Weekly Update: September 14 to September 18

Greetings, Grizzly Families! 

We have now completed our second week of school, and we are getting used to routines and new expectations.  To support the work already started, on Thursday we held the first two of four grade level assemblies.  Grade 7 and 9 students met with Mr. Barisow and Ms. Quiring to review expectations for the year and to ask questions.  We will follow up with assemblies for Grade 6 and 8 this Monday.  Each assembly is a little different, as each group of students has different needs. However, it is our goal to establish a connection with each group, reinforce positivity, including the use of our COURAGE model, and remind everyone that being an Annie Gale Grizzly has responsibilities. 

We held our first School Council Meeting last Wednesday and had a great turnout.  The new council introduced themselves and we got straight into work—discussions were about the upcoming year, fundraising, changes due to modernization, and the Grade 9 Celebration in June.  We ended the meeting with a quick tour of the school so that members present could see our new spaces and make sense of which parts of the school are usable.  I urge you to consider coming out to our next meeting.  You will learn more about our school and have a chance to share your opinions.  Our next meeting is Thursday, October 20, starting at 6:30 p.m. 

This week marked our first Cross Country Meet of the season and Annie Gale had some good showings, with several students finishing in the top 50 out of several hundreds of other athletes.  Great job, Grizzlies!

Friday’s Grizzly Den focused on prepping for our upcoming Terry Fox Run, taking place this Friday.  Students had a chance to consider qualities that make a hero and they had conversations about Terry Fox’s impact on Canada, the world, and on cancer research.  Ask your child about what they learned in this important lesson. 

CONNECTING HOME AND SCHOOL:  Week Three—Staying Connected 

By the third week of school, students are beginning to settle into their routines, but they may also be dealing with new social situations, academic expectations, or challenges they haven’t encountered before. Staying connected with your child is one of the best ways to support them. 

Instead of asking the familiar “How was your day?”, which can often result in a one-word answer, try asking open-ended questions that invite conversation: 

  • What was the best part of your day? 
  • What was something that made you laugh today? 
  • What was the most interesting thing you learned? 
  • Who did you spend time with today? 
  • Was there anything today that was frustrating or confusing? 
  • What’s something you wish had gone differently today? 
  • Is there anything you need help with? 

Encourage Problem-Solving 

When your child brings you a problem, it can be tempting to immediately offer advice or fix it for them. Instead, try using questions that encourage them to think through the situation and come up with their own solutions. 

Try asking: 

  • What do you think you should do? 
  • What are some options you have? 
  • What do you think would happen if you tried that? 
  • What’s something you’re looking forward to this week? 
  • Who could you ask for help? 
  • What have you tried already? 
  • What do you think would work best? 
  • Would you like me to help you think through some ideas? 

This approach communicates an important message: “I believe you are capable of handling challenges, and I’m here to support you.” Your child may still need guidance, but giving them space to think, make decisions, and learn from their experiences helps build confidence and independence. 

You don’t need to have a solution for every concern your child shares. Sometimes the most helpful response is simply to listen, ask a thoughtful follow-up question, and let them know you’re there for them. 

Look for opportunities to connect naturally—in the car, while preparing dinner, walking the dog, or before bed. Even a few minutes of genuine conversation each day can help your child feel supported, understood, and increasingly confident in navigating junior high. 

Adapted from an article retrieved on September 10, 2026, from:  https://chatgpt.com/c/6a94aeaa-b20c-83e8-8622-c9458ea116fd 

DID YOU KNOW? 

NEW: All guests to Annie Gale are required to buzz at the school entrance and talk to office staff prior to entering the school.  Walk ins are not permitted without permission, even if they are accompanied by their child. This helps us keep our school safe. 

NEW: The Calgary Board of Education invites all parents and guardians to join a live online series on supporting child and youth well-being. The series is hosted by the Recovery Alberta Community Education Service (CES) Program in collaboration with local experts from the Calgary community.  The sessions are designed to provide families with knowledge, tools, and strategies to help navigate the challenges and opportunities of raising children and teens today.  To find out more, click on Child and Youth Well-Being Family and Caregiver Series. 

NEW:  If you have questions for your School Council, please email them to anniegalepesa@gmail.com 

NEW: Teaching is a busy profession, and teachers have many obligations throughout the school day, beyond the classroom.  Should you need to email a teacher, be aware that they may not be able to respond immediately, because of their assigned duties.  However, you can expect that your email should be responded to in 24 hours, on a workday. If your concern is an emergency, please call the office rather than emailing, so that you can be assured we can give it immediate attention.    

NEW: Annie Gale students are not permitted to go to other schools to watch a regular interschool athletic event.  The only students permitted to attend are siblings of a player; however, those students MUST be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. The exception is for finals, when fans may be allowed to attend. 

REPEAT: The staff parking lots at Annie Gale and CJFS are both closed to parents and guardians, including for student drop off and pick up.  Please use the street to drop off and pick up your child but be sure to avoid the bus zone at Annie Gale and the zone in front of CJFS.   

REPEAT: Administrative Regulations (ARs) are some of the guiding documents that support our work in the Calgary Board of Education, and students, parents, and guardians are expected to follow some of them.  Two are included in this message and they are shared here so that you can read them.  Click on AR 6031, titled Welcoming, Caring, Respectful, and Safe Learning and Work Environments.  Click on AR 6006, titled Progressive Student Discipline.   

UPDATE: Our school has a video surveillance system to help maintain a safe and secure environment at the school for students, staff and the public, and to help address vandalism and criminal activity on school property. 

The video surveillance system is installed and reviewed in accordance with Administrative Regulation 1066. Personal information is collected under the authority of the Education Act and the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA), specifically section 10(1) and the Access to Information Act (ATIA). 

This technology can be placed in areas such as the school parking lot, building entrances and exits, stairwells and hallways. This information is recorded and collected to help maintain a safe and secure environment in the school and on school property. The users of this information are the principal or designate and law enforcement personnel in the case of reported incidents that would require an investigation. Only authorized persons will review video surveillance information. 

Inquiries concerning the video surveillance system, or the collection and use of recorded information may be made by contacting the school office. 

REPEAT:  Mark Thursday, September 24, 2026, on your calendars for Meet the Teacher Night.  Details will be forthcoming. 

REPEAT:  Friday, September 25, 2026, is a non-instruction day.  There will be no school for students. 

REPEAT:  Wednesday, September 30, 2026, is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.  The school will be closed. 

MODERNIZATION UPDATE 

At this time, there is no new information to report.  

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 

Monday, September 14 - TLC students in formal uniforms 

  • 9:30 | Fire Drill  
  • 12:45 - 1:40 | Grade 6 Assembly 
  • 1:45 - 2:35 | Grade 8 Assembly 
  • 2:45 – 4:00 | Cross Country Practice 
  • 2:45 – 4:00 | Senior Boys Basketball Practice 

Tuesday, September 15  

  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Boys Soccer Practice 
  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Senior Girls Basketball Practice 
  • 4:00 – 6:30 | Cross Country Meet @ West Confederation Park 
  • 4:30 – 5:30 | Girls Soccer Game @ Ted Harrison School 

Wednesday, September 16 

  • TBD | Fire Drill 
  • 2:45 – 4:00 | Senior Boys Basketball Practice 
  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Girls Soccer Practice 

Thursday, September 17 

  • 2:45 – 4:00 | Cross Country Practice 
  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Boys Soccer Practice 
  • 2:45 – 3:45 | Senior Girls Basketball Practice 

Friday, September 18 – EVEN Day  

  • 8:00 – 12:00 | Regular school hours 
  • TBD | Terry Fox Run 

As always, should you have questions or concerns, please call the office.  We look forward to working with you this year! 

Sincerely, 

Tammy Quiring 

(Proud) Principal