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Nellie in the Know - December 19, 2025

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Posted on 2025-12-19 20:53:11.368 +0000 UTC

Happy Friday Citizens of Nellie!

As we come to the last day of school before winter break, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued partnership and support throughout the year. Together, we have seen our students grow academically, socially, and emotionally, and that growth would not be possible without the care and encouragement you provide at home.

The winter break is a wonderful time to rest, reflect, and reconnect with loved ones. I hope the coming days bring your family moments of joy, peace, and togetherness, whether you are celebrating holidays, traditions, or simply enjoying a well-deserved pause from our busy routines.

We look forward to welcoming students back refreshed and ready to learn in the new year. Until then, I wish you a safe, healthy, and happy winter break.

Warmest wishes,

Aleta Terlecki

WEEK IN REVIEW

Our Spirit Week was so much fun. Students and teachers participated in wearing jerseys, wacky hats/ hair, pyjamas and other fun themed days. While these events may just seem  silly , did you know research shows that school spirit days with dress-up themes hold many benefits? 

Benefits for Students

•     Boosts Creativity & Self-Expression: Provides a safe space to be creative and showcase personality through costumes, like dressing as book characters or past decades.

•     Builds Confidence: Encourages students to step out of their comfort zones and stand out, leading to more self-assurance.

•     Improves Mental Health: Offers a fun break from academic stress, increasing overall happiness and motivation.

•     Fosters Belonging: Creates shared experiences and inside jokes, making students feel more connected to the "school family".

Benefits for School Culture

•     Strengthens Community: Promotes camaraderie, teamwork, and positive interactions between students, teachers, and staff through shared participation.

•     Increases School Spirit & Pride: Unites the student body with a common goal, fostering pride in their school.

•     Enhances Engagement: Makes school more enjoyable and can encourage better attendance and participation in overall school events.

•     Creates Lasting Traditions: Builds positive school traditions and memorable experiences that students cherish.

Students celebrated Winter Solstice this week with various classroom activities focusing on Blackfoot values inspiring connection, community and self. The winter solstice on December 21st is the shortest day and longest night of the year, marking the official start of winter in our northern hemisphere  when Earth's tilt causes one pole to be farthest from the Sun. It's a significant time in many cultures, symbolizing rebirth and renewal as daylight hours begin to lengthen again. Some classes created art and poetry or participated in sharing circles, while others performed acts of kindness in the community. A CBE challenge was shared with all teachers to guide us all through reflection on being observant, helpful, respectful, kind, and having courage.


You can see highlights of these events and others on our school Instagram: NellieSparks

NEWS ITEMS: 

  • Last week School Council asked for your feedback on fundraising. Here are the results:

1. Rank the following as preferred methods of fundraising that you would be most likely to support in January to June 2026

     Top 3 results:

1. Another 50/50 raffle

2. Spring Play front row seats auction

3. Spring flowers/plants

2. Were you in favor of the front row seats auction as a fundraiser?  

    Yes: 67%

    No: 25%

    Maybe: 8%

3. How would you rate the front row seats auction as a method for fundraising?

       3.75 out of 5 stars

    Does this represent your voice? If not, please take time to participate in this short survey: Fundraising feedback – Fill in form

  • FREE Sunday afternoon family movies during the Winter break! The Community Center will be showing a couple of kids cinemas during the holiday.   Families are invited out for some free entertainment at 2pm on Sunday Dec. 28 and Sunday Jan. 4. See more info here:


COMING UP: 

Dec.20- Jan.4 Winter Break- School closed. Enjoy your time with family!

During the winter Break we acknowledge:

School Resumes on Mon. Jan. 5 

       Stay on top of everything going on by visiting our school calendar and link it to your phone.

SCHOOL COUNCIL 

  • Next School Council meeting: Thurs. Jan. 22. Everyone welcome!  Receive updates from the Principal, hear about School Council plans for School dances, fundraisers, Fun Lunches and provide your input. No need to take on a role. We are a friendly and relaxed group, committed to supporting our kids - please join us to see what we are involved in! 
  • School Council minutes are always posted on the Nellie McClung school website
  • Fun Lunch dates are listed here: Healthy Hunger
  • We need help delivering Fun Lunches to each class! Please sign up to be a Fun Lunch Volunteer 
  • Please sign up to help out with our next Bottle Drive: Bottle Drive Volunteer
  • Be friends with our Nellie School Council on Facebook Nellie McClung Community

VOLUNTEERS 

  • We have some exciting field trips and fun opportunities coming up this year! If you would like to volunteer with your child's class, please ensure:

·       You have a current, valid police information clearance including vulnerable sector search

·       Your name is current in our CBE Security Clearance database.

·       You have filled out the Annual Volunteer Registratio​n Form for the 2025-2026 school year.

If you are not yet registered to volunteer, follow the steps outlined here: CBE Volunteer Clearance Process

NEWS STORIES AND PHOTOS

Kindest regards,

Aleta 

 

Aleta Terlecki

Pronouns: she, her

Acting  Principal | Nellie McClung 

Calgary Board of Education | cbe.ab.ca

t| 403.777.8620 

e| adterlecki@cbe.ab.ca