Weekly Update: October 5 to October 9

Greetings, Grizzly Families! 

Last week we finished our last two days with guest instructors helping our PE students learn the game of cricket.  We are hoping that with this lovely fall weather, our students in PE will get as much time outdoors as they can, and our students and staff moving from CJFS will not have to face bad weather in their travels between schools. 

CONNECTING HOME AND SCHOOL:  Group Chats:  Not Always a Positive Connection 

Group chats can be a fun way for junior high students to stay connected with friends, share jokes, make plans, and check in with each other about school work. However, they can also create challenges that are difficult for young teens to navigate. 

Messages can quickly become overwhelming, especially when conversations continue late into the evening. Misunderstandings can happen easily because messages lack tone of voice and facial expressions. Group chats can also become a place where gossip spreads, hurtful comments are made, or students are deliberately excluded. Even students who do not participate in unkind conversations may feel pressured to join in or worry about what others are saying about them. 

How can parents help? Talk openly with your child about respectful online communication and remind them that they do not have to respond to every message. Encourage them to step away from chats that cause stress, avoid forwarding hurtful messages, and speak up or seek help when someone is being targeted. It is also important to establish healthy boundaries around screen time, especially at bedtime. 

Remember, being included in every conversation is not necessary for having good friendships. Helping your child build confidence, choose positive friendships, and communicate face-to-face can make a big difference in their social well-being. 

We’ve noted a few concerns with student group chats at school this week, and one thing we discussed with those involved is that being involved in the group chat isn’t necessary or required.  If students need to know about homework, they can easily call or text a friend privately.  At Meet the Teacher Night, I briefly discussed group chats, and reminded parents that they are ultimately responsible for how a phone or personal device is being used.  We recommend that you regularly check your child’s chat—you will see what is being said by your child and what they are exposing themselves to. 

Adapted from an article retrieved on October 4, 2026, from:  https://chatgpt.com/c/6ac2d9a9-800c-83e8-a9d8-5975c8956292 

DID YOU KNOW?   

UPDATE: For families whose students are in the regular program, you will see a fee in PowerSchool titled “Discovery”.  This one-time $25 fee is to cover costs of food and supplies for their complementary courses.  For TLC parents and guardians, please pay the $15 fee, which considers that students in the TLC will not have access to all the same programming that students in the regular program do, because of their French as a Second Language course. Please take care of those fees as soon as possible, and thank you to those families who have already done so.

NEW: Fun Lunch on October 22, 2026. 

NEW: School Picture Day is Tuesday, October 2. 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 

Monday, October 5 - TLC students in formal uniforms

  • 12:00 – 12:30 | Wrestling Interest Meeting 
  • 1:25 | Fire Drill #3 
  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Girls Soccer Practice 
  • 2:45 – 4:00 | Senior Boys Basketball Practice  

Tuesday, October 6 – Picture Day 

  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Boys Soccer Practice 
  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Senior Girls Basketball Practice 

Wednesday, October 7 

  • 2:45 – 4:00 | Senior Boys Basketball Practice 
  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Girls Soccer Practice 
  • 4:30 – 5:30 | Boys Soccer Game vs. Clarence Sansom @ Clarence Sansom School 
  • 5:30 – 7:30 | Senior Girls Basketball Games @ Crossing Park School 

Thursday, October 8  

  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Boys Soccer Practice 
  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Senior Girls Basketball Practice 
  • 4:30 – 5:30 | Girls Soccer Game vs. Dr. Gordon Higgins School @ Dr. Gordon Higgins School 

Friday, October 9 – EVEN Day 

As always, should you have questions or concerns, please call the office.   

Sincerely, 

Tammy Quiring 

(Proud) Principal