Dear Braeside Families
Over the last few years we have worked on supporting students in developing their Growth Mindset skills. Their, “I can’t do it YET” thoughts and attitudes towards engaging in challenging activities and over the past week we saw so many students using these skills and positive self-talk during our Alien Inline Residency. It was AMAZING! At first, some students were hesitant to even try to stand up, but you could see them trying over and over again until they felt comfortable. They cheered and pumped one another up! A student in one class said, “This is the best thing I’ve ever done!” We didn’t have a single student not try even though there was a risk for many failures. Coach Greg has been fantastic so far and the students have really enjoyed learning with him. Specifically ask your child what their progress has been over the few sessions and remind them how important it is to say to themself, “I just can’t do this yet!” or, “This is hard, but I can do hard things.” Have your child practice saying this at home! Coach Greg will be back next Monday and Tuesday for our final sessions in the residency. Thank you to School Council for sponsoring this event, it’s been a HIT! Check out your child’s classroom Instagram Account for videos or pictures!
Each year Calgary Board of Education Schools create a School Development Plan (SDP) which aligns individual school goals with identified goals in the CBE Education Plan I 2024 – 2027 (link here). This year our SDP will focus on the following statement, “Students know what to do next to improve in reading and writing.” It is essential that students know where they are in their learning, where they need to go next and what they need to do to get there. Over the next few months we will be sharing different strategies we are using in the classroom to support this work.
Next Thursday October 31 students are welcome to wear Halloween costumes to school if they would like. If your child would like to wear a costume, please work with them to understand:
- Learning will occur and they should feel comfortable engaging in classroom routines and expectations
- Costumes should be appropriate for all students from grades K to 6 (nothing to gory or scary, props such as toy weapons, daggers, etc. should be left at home)
- We want to be able to recognize and welcome all students so no masks please
- They should come dressed (including face paint) as there will not be time during the day to do this
We will be hosting a short Dance Party in the afternoon.
We will be honoring Remembrance Day with a school wide assembly run by our grade 3 / 4 students on Wednesday November 6 at 10:30 in the gymnasium. Families are welcome to attend (If you or a family member would like to attend, please email me at mabennett@cbe.ab.ca so we know how many chairs to set up). Each class will be contributing a wreath and displaying a piece of connected art.
We are accepting items for the School Council White Elephant sale in December. Thank you to everyone who has already donated something! Please bring or send your items to the office. Items to donate would include:
- Books
- Scarves, necklaces and bralettes
- Ties
- Small household decorations (e.g. picture frames, candles, vases)
- Stuffies
- Puzzles or games
Please bring your items to the front office. If you have any questions about what to donate please ask!
Enjoy the weekend!
Fiona Johnson and Melanie Bennett
Important Dates
- October 28 & 29 - Alien Inline Residency
- October 31 – Halloween Learning
- November 1 – Grade 6 Immunizations
- November 5 – School Council AGM
- November 6 – Remembrance Day Assembly (families welcome to attend)
- November 8 – 13 – Fall Break, No School for Students
- November 15 – Kindergarten Attends
- November 21 – Healthy Hunger
- November 21 – Kindergarten Field Trip
- November 25 – Quest Theater Presentation
- November 28 / 29 – Parent-Teacher Conferences (No School on November 29)
- December 3 – School Council Meeting
- December 5 – School Council Winter Fair
- December 6 – PM Kindergarten to attend
- December 13 – School Council White Elephant Sale
- December 20 – PM Kindergarten to attend
- May 6,7, 8 – Grade 5 / 6 Outdoor School (Overnight)