Weekly Update: November 24 to November 28
Happy Sunday, Grizzly families!
I can happily report that we are back in the rhythm of school! We seem to have settled into our routines and our learning. After some interruption, the soccer and basketball seasons have ended, and wrestling is up and running; wrestlers will compete in a divisional tournament in December.
Teachers are eager to meet with parents in our upcoming conferences, which will take place this Thursday and Friday. Please check your email for registration information. Conferences are by appointment only. If you are coming in person, please ensure that you leave yourself enough time to park and enter the school. Each year some families miss their conference time, and we typically cannot accommodate late arrivals at this event. If your appointment is virtual or by phone, please allow some time to get your device up and running and ensure that your space is quiet a few minutes prior to your appointment time; this will allow you to make the most of the time with the teacher.
Monday will be Mr. McKenzie’s last day filling in for Mr. Cochrane, who is returning that day. Both teachers will be together for conferences. We are grateful for Mr. McKenzie’s efforts and commitment to our school!
Thank you to our families who work hard with their children in supporting the morning mayhem of getting students ready for school! We know that it is a lot, especially considering our school’s early start time. We appreciate you and want you to know how much you are helping your child by setting them up for success at home and encouraging good attendance.
CONNECTING HOME AND SCHOOL: Your children are watching you, even when you don’t think they are
Children learn behaviors by watching and imitating adults, so modeling good behavior is crucial for their development. Parents should be mindful of their actions, as children observe how they handle stress, treat others, and manage their emotions, and often interpret these actions as acceptable. By being a positive role model, you can teach valuable life lessons about responsibility, social skills, kindness, and empathy.
Modeling positive behavior
- Handle stress constructively: Show your children how to manage stress in a healthy way, rather than turning to unhealthy coping mechanisms.
- Communicate with respect: Model respectful communication in all your interactions, from conversations with family members to talking with strangers.
- Show kindness and empathy: Demonstrate compassion and helpfulness to others, as children learn by observing these interactions.
- Admit mistakes: It's okay to make mistakes. When you do, apologize and work to make things right, showing your children a healthy way to handle conflict.
- Be mindful of your own habits: Be aware of how your own habits, like using your phone excessively, might be perceived by your children, and work on changing them if necessary.
Making it a teachable moment
- Talk about what you see: If you witness a negative behavior, use it as a chance to talk about what constitutes acceptable behavior and why certain actions are not helpful.
- Don't aim for perfection: Children don't need perfect role models, but they do need to see you making an authentic effort and trying your best.
- Be authentic: Model behaviors that align with your family's values, but don't be afraid to be open about your own learning process and struggles.
Retrieved on November 23, 2025, from: https://www.google.com/search?q=your+children+are+watching+so+model+well&rlz=1C1GCEA_enCA1186CA1186&oq=your+children+are+watching+so+model+well&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRiPAjIHCAIQIRiPAtIBCjEwOTI2ajBqMTWoAgiwAgHxBV2OerFU8wHP&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
DID YOU KNOW?
NEW: Our Grizzly Den planning committee is interested in collecting magazines from families for an upcoming project. If you have any magazines at home that you are willing to donate, please send them in with your child and we can collect them in the office. Thank you!
NEW: Being at school on time matters! Annie Gale has a late policy to encourage students to be on time for their classes. We know that late students miss out on important learning at the beginning of class, and we also know that late students interrupt the learning and teaching of the class they enter. We also know that “life happens” and there are many things that can affect our ability to be at school on time, so we provide two “freebies” each month to students who arrive late to school. Our late policy is set for mornings and after lunch. Each month if a student is late three times they will serve a 20-minute detention at lunch. If they are late a fourth time, they will call home to notify their parents and inform them that they will serve a 30-minute detention. Should they be late again, parents may be asked to come into the school to problem-solve with administration. Our goal is academic success for all, so we thank you for supporting this policy and encouraging your child to be on time for school. The more time spent in class, the more time students have to learn!
REPEAT: IPPs have recently been sent home with students. Signed forms were due to the school Monday, November 17.
NEW: Our next School Council meeting is Monday, December 15, at 6:30 p.m. The time has been adjusted slightly, with a 6:30 start. The meeting will be in-person and virtual. Watch your emails for the link to the virtual meeting.
REPEAT: Fun Lunch is scheduled for Thursday, November 27. Please log in to Healthyhunger.ca to order. Orders must be received before the Saturday preceding the fun lunch date to be processed.
REPEAT: Parent/Teacher Conferences are going ahead as planned on Thursday, November 27 (in-person) and Friday, November 28 (phone or virtual). Please watch your emails for registration information. The in-person conferences will take place in the gym, by parent request. Appointments will be required.
REPEAT: For TLC parents: We are fortunate to have had some families donate used TLC uniform pieces. These will be available to TLC families on Thursday, November 27, during conferences. We will have some tables in the foyer with the clothing items.
REPEAT: Parent/guardian volunteers for field trips: Students have opportunities to participate in field trips throughout the year. For these field trips to be successful, we require parent/guardian volunteers to meet our supervisor to student ratios. If any parents or guardians are interested in volunteering for our field trips this year, please check in with Deborah Loewen in the main office. Bring in a piece of photo ID or your driver's license and we can help process your volunteer application. At times, there is a delay in processing your application, so please consider doing it as soon as possible.
REPEAT: Save on Student Study Guides & Digital Resources: We are excited to share a special offer for educational resources through a new partnership between EducationMatters and Castle Rock Research. From November 14 to November 26, you can purchase valuable study materials at a significant discount and help raise funds for EducationMatters.
This is a great opportunity to get supplementary resources to support your student’s learning this school year.
How to Order:
- Visit our school's unique online portal: https://schoolorders.solaro.com/9686
- Place your order and pay directly online.
- The deadline to order is Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
All print materials will be delivered to the school after the closing date and distributed to students.
WEEKLY EVENTS: NOVEMBER 24 TO NOVEMBER 28
Monday, November 24 – (TLC Students in formal uniforms)
1:00 – 1:30 | LOCKDOWN PRACTICE
- 2:45 – 3:45 | Wrestling Practice
Tuesday, November 25
- 2:45 – 3:45 | Wrestling Practice
Wednesday, November 26
Thursday, November 27 – FUN LUNCH
- 4:00 – 8:00 | Parent-Teacher Conferences (in-person, by appointment only)
Friday, November 28 – Non-instruction Day: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
- 8:00 – 1:00 | Parent-Teacher Conferences (virtual or phone only)
Sincerely,
Tammy Quiring
(proud) Principal
A MESSAGE FROM SCHOOL COUNCIL
Dear Annie Gale Families!
We need your help. Every 18 months Annie Gale is fortunate to participate in a Casino. This is our main fundraiser and it will earn roughly $80,000 for our school. This money goes directly towards things like field trips, library books, sports equipment, technology, and art supplies. We must provide enough parent volunteers for the casino to proceed. Our next Casino is January 5/6. We need you and your family members to join us so that we can earn these crucial funds. No experience is required, and you get a free lunch!
Please join us! You can sign up here: Annie Gale 2026 Casino Sign Up — Signup Sheet | SignUp.com
Questions? Please connect with anniegalepesa@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Laurel Hatch
Casino Chair