Happenings 

  • December 10: Band Concert at 7pm at Branton
  • December 12: Rock Band Show at 7pm at Branton
  • December 13, 2024: Last WNL of 2024!

Oki, Danit'astada, Âba wathtec, Tânisi, Taanishi, Bonjour, Hello Branton Families,

As we approach the holiday season, I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratiude to our entire school community for their incredible generosity and kindness. This year's food drive was a resounding success, and I am thrilled to announce that we were able to collect a substantial amount of food and $285 donations for our local food bank.

I am so proud of our students and staff who worked tirelessly to organize and promote this initiative. Your selflessness and compassion for those in need are a shining example of the values that our school strives to instill in our young people. The food and funds collected will go directly towards supporting the most vulnerable members of our society, providing them with essential nourishment and sustenance during the holiday season. Your contributions will bring joy, hope, and relief to those who need it most.

I would like to extend a special thank you to our student leaders, teachers, and Ms. Walker who helped to coordinate this effort. Your dedication and enthusiasm were instrumental in making this food drive a success. To our parents and community members who donated generously, thank you for your trust in our school and for your commitment to giving back to our community. Your support is invaluable, and we are grateful for your partnership. As we celebrate the holiday season, let us remember the true spirit of giving and kindness that denes our school community. I am honored to be a part of such a caring and compassionate group of individuals, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact that we can continue to make in the lives of those around us.

Thank you again for your kindness, generosity, and support.

Warmest wishes,

Sébastien Picard - Principal

Grade 6

Our grade 6 students had a fantastic opportunity to experience the Claws, Paws, and Stars activity led by the wonderful Telus Spark staff. They brought an inflatable planetarium for the students to examine the stars from the point of view of various countries, and hear about the stories of indigenous people and their knowledge of astronomy. They also got to hear about the role of wolves in the ecosystems, and how trophic cascade happens.

Stars Telus

Volunteers Needed for Casino Fundraiser

We are still looking for 5 parent volunteers for our February 2025 Casino fundraiser at the Elbow River Casino. This event is our school’s largest fundraiser, directly benefitting all students by supporting vital resources and programs across departments. If you’re able to help, please consider volunteering—it’s a meaningful way to contribute to our community.

How You Can Help

  • Sign up to volunteer at Volunteer for Branton Casino Fundraiser.
  • Spread the word among other parents who might be interested in contributing.

Thank you for your ongoing support and for being an integral part of the Branton School community. Together, we can make this fundraiser a tremendous success!

Exciting Opportunity for Students

Our School Council is currently looking for a student to serve as Secretary starting in January 2025. This role involves attending monthly School Council meetings (online or in-person at Branton) from 7:00–9:00 PM to take notes and prepare minutes to share at the following meeting. To thank the student for their contribution, we will provide a $20 Tim Hortons gift card after each meeting. If your child is interested in applying, please have them email Mr. Picard at [sepicard@cbe.ab.ca] before December 16, 2024. We are also excited to invite you to our upcoming School Council Meeting on December 2 at 7:00 PM, which will be held in-person at Branton School and online via Microsoft Teams.

Tutor

Who: Maya, grade 9 Branton student

What: Can tutor grades 6-8, in Math, Science, ELA and FLA

When: Wednesday after school until 8pm, Friday after school until 3pm, Saturdays & Sundays all day

How: $25 per hour

Please note: Maya is an independent tutor. This is not school based tutoring, Branton is not affiliated.

Band Concert

Just around the corner!!! Tuesday, December 10 at 7:00pm. Students will need to arrive earlier to get organized and warmed up. Some grades will also assist with set up and tear down of the concert. Please allow your child time to do this, as many hands make light work! Grade 9 – 6:10 pm – will be setting up the gym Grade 8 – 6:30 pm – will be on CLEAN UP AFTER the concert Grade 7 – 6:30 pm – arrive and go to warm up. No set up/tear down this time. Students are reminded to wear their Black band shirt with black or very dark colored pants. No hats or sweat pants please! Newly purchased shirts have arrived and were handed out in class.

Cookie Dough Pick Up

Delivery has been changed to WEDNESDAY, December 11. At this time, I do not know when it will be arriving. Please watch your emails for updates. I will be letting all students know in class if they have orders. Please do not send individual customers to collect their order. Please pick up your entire student’s order and then deliver it. Thank you to everyone for their orders. There will be extra dough left over and information will come out about what there is. It will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.

Upcoming Dates

Grade 8/9 band camp – May 5 & 6, 2025 Grade 7 Band Workshop – currently April 24, 2025. Currently working on making it two days Festival Performance dates are May 20, 2025 Grade 8/9 and May 21, 2025 for Grade 7. (I am waiting to see if I can swap the bands on these days) I am still calculating costs and hope to have that available in the New Year. I will also be looking at doing the Prairie Gourmet Perogy & Sausage Fundraiser again to help out. Have a great break and I hope that you hear music in your house!

Jacquie Baird, Band Director

Fun Lunches are Coming

The third Fun Lunch is coming on December 17 (Banzai!). Deadline to order is Saturday December 14. We will be looking for Volunteers. Please follow the link for Volunteers. You can place your order through Healthy Hunger Link Order Food.

Upcoming Fun Lunches for 2025

  • January 22 - Mucho Burrito
  • February 20 - Mavericks March 19 - Boardwalk
  • April 23 - Tim Horton’s
  • May 14 - Opa
  • June 16 - Booster Juice

Lost and Found

Just a quick note to remind your students to check Lost and Found for any items they may be missing. On Wednesday Dec. 18, The Diabetes Association will be picking up all of the items left behind and donating them to families in need.