Weekly Update: June 22 to June 26

Happy Sunday, Grizzly Families! 

Last week I announced that we had been allocated two additional teaching positions for the 2026–27 school year through the Government of Alberta’s Class Size Reduction Grant.  Though our plans for these positions are not fully finalized, we know that because of the room limits our modernization has placed upon us, we are not able to create two new homerooms.  Instead, our plan is to provide students with literacy and numeracy support in their regular classrooms.  As shared last week, we remain committed to supporting strong learning environments for all students and using our resources thoughtfully and strategically.  

Our School Council Annual General Meeting (AGM) is this Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Annie Gale School.  Voting will take place for new council members for next year’s council.  Council is a meaningful way for parents and guardians to positively affect their child’s educational experience and will allow you to learn more about the school and have a voice in decision making about fundraising and how those funds can support our students.  Our meetings average about 60-90 minutes every month.  This all-important AGM will be held in-person because of the voting that will be taking place.  You are welcome to attend virtually, but you will not be able to vote if you join online.   

We have received a few calls from parents and guardians relating to our Grade 9 celebration this year.  If your child is in Grade 9, by now you should have received paperwork for the Calaway Park field trip, which is taking place on Thursday, June 25.  This day is significant for our Grade 9s and their teachers; they get to have some fun at the end of the year and make some memories without the pressure of academics and classwork.  Through fundraising and a generous donation from our School Council, the cost is a mere $25.  Additionally, Grade 9 students have been asked to share baby photos for a farewell slide show.  They will have a special processional, with Grade 9 students playing some major roles, as they enter the last pep rally of the year on the last day of school, June 26.  That last pep rally marks a celebration for all Grizzlies, though our Grade 9s have a special place in it.   

CONNECTING HOME AND SCHOOL:   Teaching Responsibility Through Summer Routines 

Summer provides a valuable opportunity for young adolescents to develop responsibility in ways that may not be possible during the busy school year. Though students deserve time to relax and enjoy their break, simple routines can help them build important life skills that will benefit them long after summer ends. 

Consider involving your child in creating a daily or weekly schedule that includes household responsibilities, personal goals, and family commitments. Tasks such as doing laundry, preparing simple meals, caring for pets, or helping with yard work teach accountability and contribute to a sense of independence. 

Allowing children to manage their own schedules, complete tasks without constant reminders, and experience natural consequences when responsibilities are overlooked helps them develop self-management skills. Start with clear expectations and provide guidance when needed, but resist the urge to take over. 

Summer routines do not need to be rigid. The goal is to provide opportunities for young people to practice responsibility while still enjoying the freedom that summer offers. These experiences help build confidence, independence, and habits that support success both in and out of the classroom. 

Adapted from an article retrieved on June 14, 2026, from:  https://chatgpt.com/c/6a2b77d6-e454-83e8-a724-4a9d97789657 

NEW:  Friday, June 26, 2026, is the last day of school for students this year.

NEW: On Friday, June 26, students must leave backpacks at home.  They will not need to bring any school supplies as our activities on the last day will not warrant it and they will have no access to their lockers.  

NEW:  Water guns and squirters are not allowed at school or on school property.   

NEW:  Because our modernization will be limiting hallway space, all students housed at Annie Gale next year will be sharing lockers.  This is a significant change to our regular routine, so if your child will be here next year, this will affect them.  We recommend that students do NOT bring expensive items to school, including cell phones, as they will not have a private locker to lock up their devices.  Students in the TLC for Grades 6 and 7 will not have lockers at Colonel J. Fred Scott School or at Annie Gale; instead, they will hang their bags on hooks outside their classrooms in Colonel J. Fred Scott School.  This, too, means that valuables cannot be locked away.  

REPEAT: Please see the attachments for two summer camp opportunities offered by The Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth (CBFY).  

Bridge Summer Camp is a three-week program (Mon - Thurs) open to all students in Grades 1-9. There are two sessions offered: July 6-22 and July 27-Aug 13. The registration link is: https://pci.jotform.com/form/261394134148255 

WIN/NOW Summer Camp is a free two-day program (Aug 18 & 19) open to current Grade 6-11 newcomer students who have Permanent Resident status. The registration link is: https://form.jotform.com/261324539383258. 

For more information please see the attached posters - all questions should be directed to CBFY. Please share these opportunities within your school community! 

REPEAT: The first day of the 2026-2027 school year for Grade 6 and Grade 7 students is Monday, August 31, 2026.  These students will enjoy a BBQ lunch (vegetarian or beef burgers, a drink, and chips) and among other welcoming activities, will have tours of the school and school grounds to settle them to their new surroundings.  All Grade 6 and 7 students will meet in Annie Gale’s gym for an 8:00 a.m. start.  TLC students will be escorted to their homeroom classrooms housed at Colonel J. Fred Scott School by their homeroom teachers.  Students in Grades 8 and 9 will NOT attend school on August 31. 

Grade 8 and Grade 9 students’ first day is Tuesday, September 1, 2026.  Class lists will be posted near the front of the school, and students will be directed to their homeroom classes. 

REPEAT:  If your child is returning to Annie Gale next year and is in the TLC program, we are expecting students who wear the TLC tartan kilt to also wear bicycle shorts underneath their kilt, as per the uniform guidelines provided by the TLC.  These can be purchased through McCarthy’s, like all other uniform pieces. 

UPDATE: During the last two weeks of June, we participate in a uniform donation drive for TLC students.  If your child has TLC uniform pieces to donate (crested shirts, cardigans, vests, and/or ties) we will happy take them to help families in the fall.  This means that TLC students are not required to wear their uniforms during the last two weeks, should they donate unused uniform pieces.  Thanks to everyone who has already donated uniform pieces! 

REPEAT: It is Provincial Achievement Test (PAT) time for Grade 6 and Grade 9 students.  Please check the calendar shared in the weekly update for accurate information about tests.  Security of these exams is important, so we will be following appropriate protocols set up by Alberta Education.  Though students are not permitted to have their phones on their person during a regular school day (phones should stay home or be stored in lockers), phones and Smart Watches are significant breaches of exam expectations.  Please remind your child to adhere to exam protocols.  And another important note is that students who take exams in the morning are expected to attend in the afternoon.     

WEEKLY EVENTS – JUNE 22 TO JUNE 26 

(TLC uniform donations accepted all week) 

Monday, June 22  

  • 8:30 – 11:10 | Grade 9 Social PAT 

Tuesday, June 23 

  • 8:00 – 2:35 | IPP signature sheets DUE  
  • 8:30 – 11:00 | Grade 9 Science PAT 

Wednesday, June 24 

  • 8:00 – 2:00 | Grade 9 Golf Team Field Trip @ McCall Lake Golf Course 
  • 2:00 – 2:15 | Grade 9 Locker Cleanout 
  • 6:00 | School Council Annual General Meeting (in person for voting) 

Thursday, June 25 

  • 8:00 – 4:00 | Grade 9 Celebration @ Calaway Park 
  • 11:30 – 12:00 | Grade 6 Locker Cleanout 
  • 12:50 – 1:20 | Grade 8 Locker Cleanout 
  • 1:45 – 2:15 | Grade 7 Locker Cleanout 

Friday, June 26 – GREEN DAY 

  • 11:00 – 12:00 | Pep Rally  

Sincerely, 

Tammy Quiring 

(Proud) Principal