Weekly Update: January 27 to January 31

Happy Sunday, Grizzly families! 

Semester Two starts this week.  It’s an exciting week for students in the regular program as they will start with semester two options.  Last week Mr. Barisow and the office staff were hard at work confirming timetables for students.  Should any student have question about their timetable, they need only come to the office, and we can sort it out for them.  The start of the second semester also means that it is time for parents and guardians to check their accounts to ensure that fees are paid for second semester options.  If you are unsure as to how to do this, please call the office and state that you have questions about fees. 

Report Cards will be available to parents and guardians this week.  Note that thousands of parents attempt to log in, so please be patient if you can’t access the information right away.   

SAFETY ALERT:  Last week we had a near miss in our parking lot.  When a parent was backing out of a parking spot in the darkness of the morning, they nearly hit a staff member.  I can’t express how this frustrates me, because of how simple it is for parents and guardian to stay out of the parking lot.  There are signs in the parking lot reminding parents that pickup and drop off is not permitted. We need to keep this space safe for all; the only cars in our parking lot should be those of employees.  PLEASE STAY OUT OF THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT AT ALL TIMES. 

To continue the topic of safety, it is also frustrating to have to remind parents and guardians that U-turns in school zones are not only unsafe, but they are illegal. The congestion at the end of the day is enough of a concern already.  Traffic fines in school zones are doubled—please follow the rules of the road and do your part to keep our community safe.  Thank you. 

CONNECTING HOME AND SCHOOL:  Over the past few weeks I have shared information about sleep.  Teachers see the negative results of sleepy students every day, so I am sharing information on sleep hygiene.  Sleep hygiene refers to healthy sleep habits that help a person get a good night’s sleep. 

Healthy Sleep Hygiene Tips (adapted from website listed below): 

  1. Keep a consistent sleep schedule. 
  2. Create a relaxing bedtime routine — and stick with it 
  3. Turn off electronic devices before you go to sleep 
  4. Exercise regularly 
  5. Limit caffeine intake 
  6. Limit large meals before bed 

Retrieved on January 26, 2025, from https://www.healthline.com/health/sleep-hygiene 

Did you know? 

  • UPDATE:  Family Literacy Week is January 26 to February 2. This year’s theme is Let’s be Green – Together. How about doing some reading together as a family this week?  This week reminds us that we can incorporate literacy into every day—if you don’t already read daily with your family, consider starting now.  Keeping the house quiet for 15 minutes when all family members read is an amazing way to model this habit for all.  After the reading session, have a conversation about what everyone is reading—this creates strong family connections and reinforces the importance of reading for all. 
  • NEW:  Report cards are available to families this week.    
  • NEW:  If you are interested in moving your child from the regular program to the TLC, now is the time to express your interest online.  Note that an expression of interest does not guarantee placement.  Spots are limited so we use a lottery system.  If you have questions, please contact the office. 
  • UPDATE:  We have added more dates to Fun Lunches.  Log in to healthyhunger.ca to participate.   
  • UPDATE:  Our next School Council is Wednesday, February 18 at 6:00 p.m.  At this meeting I will be presenting information on school fees and our school development plan.  The presentation includes a follow up survey for parents and guardians so that all stakeholders can share their opinions.
  • REPEAT:  March’s School Council Meeting is Wednesday, March 19.    
  • REPEAT:  Parents and Guardians of Grade 9 students should be aware that in the next few months, much information will be provided about Grade 10 registration for high school.  I encourage you to visit open houses provided by the high schools to ensure that you are well informed, beyond the information that we share with you. 

REPEAT:  For parents and guardians of Grade 9 families: 

Below is information about open houses for other high schools in our area. If your student will be attending one of these schools, we highly recommend families attend these sessions for important information.  We also suggest that families do research on the website for the high school that you are interested in learning more about. 

If you are moving, the student must register for their current designated high school and then apply for a transfer to the high school of your new area.  To change your address with the CBE you must present two pieces of proof of address. (Eg. Electrical bills, cable bills, house insurance, etc.)  A driver’s licence is not an acceptable proof of address. 

OPEN HOUSE DATES: 

Nelson Mandela High School 

  • 45 Saddletowne Cir NE, Calgary, AB T3J 0H5 Phone: 403-817-3500 
  • Open House: January 27, 2025, from 5:00 - 6:30 pm 

James Fowler High School 

  • 4004 4 St NW, Calgary, AB T2K 1A1 Phone:  403-230-4743 
  • Open House: January 27, 2025, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ms. Boyd, Learning Leader for Student Services, or your student’s homeroom teacher at (403) 777-7680. 

WEEKLY EVENTS:  JANUARY 27 TO JANUARY 31 

Monday, January 27  

  • ALL DAY | SWAT (Student Well-being Action Team Symposium @ Mt. Royal 
  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Wrestling Practice 
  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Senior Girls and Junior Girls Combined Volleyball Practice 
  • 4:15 – 5:15 | Junior Boys Volleyball Game @ Annie Gale School (see notes below) 
  • 5:15 – 6:15 | Senior Boys Volleyball Game @ Annie Gale School (see notes below) 

Tuesday, January 28 

  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Senior Boys Volleyball Practice 
  • 3:45 – 4:45 | Junior Boys Volleyball Practice 

Wednesday, January 29 – FUN LUNCH 

  • 9:30 – 3:30 | Wrestling Divisionals at Genesis Centre 
  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Junior Girls Volleyball Practice 
  • 3:45 – 4:45 | Senior Girls Volleyball Practice 

Thursday, January 30 

  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Junior Boys Volleyball Practice 
  • 3:45 – 4:45 | Senior Boys Volleyball Practice 
  • 4:15 – 5:15 | Senior Girls Volleyball Game @ Terry Fox School 
  • 5:15 – 6:15 | Junior Girls Volleyball Game @ Terry Fox School 

Friday, January 31 – Non-Instruction Day:  NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS 

Notes for volleyball games: 

  • Regular games at Annie Gale are not open to the public—parents and guardians are permitted to attend 
  • Student fans are not permitted to attend any away games unless they are accompanied by their parent or legal guardian 
  • Student fans at Annie Gale must have perfect attendance the day of the game and cannot have been paged to class at any time, the week of the game 
  • Student fans in the TLC must follow the uniform policy the week of the game to attend a home game 

Sincerely, 

Tammy Quiring 

(proud) Principal