Good afternoon, Balmoral families, 

Happy New Year! We hope that you all enjoyed time together during the winter break. 

Help us to Spread the Word – Balmoral is Looking for New Registrations 

We are looking for new registrations – Balmoral School has room for students in all grades in 2026-27. Our lottery process will open on January 12 and close on February 10. The lottery will take place on February 11.

IMPORTANT | New Attendance Process at Balmoral 

Balmoral School has moved to notifying parents via an email from School Messenger when their student is absent or late. You will receive a message if your student has an unexcused late/absence or when your student’s bus is late. Please review School Messenger emails carefully as they include absence codes for each subject. The codes are L (late), P (present) and A (absent). Notifications will be sent out at the END of morning classes and at 4:00 PM. If you still have questions after reviewing the email, please call our main office. 

Reporting an Absence

It is preferred to email absence details. Please email your child’s late arrival or absence to balmoral@cbe.ab.ca Include your child’s first and last name. Provide their homeroom, date(s) of late /absence, and reason. If you need to report an absence via phone, please ensure you speak slowly, clearly, and spell the student’s first and last name.

The Extended Absence Form is to be used when students will be away for longer than a week. Download, complete, and return the signed form to the main office before students leave. 

Enrolment/registration

Spread the word – Next year, we have room in all grades for new students at Balmoral. Registration for the 2026-27 school year opens on Jan.12, 2026. CBE students currently enrolled who wish to apply for Balmoral can complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) form. The EOI is digital and will be accessed via SchoolEngage. Parents / Legal Guardians will complete this form online. The submission deadline is noon on Feb. 10, 2026. 

Cold Weather Reminder

Ensure your student has appropriate outdoor clothing for PE and recess! Label winter jackets, mittens, hoodies and hats with your student’s name. 

Indoor lunch will take place when temperatures reach -20 degrees. Grade 8 and 9 students may leave campus. Grade 7’s may not (if it occurs on a Tuesday). Students are encouraged to bring lunch. 

Busses

Students must be at their stop 5 minutes PRIOR to schedule pick-up times. Buses will not wait or stop for late parents/students. If students miss the bus, parents can drive their students to the next stop or directly to the school. 

Sign up for Mybusstop.ca to receive current information about your child’s bus. Balmoral’s school code is CBE8C7QV1C 

Grade 7 Off-Campus

With a consent form signed by a parent/guardian grade 7 students may leave campus on Tuesdays at lunch. Forms are available from classroom teachers. 

Grade 9 High School Information Sessions 

• Thursday, January 22: Crescent Heights Open House, 6:00 PM
• Thursday, January 29: Diefenbaker Open House, 5:30 PM
• • IB Presentation: 5:00–6:00 PM

February 10 Evening

Sir Winston Churchill Open House (For info on the IB program, call their guidance department as the IB info session has already taken place) 

January 27 Balmoral students will be attending a daytime open house at North Trail.

Prior to attending an open house, use the CBE "Find My School" tool to find your designated school, and your designated AP / IB school: https://cbe.ab.ca/schools/find-a-school/Pages/default.aspx 

Choir

Hitmen Game and Celebration of Learning 

Please ensure that you have bought your Hitmen tickets for Wednesday, January 28 (including a ticket for your choir student). Please return your Acknowledgment of Risk form to Ms. Fast or Ms. Bradshaw by Wednesday, January 14. 

Jazz Band

Practices will take place every Monday at lunch on the stage. Interested grade 7-9 students who play a band instrument are welcome! 

Celebration of Learning

All grade 5 and 6 students and, all band, choir and jazz band students will be performing at our Celebration of Learning evenings this month. Musical performance is an important part of the course curriculum for all music and band classes and participation is mandatory for students in those courses. It is also a rewarding and motivating opportunity for students to be able to share and showcase their learning. Keep these dates free for your student(s) to attend and perform.

Grades 5-6 and Choir Celebration is on Wednesday, Jan. 21 6:00 – 8:00 PM.

Grades 7-9, Band & Jazz Band Celebration is on Thursday, Jan. 29 6:00 – 8:00 PM. 

CTF Market

On the 28th and 29th of January, the Balmoral grade 9 Marketing class will be hosting a winter market. Throughout the semester, students in Marketing have been working on finding and promoting a product to share and sell with their peers. The market will be open during lunch in Room 2. There will be a variety of products on sale such as cake pops, rice crispy squares, and many other trinkets and items. Prices will range from approximately $2-$10 and all proceeds will go to a charity that we have been working with for a few years. 

School Fees

Check your myCBE accounts for outstanding school fees. Fees are uploaded as activities are planned throughout the year. Please pay fees when the activity occurs so that the school can continue to offer opportunities to students. If you need support with waivers or a payment plan, please contact the school office. 

Uniform Orders

An opportunity to order new items will take place from December 17 - January 31
https://www.mccarthyuniforms.ca/shop/school/6002#allProducts

Volunteering at Balmoral

We appreciate when parents and guardians take time to come with us on field trips. It allows us to provide enriching learning opportunities. Please view the CBE website at https://www.cbe.ab.ca/get-involved/volunteer/Pages/volunteer.aspx An Annual Volunteer Registration Form is required.

Balmoral Volleyball Teams

School volleyball team tryouts conclude this week. If your student makes the team, please ensure all forms are submitted promptly and fees paid in School Engage. All tryouts will be after school from 2:30 - 4:00 PM. Please pick up your child promptly at 4:00 PM from Balmoral.

Contact Thomas Guenther at: teguenther@cbe.ab.ca if you have questions about the volleyball season. 

Pickle Jar

Students are able to buy food from the school cafeteria during their lunch break. Most meals are $6, and there are always sandwiches and salads available as well. The cafeteria is CASH only. 

Weekly Specials ($6.00) 

Daily Menu (Assorted Prices) 

• Scones $1.00 
• Sandwich $4.00 
• Half Sandwich $2.00 
• Salad $2.00 

Important dates 

January

• Wednesday, January 21: Grades 5 & 6 and Choir Celebration of Learning, 6:00–8:00 PM
• Tuesday, January 27: Grade 9 North Trail High School Tour, 8:15–11:15 AM
• Wednesday, January 28: Balmoral Choir at Calgary Hitmen Game — meet at 6:15 PM
• Thursday, January 29: Grades 7–9 and Jazz Band Celebration of Learning, 6:00–8:00 PM
• Friday, January 30: Non-Instructional Day — System Professional Development Day

February

• Thursday, February 5: School Council Meeting

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school office. 

Regards, 

Balmoral Administration