Weekly Update: December 8 to December 12

Happy Sunday, Grizzly Families! 

Being a principal has many facets that are not always visible.  One of the most important tasks for me is to be out and about and visit classrooms to see our students hard at work and having fun.  My goal is to enter every room at least once a day—sometimes that is very do-able, and sometimes it is not because of meetings or other circumstances. Seeing students in classes is often the highlight of my day. By being visible, I hope that students see me as someone beyond “that lady who works in the office”.  By being in classrooms, I can also see teaching and learning and be able to speak about it because I have seen it firsthand.  I can see topics, units, and skill progressions in students.  I can compare what I am seeing with the learning targets posted on the board.  I can have short visits with students and talk about their learning and things of interest to them.  I can also take some teasing about the quality of jokes I share each morning and then write down new ones to use in the future.   

Each week I sign this update with the words “proud Principal” under my name. What I am proud of is the quality of instruction our students receive and the lengths staff take to present engaging learning opportunities for our students.  I am also proud of the students—their efforts to take risks, make mistakes, and grow.  Annie Gale is a great place to be, for the students and the staff.  On Thursday’s morning announcements I declared my gratitude for our students—how they enter the school with hellos and good mornings and positive energy.  Mr. Barisow and I greet them all as they start their day.  Thankful Thursday gave me a chance to express that gratitude and focus on that element of our COURAGE model.   

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

Gratitude can feel like a rare commodity during the teenage years. As teens push for independence, compare themselves to peers, and navigate academic and social pressures, they may become more focused on what they don’t have than what they do. Yet research consistently shows that gratitude is a powerful protective factor—it boosts resilience, improves emotional well-being, enhances relationships, and even supports better sleep and academic motivation. 

The good news: gratitude is a skill, not a personality trait. And like any skill, it can be strengthened with practice. Parents play a central role in shaping how teens notice, value, and express appreciation. 

Below are practical, developmentally thoughtful ways to reinforce gratitude in teenagers without it feeling forced, preachy, or artificial.  I’ll include some more ideas next Sunday. 

1. Model the Gratitude You Want to See 

Teens are expert “hypocrisy detectors.” They learn less from lectures and more from what they see. 

Try: 

  • Verbally acknowledging the good things your child contributes to the family. 
  • Expressing gratitude about your own daily experiences—authentically, not performatively. 
  • Letting them overhear you thank others (servers, teachers, neighbors). 
  • Modeling normalizes gratitude as simply part of how people behave, not something teens must perform. 

2. Shift from “Say Thank You” to “Notice What You Appreciate” 

Traditional manners can feel like commands. Instead, guide teens to pause and recognize specific benefits they've received. 

Ask questions like: 

  • “What’s one thing today that made life a little easier?” 
  • “Who helped you out this week?” 
  • “What’s something you enjoyed that you didn’t expect?” 

This builds awareness, the foundation of gratitude. 

3. Use Reflection, Not Correction 

When teens act dismissively or entitled, it’s tempting to criticize them. But gratitude grows better through curiosity than confrontation. 

Instead of: “You’re being ungrateful. Do you know how lucky you are?” 

Try: “It sounds like today was tough. Is there anything that still went okay?” or “I noticed your coach stayed late for practice. How did that help you?” 

This keeps conversations open rather than defensive. 

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 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.   

NEW: 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. 

NEW:  School Council is providing another opportunity for parents who missed out on buying tickets for our festive gift basket raffle at parent teacher interviews.  Come this Thursday at lunch (12:00 – 12:40). You can use cash, debit, or credit to purchase the ticket. One ticket is $6.00 or buy two for $10.00. The prize baskets are on display in the office. Alternatively, you can also purchase a ticket by sending us an email at:  anniegalepesa@gmail.com or ruminakhan80@yahoo.ca 

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

REPEAT: The school’s parking lot is always off limits to families to pick up and drop off students so that staff can safely park in their assigned spaces and limit the amount of traffic.  This is especially important when we have snow—each snow season we must help parents to dig their cars out of the snow drifts we get, so their wishful, “If I drop off quickly, no one will be the wiser” is far from true.  Please—stay out the the staff parking lot at all times.  We appreciate it.  

UPDATE: We are in desperate need 7 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. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TZr_oguUpdZZTbpsMLpvpp9rXA0vFshm/view?usp=drive_link 

REPEAT:  Picture retakes are Thursday, December 11.  If students were absent on our original picture day, then this is the day they can have their photo taken. 

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 8 TO DECEMBER 12 

Monday, December 8 – TLC Students in formal uniforms 

  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Wrestling Practice 

Tuesday, December 9 

  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Wrestling Practice 

Wednesday, December 10 

  • 9:00 – 3:00 | Wrestling Tournament @ Genesis Centre 

Thursday, December 11 

  • 8:00 – 12:00 | Picture Retakes 

Friday, December 12 – GREEN Day 

A Message from School Council 

Hi Parents, 

School Council is providing another opportunity for parents who missed out on buying tickets for our festive gift basket raffle at parent teacher interviews.  Come this Thursday at lunch (12:00 – 12:40). You can use cash, debit, or credit to purchase the ticket. One ticket is $6.00 or buy two for $10.00. The prize baskets are on display in the office. Alternatively, you can also purchase a ticket by sending us an email at: anniegalepesa@gmail.com or ruminakhan80@yahoo.ca 

Thank you, 

Rumina (Chair)