Dear Braeside Families
We had another great week of learning at Braeside School.
As you know, this year our School Development Plan (SDP) has focused on moving our students’ writing skills forward. Below is a story one of our grade 2 authors recently wrote:
One dim shivering day, a clumsy funny mac and cheese penguin named Waddley wanted some cheesy warm fresh mac and cheese because he was starving and he only liked mac and cheese! He could imagine how wonderful the cheesy, gooey, hot mac and cheese felt in his mouth. He licked his beak and was desperate and excited to find what he wanted. His wing’s flapped. He hummed a tune, shut his door and waddled on his rubbery smooth floppers and set off to find what he wanted.
On his way he saw his friend Wally! “Hey buddy!” said Wally. “Hi” what are you doing?” Wally said curiously, “I am looking for mac and cheese” he said. “Foxy has some. I saw him have some for lunch.”
As soon as Wally said Foxy has some mac and cheese, he slid really fast to Foxy’s home as quick as possible. Knock! Knock! “Hello” said Foxy while the door opened “Hi can I have some mac and cheese?” “Fine” sighed Foxy.
Foxy gave Waddley some mac and cheese. But! There was a thin, gooey, not cute, unpredictable worm. When he got home, he grabbed a spoon from his kitchen. Then he saw the worm, but the worm was not thin he was fat, yellow and all the mac and cheese was gone!
Waddley got disappointed. “I will go to the great, wise, old owl!” So, he went so fast that he thought he was dreaming. Finally, he got to the owl BUT he was asleep. In a dash Bob (which was the owl’s name) woke up and asked him..... “What are you looking for?” “Mac and cheese!” “Ok I got a solution!”
Bob grabbed Waddley and flew to the Mac and Cheese shop. Waddley patiently waited and waited. At last they got to the .... big, pretty, clean shop. The smell, oh the smell, the amazing smell!! Bob got the mac and cheese and dragged himself to Waddley. Was this a dream? Oh! Bob looks hungry he thought. Not only did he get his mac and cheese, but he got a new friend – Bob.
This story is amazing for a grade 2 student. You can tell that the staff and students have been working hard on the importance of adding descriptive language and ‘Show Don’t Tell’ into their writing. The author used descriptive language like “dim”, “disappointed” and “grabbed” as well as the phrases like, “cheesy warm fresh” and “the smell, oh the smell, the amazing smell!” to help paint a picture in the reader's mind. Also, in this piece of writing it is obvious that as a school we have been working on effective use of dialogue in a story. '“Hi, what are you doing?” Wally said curiously' is one example that stands out.
Our students have come a long way with their writing skills this year and have been proud to showcase recent examples in the office, in their classes and with their buddies.
Next Friday our grade 6 students will be writing their second PAT. Please ensure that your child is well rested and on time for school that day.
On Thursday June 12 at 6:00 pm we will be hosting our Kindergarten Orientation. If you have a child going into kindergarten next year, please plan on attending. If you have friends or neighbours who have not yet registered for kindergarten, please let them know that registration (for all grades) is now open through the CBE website. (If you are going to be moving over the summer and your child will not be attending Braeside School please contact our office ASAP, jlblasken@cbe.ab.ca).
For the 2025 – 2026 school year, CBE will be expanding yellow bus service and adjusting walk zones. Some students in Braeside will be eligible for this service. Please visit the CBE website for more information (link here). Registration is due June 22.
School Council plays a very important role in supporting Braeside School to be an amazing place to learn. If you were not able to participate in School Council this year, please consider joining next year! The first meeting will be held on Tuesday September 9 at 6:30 in the Learning Commons.
School Council is Organizing a Few Events to Finish off the Year
We are looking forward to seeing you all at the Family Picnic on Thursday, June 19 from 5:30-7:00pm in the school field (weather permitting!). Subway sandwiches are available to order through Healthy Hunger (you will have to add family members as 'students' in your kiddo's class to order sandwiches for them) or bring a picnic! Snacks and drinks will be available to purchase as well as the opportunity to enter for a chance to throw a 'pie' at a teacher! Bring your toonies!! We will also be collecting bottles as part of our fundraising for a new playground - take advantage of this opportunity to clear the empty bottles out of your garage, shed or basement!
We are still looking for a few volunteers to help make the night a success - please sign up here.
Finally, as the year comes to an end, help us shower the amazing team at Braeside School with appreciation! Each day of the week of June 16-19 we are looking for two volunteers to each bring treats for a dozen folks (24 total) according to the category that day. You can sign up to bring something here. Appreciation items can be dropped off in the morning with your kids or by lunch at 11:45am. For the Friday we will be doing Letters of Appreciation that can be created at the Family Picnic on the 19th or sent in with your kiddos on Friday June 20.
More information in the flyers below:
Enjoy the weekend,
Fiona Johnson and Melanie Bennett
Important Dates
- June 12 – Kindergarten Orientation
- June 13 – Grade 6 Math Part A PAT
- June 16 – Grade 6 ELAL Part B PAT
- June 17 – Grade 6 Math Part B PAT
- June 18 – Grade 6 Social Studies PAT
- June 19 – School Council End of Year Event, 5:30 – 7:00
- June 20 – Grade 6 Farewell, 10:00 am
- June 22 – Yellow School Bus Registration Deadline
- June 26 – Last day of classes, 11:45 am dismissal