Weekly Update: January 27 to January 30
Happy Sunday, Grizzly Families!
We had another busy week at Annie Gale! This week we hosted our first home games of the volleyball season, held our School Council Meeting, had an unexpected school evacuation, as well as a few field trips.
Tuesday, January 27, 2026, is Family Literacy Day to raise awareness about the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family. Go to https://cbe.ab.ca/news-centre/Pages/CBE-Family-Literacy-Week-2026.aspx for more information, ideas, and links to amazing resources for your family. Happy reading!
At last week’s school council meeting we engaged in a robust dialogue about several topics. The first topic was how we can involve more parents and guardians at council and in fundraising efforts, such as the casino we recently held. If you have any ideas for us, we would be happy to hear from you. Know that your council members put in much time and effort to support the school for their children and yours. Many hands make light work, so they would appreciate your involvement. Consider attending our next council meeting, either in person or virtually. I expect you will be surprised at what you will learn.
The second topic we discussed at council was student behaviour and bullying. No child should feel unsafe, whether it be at home, travelling to and from school, or at school. We remind our students to report unsafe behaviour, and we often talk about supporting others who can’t speak up for themselves. I encourage families to discuss this topic with their child and to remind them that bad behaviour continues if it is not stopped. It is often not stopped because school staff are not aware of it. If students report and the school supports a resolution, everyone wins. Unfortunately, sometimes misbehaviour continues, despite school involvement. Remind your child to ask for help, repeatedly if necessary, so that we can follow up. It takes courage to report a problem and more to re-report, but it is so important that we do. It also takes courage to support others who are in need of help. Parents can help as well, by practicing bullying situations with their child—help them learn what to say and how to get out of an uncomfortable situation without making it worse. Students who have practiced what to do and say are often less likely to be victimized as well, as they have an air of confidence, so bullies tend to avoid them. If all else fails, please contact the school if you have a concern about your child. We want to help.
CONNECTING HOME AND SCHOOL: Excellence
The last letter of our COURAGE model is “E”, and our students chose to use the word “Excellence” in that space when we built the model with them. Our COURAGE posters all include this quote: “It’s not about being the best, but doing our best.” This quote, also chosen by students and staff several years ago, stresses the point that excellence is different for everyone. Not all of us can be “the best”; however, we can still strive for excellence. The following information supports a growth mindset and adds to the work that we do with students at Annie Gale. This is the second of three weeks which will build on this concept.
To help kids aim for excellence over perfection, build on unconditional love as the foundation, praise their effort, process, and learning from mistakes, not just results, and teach them that mistakes are growth opportunities, encouraging a balanced, grit-focused approach to life and challenges. Model a growth mindset by showing your own effort and embracing imperfection.
Building Unconditional Love & Resilience
- Love is Non-Negotiable: Clearly communicate that your love isn't dependent on their grades or achievements.
- Learn from Mistakes: Frame errors as valuable lessons, not failures, and guide them to find solutions or insights.
- Validate Feelings: Listen when they're frustrated and help them process disappointment instead of punishing it.
- Model It: Share your own struggles and how you handled them, showing imperfection and perseverance in action.
DID YOU KNOW:
NEW: Our next School Council meeting will be on Tuesday, February 24, at 6:30 p.m.
NEW: The last day of semester one (term one) is Tuesday, January 27. Semester two (term two) starts on Wednesday, January 28. This means that students taking options will have new option classes to attend effective Wednesday. Students will receive new timetables this week.
NEW: If your child is in Grade 9, you will have received some information about high school registration. Take some time to go to the website of the high school your child will be attending to learn more.
NEW: Ask your child about what word they focused on each Word Wednesday. On Wednesdays we choose a new word and discuss how it changes in the context of our subjects. Last week’s word was CONSISTENT, and even our teachers used the word in our professional learning last Friday afternoon. We discussed how consistency in the classroom and the school as a whole support student well-being and improves academic achievement. This week we noted how some of our school structures and policies help support students so that they know what to expect and when. A few school-wide examples are: Grizzly Den, the COURAGE model, use of hall passes, our late policy, policies related attending home games, Word Wednesdays, morning announcements, daily jokes, weekly open gym days for each grade, word walls in classrooms, posted daily agendas and learning targets, and clubs. Not sure what these things are? Ask your child or a teacher.
NEW: Last week a message was sent home to families reminding them of the need for students riding Calgary Transit to have either a bus pass, or identification. Students aged 13 and over are expected to pay for their travel on city transit. Without proof of payment, the city may enforce fines.
REPEAT: We want to remind all spectators that away games are for parents or guardians only. Students cannot go to an away game unless they are accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. Home games are open to parents and guardians only and student fans who meet the following criteria:
- perfect attendance the week of the game
- must not have been paged to class anytime the week of the game
- TLC students must have been wearing their appropriate uniform the week of the game
- Student spectators are not allowed in and out privileges for the games.
- Student spectators must follow school rules (no hats, hoods, or phones) and spectator etiquette
These basic expectations allow students the privilege of attending home games. Though CBE schools are considered public schools, sporting events are not considered public events.
REPEAT: Junior Police Academy is back this year. Has your child ever wondered what it's like to be a police officer? The Calgary Police Service Junior Police Academy gives youth aged 12 to 16 the opportunity to find out. Junior Police Academy runs three times a year.
The 2026 Junior Police Academy sessions are:
Sunday, April 5, to Friday, April 10, 2026
Sunday, July 12, to Friday, July 17, 2026
Sunday, Aug. 9, to Friday, Aug. 14, 2026
Find out more by visiting this website: https://www.calgary.ca/cps/youth-programs-and-resources/youth-mentorship/junior-police-academy.html
REMINDER: TLC families were sent information about the current purchasing window for TLC uniforms, which closes on January 31. Note that for those students who wear ties that McCarthy’s is once again selling adult sized ties—something our taller students have been in need of for a while.
REPEAT: The next Fun Lunch is this Wednesday, January 28.
WEEKLY EVENTS – JANUARY 26 TO JANUARY 30
Monday, January 26 - (TLC Students in formal uniforms) Last Day of A Day Options
- 2:45 – 3:45 | Junior and Senior Boys Combined Volleyball Practice
- 4:15 – 5:15 | Junior Girls Volleyball Game vs. Terry Fox @ Annie Gale
- 5:15 – 6:30 | Senior Girls Volleyball Game vs. Terry Fox @ Annie Gale
Tuesday, January 27 – Last Day of Term One (Last Day of B Day Options)
- 2:45 – 3:45 | Senior Girls Volleyball Practice
- 3:45 – 4:45 | Junior Girls Volleyball Practice
- 4:15 – 5:15 | Junior Boys Volleyball Game @ Terry Fox School
- 5:15 – 6:15 | Senior Boys Volleyball Game @ Terry Fox School
Wednesday, January 28 - First Day of Term Two (New A Day Options)
- 12:00 | FUN LUNCH
- 2:45 – 3:45 | Junior Boys Volleyball Practice
- 3:45 – 4:45 | Senior Boys Volleyball Practice
Thursday, January 29 – Second Day of Term Two (New B Day Options)
- 9:30 – 2:30 | Grade 8 Zoo Field Trip (8-3, 8-4, 8-6)
- 2:45 – 3:45 | Junior Girls Volleyball Practice (PLEASE CONFIRM WITH COACH)
- 3:45 – 4:45 | Senior Girls Volleyball Practice (PLEASE CONFIRM WITH COACH)
- 6:00 – 7:15 | Winter Band Concert
Friday, January 30 – NON-INSTRUCTION DAY—NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Sincerely,
Tammy Quiring
(proud) Principal