Dear Banff Trail School Families,
As we near the end of the school year, I wanted to share some updates on what's happening around our school. With about three weeks remaining, all staff are working diligently on 2023-24 year-end and 2024-25 startup tasks.
Our fantastic Facility Operators are busy with routine maintenance such as lawn mowing, clearing debris, and ensuring the building is well-maintained for everyone’s safety. They will soon assist with any classroom movements and cleanup, as we approach the final days of June. Our Support Staff continue to prioritize student safety and well-being, especially as the improved weather has students more excited to be outside. When not collaborating with the leaders of various residencies we have this month (including the wonderful residents from Evergreen Theatre this past week), Teachers are focused on compiling summative assessments, staying later at school to prepare report cards and Individual Program Plans that accurately reflect each child's learning journey, and suggest possible next steps. Administration is helping Teachers with the reporting process, managing family movements (both new registrations and assisting families moving to other areas), year-end staffing and budgeting processes. This is just a glimpse of the many activities happening recently.
Planning for the next school year (which begins on Thursday, August 29, 2024 for all students) is also underway. This includes preparing for various scenarios and creating schedules for recess supervision, gym, music, and Intensive French. Teachers are reflecting on the most impactful lessons and processes that are associated with new curricula, while considering modifications to enhance our work with students. New curriculum implementation will have Teachers engaging in a cycle of experimentation with lessons, analysis, and refinement over the coming few years. Staff also have the opportunity to explore other career interests, with system-wide job postings available for all CBE employees (Support Staff, Teachers, and Administration). While we would be sad to see anyone leave, as with every year, we wholeheartedly support our staff in following their passions.
I feel incredibly fortunate to work with such a dedicated, caring team here at Banff Trail School. Through successes and challenges, scraped knees or new successes in reading, tears or wide-eyed enthusiasm, and everything in between, our staff try every day to be amongst our students’ strongest cheerleaders for showing determination, joyfulness, resilience, and passion for learning.
For your consideration:
Donation of Lost and Found Clothing: Our Lost and Found is growing quickly! Each year, we donate unclaimed clothing and items to charitable causes. On June 21st, any remaining items in the lost and found will be donated to Calgary WINS (Women in Need Society). Teachers have been asked to visit the Lost and Found as a class in the coming week, but I encourage you to also remind your child to have a good look for missing items!
Summer French Opportunities: The Alliance Francaise website has a number of opportunities available for students, as well as suggestions for what can be done to encourage ongoing French Language development over the summer. Canadian Parents for French is another very good resource; they offer an excellent spreadsheet of resources free of charge, divided into tabs (for parents, for students, for teachers, etc).
Registration Continues: Please note that we continue to accept registrations for students in our catchment area. Though we are closed over the summer months, registration can occur until June 28th, or when the school office is one again staffed (beginning August 26, 2024).
Last Day(s) of School: A reminder that the last day of school for grades 1 to 5 is on Thursday, June 27th, and is a 12:00pm Early Dismissal Day (which is unusual for a Thursday). Kindergarten students’ last day is the day before, on Wednesday, June 26th.
Upcoming Dates:
· June 10-20: Elev8 Lacrosse Residency
· Friday, June 14: School Council’s Bike to School Day and Year-End Outdoor Gathering
· Friday, June 21: National Indigenous Peoples Day
· Tuesday, June 25: Grade 5 Farewell
· Wednesday, June 26: Last Day of School for Kindergarten
· Wednesday, June 26: Report Cards Visible in your MyCBE Account.
· Wednesday, June 26: Sports Day (weather permitting)
· Thursday, June 27: EARLY DISMISSAL DAY; LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR GRADE 1-5 STUDENTS, 12PM.
· Friday, June 28: Appeals Day (am)—No school for students
· Monday, August 26: School office re-opens
· Thursday, August 29: School resumes for all students K-5
Have a wonderful, warm weekend,
Ryan Turner
Principal, Banff Trail School