Weekly Update: March 3 to March 7

Happy Sunday, Grizzly families! 

It was wonderful to see that many students took the opportunity during lunch last week to go outside and enjoy the warmer weather.  I hope you and your families have been together enjoying the warmer temperatures this weekend as well.

Each February after convention, I meet one-on-one with every staff member.  During this “fireside” conversation, individuals share with me their thoughts on successes and challenges for them and the school.  We use this information to feed forward for our planning for the upcoming school year.  Parents and guardians have a voice as well.  Last week I sent home a link to an online survey, which closes on Wednesday at noon.  This survey gives you an opportunity to learn about our budget and fees as well as our School Development Plan.  Check out the “Did You Know” section below for the survey link, if you have not already completed it.  I also remind parents and guardians that our monthly school council meetings are a way to learn more about the school and to share your perspective.  If you have not been involved with council yet, know that the meetings last no longer than 90 minutes are they are only once a month.  Check out the dates for the next meetings and see if you can make time to join us.   

This week was the first week of the CUPE strike within CBE schools.  CBE schools are open for in-person instruction.  I urge you to visit https://cbe.ab.ca/news-centre/Labour-Action/Pages/default.aspx for the most up-to-date information.     

CONNECTING HOME AND SCHOOL:   To continue the topic of food and diet for teens, I thought that some points about energy drinks and sports beverages might be of interest to you.  I’m sharing this because many of our students consume these beverages each day.  Did you know that caffeinated energy drinks are not recommended for those under 14 years old?  Questions we ask are:  Why do students consume these beverages?  Are students addicted to caffeine?  Are student tired from lack of sleep?  I know this topic comes up in health classes, but I also know that this is another example of how home and school connect.   

The Canadian Paediatric Society has points to share about this topic.  For instance, they state “[b]oth sports drinks and [caffeinated energy drinks] CEDs pose potential risks for the health of children and adolescents and may contribute to obesity. Sports drinks are generally unnecessary for children engaged in routine or play-based physical activity.”  They add, “As per the Canada Vigilance Adverse Reaction Database, adverse events associated with the consumption of CEDs have been reported in children as young as 8 years of age. Adverse events include tachycardia, increases in blood pressure, electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, vomiting, diarrhea, impulsive behaviour, agitation, delusions, circulatory collapse and death. In one 2011 Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program survey, 9% of the 741 respondents reported caffeine-related complications.”  Perhaps this information will help you engage in your ongoing conversations about health and diet with your child.  I encourage you to do your own research.  I’ve included two links below. 

Adapted from information retrieved on March 2, 2025, from https://cps.ca/documents/position/energy-and-sports-drinks and https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/supplemented-foods/caffeinated-energy-drinks.html 

Did you know? 

  • NEW:  Annie Gale’s website is your place to find all the weekly updates sent home.  If you haven’t been to our website lately, check it out:  https://anniegale.cbe.ab.ca/ 
  • UPDATE:  Parents and Guardians, have your voice heard!  We know we make better decisions to support student learning when we build understanding and work together. That’s why we are sharing our school development plan and asking parents and guardians to share their perspectives with us.  The survey closes on Wednesday, March 5, at 11:59 a.m.  Please click here to complete the survey.  Your input is important to us, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your perspectives on our school development plan. 
  • NEW:  The constraints related to the CUPE strike have led us to make the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Grizzly Growler Volleyball Tournament that was scheduled for this Friday and Saturday.  However, we have found an in-school way to allow our senior athletes the opportunity to play in a mini-tournament this Friday.  It will culminate in the championship game which all students will be able to watch during Grizzly Den.  Many fun activities will be taking place this week as we get closer to Friday.  Ask your child about them. 
  • NEW:  The next Fun Lunch is Tuesday, March 18. 
  • REPEAT:  Annie Gale proudly announces Grizzly Great Reads!  We have a new Instagram account that is focused on literacy here at Annie Gale and we can’t wait to connect with you!  We will be showcasing staff and student book recommendations, sharing ideas for improving literacy, showcasing events and activities here at school, hosting contests, sharing the renovation of our Learning Commons, and much more! There will be opportunities for students to help with creating posts and sharing their love of reading.  There is also a Linktree attached with some resources for families as well as an Amazon wish list that can be shared with those who would like to support our school and donate a book.  To access the account, go to:  https://www.instagram.com/grizzlygreatreads_cbe/   
  • REPEAT:  As of last Monday, we will not allow student fans at home games unless they are accompanied by their parent or guardian and are watching their sibling play.  This change of protocol is one of the CBE’s responses to the CUPE strike.   
  • REPEAT:  Do you have broken toys at home?  Do you have toys that no one at home is using?  Do you have toys that you just don't want?  We have a solution for you! The Annie Gale Art Club is looking for donations for their next big project, "Upcycled Art".  Please send clean and no larger than 6-inch toy donations to school with your student.  Donations can be given to Ms. Stauffer or Ms. Saini. 
  • REPEAT:  We are proud to announce that EducationMatters has offered a grant of $5,000 to Annie Gale School towards a trip to the Royal Tyrrell Museum and Jumpingpound Demonstration Forest.  Stay tuned for more information! 
  • UPDATE:  Our Grade 7 students will be participating in the Alberta Assurance Survey later this week.   
  • REPEAT:  Last year we had a group of proud Grizzlies who created a weekly video showcasing Annie Gale and supporting school spirit.  I’m proud to share that we have a new crew of students who are taking on this task, all on their own time.  The project is called the Grizzly Gazette and two weeks ago they shared their first short video in our Grizzly Den class.  We are looking forward to seeing what they have for us as the school year continues. 
  • UPDATE:  March’s School Council Meeting is Wednesday, March 19.   If the CUPE strike is still on, our meeting with be held virtually. 

WEEKLY EVENTS:  MARCH 3 TO MARCH 7 

Monday, March 3  

  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Senior Girls Volleyball Practice 
  • 3:45 – 4:45 | Junior Girls Volleyball Practice 
  • 2:40 – 3:20 | SWAT Meeting 

Tuesday, March 4  

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

Wednesday, March 5 

  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Junior Girls Volleyball Practice 
  • 3:45 – 4:45 | Senior Girls Volleyball Practice 
  • 4:15 – 5:15 | Senior Boys Volleyball Game vs. Clarence Sansom @ Clarence Sansom  
  • 5:15 – 6:15 | Junior Boys Volleyball Game vs. Clarence Sansom @ Clarence Sansom 

Thursday, March 6 

  • 9:00 – 11:00 | Grade 6 Guest Speaker  
  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Junior and Senior Boys Combined Volleyball Practice 
  • 4:15 – 5:15 | Senior Girls Volleyball Game vs. Clarence Sansom @ Annie Gale School 
  • 5:15 – 6:15 | Junior Girls Volleyball Game vs. Clarence Sansom @ Annie Gale School 

Friday, March 7 - ODD A Day 

  • 8:00 – 12:00 | In-house Grizzly Growler Mini Tournament (no outside guests permitted) 

Sincerely, 

Tammy Quiring 

(proud) Principal