Weekly Update: April 7 to April 11
Happy Sunday, Grizzly families!
We were back at school in last week’s reminder that spring in Calgary is often white and wet. Thanks to our school council’s generous donation from casino funds, our PE students had two days of guest bhangra dance instructors. Many of our staff joined the students, including me, and I can tell you that it was a workout! We also had a few tricksters at work on April 1; I know that some students and staff shared more than a few laughs together.
This week I am sharing a few offerings of virtual learning sessions, including topics of parent guilt, vaping and youth, and headaches in kids and teens that might interest some of you. Please check out the links to register if you are able.
Community Education Services & Recovery Alberta Live Presentations | Parent Guilt
This presentation will define the experience of parent guilt according to research. Understand the risk and protective factors that influence the experience of parent guilt according to research. Learn practical strategies to help address parent guilt.
Presenter: Vanessa Siso MC, R. Psych, Primary Care Registered Psychologist, CWCPCN
Date: Monday, April 7
Time: 6 - 8 p.m.
Vaping and Youth
The Community Health Promotion Services team with Recovery Alberta is offering a 3 Part series started this week, Tuesday, March 18 for families. This three-part presentation by the Community Health Promotion Services Team (CHPS) addresses important issues affecting youth today. The next session is Wednesday, April 9, focused on Vaping and Youth. Please see details below.
This session covers the rising concern of vaping among youth, providing insights into devices, substances, and strategies for effective conversations. Click the link below to register.
Vaping and Youth | April 9 | 11:30am
Presentation | Headaches in Kids and Teens (Causes, Treatment, Approach and Relationship to Mental Health)
Objectives of the session are to review types of headaches in youth and how common they are. Review how we approach treating headaches in youth and review the relationship between headaches in youth and mental health.
Date: Thursday, April 10
Time: 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
CONNECTING HOME AND SCHOOL: Last week’s focus was gratitude, which connects well to this week’s topic of mindfulness. Mindfulness is the ability to fully engaged in the present moment. At that moment, you are aware of your thoughts and feelings. In that same moment, you have the ability to uncover and accept different or reoccurring streams of thoughts and feelings without distraction or senses of judgement. By becoming aware of your thoughts and feelings, and at the same time, accept those thoughts and feelings, you can get to a state of mindfulness. Being mindful also has the power to reduce feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress by allowing yourself to be aware and accept how you think and feel. By accepting, and not rejecting how you feel in the moment, you can give yourself the necessary time for self-compassion. Allowing your body and mind to pause, even just for a couple of minutes, allows your body to recharge, and your mind to eliminate any sort of racing or negative thoughts. The act of mindfulness is to be used in a positive manner.
Extensive research confirms that practicing mindfulness can positively boost your mental well-being, improve your attention span and how you bounce back from challenges, otherwise known as your resiliency.
You can decide how, where, and how often to practice your mindfulness. For some, their process is to sit down in a quiet place and begin to take deep breaths, focusing on each one as it enters and leaves the body. To further dive into the moment, focus on engaging in all your senses—smell, sight, hearing, taste, and touch—and ask questions about what you’re experiencing (e.g. What do I smell? What do I hear?)
Below are a few more exercises and resources to help build awareness and accept the state of mindfulness.
Body Scan
The body scan is an easy practice that allows you to get in tune with your body with no thoughts of negativity or judgement—just feeling the release of tension from your muscles.
Follow the steps from 1 – 6 and repeat several times.
- Lie flat on your back and close your eyes;
- Tighten your hands into fists;
- Squish your toes and feet;
- Squeeze your arms and legs;
- After a few seconds, release all your muscles and relax;
- Reflect on how your body feels after doing your body scan.
Three Good Things
Another side to mindfulness is about reflecting on the current people, things, or events that spark joy and happiness despite feeling down sometimes.
Remember that you are grateful even when you’re sad, frustrated, disappointed, or hurt by challenges that are happening in your life.
Three Good Things is simply just naming three good things at times when you’re not feeling the best. You can do this as a self-reflection activity in your head, or by writing it down and reflecting with it in a silent room.
Doing this often can fill your mind with positive thoughts and gratitude and develop a habit of thankfulness.
Still Quiet Place
The Still Quiet Place is a comforting place to be when you’re feeling frustrated, sad, angry, scared, or lonely. Just by closing your eyes, and opening up your mind, you can create a safe and peaceful place.³
Developed by Dr. Amy Saltzman, the Still Quiet Place allows negative feelings to melt away and, for calmness and curiosity to take over while in your quiet place.
To find your Still Quiet Place, watch the following Mindfulness Exercise that focuses on creating and designing the Still Quiet Place that you want to be when times get tough.
Retrieved on March 30, 2025, from: https://cmha.calgary.ab.ca/what-is-mindfulness/
Did you know?
- NEW: This week many of our students will be taking surveys during math classes. We are looking forward to receiving the data so that we can use student voice to improve our school.
- REPEAT: April’s School Council Meeting is Wednesday, April 16, at 6 p.m. This meeting will be held in person and online. Please watch your email on Wednesday afternoon for the link. Look at the end of this message for more information from School Council.
- REPEAT: Monday, April 21, 2025, is a non-instruction day and there will be no school for students.
- REPEAT: Fun lunch is Thursday, April 24. Log in to Healthyhunger.ca to participate.
WEEKLY EVENTS: APRIL 7 TO APRIL 11
Monday, April 7
- 12:00 – 12:30 | Grade 6 Badminton Tryouts
- 2:45 – 3:45 | Grade 8 Badminton Tryouts
- 2:45 – 3:45 | SWAT Meeting
Tuesday, April 8
- 2:45 – 3:45 | Grade 9 Badminton Tryouts
Wednesday, April 9
- 2:45 – 3:45 | Grade 8 Badminton Tryouts
- 3:45 – 4:45 | Grade 7 Badminton Tryouts
Thursday, April 10
- 2:45 – 3:45 | Grade 9 Badminton Tryouts
- 3:45 – 4:45 | Grade 7 Badminton Tryouts
Friday, April 11 – EVEN A DAY
Sincerely,
Tammy Quiring
(proud) Principal
A MESSAGE FROM SCHOOL COUNCIL
Hello Annie Gale Parents,
It’s almost time when the school year is ending, 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 2025-2026 school year. 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 21, 2025, 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. The chair should be someone who can work collaboratively and understands how to organize both programs and people. The chair should actively encourage others to be engaged in meaningful ways. 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