Principal’s Message
Dear students and parents,
We are delighted to welcome you back to school for the 2024-2025 academic year. We hope you had a wonderful summer break and are ready to start a new and exciting year of learning.
Please note that Branton staff will start their work on August 26, 2024 to prepare our school for your return, ensuring that it is safe, clean, and comfortable for everyone.
The office will reopen at noon on August 26. Teachers will return to work on August 26 for the first three days of meetings and organizational times in preparation for the school year.
- “SPECIAL TOUR” We would like to invite our new students, their parents, and our BELCANFRAN students on Tuesday, August 27 between 9am to 10:30 am. This is a special tour for the students who missed our Open House or would benefit to see their new school.
- We will welcome our Grade 6 and 7 students on Thursday, August 29 from 8:30am to 11:30am.
- We will welcome our Communication, Sensory, Social Interaction (CSSI) and Adaptive Functioning, Communication, Community Engagement, Social Skills (ACCESS) on Thursday, August 29th (More information will be sent to parents at the beginning of the week).
- We will welcome our Grade 8 & Grade 9 students on Thursday, August 29 from 1pm to 3pm.
- We will welcome ALL our students on Friday, August 30 from 8:30am to 12:45pm.
- Helping your Child transitioning to Middle School (LINK)
Please remember to bring your backpack, a snack, and a water bottle. We will provide you with all the information (including school supplies needed) on the first day. Please note that we will meet you, parents, on September 26 from 6pm to 8pm. This is an opportunity for you to meet the teachers and the administrative team. We are also planning a CSSI and ACCESS new programs at Branton School “Meet the Admin and Teachers night” on September 5 at 6pm.
We are so happy to have you back in our school community. Did you know that Branton School was named after William A. Branton who served the Calgary Board of Education as both architect and building superintendent from 1911 to 1956, when he retired? Did you know that Branton school is famous for its "earthworm," an indoor track facility built by removing earth fill in the crawl spaces below the main building. The initiative was begun in 1960 with the leadership of R.B. Wilberg, physical education instructor and E.M. Borgal, the principal.
We can’t wait to see your smiling faces and hear your stories. We are confident that this will be a great year for all of us.
Sincerely,
Sebastien Picard, Principal
Information sent in June 2024
The office will reopen at noon on August 26. Teachers will return to work on August 26 for the first three days of meeting and organizational times in preparation for the school year.
Branton Bell Times 2024-2025
Please visit our School Hours & Bell Times page.
Dates to Remember
Labour Day: No School - September 2
School Pictures - September 5, 2024
Meet the Admin/teacher (in-person (September 26, 2024 6:00pm-8:00pm)
No School on September 27, 2024
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (No School) on September 30, 2024
School Fees
If you have outstanding school fees, you may do the following:
Create a Parent Account and pay online (Link)
To create a new account, go to cbe.ab.ca/mycbe.
Parents/Guardians will need to use the email on file at their child’s school, as well as their child’s CBE Student ID number and birth date.
The MyCBE sign-in page contains instructions on requesting an access key for students. The access key(s) will be sent by email. Families can use it to create an account, and add their children to their account.
Waiver (LINK)
No child is ever denied access to an education in the CBE because of an inability to pay. The CBE has a waiver process for families who can’t afford to pay the fees. Visit our Waivers page for more information and the documents required as proof of income or extraordinary circumstance.
Any family needing a waiver is encouraged to apply to the City of Calgary Fair Entry Program to prove income for a CBE waiver, as well as access other benefits of the program. This is optional for families and the CBE will continue to accept other approved documents as proof of income.
Note | Waiver applications are available through your MyCBE account.
Questions About Fees & Waivers
Students Assigned to Calgary Transit
For students using Calgary Transit, families will need to purchase monthly bus passes available at many convenience and grocery stores.
All families can apply for the City of Calgary's Fair Entry Program for the low income Calgary Transit pass. This program offers a streamlined application process for City subsidy programs, including reduced rates for transit passes. You can find more information about the program at www.calgary.ca/fairentry.
School Supplies (Kindergarten to Grade 6)
CBE charges a flat rate for school supplies to enable each student to have the same, high-quality materials available to them for learning for the entire year. Because we are buying for so many students, the CBE can bulk-purchase these supplies at a significant discount and pass the savings on to families. Student supplies are the same supplies that each individual family is responsible for purchasing in other jurisdictions.
School Supplies (Grades 7 to Grade 9)
All students will receive their Course Outlines (D2L or Google Classroom) with all the information you need about their Curriculum of studies, communication with the teachers, calendar (dates), evaluations (marks), and their school supplies. This important document will be posted on your Child’s D2l/Google Classroom no later than September 6, 2024.
Lunch Supervision for our Grade 6 students
Lunch supervision is an optional service that covers the direct cost of supervisors who set up lunchrooms, supervise students while eating lunch and on the playground, and then clean up following the lunch break. Lunch supervision costs about $1.55 per day.
Families are free to make alternative arrangements consistent with their individual circumstances.
Alberta's Classroom Cellphone Ban
The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) will enforce a new cell phone policy starting at the beginning of the school year, in line with the province's recent directive. The policy, effective August 29, will apply to all students. However, exceptions will be made for those who require devices for health and medical purposes, to support specialized learning needs, or when teachers approve their use for educational activities. Additionally, access to social media on CBE networks will be restricted.
Cafeteria
Our cafeteria will reopen partially on August 29 (ice cream only), and open officially on September 3rd with a full menu. Students will be able to continue to pay cash or with a card (credit/debit card).
On behalf of the staff at Branton, we wish you a safe and fun learning school experience at Branton School.
Sincerely,
Mr. Picard, Mr. Ormiston, and the entire Branton staff
Go, Tigers!
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