Happy Friday Citizens of Nellie!
WEEK IN REVIEW
- Provincial Screening Assessments began again this week for students in kindergarten- grade 3. Literacy and numeracy are two important foundational skill areas that develop during early childhood. Screening students’ learning in literacy and numeracy three times a year in their early years provides critical information to teachers, parents, and Alberta Education and Childcare to help children and students get additional support if they need it. If you have a student in K-3, you can learn more here: Understanding Universal Screeners | Parent Communication
- Wednesday was Bell Lets Talk Day for Mental Health. Our elementary classes recognized this important topic by focusing on emotional well-being and self-care. Students participated in age-appropriate activities such as mindfulness breathing, read-alouds about feelings and resilience, creative art to express emotions, movement and brain breaks, and simple gratitude discussions. These activities helped students learn healthy ways to recognize feelings and care for themselves and others. In 2026, the updated Alberta K-6 Physical Education and Wellness curriculum includes mandatory content to help students identify and name emotions, understand the connection between physical activity and mental health, and develop self-regulation strategies.
- On Thursday, our Grade 5s hosted our second assembly centered on the Indigenous Seven Sacred Teachings (also called the Grandfather Teachings). Grade 5 students taught us about the virtue of Humility (Dbaadendiziwin), which is symbolized by the wolf. Central to the wolf, is the family pack. To ensure survival, the pack must be as one. In one’s life, much the same as the wolf, we need to understand humility. In the wolf pack, each member understands his individual role and in our individual lives humility becomes the factor, which allows us to ask for guidance humbly. The teachings also include Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Wisdom, and Truth, all interconnected for a good life. Next month, our grade 4s will host an assembly on Sacred Teaching of Courage, symbolized by the bear. You can see video highlights of this week's assembly and other events on our school Instagram: NellieSpark
NEWS ITEMS - The PBP Community Center is looking for volunteers to help with their casino on April 21 & 22. One of their initiatives is to provide a Buddy Bench to Nellie McClung as part of our new playground initiative. Buddy Benches and Friendship Benches, are a place where children feeling lonely can simply sit to signal to other kids their need for companionship, they are intended to foster kindness and inclusivity on school playgrounds. Please help: PBP Community Casino Volunteer Recruitment 2026.pdf
THE WEEK AHEAD: FAMILY LITERACY WEEK RESOURCES - Family Literacy Day takes place every January 27th and CBE celebrates Literacy Week from Jan. 26 to Feb. 2 to raise awareness about the importance of reading and engaging in literacy-related activities as a family. Since 1999, schools, libraries, literacy organizations and other community groups across the country have taken part in the initiative. Taking time every day to read or do a learning activity with children is crucial to a child’s development, improving a child’s literacy skills dramatically, and can help a parent improve their skills as well. CBE Family Literacy Week Resources. ABC Family Literacy Day 2026 theme is Make Mealtime Family Learning Time. Preparing for mealtime is a fun (and tasty) way for families to learn together. Whether it’s following recipes, making shopping lists, or sharing stories at the dinner table, make your mealtime family learning time: Family Literacy Day Tip Sheet For Parents
COMING UP: 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. Feb. 19. Everyone welcome! Receive updates from the Principal, hear about plans for Spring family dance, fundraisers, other events 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 Registration 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 |
