Weekly Update: February 23 to February 27

Happy Sunday, Grizzly Families! 

Thank you to our families who made alternate arrangements and/or left home earlier than usual to ensure that their child arrived safely and on time for school last week.  Weather events like the one we experienced last week often affect transportation in Calgary.  We delayed attendance taking for a few minutes several days this week and made alternate arrangements for students to stay inside during lunch.  We also opened the school doors earlier than normal.  Though most of our students were prepared with appropriate clothing, many came to school without hats, mittens/gloves, or appropriate jackets.  We worry about our students’ safety in this type of weather and ask that families ensure that their children are dressed for the conditions. 

CONNECTING HOME AND SCHOOL:  Bullying and Conflict with Peers—Ignoring Negative Behaviour Doesn't Always Work

We often hear that parents encourage their child to ignore the negative behaviour of another child.  Though this is a strategy that can be effective in the moment, it often doesn’t work for long. If the negative behavior continues, then that strategy needs to be replaced with another.  Over time, ignoring negative behaviour can lead to a buildup of anger and resentment of the person doing the ignoring, which can result in them having a verbal or physical outburst if another negative situation comes around, thereby creating yet another problem.  We ask students to try another strategy if ignoring is unsuccessful.  Our advice is that students work to minimize the conflict, rather than adding to it with another negative behaviour or comment.  This might mean stating a response with little emotion and then walking away to avoid further conflict.  Here are a few simple examples, which can be adapted for many situations: 

Example One:

Student A:  Your feet are HUGE! 

Student B:  Yes, they do their job to keep me upright.  (Student B then walks away.) 

Example Two:

Student A:  You stink! 

Student B:  I showered this morning, so thanks for the compliment.  (Student B then walks away.) 

Example Three:

Student A:  That shirt is ugly! 

Student B:  I guess you won’t be asking to borrow it.  (Student B then walks away.) 

Though these examples may appear simplistic, the message that Student B sends to Student A each time is the same: your comments don’t hurt me.  I encourage parents and guardians to discuss these scenarios with your child and practice these types of situations with your children at home.  Encourage your child to share examples that they have seen or heard and help them come up with responses.  One comment we hear is, “Your mom is...” Talk this one through with your child.  The reality is that parents don’t need their reputation to be protected by their child, though the school and parents want their child to have a response that doesn’t create more problems or conflict. 

Being prepared creates a positive cycle—if your child is more confident, they are less vulnerable.  If they are less vulnerable, they are more confident.  More confidence also brings about the ability to support others when they are in need.  If only students would use their numbers to do good—and support others by responding effectively to shut down mean or aggressive behaviour.  

DID YOU KNOW?  

NEW:  PINK SHIRT DAY is this Wednesday.  Students and staff will be wearing pink to stand up against bullying. 

NEW:  February 22-28 is Freedom to Read Week!  Freedom to Read Week is an annual event in Canada that celebrates the rights of people to be able to choose what they read. It highlights the importance of intellectual freedom — the idea that everyone should have access to a wide range of books and ideas, even ones that may be challenged or controversial.  The week also raises awareness about book challenges and censorship in schools and libraries, encouraging communities to support open access to diverse voices, perspectives, and stories. 

REPEAT:  Our annual Grizzly Growler Volleyball tournament is quickly approaching! The tournament runs from 12:30 pm to 8:30 pm on Friday, March 6, and then 9:00 am to 5:30 pm on Saturday, March 7. This tournament is a great opportunity for our school to build a sense of community and belonging. There is already a lot of excitement through the school in anticipation of the tournament.  

We have received a lot of community support and donations from local businesses, but we are still in need of additional support to run the two-day tournament. We will be looking for volunteers to help supervise the raffle table, concession stand, team and coaches’ rooms.  

If anyone can support, please contact Mr. Ellice at ccellice@cbe.ab.ca and let him know what days and times you are able to donate some time.  

In addition, if you wish to contribute to the tournament and our students in other ways, please feel free to contact Mr. Ellice.  Thank you for your support and helping us host a great event! 

REPEAT: February 27 is a non-instruction day.  There will be no school for students on that day.  

REPEAT:  Our next School Council meeting will be on Tuesday, February 24, at 6:30 p.m.   

REPEAT:  The next Fun Lunch is this Wednesday, February 25.  

WEEKLY EVENTS – FEBRUARY 23 TO FEBRUARY 27  

Monday, February 23 - (TLC Students in formal uniforms—no golf shirts)   

  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Senior Boys Volleyball Practice  
  • 3:45 – 4:45 | Junior Boys Volleyball Practice 
  • 4:15 – 5:15 | Junior Girls Volleyball Game vs. Ted Harrison @ Ted Harrison 
  • 5:15 – 6:30 | Senior Girls Volleyball Game vs. Ted Harrison @ Ted Harrison 

Tuesday, February 24  

  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Junior and Senior Girls Combined Volleyball Practice 
  • 4:15 – 5:15 | Junior Boys Volleyball Game vs. Ted Harrison @ Annie Gale 
  • 5:15 – 6:15 | Senior Boys Volleyball Game vs. Ted Harrison @ Annie Gale  
  • 6:30 – 8:00 | School Council Meeting – in-person and virtual 

Wednesday, February 25 – FUN LUNCH AND PINK SHIRT DAY 

  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Junior Boys Volleyball Practice  
  • 3:45 – 4:45 | Senior Boys Volleyball Practice 
  • 4:15 – 5:15 | Senior Girls Volleyball Game vs. Peter Lougheed @ Peter Lougheed 
  • 5:15 – 6:30 | Junior Girls Volleyball Game vs. Peter Lougheed @ Peter Lougheed 

Thursday, February 26 

  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Junior and Senior Girls Combined Volleyball Practice 
  • 4:15 – 5:15 | Senior Boys Volleyball Game vs. Peter Lougheed @ Annie Gale 
  • 5:15 – 6:30 | Junior Boys Volleyball Game vs. Peter Lougheed @ Annie Gale 

Friday, February 27 – Non-instruction Day:  NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS 

Sincerely, 

Tammy Quiring 

(Proud) Principal