Hello Louis Riel families,
March is that time of year when the sun melts the ice and the overnight swing in temperature brings it all back again. The little glimpse of color we may see aside from the glare of ice and snow may be found in a patch of brown mud and an occasional tuft of grey-green grass. I think this season is locally known as spring-ish, isn’t it? According to the National Research Council, spring starts at the moment when the sun is directly over the equator, going from south to north: the "vernal equinox." This annual change of the seasons according to the movement of the sun occurs on March 20 this year. With the gradually warming weather we’re seeing more classes venturing outside for field experiences, community walks and learning on the land. Please remember to dress for outdoor success when you come to school!
We saw a number of fun activities this week that included a few student led fundraisers: Texas donut sales, candy grams, and the Pie-A-Teacher fundraiser on Pi day. There is a chance that the sugar rush and laughter caused by these three events have still not subsided yet. We appreciate the efforts of our leadership students to raise funds for the Calgary food bank and student experiences.
Next week will be a spirit week at Louis Riel with the following themes for dress for each day:
- Monochromatic Monday
- Decade Day Tuesday
- Socks & Sandals Wednesday
- Culture Day Thursday
The first half of March is already behind us but please read on to find out more about important upcoming events and activities.
School Conferences this Month
Our second round of conferences will take place in person on Thursday, March 21 in the evening from 4:00pm until 8:00pm. Conferences will continue online on the morning of Friday, March 22 from 8:00am until 11:45am.
- Link to MyCBE to access school conferences booking
These conferences provide an excellent opportunity to develop a shared understanding of how your student is progressing academically and socially this year. Although your student may tell you they’d rather not join you at conferences, having them on hand is the best way to work together as a team to ensure success.
Student Pickup/Drop off and Busses
Please be mindful of how you choose to navigate pickup and drop off at Louis Riel. Vehicles are not to enter school parking lots to collect or drop students. These parking lots are not safe spots to access as they involve crossing busy sidewalks and driving between busses. Please obey all posted speed limits and watch out for our crossing guards.
Bus drivers have reported having to stop their bus as they pull away from designated pickup stops to receive children arriving late. Please ensure your student arrives in time for morning pickup.
Yearbook
Louis Riel students create an amazing yearbook each year and make it available to all students regardless of grade level. The order deadline has now passed and copies will arrive in June. Thank you for your interest in our yearbook and we look forward to getting orders to everyone who placed them.
Louis Riel Parent and School Council(s)
Hello Louis Riel Families,
The Louis Riel Parent Council are excited to coordinate a show of gratitude for Louis Riel staff on March 21st and we need your help. We are hosting a taco bar potluck dinner the night of parent teacher meetings and would like to encourage you to consider signing up to contribute something to the taco bar. The sign up slots are as simple as bringing spoons, meat, beans, etc. Please deliver your food items on Thursday March 21st to the school between 4:00pm-4:30pm. If you are bringing a crockpot or hotplate, please include a label identifying what is in your dish.
We've made a lot of changes and additions to our Council Website. Please visit to see what’s new.
Our next online council meeting is scheduled for March 20 starting at 6:30pm
GPA Parent Association
The GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) Parent Association is a registered, non-profit volunteer organization, committed to supporting a high-quality GATE Program which meets the needs of learners who are gifted, within the Calgary Board of Education (CBE).
The GATE Parent Association is unique in that it represents parents and supports the GATE Program in all GATE schools, but it is independent of the Calgary Board of Education and other parent organizations within those schools. To learn more please visit our website.
Ongoing Registration at Louis Riel
Offers to attend Louis Riel School for the 2024-25 school year have been sent to successful lottery applicants and we’re in the process of confirming enrolment. Due to ongoing demand, our Science program continues to have limited capacity for new students but waitlisted students can receive offers to attend up until the first week of September.
Learn more about the lottery process!
Lost and Found at Louis Riel
Please remind your student(s) to walk by our lost and found to 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
March 18 and 19 – Grade 8/9 Outdoor Ed Overnight Trip
March 18 – Grade 6 Tanner and McIntosh classes Flight Hangar trip
March 19 – Grade 7 Earth Science for Society Trip, Grade 6 GATE class to Flight Hangar
March 20 – Gr. 5 and 9 Inside Education guest presentations
March 21 - School Conferences in-person 4pm to 8pm
March 22 - No School due to School Conferences online 8am to 12pm
March 22 to April 1 – SPRING BREAK
April 2 – Classes Resume