Hello Louis Riel families,  

We’re now at that point in the month of December when it seems that everyone is counting down the final days before winter break. We all know the last week before a break tends to include a lot of extra excitement and energy, which can be a challenge to direct towards the more school-centric goals of academic engagement and personal growth. Luckily, Louis Riel has a community of learners that are very ready to enjoy a final week full of learning together and participate in thoughtfully planned fun seasonal activities from our leadership students to help us keep it engaging, safe, and inclusive.    

As always, the week before winter break will include plenty of learning in addition to all the activities our Leadership students have planned for all our students. We continually appreciate how these students bring their ideas and creativity to support student well-being, school spirit, and inclusion across all grades at Louis Riel. Last week saw the underdog staff team take home a pair of surprise victories in the annual Teachers vs. Students Basketball tournament in front of an appreciative student audience. The week ahead will include more candygram sales and homerooms will be finalizing their door decorating before the leadership judges make their rounds. This will also be a winter spirit week for the whole school to enjoy featuring different themes each day. Monday is Teachers dress like students/students dress like teachers Day, Tuesday is Beach Day, Wednesday is Crazy Hair Day, Thursday is Formal Day and will also include a pair of afternoon school dances for grades 1-6 in the north gym and 7-9 in the south gym, and Friday will be Pajama Day. These spirit weeks are always popular with the students and staff so please encourage/remind your students to join in the fun.  

The next athletics season of play will be volleyball with tryouts starting as soon as we’re back in school after the winter break.  

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

Final Week of 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 Parent Council, give parents a day off from packing lunch, and are exciting for the kids to receive! 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: Annual Volunteer Registration Form 

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 18 – Students Dress as Teachers/Teachers Dress as Students 
December 19 – Beach Day 
December 20 – Crazy Hair Day 
December 21 – Formal Day and Winter Dances 
December 22 – Pajama Day and Last day of school before Winter Break 
December 25 – January 5 WINTER BREAK 
January 8 – First day back & First Day of Volleyball Tryouts