Weekly Update: June 23 to June 27

Happy Sunday, Grizzly families! 

This is it—the last week of school!  And what a year we have had!  At this time of year, we look back on the year and we look forward to next year.  We think about the academic and social growth our students have shown.  We think about what we are proud of and what we can do better next year.  We are excited about how our students will perform in the year to come—and through it all we have great pride and gratitude for the opportunity to work with your children.  Teaching is not easy, but it is rewarding, and we thank you and your children for putting your faith in us each day.  

On Friday we celebrated National Indigenous Peoples Day and had two guests in to work with students.  Our students either learned a few traditional Powwow dance steps, the Metis Jig, or did some hoop dancing.  They had great fun!

This is a time of hellos and goodbyes.  We have said hello to many of our incoming students who are currently in Grade 5 or 6.  We will be saying hello to a few new staff members in August.  And we are saying goodbye to several staff members as well, something that is difficult for all of us.  We express our heartfelt appreciation and sincere good wishes to the following staff members who will not be returning to Annie Gale in the fall: Ms. Dalton, Mr. Erickson, Ms. Frozan, Ms. Jeena, Mr. Li, Ms. Nakamura, and Ms. Pavlik.  We wish them well in their future positions and thank them for their commitment to our school, our students, and our staff. 

CONNECTING HOME AND SCHOOL:  Summertime is a time to unwind, connect with family and friends, and enjoy the great outdoors.  I know I’ll be doing this as much as I can.  Look up the “Canada Strong Pass”, which offers free or discounted admission at many parks and museums.  Here’s the link for information:  https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/canada-pass.html 

To get you thinking about some other summer fun, I did a quick Internet search on “How to have a tech-free summer”.  Here’s what I came up with. 

To enjoy a tech-free summer, focus on offline activities, set boundaries, and find alternative entertainment. Plan outdoor adventures, explore hobbies like arts and crafts, or rediscover classic games. Engage in activities that encourage interaction, creativity, and physical activity. Consider a "digital detox" by limiting screen time, especially during meals and before bed.  

Here are some ideas for a tech-free summer: 

Outdoor Activities: 

  • Go for nature walks or hikes: Explore local parks, trails, or even your own backyard, encouraging exploration with magnifying glasses or bug-catching kits.  
  • Have a picnic: Pack a basket and enjoy a meal outdoors, away from screens. 
  • Visit a local park or playground: Engage in physical activity and play classic games like tag or hopscotch.  
  • Go swimming or build a sandcastle at the beach: Enjoy water activities and creative play. 
  • Have a backyard camping adventure: Pitch a tent, tell stories around a "campfire," and enjoy the outdoors. 
  • Gardening: Plant flowers, vegetables, or herbs, teaching responsibility and appreciation for nature.  

Creative and Engaging Activities: 

  • Arts and crafts: Get creative with painting, drawing, sculpting, or making crafts.  
  • Play board games or card games: Rediscover classic games like Monopoly, Scrabble, or Go Fish.  
  • Read books: Explore new worlds and stories through the pages of a book. 
  • Learn a new skill: Take up a hobby like knitting, building models, or playing a musical instrument. 
  • Cook or bake together: Enjoy the process of creating something delicious as a family.  
  • Have a talent show: Encourage creativity and performance with a family talent show. 

Setting Boundaries and Making Time for Connection: 

  • Set tech-free times: Establish times when devices are off-limits, like during meals or before bed.  
  • Schedule regular tech breaks: Step away from screens throughout the day, even if you're not completely tech-free.  
  • Encourage face-to-face interactions: Make an effort to connect with family and friends in person. 
  • Limit social media: Reduce time spent on social media and focus on real-life interactions. 
  • Be a good role model: Limit your own technology use to encourage others to do the same.  

By incorporating these ideas, you can create a summer filled with enriching experiences, meaningful connections, and a healthy balance with technology. 

Retrieved on June 22, 2025, from:  https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+be+tech+free+this+summer&rlz=1C1GCEA_enCA1158CA1158&oq=how+to+be+tech+free+this+summer&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRifBTIHCAMQIRifBdIBCTk2OTJqMGoxNagCCLACAfEFs7-9gA8Znb8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&safe=active&ssui=on 

DID YOU KNOW?   

NEW: If you plan on having your child away for a family trip in the upcoming school year, especially in September, you MUST connect with the school to inform us of your intentions.  This is IMPERATIVE as funding for your child rests on them being present in September, and for TLC students, their attendance on the first week of school confirms their spot in the program.   

UPDATE:  This week we are hosting a uniform donation drive for our TLC students. This is your chance to give back.  If your child has outgrown their uniform or will be moving to Grade 10 with no need to keep the uniform, please consider donating it to the school.  We can offer these pieces to families who might be struggling to pay for new items.  If students have donated their uniform, they will not be required to be in uniform. 

NEW: Thanks to our School Council, we will be hosting Paul Davis for a parent event on Wednesday, September 17, at 6:00 p.m.  Paul will be speaking about Internet safety, and we are told that his presentation will change your view on social media and help you better protect your children.  Students in Grades 7-9 will see him speak on during the day and Grade 6 students will see a recorded message from him.  Please mark this date in your calendars. 

UPDATE:  Our next School Council meeting is Thursday, September 17, at 6:00 p.m.  

NEW: The first day of school for Grade 6 and 7 students at Annie Gale is Tuesday, September 2, 2025.  On that day students will be treated to a BBQ lunch!  Grade 8 and 9 students will start on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.    

WEEKLY EVENTS:  JUNE 23 TO JUNE 27 

Monday, June 23 - TLC Uniform donation week (uniforms not required) 

  • 9:00 – 3:00 | Grade 9 Celebration at Calaway Park  

Tuesday, June 24 - TLC Uniform donation week (uniforms not required) 

  • 12:00 | FUN LUNCH 

Wednesday, June 25 - TLC Uniform donation week (uniforms not required) 

  • 8:00 | Report Cards available for families on PowerSchool (be patient if login is slow—thousands of families will be trying to get in at the same time) 

Thursday, June 26 – Friday, EVEN A Schedule  

  • TLC Uniform donation week (uniforms not required) 

HALF DAY AND LAST DAY OF CLASSES – PLEASE, NO BACKPACKS AT SCHOOL 

  • 8:00 - 12:00 | Half day for all students 
  • 11:00 – 12:00 | Pep Rally (weather permitting) 
  • 12:00 – 3:00 | Appeals 

Friday, June 27 – NON-INSTRUCTION DAY – NO STUDENTS 

Sincerely, 

Tammy Quiring 

(proud) Principal