Dear Thomas B. Riley families,
Celebrating Black History Month
February is Black History Month. Each year, Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Black communities in Canada, listen to their stories, and learn more about their history and contributions to Canadian society. The Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, unveiled the theme for this year’s Black History Month: “Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations.” Minister Khera announced the theme , on Lincoln Alexander Day, which commemorates the legacy of Canada’s first Black Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister, Lincoln Alexander.
The month of February gives us all the chance to celebrate the diversity and achievements of Black people in Canada. However, it is also a time to reflect on Canada’s painful history and the distinct challenges that Black people in Canada continue to face in their daily lives, such as systemic barriers, racism and discrimination.
All teachers are currently planning meaningful lessons for students for the month of February to celebrate Black History Month. We look forward to learning more together.
Cultural Week Celebrations
As a separate celebration, we will also be holding a cultural week at TBR from February 10-12. Students are invited to many activities this week including a school-wide potluck event and an assembly put on by our very own Grade 7 students. In addition, students are invited to wear clothing representing their own culture for the full week.
There is no uniform requirements if students come in clothing representative of their own culture from Monday to Wednesday next week. It is very important that no students are dressing as cultures other than their own. This is a highly requested event that has come from our student leadership team.
Grade 7 Assembly
Students in Grade 7 will be hosting a school-wide assembly on Tuesday next week to celebrate the diversity and various cultures represented in our school. The assembly includes poetry, artistic expression, and a fashion show put on by our students. We look forward to this celebration of the hard work that has gone into planning and preparing for this assembly.
Potluck
Each grade team is hosting a potluck of cultural fare or food that means something to your family next Wednesday beginning at 8am. We ask that all students bring small bites (around the size of a toonie) to share with their classmates. Please note that there is no way to heat up items. Parents are welcome to drop off first thing in the morning if this helps.
We look forward to sharing together in food that feeds our soul as well as our bellies. Students will be coming together in community to share in this experience. Teachers will be sending out specific instructions and sign up forms through school messenger.
Late Slips
Starting this last week, we have changed our process around attendance and late slips. If you students more than 5 minutes late for their class, they will be asked to come to the office to receive a late slip. There, we will record the student’s name and the time. When they go back to class they are expected to hand it directly to their teacher. Teachers will collect late slips and update attendance by the end of the day if the student is late instead of absent. This is to minimize the constant interruptions when students come in late throughout one class period. If students do not hand their teacher their late slip, they will remain absent for that class.
No School – February 6th-10th
There is no school for students on Thursday February 6th, Friday February 7th, or Monday February 10th. All school staff are participating in convention activities on the Thursday and Friday and will be off site. Monday is Family Day and a holiday. School will resume on Tuesday, February 11th.
Grade 9 PATs
In May and June of this year, Grade 9 students throughout the province will write Provincial Achievement Tests in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social studies. Results from these tests will provide Alberta Education, school administrators, teachers, parents/guardians, students and the public with information about what students know and can do in relation to provincial standards at the end of Grade 9.
Provincial Achievement Tests are based on what students have been learning throughout the school year, so they will be marked by teachers before they are returned to Alberta Education in June.
School staff share preliminary results with parents after the PAT administration. Individual Student Profiles (ISPs) are available to schools in the fall of the following school year. School staff then share the ISPs with parents or parents can access results directly using myPass. A record of the ISP will be retained electronically in the student record. This profile is prepared by Alberta Education after the marking and scoring of tests has been completed and the final scores are calculated; it will present your child’s performance on each test in relation to provincial standards.
We ask that parents and students make every effort to be present on the day of the exam.
PAT Schedule is as follows:
May 29, 2025 - ELA 9/K&E ELA 9 Part A
June 13, 2025 – Math 9/K&E Math 9 Part A
June 16, 2025 – ELA 9/K&E ELA 9 Part B
June 17, 2025 – Math 9/K&E Math 9 Part B
June 18, 2025 – Social Studies 9/K&E SS
June 19 2025 – Science 9/K&E Science
Human Sexuality Letters – Exemption Form
Forms are going home in Homeroom today regarding the upcoming unit on Health on Human Sexuality. This will be part of the module rotation in Phys. Ed classes in the upcoming term. The primary resource that will be used for in-class instruction is: https://teachingsexualhealth.ca/
The exemption form only needs to be returned to PE teachers if you wish for your child NOT to participate in the module. All forms must be returned prior to February 18, 2025. An alternate assignment will be given to those students who return the form to opt out of these lessons.
Please email the exemption form directly to your child’s PE teacher if you would not like for your child to participate. Paper copies are available upon request.
Registration is Open for TLC Program Next Year
Registration for the 2025-26 school year is now open. If your child currently attends Thomas B. Riley School there is no further action required, unless you are planning to move schools or programs.
Are you moving school next year? Please let us know!
If you are planning to move schools, please let the office know as soon as possible so we can update their designated school. This is critical to ensuring we have an accurate registration count for next year to minimize the need to regroup homerooms in the Fall.
Are you interested in our TLC Program Next Year?
Our TLC program is now open for registration. If you would like to register for TLC next year, please complete an expression of interest form through School Engage no later than February 12, 2025 at noon. The school lottery for available spots will take place on February 13, 2025. however early registration will secure your registration. It is possible that enrollment in certain grades will be capped later in the Spring/Fall.
For more information on our TLC Program see our school webpage: https://thomasbriley.cbe.ab.ca/traditional-learning
The lottery process is outlined here: https://thomasbriley.cbe.ab.ca/lottery
Upcoming Events this Week:
Monday:
- Indigenous Club 11:25am-12:00pm
- Grade 7 Assembly Practice – 1:30pm-2:30pm
- Sr. Girls Volleyball Practice 2:30pm-3:45pm
- Musical Rehearsal 2:45pm-3:45pm
- Boys Volleyball Game @SPB (Away) Jr Team (4-5pm) Sr. Team (5-6pm)
Tuesday:
- Lottery/Expression of Interest for TLC closes at noon
- Grade 7 Assembly (AM)
- Creative Writing Club 11:25am-12:00pm
- Model UN Session – Rm 17 2:30pm-3:30pm
- Sr. Boys Volleyball Practice 2:45pm-3:45pm
- Girls Volleyball Game @SPB (Away) Jr Team (4-5pm) Sr. Team (5-6pm)
Wednesday:
- School-wide Potluck Event 8:00am-9:30am
- Board Games Club in Rm 14– 11:30am-12:00pm
- Dungeons and Dragons Club 11:30am-11:55pm in Room 1
- Jr. Girls Volleyball Practice 2:30pm-3:45pm
- Musical Rehearsal – 2:45pm-3:45pm
- Boys Volleyball Game @QE (Away) - Jr Team (4-5pm) Sr. Team (5-6pm)
Thursday:
- No School
Friday:
- No School
- No School Monday also
Have a great week!
Sincerely,
Tiffany Austin
Principal, Thomas B. Riley School