Weekly Update: March 2 to March 6

Happy Sunday, Grizzly Families! 

Pink Shirt Day was a success at Annie Gale this past week, though our work related to anti-bullying is ongoing and lasts longer than just one day.  If you don’t know what Pink Shirt Day is, ask your child to tell you what they know. 

This coming Friday and Saturday are important for our school community, as on those days we are hosting our Grizzly Growler—Annie Gale’s volleyball tournament.  To start the tournament off with excitement, our senior teams will be playing against a staff team during Grizzly Den next Friday.  After that, our senior teams will be competing with teams from three other schools.  If you have some time, want to support the school, and watch some good volleyball, come out to the free event which showcases Grizzly Spirit and Grizzly Pride. 

CONNECTING HOME AND SCHOOL:  Bullying and Conflict with Peers 

Last week I wrote that ignoring bad behaviour is often not effective, most certainly if bad behaviour continues.  I shared some strategies to minimize conflict, and I asked families to talk about mean and aggressive behaviour and bullying with their child.    

When I started this topic several weeks ago, I shared a story that has repeated itself time and again—families telling their child to mind their own business and stay out of aggressive/mean or bullying situations.  When I talk to families about this, I ask them to think about what they would want others to do if their child was being hurt.  They declare that they would want others to help their child.  That’s the answer--we need to help each other. 

I have also seen several instances when a family has come to the school desperate for help, as they have learned, usually the night before, that their child has been a victim for some time.  As much as schools can be trained and on the lookout for negative behaviour, the aggressors are smart and find times to victimize others so that the adults don’t see it or hear it, and the students around ignore it.  It’s only when a breakdown happens that parents and the school come to learn about it.  Parents know their child best, so we ask that you watch your child and talk with them about what happens at school.  If you see big changes in their behaviour, that usually indicates that something is up.  Ask about it.  Notice.  Work with the school to support your child.  If there is one point that I want to add to last week’s list of examples of strategies to minimize mean comments or bullying, it would be that the adults in the school are here to help.   

In my career as a teacher and administrator, I have seen my share of bullying as well as some amazing students who have put a stop to it.  I have seen bullies “see the light” and change their ways.  I have also seen students who have been victimized rise to success on the other side.  The common thread for these situations is that the students have done so with help.  The current reality of bad behaviour does not always translate to a future reality.  Let’s work together to help others. 

DID YOU KNOW?  

NEW:  Report cards for semester one have been released.  Log into PowerSchool to view them.  Paper copies will not be distributed, so if you would like a paper copy, please print one at home. 

NEW: Parent/Teacher Conferences are on March 19 and 20.  Watch your emails for information about signing up.  

NEW:  Our next School Council meeting will be on Monday, February 16, at 6:30 p.m.  We will be watching a presentation on the school’s budget and school fees. 

NEW:  The next Fun Lunch is Wednesday, March 18.  

NEW:  Spring Break is from March 23 to March 27.  The school will be closed during Spring Break.   

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! 

WEEKLY EVENTS – MARCH 2 TO MARCH 7  

Monday, March 2 - (TLC Students in formal uniforms—no golf shirts)   

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

Tuesday, March 3  

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

Wednesday, March 4 

  • 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. Clarence Sansom @ Clarence Sansom 
  • 5:15 – 6:30 | Junior Girls Volleyball Game vs. Clarence Sansom @ Clarence Sansom 

Thursday, March 5 

  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Junior and Senior Girls Combined Volleyball Practice 
  • 4:15 – 5:15 | Senior Boys Volleyball Game vs. Clarence Sansom @ Annie Gale 
  • 4:30 – 9:30 | Senior Girls Quarter Finals @ Clarence Sansom School (check with coach for actual game time) 
  • 5:15 – 6:30 | Junior Boys Volleyball Game vs. Clarence Sansom @ Annie Gale 

Friday, March 6 

  • 11:00 – 12:00 | Staff vs. Students Volleyball Game (tournament kickoff event) - not open to the public 
  • 12:30 – 8:30 | Grizzly Growler Volleyball Tournament 

Saturday, March 7 

  • 9:00 – 5:30 | Grizzly Growler Volleyball Tournament 

Sincerely, 

Tammy Quiring 

(Proud) Principal