Greetings, Grizzly Families!

We have just finished our first four-day week with students and except for a few bumps in timetables with a few students missing options, start-up went well.  Students and teachers are reporting that they are settling into their routines and getting to know each other.  On our tours this week, Mr. Barisow and I noticed a lot of smiles from students and teachers alike!

I want to thank you and our students for the amazing support we have received in following our “Away for the Day Policy” related to personal mobile devices.  We have had very few concerns with this policy, especially because we had used the policy in the school for a year already.  What is changing this year is that we will be calling parents for each of the warnings we give students, should they have technology out or in use at school.  At the third time the student contravenes the policy, we will call parents and guardians to pick up the device and work out a plan to avoid future concerns.

Last week I asked you to take care of school fees and then I learned that PE clothing (gym strip) was not appearing on the fees list.  Thank you for following through and for your patience as we wait for the CBE to upload the fees.

Did you know?

  • NEW:  Grade 6 students need parents and guardians to call the school before the day starts to let us know if their child will not be at school.
  • NEW:  Our office does not keep extra supplies (such as cutlery or condiments) and we are sad to tell students that we don’t have spoons or forks to provide them.  Help your child pack their lunch and ensure that they have all that they need in order to enjoy it, including cutlery.
  • REPEAT:  At Annie Gale School, all students change for their physical education (PE) class.  Students are asked to wear athletic clothing, usually shorts and a t-shirt, to PE class, with a set of gym shoes other than what they wear to school.  We prefer that parents/guardians purchase Annie Gale clothing for PE classes for safety reasons—this way all students look the same in the same clothing and we can easily identify anyone who does not belong.  However, it is not mandatory to purchase this clothing, so long as your child has a change of athletic clothing to wear.  Students wear one set of clothes to learn in and they exercise in another.  Your child should bring home their PE clothing at the end of each week so that they can be laundered.  Remember to set them aside for the first day of school the following week though! 
  • REPEAT:  Routines are important for all of us, and we would appreciate your help in creating strong routines at the beginning of the year.  These routines include ensuring that there is some sort of homework happening each day, that students come to school with a healthy lunch, a water bottle, and snacks, and that they have their PE clothing laundered and packed in their backpack at the start of each week.  Our TLC students need to ensure that they have their formal clothing ready for the start of each week and that their other uniform pieces are clean and ready to go for the rest of the week.
  • NEW:  Silent reading at home is considered homework, and offers so many benefits!  By reading 20 minutes per day, the reader is exposed to 1.8 million words per year.  Reading can relieve stress by 68% in a lot less than 20 minutes.  Taking 20 minutes to ready per day can boost mental health.  Reading slows down mental decline in lates stages of life.  Reading 20 minutes before bed can alleviate insomnia.  Become a more empathetic person through 20 minutes of reading a day!
  • NEW:  We do our best to keep extra fees as low as possible when it comes to CTF courses, PE clothing, and field trips.  Please login to your account to pay school fees as soon as possible.  If you have questions about fees, contact the school office.  Note that waivers do not cover all expenses—again, if you have questions, please call us.
  • NEW:  Grizzly Gear (Annie Gale merchandise) is coming soon!  Watch for more messages related to the sale of Grizzly Gear—just one way to show school spirit.  Last year a few parents purchased their own Grizzly Gear and they wore it on home game nights; it was a joy to see the pride come out in our parents and guardians as well as our students.
  • NEW:  Our Grade 7, 8, and 9 students are considered junior high students, and this means that they have the ability to leave campus at lunch.  The decision to leave the school property at lunch is for families to make.  Grade 6 students will be supervised during lunch and must remain on campus.  We prefer that students stay at school, or at least, on school property, where they have adults who can support them if needed.  This is one reason why we offer so many activities at lunch, such as clubs and athletics.  We also have open hallways at lunch so that students can walk around or find a bench to sit down and visit or eat.  Our lunchroom and library/learning commons are open to students should they wish a more formal setting to eat.
  • NEW:  Congratulations to those students who made the girls soccer team!  Please check the dates below for weekly practices and games.
  • NEW:  Chess club has started!  Students interested in participating need only go to the room indicated on the morning announcements.  Chess club is taking place Monday and Thursdays at lunch.
  • REPEAT:  In order to maintain our focus on teaching and learning, we hold students accountable to our late policy.  Each morning and after lunch, attendance is tracked.  Should your child be late three times in the morning or after lunch in one calendar month, they will serve a 20-minute detention at lunch.  Should they be late a fourth time, they will serve a 30-minute detention aT lunch and they will call home to inform you.  Should they be late a fifth time, we may ask a parent or guardian to come to the school to discuss ways to improve attendance.  Lates to individual classes will be monitored by classroom teachers, who each have a late policy.  These expectations allow us to maximize learning—the more time students are in class and the fewer interruptions means that we have more chances to be our best academically.  Annie Gale is a place of business and our business is learning!
  • REPEAT:  Our neighbours are watching!  Annie Gale Grizzlies are expected to behave appropriately when out in the community.  This means that students should use sidewalks and not trespass on private property.  It also means putting trash or recycling in appropriate containers.  Each week we receive calls from neighbours with questions about how our students behave and interact with them and each other.  Please remind your children to always put their best selves forward, so that our neighbours can compliment our behaviour rather than have to complain about it.  Grizzly COURAGE plays its part here—GRIZZLIES ARE COURAGE!
  • REPEAT:  Grizzlies from last year may remember that they had daily math homework called Knightly Numeracy.  After trialing this for a year, we have decided to adjust the daily math homework expectations to better meet the needs of our students.  This year students will be practicing their basic math facts when they are at home and if no other homework is assigned for math.  The specific math facts that should be practiced will be outlined by your child's math teacher, and may include addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division facts, and even perfect squares!  Your child's math teacher will also be tracking your child's improvement in learning their basic math facts in class. Thank you for being patient as we continue to modify our teaching strategies to best support your children.
  • REPEAT:  September 18 is our first council meeting.  We encourage you to get involved and learn more about the school.
  • REPEAT:  September 26 is Meet the Teacher Night.  Please mark it on your calendar so that you can participate.

Week at a Glance:  September 9 to September 13 (subject to change)

Monday, September 9

2:45 – 3:45 | Sr. Girl Basketball Tryouts (at Colonel J. Fred Scott Gymnasium)

2:45 – 3:45 | Girls Soccer Practice

Tuesday, September 10

8:20 | Fire Drill #1

2:45 – 3:45 | Cross Country Practice

3:45 – 4:45 | Sr. Girls Basketball Tryouts (at Colonel J. Fred Scott Gymnasium)

Wednesday, September 11 – Grade Level Assemblies 

2:45 – 3:45 pm | Girls Soccer Practice

4:00 – 6:30 | Cross Country Meet (@ Annie Gale School)

Thursday, September 12 

2:45 – 3:45 pm | Cross Country Practice

Friday, September 13 – EVEN B DAY

 

Sincerely,

Tammy Quiring

(proud) Principal