Dear Thomas B. Riley Families,
Welcome to our school! To all of our returning students as well as new, welcome back! We are looking forward to many exciting things ahead at the school.
To all of our new families, you will receive a similar week ahead message every Friday from me regarding the following week’s activities and school news to keep you in the loop. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
A Reminder about Respectful Communication
As we begin a new school year, our staff are thrilled to be back doing what they love and working with the amazing humans you are raising. We look forward to partnering with you as parents and guardians and welcome respectful dialogue about your child’s education. We ask that you are mindful that our staff is made up of mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, partners, sisters, brothers, grandparents, and friends.
We ask that all staff are treated with dignity and respect in every form of communication, whether in person, over the phone, or via email. We have a common goal to ensure your child is successful this year and it’s important to remember we are all on the same team. Thank you for your commitment to this and for contributing to a welcoming, caring, safe, and respectful working and learning environment for all.
Visitors to Our School – By Appointment Only
For the safety and smooth operation of our school, we kindly ask that parents and guardians do not enter the school building without a scheduled appointment.
If you would like to meet with a teacher, administrator, or staff member, please call the school office or email in advance to arrange a time. This helps us:
- Minimize disruptions to learning,
- Ensure staff are available to meet with you
- Maintain a safe and secure environment for all students.
If you need to drop something off or pick up your child early, please call ahead to let us know and we will collect any items from the front door.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us keep our school safe and focused on learning.
Class Change Requests
Please note that the school does not accept requests for particular teachers or friends when making homeroom classes. Classes are made thoughtfully and mindfully with many complex factors in mind and with the input of all staff.
In addition, there will be no further changes made to complementary courses. All students who were encrolled in the Spring were provided an opportunity to share their preferences of courses offerings and the Powerschool algorithm did its best to schedule based on this information. Students who were enrolled in classes after this date were scheduled based on space and availability. We kindly ask that you do not email the school or request additional changes. Complementary courses are a chance to try something new and explore a variety of courses you might not otherwise be exposed to.
The only change that will be considered are requests to take Band. If your child is currently not enrolled in Band and would like to be, please email Mrs. Austin directly at taaustin@cbe.ab.ca. Note that Band is a full year course option.
Athletics Tryouts Begin this week!
Attention all aspiring student athletes! All athletes will need an Annual Athletic Form signed by a parent/guardian in order to participate in any tryouts. These will be available at the information meetings. Girls teams also have an additional eligibility form to fill out in addition that must be signed once per year. Each of these forms must be submitted prior to tryouts.
Girls Soccer Tryouts will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 from 2:45pm–3:45pm on the back field of the school. Students must be picked up by 3:45pm.
Boys Soccer Tryouts will be held on Tuesday, September 1, 2025 and Thursday, September 3, 2026 from 2:45pm-3:45pm on the back field of the school. Students must be picked up by 3:45pm.
To be able to try-out you must have your Athletic Try-out Form signed, suitable footwear and clothes for the conditions, and shin guards.
For students interested in Cross Country this year there will be an information meeting on Thursday at lunch in the Learning Commons with Ms. Bosselle.
Student Health and Emergency Response Plans
If your child has health concerns or a need for medical accommodations while at school, you must fill out health forms to be kept in the office as applicable. These are available at the main office. If you require these forms you can also email thomasbriley@cbe.ab.ca.
If your child has an epi-pen or other medication that needs to be stored at the school, please fill out both documents, and send the medication in a Ziploc bag in its original prescription bottle, clearly labelled to the main office.
Personal Mobile Device Policy
A friendly reminder of the Alberta Education Ministerial Order for K-12 students and CBE policy on “Away for the Day” devices in all K-9 schools. All devices including cellular phones, watches, and headphones or earbuds must be powered off, in their backpack, and stored in their locker. These devices are not permitted to be visible on school grounds at any point in the day, including lunch. If students wish to take devices off campus for lunch they may do so. The same rules apply upon re-entry.
If your child requires a medical exception (ex. Glucose monitoring) please fill out the Student Health Plan and Emergency Response Plan above.
If your child is new to the country with limited English and requires a device for translation purposes, please email Mrs. Austin directly at taaustin@cbe.ab.ca and we will discuss next steps and an exemption form for this purpose.
For all other exemption inquiries or questions regarding this policy please contact Mrs. Austin or Mr. Littel.
TLC Uniforms
As a reminder, all TLC students do require correct formal and informal uniforms. We will have a grace period up until September 11, 2026 if you are new to the program and have not yet purchased items. After this date, we will be following up directly with parents and students will be required to call home to bring appropriate uniform to school before they return to class.
A reminder that on Mondays, formal attire is required including black polishable shoes. On Tuesday-Thursday all-black runners are permitted. There should be no visible white or color on shoes at any time. Fridays are casual.
Bus Inquiries
The main office continues to receive a significant volume of calls regarding bussing inquiries. Please direct all bus inquiries to Southland Transportation or CBE Transportation as the school is not directly responsible for bus routes and we are not able to provide information on stops.
If you need to register for transportation, please do so by logging into your Powerschool Account. All route information will also be in your Powerschool account.
The best way to stay up to date regarding your child’s progress along its route and for bus delays is to ensure that you have downloaded the MyBusStop App. The school code to add your route is also in your Powerschool account.
Stampede Breakfast Friday
All students are invited to a Stampede Breakfast courtesy of the Stampede Caravan Committee in partnership with the school on Friday, September 4, 2026.
Serving will begin at 7:45am until 9:45am outside at the back of the school for students only. Students are asked to dress for the weather as the school will not be open until 9:45am.
Note that attendance will not be taken for these periods. At 9:45am students will go to their Homerooms and attendance will be taken at that time.
Upcoming Events this Week:
Monday – First Day of School! Homeroom then condensed classes, period 1-7
Tuesday – Homeroom then condensed classes, period 7-1
Boys Soccer Try-Outs in the back field of TBR 2:45pm-3:45pm.
Wednesday – Girls Soccer Try-Outs in the back field of TBR 2:45pm-3:45pm.
Thursday - Boys Soccer Try-Outs in the back field of TBR 2:45pm-3:45pm
Informational meeting at lunch for Cross Country in LC 11:30am-12:00pm
Friday – Stampede Breakfast 7:45am-9:45am for students
Sincerely,
Tiffany Austin
Principal, Thomas B. Riley School