Hello Earl Grey Families,
​We are at the half way point of an unprecedented school year.
Each morning when students enter the building they are greeted by staff with a big “Hello!” a spritz of hand sanitizer and then students all walk in a clockwise direction to their class while music provided by DJ Sol plays over the intercom.  It’s a wonderful morning routine that is up beat, full of positivity that grounds everyone with a degree of normalcy that supports our mental health.   
As a teaching staff, we continue our work with Anita Thomson, a SEL (social-emotional learning) educator and parent at the school.   Anita’s role supports us in meeting our wellness goal for students and staff.
Anita writes:
“This month the staff at Earl Grey are working on improving their endurance and positive mindset as we continue to live with pandemic related restrictions. I've challenged them to adopt the tools used by high-performance athletics; paying special attention to their physical fitness, protecting their quality of sleep, making positive goals part of their morning routines and paying special attention to their nutrition. 
By remaining in "top condition" as individuals, they will be able to be at their best with their own families, and with their Earl Grey students.
I'd like to invite you as parents and guardians to take a moment and check to see if you and your family are doing all you can to thrive in this ultra-marathon of patience, anxiety, frustration and longing. Are you getting enough sleep? How about adding in more sweaty workouts? Are your kids packing the best lunches with fresh nutritious foods, and are you consciously fueling yourselves in a healthy way? Everything we put into us, from food to media, effects how well we face each day.
When we are stressed out, tired or feeling a little lost, it's easy to reach for whatever comforts or coping behaviours that are easy. My hope for all of us in this waiting game is to rise to the challenge of consistency in our wellness. That may not sound exciting but it's a solid challenge, I promise!
Wishing you continued resiliency and good health!”
In the month of February, Earl Grey has made Healthy Nutrition a focus. 
As a staff, we are aware of the difficulties during this pandemic in finding pre packaged heathy snacks that meet the:  Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth and meet our Administrative Regulation: Nutrition - Administrative Regulation 3047 .  Because of this, we have seen an increase in sugar, fat and salt centred treats that are being brought to school for individual and classroom birthday and special day celebrations.  As a school, we are asking families to consider other treats and snacks that could be brought as an alternative.  Teachers will be brainstorming these healthy ideas with their students in the month of February and will be posting these healthy ideas in their google classrooms.
Moving forward, we will be sending treats or goodie bags that are not in compliance with the AR or Alberta Food Guidelines home with students.  Parents can then make the decision on when, where and what treats their children may have.  With this in mind, ice cream treats will not make the trip home, and we ask that they not be brought to school.
Valentine’s Day is always a special day at Earl Grey.  It’s a day when we all can write messages and give thoughtful gestures of caring, kindness and love that build on our positive mental health.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Matthew Lowe Principal, Earl Grey School