Weekly Update: May 12 to May 16

Happy Sunday, Grizzly families! 

Last Tuesday we were visited by Dr. Cooper, Director Area 4, and Dr. Nelson, Superintendent of School Improvement.  They met with me, and we talked about leadership and what’s happening at Annie Gale School, including our pending modernization and the many changes that have taken place since I became principal over four years ago.  After our meeting we toured the school.  Both Dr. Cooper and Dr. Nelson noted the consistency between classrooms as well as posted learning targets, word walls, and daily agendas.  They left the school excited about our improvement and holding Grizzly Gear in their hands.  Dr. Cooper attended Annie Gale years ago, and she sent me a message saying she wore her shirt on Saturday with pride!  Great job, Grizzlies! 

I have been privileged to have had many conversations with parents this year about a variety of topics, ranging from specifics about their child, field trips, literacy in the home, changes in their child as they attend middle/junior high school, academics, athletics, and even this weekly message.  I am thrilled to hear that many of you take time out of your week to read these messages and that you use the information provided to plan your week, have family conversations about what’s happening at Annie Gale, and talk with your spouses, partners, and co-parents about raising pre-teens and teens.  Annie Gale’s parent/guardian community is wonderful!  If you have suggestions about how to make this message better, please let me know.  

CONNECTING HOME AND SCHOOL:  This is the last in a series of messages focusing on Growth Mindset.  A growth mindset views abilities and intelligent as things which can be developed through dedication, effort, and learning. Challenges are opportunities for growth and development, not reflections of inherent limitations.  Those with a growth mindset are motivated to overcome obstacles, see failure as learning opportunities, and they embrace learning challenges.  So where do parents and guardians fit in?  They can help foster a growth mindset.  Here are two more ways: 

#7 Focus on the Journey, Not the Destination 

Fueled in part by social media, friends, the culture we live in, and, well… being young, teenagers are notorious for focusing on the final destination. “When I get to college, I’ll be able to call all the shots in my life.” “When I get my own car, I won’t have to constantly bug my parents to drive me everywhere.” “When… when… when.” 

What they don’t realize is that the slow and steady progress that they’re making day in and day out is where most of life’s lessons are. Their journey is where the amazing transformations are happening in their life. By being appreciative and mindful of where they are, how far they’ve come, and where they’re headed, they’ll learn to fall in love with the process of life – the ups, the downs, the challenges, and the triumphs. 

#8 Pay Attention to Your Mindset, Parents 

Whether we realize it or not, our kids are watching everything we say and do. We may not think they’re noticing; we may not think they’re taking it all in and filing it away, but they are. Be mindful of your own words and actions and do your best to foster a growth mindset in your own life. Your kids are far more likely to model your behavior than they are to listen to your words or lectures. 

It might take some work, but teenagers stand to gain a lot by adopting a growth mindset and putting the processes into action. The intentional effort of viewing the glass as half full and focusing on their own goals, journey, and life will give them a richer sense of who they are, what they stand for, and how they want to move forward in life. 

“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re probably right.” ~ Henry Ford 

Retrieved on April 19, 2025, from:  Teach Your Teen to Have a Growth Mindset: Why it Matters and Powerful Strategies that Work - Raising Teens Today

DID YOU KNOW? 

NEW:  Checkmate Foundation is sponsoring another Chess Tournament on Sunday, May 18, from 1:00 to 5:30.  The entry fee is $12 and includes two slices of pizza and a drink (e-transfer: info@checkmatefoundation.ca).  This event is taking place at the Univeristy of Calgary (Hunter Student Commons rooms 124A and 128).  There are Junior (Grades 4-8) and Senior (Grades 9-12) divisions with 6 rounds in a 10|0 Format.  There are prizes for the top three!  Annie Gale will not be able to send a school team, but we know we have many chess players, some of whom don’t even play in chess club.  This tournament is for seasoned players or those who just love the game.  To register as an individual, click here: forms.gle/a3tQnVmeZiUCRi4r7  If you have questions, email info@checkmatefoundation.ca 

NEW:  Our TLC program is proud to host our upcoming band concert on Thursday, May 29, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.  TLC parents and guardians will receive an email from Ms. Bumstead with details.  Note that families must sit together during this event. 

NEW:  Grade 9 leadership will be selling "tickets" for pizza on Wednesday and Thursday at lunch next week from 12:05 - 12:25 in the foyer.  We will be serving Tandoori Chicken Pizza and Cheese Pizza at $3 for 1 slice or $5 for 2 slices. Pizza will be delivered and served on Wednesday, May 21, in the cafeteria. All funds raised will go towards the Grade 9 Farewell.

REPEAT:  May’s School Council Meeting is Wednesday, May 21, at 6 p.m.   This meeting will be held in person and online.  Look at the end of this message for more information from School Council. 

REPEAT:  June’s School Council Meeting will be in-person only because it is the Annual General Meeting of the Council.  Read the message at the end to learn about some of the roles that make up the council.  If you are interested in filling a role, let us know.  If you just want to join council as a “visitor”, you are certainly welcome!  You will be surprised at what you will learn.  Being a part of school council is informative and supports your child’s school.   

REPEAT:  We have a few more fun lunches before the end of the year.  Our next one is Thursday, May 22.  Log in to Healthyhunger.ca to participate.  These fun lunches are organized by School Council, and we appreciate their efforts! 

WEEKLY EVENTS:  MAY 12 TO MAY 16 

Monday, May 12  

  • 12:00 – 12:30 | Grade 6 Badminton Practice 
  • 12:00 – 12:30 | Golf Practice 
  • 2:45 – 3:45 | SWAT Meeting 
  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Grade 9 Badminton Practice 

Tuesday, May 13  

  • 12:00 – 12:30 | Golf Practice 
  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Grade 6 Badminton Practice 
  • 3:45 – 4:45 | Grade 8 Badminton Practice 
  • 4:00 – 8:00 | Grade 7 Badminton Tournament @ James Fowler High School 

Wednesday, May 14 

  • 12:00 – 12:30 | Golf Practice 
  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Grade 8 Badminton Practice 
  • 3:45 – 4:45 | Grade 7 Badminton Practice 
  • 4:00 – 8:00 | Grade 6 Badminton Tournament @ Peter Lougheed School  

Thursday, May 15 

  • 12:00 – 12:30 | Golf Practice 
  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Grade 9 Badminton Practice 
  • 3:00 – 6:00 | Golf Team Rounds @ McCall Lake Golf Course 
  • 3:45 – 4:45 | Grade 7 Badminton Practice 
  • 4:00 – 8:00 | Grade 8 Badminton Tournament @ James Fowler High School  

Friday, May 16 – NON-INSTRUCTION DAY – NO SCHOOL 

Monday, May 19 – Victoria Day – NO SCHOOL 

Sincerely, 

Tammy Quiring 

(proud) Principal 

A MESSAGE FROM SCHOOL COUNCIL 

Hello Annie Gale Parents, 

It’s almost time when the school year is ending, and we will be having elections for the executive positions on our school council and fundraising society PESA (PARENTS ENCOURAGING SUCCESS ASSOCIATION) at our AGM (Annual General Meeting) in June. All positions are available to be filled for the 2025-2026 school year. The description of all the roles is provided below, so if this is something that interests you, please send us an email at anniegalepesa@gmail.com or ruminakhan80@yahoo.ca or come join us at our next meeting.  Please send us your request before May 21, 2025, so we can plan accordingly for multiple candidates interested in the same position.  

Chair: It is expected that the school council chairperson will be a parent of a student attending the school. The chair should be someone who can work collaboratively and understands how to organize both programs and people. The chair should actively encourage others to be engaged in meaningful ways. They will chair all meetings of the school council and coordinate with the principal to establish meeting agendas. The chair will also be the official spokesperson of the school council, ensuring regular communication with the whole school community and making sure that the operating procedures are current and followed. They must prepare an annual report that summarizes the school council’s activities for the previous school year, including a financial statement relating to money, if any, handled by the school council.  

Vice-Chair:  On some school councils, the role of chair is shared, either through the creation of co-chairing positions or through the chair’s dependence on the vice-chair to undertake part of the work. Typically, the vice-chair's duties are, in the event of resignation, incapacity or leave of absence of the chair, to fulfill the chair’s responsibilities, and in the absence of the chair, supervise the affairs and preside at meetings of the school council.  

Secretary:  The school council secretary typically acts as a recorder at each meeting and ensures that the minutes are prepared to accurately reflect the directions and decisions agreed to at the meeting.  

Treasurer:  If the school council is handling money, through fundraising activities or donations, the treasurer keeps accurate records of all financial transactions and ensures that records are available upon request of the school board or school community. 

Thank you, 

Rumina Cruz  

Chair (School Council/ PESA) 

Annie Gale School