Good afternoon Balmoral families,
We have our final full 5-day school week upcoming and are excited as our year end celebrations approach. Please read the weekly newsletter carefully, as it contains important information that impacts all students.
Modified Schedule for Grade 5/6 on Wednesday and Thursday
Over this past week, our grade 9 students have started their Provincial Achievement Tests. In the coming week both the Grade 6 and 9 students will write. Since this year the exams are digital, we will need to modify lunch times so that Grade 6 classes have access to technology and have enough time to finish tests.
On Wednesday, June 19 and Thursday, June 20, our grade 5 and 6 students will have regular classes in Periods 1-3 and then they will have a modified lunch time starting at 11:00 and ending at 11:45. At that time students in grade 5 will have their period 4 class while grade 6 students will write their scheduled PAT. During these days students in grades 5 and 6 will still be able to buy lunch from the School Cafeteria, The Pickle Jar!
Volunteer Appreciation Event
As a school community we want to say a huge thank you to all of our volunteers. Without their support we could not strive to build a program rich with opportunity for our students.
At 3:00-4:00 on Thursday, June 20, 2024, we will be hosting a volunteer event with light refreshments and an opportunity to mingle with staff and fellow volunteers. We are asking that volunteers RSVP for the event by completing the form below.
https://forms.office.com/r/zv0VS8krW1
Yearbook Orders
Our 2024-25 school yearbooks have arrived and will be distributed to students on the last day of school (June 27). These yearbooks are created by our dedicated teachers and students, and showcase all of our students and events throughout the school year. They are a wonderful memory for students to keep for the future.
While many students have pre-purchased yearbooks, the school has an additional inventory available in the office on a first come basis for $20. Students that have already purchased a yearbook, or will be purchasing a yearbook, and are leaving early for the year, can collect theirs on their final day by visiting the office.
Buddy Day – June 24
As we look to cap off the year and still want to bring our community closer together, our students will be having a final buddy activity day on June 24. During the morning classes, students will be participating in walking field trips before participating in various team building activities.
As each buddy group will require 1-2 volunteers, if you are interested, please email your child’s homeroom teacher.
Grade 9 Farewell Ceremony – June 25 @ 5:30pm
This year’s Grade 9 Farewell Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, June 25 in the evening. Details are below:
5:30pm to 6:30pm – Official ceremony in the school gym (families welcome for this part)
6:30pm to 7:30pm – Light Refreshments and visiting on the school grounds
School Council has generously supported our Grade 9 students with their daytime celebration and for decorations in the evening.
Questions about the Grade 9 Farewell can be sent to jhneibrandt@cbe.ab.ca
Sports Day – June 26
On Wednesday, June 26th, Balmoral will be having their annual Sports Day! Weather dependant, students will be engaging in fun sports themed activities and games throughout the day outside and around the school.
During sports day we are lucky to have food trucks from YYCFOODTRUCKS coming from 11-1:30 to the school for all the students. We aren’t sure yet which exact ones will be coming so it is recommended students still bring something to eat (snacks especially) that day just in case. The cafeteria will also not be open on Wednesday!
We recommend students bring these items on Wednesday:
- A water bottle
- A hat
- Sunscreen
- Running Shoes (please no crocks or sandals)
- Cash or card (for purchasing items from food trucks)
- A backpack for items during locker cleanout
We are really excited to have a fun day outside with all the students. Let’s hope for warm sunny weather!
Mustard Seed Essential Item Drive
As a part of character, the grade 5's are putting on an urgently needed item drive for the Mustard Seed to help the homeless population in Calgary as summer rolls in. We will be collecting shampoo, deodorant, lotion, razors (men or women's), socks, underwear, toothpaste, sunscreen, travel size tissues, baseball caps, and hairbrushes. If you would like to, you may send any of these items with your child to school. They can then drop off the donations in Room 15. We will be accepting donations until June 21st. All your help is appreciated!
Reminder about extended leaves from school
Balmoral School does not encourage extended leaves for students during the school year. If families decide to take students out of school for longer than one week, an Extended Leave Form (available at the office) must be completed PRIOR to the absence.
In addition, if students are absent in the first three days of school in September, their place at Balmoral will be given to the next student on our waiting list. If you have any questions about extended absences, please call the school office.
School Fees are Due
This is a reminder to please pay your school fees in PowerSchool when the activity occurs. The school has already paid the vendors for many of our past field trips (e.g. skiing, band camp, camp evergreen, etc.), and now we are waiting for families to pay their fees to cover these costs. We request that all families please pay your child’s outstanding fees so that we can continue offering these valuable learning opportunities to our students.
Fee statements are being sent home to families over the coming weeks. Please remember that certain school-based fees are mandatory as part of the TLC program (music fee, CTF fees, etc.) Parents/guardians are welcome to come to the office to pay fees in person, or pay online. Please call the school office if you need any support with paying fees.
McCarthy’s Uniforms Bundle Savings
Every year McCarthy Uniforms offers bundle saving to our school communities. These bundles offer an additional coupon incentive that can be used later in the year to top up the student’s uniform. These bundles also offer a 2 year and 1 year exchange policy. These bundles will be available on the McCarthy's website, in stores and through the Call Centre beginning on Wednesday May 1.
Lost and Found
All lost and found items remaining at school will be donated after next week. Please encourage your children to check the lost and found (located near the gym doors) regularly for lost items. Valuable items that are lost, such as cell phones, air pods, and glasses, are often turned into the office for safekeeping, and these are not donated. A table will be set up outside the office during the last week of each month to encourage students to look for their lost items before they are donated.
Please ensure your child’s items are LABELED with their full name. This helps us return lost belongings to their owners before we donate as well.
Intent to Return to Balmoral School
As we finalize planning for next year, we want to ensure spaces are utilized within our program. If you have a student in grades 5-8 that are not intending to return to Balmoral in the 2024-2025 school year, please email balmoral@cbe.ab.ca with any applicable details. If you have already informed the school, we appreciate your support.
The Pickle Jar Is closing for the school year after this next week!
This year we have celebrated the re-opening of The Pickle Jar, our school cafeteria. With a short period of time remaining, we wanted to ensure families knew that the last day for The Pickle Jar this year will be June 20th. Please visit our Cafeteria & Menu page to see what is being offered in the final week.
Important Dates
- June 18 – Fun Lunch for Grades 5/6 (Tim Hortons); Math 9 PAT Part B
- June 19 – Fun Lunch for Grades 7/8/9 (Tim Hortons); Social Studies 6 and 9 PAT
- June 20 – Volunteer Appreciation Tea; Science 6 and 9 PAT
- June 21 – National Indigenous Peoples Day
- June 24 – Buddy Day
- June 25 – Grade 9 Bowling and Farewell Ceremony
- June 26 – Sports Day
- June 27 – Last day of classes (early dismissal)
If you have any questions or concerns, please call the school office.
Regards,
Balmoral Administration