Good afternoon Balmoral families

Please read the newsletter carefully as it contains important information that impacts all students.

Crescent Heights High School Tour

Balmoral School will be attending a tour of Crescent Heights High School on January 27 with approximately 25 Grade 9 students and two teachers. Students will meet at Crescent Heights High School's Student Centre from 9:30 to 11:30 AM for the CHHS presentation and tour.

North Trail High School Tour

On January 27, Balmoral will also be attending the morning session of North Trail High School’s presentation and tour from 9:00 to 11:00 AM. North Trail High School will send two buses to pick up our students at Balmoral at 8:30 AM, and they will return by 11:30 AM.

Middle School Well-Being Symposium

On January 27, Ms. Keet, Ms. Vallee and 8 delegates from the Student Voice Council will attend a full day symposium at Mount Royal University with delegations from all middle schools in CBE. The intent is to look at data and involve student voice to affect change and action that promotes student well-being at Balmoral School. 

High School Open Houses

If your child is interested in applying to a different high school other than their designated high school, they must go through the TRANSFER process (online form). Please ensure you know about the high school programs and have a strong reason for transfer. High school open house dates are all available on the website below:

Provincial Achievement Tests – Grade 6 & 9

In May and June of this year, Grade 6 and 9 students across the province will participate in the Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs). Grade 9 students will complete PATs in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.

For the 2024/25 school year, the Grade 6 PAT in Science will not be administered. However, the Grade 6 Social Studies PAT will continue to be offered, aligning with the current Grade 6 Social Studies curriculum. The Grade 6 Mathematics and English Language Arts and Literature (ELAL) PATs will be administered, reflecting the new curriculum.

Results from these tests will provide Alberta Education, school administrators, teachers, parents/guardians, students and the public with information about what students know and can do in relation to provincial standards at the end of Grade 6 and 9.

Provincial Achievement Tests are based on what students have been learning throughout the school year, so they will be marked by teachers before they are returned to Alberta Education in June. 

Report Cards available for viewing on January 27

Families can view, download or print online report cards for kindergarten to Grade 12 students on Monday, Jan. 27 until May 30 , 2025 through your MyCBE account.

Upcoming Celebration of Learning – February 5

We will be holding our annual Celebration of Learning on February 5 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. This evening is an opportunity for families to see what their children have been working on so far in the school year. Classrooms will be open with student work on display and there will be interactive activities to do with your child as well. There will also be short music and band performances in the gym so that you can listen to the lovely melodies we have been enjoying at school! **ALL students are expected to be in attendance for the music performances below, as part of their music/band program.

Grades 5/6 Performance starts at 6:10pm (until 6:45pm)

**Grades 5/6 classrooms will be CLOSED during the above performance time. Grades 5/6 students report directly to the cafeteria at 5:50pm to line up for performances. Grades 7/8/9 classrooms open for viewing during this time.

Grades 7/8/9 Performance starts at 7:10pm (until 8:00pm)

**Grades 7/8/9 classrooms will be CLOSED during the above performance time. Grades 7-9 students report to cafeteria at 6:50pm to line up for performances. Grades 5/6 classrooms open for viewing during this time.

Balmoral Newspaper Club

Based on student interest, we are starting a Balmoral newspaper! This newspaper will be run by students entirely, under the supervision of Ms. Houser. We will need student writers in all areas: current events, sports, interviews, opinion pieces, etc. If your child is interested in contributing to the school newspaper, please ask them to attend the first meeting on Monday, January 20 at lunch in Room 4.

Indoor Shoes Reminder

A reminder that all students MUST have indoor shoes for school. We recommend BLACK running shoes so they meet uniform requirements and students can wear them for Physical Education classes. Winter boots are NOT acceptable to wear for Physical Education in the gym.

Lottery and Registration Process are Open

New families to Balmoral School must apply for a placement through the lottery process. Grade 4 students at Colonel Sanders School (our feeder school) are automatically registered at Balmoral for the 2025-26 school year.

Please share this information with your friends and families who are interested in the TLC program. Families must reside in our designated attendance area to apply for a placement at Balmoral School. Please forward the link below to families who are interested in applying. Interested families can contact our school office with any questions.

Registration | Alternative Programs

Upcoming Days of Significance

January 29 – Lunar New Year: all students invited to dress in cultural clothing or wear red/gold on this day.

February 12 – Valentine’s Day: all students invited to wear red or pink this day.

February 26 – Pink Shirt Day: all students invited to wear a pink shirt on this day.

**More information to come regarding the above dates.

Band/Option forms are DUE

Forms have been distributed to all Grades 6, 7, and 8 students to begin determining which complementary courses will be offered at Balmoral next year. Please take the time to fill this form out with your child and make this important decision together. Complementary course offerings will be based on student interest and teacher availability.

Forms are now overdue – please ensure you have completed this task with your child. If you have any questions regarding complementary courses at school, please contact the school office.

Next Fun Lunch Dates

Our next fun lunches are on the dates below and the restaurant is Little Caesars Pizza! Deadlines to order are always 5 days before the date of the fun lunch.

Tuesday, February 4 – Grades 5/6

Wednesday, February 5 – Grades 7/8/9

The Pickle Jar Menu

Students may purchase food Monday – Thursday during the lunch break. The cafeteria is CASH only, and most meals are $6.

Important Dates

  • January 17 – Band/option forms due for Grades 6/7/8 students
  • January 27 – Report cards available for viewing online
  • January 31 – Non-Instruction Day (no school for students)
  • February 5 – Celebration of Learning (6pm – 8pm)
  • February 6 – School Council Meeting (6:30pm at Balmoral School)
  • February 11 at 12pm – Lottery deadline
  • February 12 – Lottery Draw date
  • February 13 and 14 – Teachers Convention (no school for students)
  • February 17 – Family Day (no school)

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

Regards,

Balmoral Administration