Hello Louis Riel families,  

A short but sweet week of teaching and learning has passed with a few field-trips brave enough to navigate the elements, after-school volleyball practices, and new leadership activities for our students. Our Leadership class has been running a jellybean guessing game with proceeds going to the Humane Society. Next week will see the continuation of our January food drive for the Calgary Food Bank so please remember to bring in non-perishable food items for donation. Next week will also see the launch of a school-wide kindness campaign designed and led by our students. Please ask your students about this exciting wellness exercise once they learn about it next week! 

We would like you to join us in welcoming a new staff member to Louis Riel this month. Ms. Olivia Beare will be joining the Grade 6 team as a team teacher with Ms. Tanner and a learning intervention support teacher for the elementary team. We are excited to have Ms. Beare officially join our dedicated teaching team as a support to students and colleagues in our elementary classrooms. She has spent the past week getting to know our students, staff, and how we support our students at Louis Riel.  

Have a safe and snowy weekend everyone! 

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

Each month we invite teachers from different divisions, departments, and programs to present to the council and community about the teaching and learning going on in their classrooms and beyond. This month’s teacher presentation will be Ms. Neamtu who will talk about student services/resource at Louis Riel School and how she facilitates upcoming High School Transitions. A reminder that all current minutes and agendas are available on the LRPAC website: https://www.wearelouis.ca/ under Agendas and Minutes.

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! 

Annual Open House Feb 1 

Louis Riel is home to our GATE program and Science program yet they both have their own unique admissions processes. GATE program admissions rely on an internal referral and committee selection process whereas Science program admissions are subject to a lottery due to demand and capacity limitations. In order to maintain healthy enrolment levels, the Science program relies not only on our reputation but also on active promotion through events such as school visits and our annual open house. 

This event will be taking place on the evening of February 1st and will involve opportunities for prospective new families as well as our current families to learn about the school, our programs, and the learning that takes place here. Presentations for new and prospective families will begin the evening in the gym and then classrooms will be opened to showcase and celebrate student learning at Louis Riel. We will also be hosting a book fair in the learning commons so please come by with your student and take a look. 

Please save the date and spread the word! 

Science Fair is Almost Here  

We are counting down the days until our young scientists bring their completed projects to display in the annual science fair. We sincerely appreciate all the energy our students put into this event and all the support our families provide each year. Over the next few weeks please check in with your young scientist(s) to learn how they are doing and to help them manage any last-minute refinements and adjustments.   

Registration at Louis Riel 

If you are reading this Bison Bulletin you already have a student at Louis Riel. If you have family, friends, colleagues, or neighbors who would like their students to join the learning community at Louis please share this information with them.  

Admission to Louis Riel’s Science program is managed using a lottery process. This process was established to ensure fair and equitable access to schools, programs (regular, alternative) or grades, experiencing a student population that is either at capacity or over capacity. This process provides a consistent approach across our system.   

Registration for the 2024-25 school year began on Jan. 15th and, due to ongoing demand, our Science program continues to have limited capacity for new students.  

The lottery deadline occurs in February each year. For the 2024-25 school year, registrations submitted prior to the lottery deadline of 12 PM (noon) on Feb. 13, 2024, will be included in the lottery draws. All registrations received after noon on Feb. 13, 2024, will be added to the callback list (based on the appropriate priority level) in the order they are received. 

To learn more about the lottery process click HERE 

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! 

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 are 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.   

Upcoming Events  

January 22 – Dr. E.P Scarlett Presentation 
January 23 – Grade 7 Calgary Zoo Trip 
January 23 – Grade 4.4 Teacher’s Pet Visit 
January 23 – Grade 5.1 & 5.2 Fish Creek Trip 
January 23 – Grade 9 YCJA guest speaker 
January 25 – Grade 9 Photos 
January 25 – Grade 5.3 & 5.4 Fish Creek Trip 
January 26 – Grade 6 Teacher’s Pet Visit 
January 26 – Grade 5 & 6 Science Fair Judging 
January 29 – Grade 9 to Henry Wise Wood 
January 30 – Grade 4.1 Teacher’s Pet Visit 
January 31 – February 1 – Grade 9 Outdoor Ed Castle Mountain Hostel Trip 
February 1 – Grade 9 Vaccinations 
February 1 – Louis Riel Open House 
February 2 – Grades 7- 9 Science Fair