Weekly Update: May 19 to May 22

Happy Monday, Grizzly Families! 

I hope you have enjoyed spending some extra time with your family this weekend, even though the weather may not be what we wanted. 

Last Thursday, Annie Gale observed Culture Day, and it was a great success.  Many students and staff wore cultural clothing, shared cultural food, and participated in the activities prepared by our Leadership 9 students.  Those activities were face painting, posing in a photo booth, dancing, playing a variety of cultural games, and interacting with various information booths.  The hard-working Leadership 9 students met with me several weeks ago to share their ideas and take feedback for improvement—it was a treat to see that they had adapted their ideas and put in the effort to create a successful event. 

Our badminton teams had their tournaments last week and students had some strong outcomes which will be shared next week.  Congratulations to our Grizzlies for their efforts and making Annie Gale shine! 

CONNECTING HOME AND SCHOOL:  Helping Your Child Prepare for Exams 

Exam season can be stressful for junior high students, but parents can play an important role in helping their child feel prepared and confident. Small supports at home can make a big difference. 

One of the best ways to help is by encouraging healthy routines. Students perform better when they get enough sleep, eat balanced meals, and take breaks from screens. A consistent bedtime is especially important during exam weeks. 

Help your child create a simple study plan. Breaking studying into smaller chunks over several days is much more effective than cramming the night before. Encourage them to review notes, practice sample questions, and ask teachers for clarification if they are unsure about a topic. 

Providing a quiet, organized study space can also improve focus. Even a small area free from distractions can help students concentrate and feel more productive. 

It’s important to remind your child that exams measure learning progress, not personal worth. Encourage effort, perseverance, and a positive attitude rather than perfection. Praise their preparation and hard work, regardless of the outcome. 

Finally, help your child manage stress by encouraging balance. Time for physical activity, hobbies, and relaxation can improve both mood and concentration. 

With support, encouragement, and healthy habits, students can approach exams with greater confidence and success. 

Retrieved on May 18, 2026, from:  https://chatgpt.com/c/6a0b82e2-0fa4-83e8-becb-c80e9a4a4dba 

DID YOU KNOW? 

NEW: It is Provincial Achievement Test I(PAT) time for Grade 6 and Grade 9 students.  Please check the calendar shared in the weekly update for accurate information about dates.  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.  If students write exams in the morning, afternoon attendance is still expected.   

NEW:  Our June School Council Meeting is the Annual General Meeting (AGM) when new members of the council will be voted in.  If you know parents/guardians at our feeder schools who will have students in Annie Gale next year, please let them know.  We shared messages with the parents/guardians in our feeder schools but a personal invitation is always helpful.  If you have never participated in School Council, consider now a time to get connected and join.  Council is a meaningful way for you to positively affect your child’s educational experience and will allow you to learn more about the school and have a voice in decision making. Our meetings average about an hour every month.   

REPEAT:  As the end of the year approaches, we ask that families check their PowerSchool accounts for outstanding balances for fees and pay any balances remaining.  Thank you for keeping your accounts up to date!   

REPEAT:  Our next School Council meeting will be Tuesday, May 19, at 6:30 p.m.     

REPEAT:  The next Fun Lunch is Wednesday, May 27.  

REPEAT:  TLC uniform purchasing window for the spring will open on April 15th and will end on May 31st.  We remind families that uniforms must be in good condition and a suitable size.  Many of our students have grown and they need new uniform pieces.  For more information about purchasing uniform pieces now, over the summer, or for the remainder of this calendar year, click here.   

WEEKLY EVENTS – MAY 19 TO MAY 22 

Tuesday, May 19 (TLC students should be in formal uniforms.  No golf shirts permitted.) 

  • 9:00 – 10:00 | Grade 8 Band Clinicians Visit 
  • 10:00 – 11:00 | Grade 7 Band Clinicians Visit 
  • 6:30 – 8:00 | School Council (in-person and virtual) 

Wednesday, May 20 

  • 8:00 – 4:30 | Grade 7 Royal Tyrell Field Trip 

Thursday, May 21 

  • 8:00 - 12:00 | ELA 9 Part A PAT 
  • 3:00 – 5:30 | Annie Gale Golf Team (McCall Lake Course) 

Friday, May 22 – GREEN DAY 

  • 8:00 – 9:00 | Grade 7 Band Clinicians Visit 

Sincerely, 

Tammy Quiring 

(Proud) Principal