Dear Banff Trail School Families,
As the year progresses and the cooler temperatures begin to set in, I was reminded this week how wonderful it is to see that many families are able to personally drop off their children in the mornings or pick their child up after school, even if just occasionally. I can fully appreciate that this is not feasible for all families, as jobs, children at other schools, transportation means, and much more can make this impossible; I certainly was not able to do this when my children were younger, though my wife could occasionally do so. Acknowledging these logistical limitations, if you ever do have the opportunity to pick up or drop off your child at the school, I strongly encourage it. While doing so, consider making a small effort to introduce yourself to the other parents around you, whether they have a child in the same grade or not. This is an important community in your family’s life, and there is real value to connecting with other families here.
I was reading a Globe & Mail article (paywalled) last week that spoke to the sense that humanity could use a neighbourly tune-up, with various citizens, organizations, cities and countries starting initiatives to encourage people to simply say hello and engage in friendly conversations with others. As it examines, it can simply be an opportunity to ask another human being what life is like for them right now; and, considering you already have something in common (Banff Trail School!), lean in to this and let the discussion blossom! You could be standing next to someone who will could (should??) become very good family friends with you for decades. Or, if the friendly conversation ends, and that’s the end of it, that’s fine as well; these connections can be a simple, passing moment, that can potentially brighten someone else’s day who may need it.
So, more broadly, whether you are attending a School Council meeting or attending one of their events, helping on a field trip, volunteering with some reading at the school with other parents, coming to see your child’s grade-level assembly, or dropping off/picking up your child, please take the time to connect with the other families that you may find yourself around. In our busy world, it can make all the difference to you and the people around you, and serve as an excellent model for the importance of socialization for your own children.
For your consideration:
Lockdown: This week, our school hosted our first of two mandatory lockdown drills for the year. Teachers prepared students for the event, and, as is standard for lockdown drills, two Calgary Police Officers were on site to help with the drill. Feedback from CPS was very positive. Much like during a fire drill, everyone has certain roles and responsibilities they must perform during such drills, which aim to ensure that everyone is proactively set up to be as safe as possible in emergency situations.
Road Safety: Thank you to the vast majority of parents who are being excellent models for all of our children around pickup and drop-off times. As the daylight hours shorten, it is getting quite dark outside in the morning, and icy conditions will soon be upon us. As such, a reminder to please obey all traffic and safety rules, such as avoiding double-parking, not performing U-turns, and crossing at marked crosswalks. We want everyone to be safe. Relating to this, our grade 5 School Patrols have now begun their morning crosswalk duties; thank you to those families who support this initiative, in dropping off the patrollers early!
Student Well-Being Program: This year, Banff Trail School is implementing MindUP, an evidence-based social-emotional learning program. Through brain-based lessons, mindful breathing, and daily practices, students will begin to explore how their brains respond to emotions and develop strategies to support self-regulation, focus, empathy, and positive relationships. MindUP aligns with the CBE’s Student Well-Being Framework by helping students develop the skills they need to support their emotional, social, and academic success. Our plan this year is to pilot all units of the program.
Spirit Day: A reminder that our next Spirit Day will be on October 30th; we invite all students to either wear a costume (no hand-held weapons, or costumes with ‘gore’ please), or wear black/orange on that day. Looking forward to it!
Illness: Thank you to all families who are being vigilant about keeping sick children at home. We want to continue to limit the spread of any illness as much as possible, and appreciate your care for our broader school community. A reminder that if you are keeping a sick child at home, you can let us know 24 hours per day, 7 days per week on our absence line (403-777-6120, press 1).
Upcoming Dates:
October 5-30: Grade 3-5 clubs
Friday, October 30: Spirit/Theme Day: Costumes and/or Orange & Black theme
November 11-13: School Closed (fall break)
November 17-December 2: Alien Inline Residency, K-5
Wednesday, November 18: School Council, 6:30pm
November 26, 27: Learning Conferences (no school for students Nov 27)
Have a wonderful weekend,
Ryan Turner
Principal, Banff Trail School