October 19, 2023 

Belfast Parents/Guardians, 

We  had another amazing week of learning at Belfast School this week.  Classes have enjoyed learning outside with the beautiful weather and especially the “On the Trapline” book walk in front of the school.  We continue to welcome new students moving into the Belfast catchment area and are excited about them joining our school community. Belfast students and staff are looking forward to Principal Lundgren returning to Belfast School mid-week next week.  We are so excited she will be back for the Belfast Dance next week. We know Ms. Lundgren will be excited to see the community tree growing on the bulletin board outside of the library, the student learning posted in the hallways and on classroom walls, and the many ways classrooms are responding to our school-wide book - “On the Trapline”.    You will find many updates that will be of interest to Belfast Parents/Guardians below. 

Healthy Hunger Lunch – October 18 

Our first Healthy Hunger lunch was a success this week.  More than 65 students ordered a Subway lunch.  Our next lunch is scheduled for November 16^th.   Many families wondered how to order these lunches.  If you would like your child to participate in an upcoming fun lunch, to order the lunch, please visit The Healthy Hunger website here and set up your parent account.   Fun Lunches are a fundraiser through our Belfast Parent Society and give parents a nice break from packing lunches!  If your family is unable to afford a Fun Lunch and you wish for your child to participate, please contact Clancy at cleevans@cbe.ab.ca or call the school.   Thank you to our parent organizer, Alisha, for setting all of this up!  If you have questions about ordering, please reach out to our Fun Lunch coordinator at funlunchbelfast@gmail.com   

Professional Development Day – October 20^th 

The Belfast teaching staff will join the teaching staff at Alex Munro School, Vista Heights School and Erin Woods.School for this professional development day.  The focus of the day will be professional learning focused on Math and Literacy.  It will be an amazing opportunity to continue to collaborate with the staff from the other schools. 

Upcoming Belfast School Council and Parent Society Meeting – Tuesday, October 24 

The next meeting of the Belfast School Council and Belfast School Society is on October 24 at 6:30 pm in the library.  Please have a look at the agenda for the next Belfast School Society meetingagenda for the next Belfast School Society meeting and the draft the of School Society Bylawsdraft the of School Society Bylaws. As always, please reference the School Council and School Society webpages for agendas, updates, and fundraisers.  

Picture Retakes – October 25th 

If your child was at school on Picture Day, their teacher has given them a package to bring home with their proofs and a class photo.   If you would like to order photos, please return the envelope to the school wth payment or pay on-line.   If your child was absent, our you would like to have retakes, please send the envelope back to school and their photo will be taken on October 25^th. 

Hallowe’en Dance – October 26th 

The annual Belfast School Dance is next week!  Doors will open at 6:30 pm. Please come in costume (no masks or weapons) and bring loonies/toonies if you would like to purchase snacks at the concession. Parents please have a discussion with your child about appropriate behaviour at a dance. For example, no running, playing tag, or leaving the school without permission from a parent. Proceeds from the concession go to the Belfast Parent Society fundraising efforts.   

Annual Forms in School Engage – Please Update 

At the beginning of every school year there are a number of forms to be reviewed and submitted.  Please log into your myCBE account please select tab Online Forms and School Registration.  A notification box will populate and all outstanding forms are listed.   

  

The Annual forms include the following: 

• Demographic Verification-2023-24    
• Annual Authorization 2023-24 
  • Consent for CBE of Student Information 
  • Consent for Use of Student Information by News Media and Outside Groups (third Party) 

Please note:   

• If you response is "I Do not give consent" your student's picture will not be included/posted in Google Classroom & Belfast website/Instagram 

 

Please take a moment to review the response you submitted in SchoolEngage.  Should you at any time wish to change your response please email: belfast@cbe.ab.ca with your student’s name and that you wish to update the Consent for CBE Use of Student Information form.  

Need Help? Please Call 403-817-6373 

 

Parent Focus Group Invitation from Alberta Education 

On Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, Alberta Education will host a focus group with the intention of seeking feedback from parents. The focus group will meet from 7 - 8:30 p.m. via Zoom. 

Purpose: To collect insight from a parent perspective to update the old “My Child's Learning: A Parent Resource" website into a brand new space that will be hosted on new.LearnAlberta.ca .  

10 – 12 parents will be identified from metro, urban and rural school divisions, representing children of varying grade ranges (K-12) to participate in this focus group.  

If you would like to participate, please complete the following expression of interest form by Oct 23: 
Alberta Education Focus Group - Expression of Interest to Participate 

Important Dates  

Friday, October 20 – Professional Development Day – no school 

Tuesday, October 24 – Lunchtime session for Grade 5/6 students who have signed up for the Child Safe Babysitters program.  

Tuesday, October 24 – Babysitters Session #2 – for students enrolled in this lunchtime session (bring dolly!) 

Tuesday, October 24 – School Council Meeting 6:30 pm in the Library.  

Wednesday, October 25 – Picture Retakes 

Thursday, October 26 – Belfast Halloween Dance 6- 7:30 pm 

Tuesday, October 31 – Halloween – Students are welcome to dress up for the day. Please no masks or weapons. Please also do not send candy to school. 

 

Belfast Community Calendar 

Oct 17^th to Oct 22^nd is Secret Path Week. This is a national movement taking its name from a multimedia project by Gord Downie and Jeff Lemire. It highlights the story of Chanie Wenjack and his mistreatment within the residential school system.    

  

October 18^th was Persons Day in Canada. This day marks the historic decision to include women in the legal definition of “persons”. It was handed down by Canada's highest court of appeal in 1929. 

  

October 18^th was also Take Me Outside Day. This day is about making time to head outside and learn beyond the four walls of the school. We are so fortunate to be surrounded by beautiful nature at Belfast School.   

 

Have a lovely weekend and as always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have anything you would like to share.   

Shelagh Reading 

Acting Principal 

Clancy Evans 

Assistant Principal