Bonjour BP families,
Another great week ahead! We have our long anticipated spring dance this week. Last week, thanks to BPPA, we had Green Fools, a theatre artist in residence troupe, that came in for Phys Ed. By mid-week, we saw students walking on stilts, spinning plates, and riding unicycles as if these were regular, everyday activities. There was great energy in the gym! Thank you BPPA for helping provide such a unique and engaging experience for every student.
Next Year Planning
We are in planning mode already for next school year. If your child(ren) will be in grade 8 or 9 next school year and will not be attending Bishop Pinkham School, please email bishoppinkham@cbe.ab.ca and let us know so that we can plan for staffing and classrooms.
Complementary Course Selections for Next Year
For our students currently in grades 7-8, they should have brought home a selection guide for their complementary/option courses for next year. They are due at the end of this week. Please make sure you have a look and that your student(s) return the forms.
Attendance and Absences
A reminder to Parents that if your student(s) will be late or absent from school for any reason, it is imperative that you contact the school and advise of the absence and the reason for the absence. The absence line is available 24/7 and is checked several times throughout the day. The school absence line is: (403) 777-7840 ext.# 1. Please do not use email to notify the office of your child’s absence – email is not checked as frequently as the absence line and if staff are absent for any reason, your message will not be received for that day’s attendance.
Please also note that attendance is taken every period of each day making 7 absences equal to 1 day away. For example, if your student is away Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday on regular school days, they would have 21 absences for these days.
Students that will be away for 3 or more days must complete an Extended Leave of Absence Form available at the main office, preferably at least a week before their planned absence. These are available from the main office.
When parents have the occasion to pick up students from the school during school hours, please advise the main office when you have arrived in front of the school. The office will locate your student(s) and send the student(s) out to where you are parked. For the safety and security of our students, we do not send students outside without knowing their parent(s) has actually arrived and is waiting outside the school.
Lost and Found
Please remind your student(s) to check the lost and found by Friday this week. All leftover items will be donated to charity. There are many coats, hoodies, and water bottles.
Y Mind
Y Mind is a FREE 7-week mental wellness program for teenagers (13-18 years old). The program aims to support and provide resources for teenagers experiencing mild to moderate levels of stress and/or anxiety. Y Mind is grounded on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness and allows participants to learn more about different ways of how to manage their stress and anxiety. This program is facilitated by trained mental health professionals and there will always be two facilitators at each session. We have seen proven results nationally of reduced stress and anxiety related symptoms, increased overall wellbeing, and an increased ability to cope with difficult emotions.
Participants will receive a workbook of all the activities done during the program, so they can review and practice at home. We do provide snacks for participants during the program and meet other individuals experiencing similar feelings. Upon completion of the program, participants would receive a Certificate of Program Completion and a free 2-month YMCA gym membership as improving one's physical wellbeing has shown that it improved mental wellbeing.
Y Mind is generously supported by the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Alberta Government and allows to offer the program at multiple locations throughout the city. The closest location to Bishop Pinkham is the Rocky Ridge YMCA. There are information and intake sessions scheduled over the next couple of weeks; potential participants need to attend a session prior to confirming enrollment in this program.
Individuals can learn more about the Y Mind program on their website or complete a Formstack request to sign up for our Information and Intake Sessions. Interested individuals can contact our general Y Mind email if they have any questions at ymind@ymcacalgary.org.
BPPC Updates
BPPC is looking to fill the Key Communicator role. Please see attached.
Important Dates
April 17 - Band students play at Westgate School
April 18 - Spring Dance 4:30-6:30 PM.
April 19 - Non Instructional Day. No school for students
April 24 - BP Jazz Band Concert 6:30-7:30 PM
April 24 - National French Immersion day
April 25 - Pep Rally
April 25 - Final parent meeting for Quebec Trip 6-7 PM, Library
April 29 -May 3- BP Quebec Trip
May 6 - Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women's Day
May 7 - Grade 9 Outdoor Ed- Yamnuska Hike
May 9 - Healthy Hunger, Mary Brown's Chicken order here
May 13 - Grade 9 ELA Part A PAT 9 AM-12 PM
May 16 - Grade 8 Outdoor Ed Yamnuska Hike
May 16 - Grade 9 FLA Part A PAT 9AM-1PM
May 17 - Non Instructional Day. No school for students
May 20 - Victoria Day. No school for students
May 24 - Wellness day activities for students (details to follow)
May 29 - Grade 6 tours at BP for Jennie Elliott students
May 30 - Grade 6 tours at BP for Westgate students
Have a wonderful week,
Rishma Hajee
Principal | Bishop Pinkham School