Weekly Update: December 15 to December 19

Happy Sunday, Grizzly Families! 

Congratulations to our students who participated in last Wednesday’s wresting tournament! These young athletes showed a lot of grit and great sportsmanship. They represented Annie gale on the mat and afterwards as well, as they stayed behind to clean up the gym and move mats.  The team spirit was evident as they encouraged each other and stepped in to provide coaching support when the coach was supporting another match.  Great job, Grizzlies! 

Several years ago, we heard that Annie Gale would be undergoing a modernization, but at that time it seemed so far away.  The work behind the scenes started last year, and I spent approximately one to two hours a week in meetings discussing the plans and preparing the school.  This year the meeting time has increased to about three hours a week.  Ironically, though, this week I spent over nine hours in meetings related to the modernization which meant that I had very few opportunities to visit classrooms and see our amazing students and staff in action—which I wrote about in last Sunday’s message.  Some information will be shared with students next Friday during Grizzly Den, as the Grizzly Gazette crew will be preparing a video which included an interview of me talking about the modernization. 

Physical work related to the modernization is expected to start in the summer of 2026, and there will be an impact on our learning spaces over the next two school years.  I will share specific information with students and families when we know more; we will have to plan accordingly, specifically related to CTF and PE learning spaces.  For now, I can share that this modernization will involve major changes to several spaces in the building.  By the time the 2028 school year comes around, we will have new student bathrooms on both floors, new locker rooms, a new fitness centre, and major updates to our foods lab, art room, construction room, elevator, foyer, and auxiliary gym on the stage.  We will also see new exterior windows and floors throughout the building and have some new locker banks added in the hallways.  The changes that will be visibly noticeable go together with things we won’t be able to see, such as a new boiler and a new sprinkler system.   

CONNECTING HOME AND SCHOOL:  Helping Teens Strengthen the Skill of Gratitude: 

Last week I shared three ways that parents and guardians can reinforce gratitude in teenagers, without it feeling forced, preachy, or artificial.  Your teen may not always appear grateful, but your consistent modeling, subtle guidance, and warm encouragement plant seeds that grow slowly and steadily.  Gratitude isn’t a single moment—it’s a mindset that develops across adolescence.  With patient support, teens can learn to notice the good around them and carry that skill into adulthood.  Here are some more ideas to try at home:     

4. Create Small, Low-Pressure Rituals 

Teens resist anything that feels like homework, so gratitude practices need to be easy and flexible.  Options include: 

  • A “gratitude jar” everyone contributes to once a week. 
  • A family tradition of sharing a “small win” or “tiny joy” at dinner. 
  • A weekly 2-minute “photo gratitude” challenge—taking one picture of something they appreciate. 

Consistency matters more than intensity. 

5. Encourage Giving, Not Just Thanking 

Gratitude deepens when teens have opportunities to contribute to others.  Ideas: 

  • Helping a younger student with homework. 
  • Doing a small chore that supports the household without being asked. 
  • Volunteering for an event or community project. 
  • Writing a quick message to someone who made a difference—like a teacher, coach, or friend. 

When teens experience themselves as givers, appreciation becomes reciprocal. 

6. Respect Their Feelings 

A teen who is overwhelmed, stressed, or upset can’t access gratitude in the moment—and shouldn’t be pushed to.  Emotional validation comes first.  Try acknowledging the feeling, then later, when the moment has settled, revisit what went right or whom they can appreciate.  Gratitude is not about ignoring difficulty but recognizing goodness alongside it. 

7. Celebrate Authentic Expressions 

If a teen shows genuine appreciation—even subtly—highlight it.  You might say: 
“I noticed the way you thanked your friend’s mom tonight. That was really thoughtful.” 
or  “It meant a lot that you helped your sibling earlier. I appreciated that.” 

Positive reinforcement helps gratitude become part of their internal identity. 

Adapted from an article retrieved on December 7, 2025, from:  https://chatgpt.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paidsearch_brand&utm_campaign=GOOG_C_SEM_GBR_Core_CHT_BAU_ACQ_PER_MIX_ALL_NAMER_CA_EN_032525&utm_term=chatgpt&utm_content=175413814965&utm_ad=741707849652&utm_match=e&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22376911868&gbraid=0AAAAA-IW-UXNORQhdJukVPXvz2cQUtVTd&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9o2dnMOskQMVbi-tBh09LiSqEAAYASAAEgKEgPD_BwE 

DID YOU KNOW?: 

NEW:  We regularly have many items that appear in our lost and found, most without names or labels.  Take some time to label clothing items, especially TLC uniform pieices, with your child's name.

REPEAT:  We now have a date for our TLC Winter Band Concert.  Please mark your calendars for Thursday, January 29, from 6:30 – 7:15 p.m.   

REPEAT:  December Fun Lunch is for Taco Time—and it’s confirmed that it is Halal!  Mark your calendar for Wednesday, December 17.  Payment must be in by the Saturday preceding the lunch. 

REPEAT:  Neither throwing snowballs nor snowball fights are permitted on any CBE school property, which includes Annie Gale School.   

URGENT UPDATE:  We are in desperate need of 5 more volunteer positions filled for our upcoming casino.  If you have not already done so, please watch this 90-second video, which explains a little more about our upcoming casino and the support it will provide our school.  After watching, we hope you register as a volunteer.  We also need registrants for backups, should people be unable to fill the shift they’ve signed up for. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TZr_oguUpdZZTbpsMLpvpp9rXA0vFshm/view?usp=drive_link 

REPEAT:  Our next School Council meeting is Monday, December 15, at 6:30 p.m.  The time has been adjusted slightly, with a 6:30 start.  This meeting is scheduled to be a Meet & Greet, though participants are still welcome to join online.   The draws for the gift baskets will take place during the meeting.  We also still need volunteers for our casino, which is quickly approaching. 

WEEKLY EVENTS – DECEMBER  15 TO DECEMBER 19 – SPIRIT WEEK 

Monday, December 15 – Cultural Clothing 

  • TLC Students in formal uniforms or Cultural Clothing 
  • 8:00 – 12:00 | Grade 6 Vaccinations 
  • 6:30 – 8:00 | School Council Meet and Greet 

Tuesday, December 16 – Twin Day (Dress the same as someone else) 

Wednesday, December 17 – One Colour Day (Dress entirely in the same colour) 

  • 12:00 | Fun Lunch 

Thursday, December 18 – Pajama Day and DEAR Day (Drop Everything and Read) 

  • 8:00 – 2:35 | Drop Everything and Read Day 

Friday, December 19 – RED Day – Ugly Sweater or Jersey Day 

Sincerely, 

Tammy Quiring

(proud) Principal