Good afternoon Buffalo Rubbing Stone families,
I am always amazed by how quickly September flies by. I treasure the first days of school as students find their way, get to know their teachers and classmates, and build the foundation of what will be a great school year. Our first conferences of the year gave teachers the opportunity to get acquainted or reacquainted with parents and build the important parent-teacher partnership. We know when parents are involved in their children's education, student achievement is enhanced. As we head into October, teachers are determining student strengths and planning engaging ways to address curriculum.
This year, we are looking forward to building on the learning of last year. We will continue our focus on writing and mathematics and we will be introducing a new program to support our youngest learners with beginning reading skills. While our School Development Plan is a living document that is revisited throughout the school year, October is the month we consider the accomplishments of last year, determine our baseline data for the fall, and make plans for the school year ahead. The School Development Plan will be a focus at our School Council Meeting on October 28. We always appreciate hearing feedback from parents regarding the learning priorities we set.
As part of our learning and along the path of truth and reconciliation, this week we renamed our learning communities and began researching Alberta animals important in the Indigenous Community. The classes in the east wing of the school (Ms. Shaw, Ms. Balcers, Ms. Dorsey, Ms. Hodgins, and Ms. Shephard) are the Eagles. The classes in the south wing (Ms. McIsaac, Ms. Craig, Ms. Wong, Ms. Johnson, Ms. Ayerst, and Ms. Montgomery) are the Wolves. The classes in the west wing (Ms. Scott, Ms. Koskimaki, Ms. Derby, Ms. Rojas, Ms. Sweet, and Ms. De Jesus) are the Beavers. And the classes in the central part and north wing of the school (Mr. Bent, Mr. McEachern, Ms. Kollee, Ms. Straiton, Ms. Boudreault, Ms. Gallant, Ms. Clark, Ms. Plimmer, and Ms. Melissa) are the Bears. Of course, at Buffalo Rubbing Stone, we are all Buffaloes!! This work is just beginning. We are excited about our new community groups.
We're also excited about Spirit Wear!! At the School Council and Parent Association Meetings last Tuesday, it was decided to offer spirit wear again this year. We hope to have an announcement soon… stay tuned!
The COVID-19 pandemic response continues to guide many of our school protocols. High impact risk mitigation strategies including mandatory masking, hand sanitizing, and respiratory etiquette, along with dedicated entry and exit doors, directional hallways, enhanced cleaning, and cohorting all contribute to our collective good health. Our protocols continue to evolve at the direction of Alberta Health Services (AHS), Alberta Education, and the CBE. New this week, AHS is asking schools to record specific symptoms of illness. When your child is ill and unable to attend school, please include your child's symptoms when you call the office to report the absence. This information will help AHS monitor trends and further mitigate risk.
Take good care,
Allison E.G. Bobenic
Principal
