising society PESA (PARENTS ENCOURAGING SUCCESS ASSOCIATION) at our AGM (Annual General Meeting) in June. All positions are available to be filled for the school year of September 2026 to June 2027. The description of all the roles is provided below, so if this is something that interests you, please send us an email at anniegalepesa@gmail.com or ruminakhan80@yahoo.ca or come join us at our next meeting. Please send us your request before May 8th, 2026, so we can plan accordingly for multiple candidates interested in the same position.    

Chair: It is expected that the school council chairperson will be a parent of a student attending the school. They will chair all meetings of the school council and coordinate with the principal to establish meeting agendas. The chair will also be the official spokesperson of the school council, ensuring regular communication with the whole school community and making sure that the operating procedures are current and followed. They must prepare an annual report that summarizes the school council’s activities for the previous school year, including a financial statement relating to money, if any, handled by the school council.  

Vice-Chair:  On some school councils, the role of chair is shared, either through the creation of co-chairing positions or through the chair’s dependence on the vice-chair to undertake part of the work. Typically, the vice-chair's duties are, in the event of resignation, incapacity or leave of absence of the chair, to fulfill the chair’s responsibilities, and in the absence of the chair, supervise the affairs and preside at meetings of the school council.  

Secretary: The school council secretary typically acts as a recorder at each meeting and ensures that the minutes are prepared to accurately reflect the directions and decisions agreed to at the meeting.  

Treasurer: If the school council is handling money, through fundraising activities or donations, the treasurer keeps accurate records of all financial transactions and ensures that records are available upon request of the school board or school community. 

Thank you,  

Rumina Cruz  

Chair (School Council/ PESA) 

Annie Gale School