Hello Louis Riel families,  

We’re now at that point in the month of December when students begin to count down the final days before winter break. Luckily, we still have two weeks full of learning together and enjoy fun seasonal activities prepared by our leadership students. This past week saw multiple field studies heading out the front doors to enrich learning as well as experts coming in the doors to work with our students. Kindergarten and grade 3 classes worked with Teacher’s Pet, grade 5s visited Fort Calgary, grade 7s participated in Journey 2050. Our own musical experts in our grade 7, 8, and 9 bands gave a special concert preview performance for a very appreciative kinder to grade 6 audience during the day. On Thursday evening the bands performed their winter concert for families and friends. The turnout was fantastic, and those attending enjoyed and appreciated an impressive level of musical talent. 

The final two weeks leading to winter break will include plenty of learning in addition to all the activities our Leadership students have planned for all our students. These students continue to bring their ideas and creativity to support student well-being, school spirit, and inclusion across all grades at Louis Riel. This upcoming week will include the annual tradition of the underdog staff team playing against all our boys and girls basketball teams in front of a rowdy student audience. There will also be candygrams and door decorating by homeroom for all classes. The following week will be a spirit week for the whole school to enjoy featuring different themes each day. The week will culminate in a pair of school dances for grades 1-6 in the north gym and 7-9 in the south at the end of the week with the option of other activities during that time too.  

The next athletics season of play will be volleyball after a brief gap for our students and coaches to catch their breath.  

Want to see a bit more of what’s up at Louis? Follow us on Instagram @louisrielschoolyyc   

Next Louis Riel Parent and School Council(s) meeting is January 31, 2024 

Each month we will have teachers from different divisions, departments, and programs present to council and community about the teaching and learning going on in their classrooms. A reminder that all current minutes and agendas are available on the LRPAC website: https://www.wearelouis.ca/ under Agendas and Minutes.

2023-24 Report to Parents/Guardians on Fees Posted on our Website 

Annual system fees are set each year when the operating budget is passed by the Board of Trustees. To keep fees as low as possible, the CBE is committed to being as efficient as possible in the provision of services. Costs of providing the services include direct labour and supplies, as well as the cost of fee waivers and uncollectible accounts.  

Fees are assigned to each student’s MyCBE account beginning in October. School fees are due when assigned and schools must account for every dollar that is charged and every dollar paid. This tracking process also involves a reporting element to ensure transparency. Each year, schools are required to post their Report to Parents/Guardians of Fees. The report accounts for fees charged by the school and paid by families for such things as option courses, field trips, enrichment experiences, special events, in-school activities, teams, clubs, and grade or program specific activities such as grade 9 farewell. 

The report can be viewed on our website by clicking the following link: https://school.cbe.ab.ca/school/louisriel/registration/fees/Pages/default.aspx    

Inline Skating for Div 1 & 2 Students 

We’re excited to welcome Alien Inline back to Louis Riel for another Inline Skating internship for all our Div. 1& 2 this year. Please access your MyCBE account to confirm there are no fees due at the following link: https://www.cbe.ab.ca/mycbe  

Attendance 

Before school begins for the day, please call the school 403-777-7650 to let us know if your child will be absent or late. This will help us ensure that all Louis Riel students are safe and accounted for promptly. After reaching the school press 1 and leave your message on the Attendance Line. Please let us know your child’s first and last name (spelling the last name), teacher’s name, and the reason for, and duration of the absence, if known. 

GPA Parent Association 

Did you know if you have a child in GATE as of September 2023 you are automatically a member of the GATE Parent Association? Sign up to receive the GPA newsletter on their website https://gatecalgary.ca/  and be a part of the GPA Community! 

Fun Lunches at Louis  

Fun lunches are a major source of fundraising for the School Council, give parents a day off from packing lunch, and are exciting for the kids to receive! Fun Lunches will continue throughout the year with our regular rotation for Elementary and Junior High students each month. All future junior high fun lunch dates will be on the 2nd Wednesday of each month and Elementary will be on the 3rd Wednesday of the month.  

Sign up at www.HealthyHunger.ca. There is also a link on the Louis Riel School website. 

It is important to note that due to health and safety protocols on food storage, the school will not be able to accommodate storing left-over lunches to the next day if your child is absent. Left-over lunches will be donated. 

Lost and Found at Louis Riel 

Please remind your student(s) to walk by and locate any lost or misplaced clothing and lunch container items and take them home. If your student regularly loses items at school, please also consider sewing nametags on their clothing items.  

We can only keep lost and found items on display for so long until we are left to assume that they’re no longer wanted. Twice a year we donate unclaimed items from the lost and found to charitable organizations to share with those who are in need.   

Volunteers Support Our Program 

Volunteers are often required to meet supervision ratio requirements for off-campus field experiences. Without parent volunteers to help meet the required supervision ratio, off-campus activities and field experiences cannot proceed. Please volunteer for some off campus activities and field experiences this year to support your student and their class.  

Interested in volunteering this year? Please fill out the following form: https://cbe.ab.ca/FormsManuals/Annual-Volunteer-Registration-Form.pdf 

Digital Citizenship at Louis Riel   

We are an Away for the Day school. Student brains need a break from mobile devices, and they all benefit from opportunities to engage in other ways of communicating, creating and exploring. Part of our work is to promote safety, lessen cyberbullying, and to foster and sustain focus on learning. How our Away for the Day policy supports this is simple: 

• Cell phones/personal electronic devices are powered off and go into lockers as you enter 
• cell phones/devices do not come out until you’re exiting after the final bell at 2:50 pm 
• cell phones may only be used for learning tasks during the school day with teacher permission 

Upcoming Events  

December 12 – Grade 8 Telus Spark Trip 
December 12 & 13 – Grade 6 Astronomer Visit 
December 13 – Staff vs Jr. Basketball game 
December 14 – Staff vs Sr. Basketball game 
December 21 – Grades 7-9 Winter Dance 
December 22 – Last day of school before Winter Break 
December 25 – January 5 WINTER BREAK 
January 8 – First day back