Happenings

  • March 2025: Le mois de la Francophonie au Canada and Iris Heritage Month
  • March 21: No school for students Parent-Teacher Conferences (Online)
  • March 22-March 30: Spring Break - Classes Resume on March 31 (Day 1)

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day – March 17, 2025

This Monday, March 17, we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, a time to recognize Irish heritage, culture, and the values of community, resilience, and kindness. While traditionally associated with shamrocks and all things green, this day also reminds us of the importance of inclusivity and celebrating diverse traditions within our school community. Whether you have Irish roots or simply enjoy the spirit of the day, we encourage everyone to embrace the fun, positivity, and good luck that St. Patrick’s Day brings. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all! 🍀

Celebrating Francophone and Irish Heritage Month

Celebrating the 2025 Sugar Shack at Branton – March 10

On March 10, Branton School was filled with the sweet spirit of tradition as we hosted our annual Sugar Shack event! 🍁 Students had the opportunity to experience a taste of

French-Canadian culture, enjoying delicious maple treats, music, and interactive activities that brought this cherished tradition to life. It was a fantastic way to celebrate our Francophone heritage and create lasting memories as a school community. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success! Check out some highlights from the day in the pictures below! 📸🍁

French Recipe showcase

We're celebrating French culture month with a delicious lineup of treats, including Parisian hot chocolate, crepes, Montreal-style bagels, and sugar pie!

French Recipe Showcase

French Recipe Showcase

Parent-Teacher Conferences – March 20 & 21

To Parents/Guardians,

We will be hosting our Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences on:

📅 Thursday, March 20 (5:00 – 8:00 PM) – ONLINE

📅 Friday, March 21 (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM) – ONLINE

The School Conference booking system will be available to all parents starting at 6:00 PM on Friday, March 14, and will remain open until midnight on Wednesday, March 20. We encourage you to book your meetings with the teachers you would like to meet with as soon as possible.

Music Notes

Just a reminder that grade 7-8-9 rehearsals are back on next week. Have your child check the door for lunch hour as that changed to BRASS for all.

There will also be a separate email for the last fundraiser to help off-set band camp costs. It is the Gourmet Perogies and Sausages. For each box sold, your child receives $8 off towards camp costs. I hope to have those prices before the break. I am in the process of finalizing this. Thank you for your patience!

Have a wonderful break!

Athletics

CUPE Labour Acon & Impact on Branton Athletics

Dear Branton Families, I want to provide an update on how the CUPE labour action is impacting Branton’s athletic programming for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year.

Volleyball

The Season of Play (SOP) will officially end on Sunday, March 23, 2025.

Badminton – Postponed Until Further Notice

This means:

❌ No tryouts, practices, or inter-school games (including exhibitions and tournaments).

✔ Badminton may still be played during HPE classes and intramurals within Branton.

✔ Planning meetings for the season may continue.

Track & Field – Postponed Until Further Notice

This means:

❌ No tryouts, practices, inter-school competitions, or track meets.

✔ Track & Field activities may still be incorporated into HPE classes or intramurals within Branton.

✔ Planning meetings may continue.

Why Are High School Athletics Continuing?

We understand that some families are wondering why high school athletics continue while middle school is paused. The key reasons are:

  • High school athletics involve a joint association with the Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD).
  • High schools also compete at the provincial level (ASAA), which adds an additional layer to the decision.
  • If the CUPE labour action ends, we will share an updated plan for the possible resumption of CMLSAA athletics.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions (sepicard@cbe.ab.ca).

Alberta Education Assurance Survey – Grade 7 Parents

You recently received information about the Alberta Education Assurance Survey for students in Grades 4, 7, and 10. This survey is an important tool that helps shape our school's planning for the next year. We encourage all Grade 7 parents to complete it. If you have any questions please contact Mr. Ormiston at pjormiston@cbe.ab.ca.

To support French Immersion students in Grades 6 to 9 in Alberta Free Resources are Available

1. APLC Educational Resources: The Alberta Professional Learning C resources for integrating subjects in French immersion, includi teaching tools adapted to the curriculum. (aplc.ca)

2.  Alberta Education Resources: The official website offers information on the French immersion curriculum and literature, helping students develop their communication skills in French. (alberta.ca)

3. Accent Alberta Portal: This directory offers a variety of resources for educators, including educational games and cultural activities, which can benefit French immersion students. (accentalberta.ca)

4. Canadian Parents for French Resources: This organization provides interactive and engaging resources to enhance the French as a Second Language program, including games, lessons, and cultural activities. (sbmfc.ca)

5. Online Resources from the Calgary Public Library: The library offers French-language resources, including e-books, videos, and educational games, available for free to members. (francophonie-calgary.ca)

These resources can enhance students’ learning in French immersion and help them develop their linguistic and cultural skills.

Yearbook

Yearbook

Click the link below to order your yearbook https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode= 1016565165982070

Cafeteria Update #5

Dear Branton Families,

We are pleased to inform you that we have successfully hired a new cafeteria cook!

As you may know, all school employees are required to complete a Police Check before they can begin working. This is the final step in the hiring process, and once completed, we will be ready to reopen the cafeteria.

We now anticipate reopening the Branton School cafeteria the week after Spring Break. Our new cook will need time to purchase supplies, and we expect to have food service available starting Wednesday, April 2, 2025.

Thank you for your patience and support. We look forward to welcoming students back to the cafeteria soon!

Fun Lunch

March 19,  Boardwalk  Order Link Order by Friday, March 14 Midnight.

If you would like to Volunteer Link  Please and Thank You.

Upcoming Dates For Fun Lunches

April 23 - Tim Horton’s

May 14 - Opa

June 16 - Booster Juice

Music Notes

Just a reminder to all grade 7,8 and 9 students that there will be practices next week as follows:

  • Tuesday, March 18 - grade 7 morning practice Thursday, March 20 - Grade 8 & 9 morning practice.
  • Morning practices will start at 7:20 am. Please do not drop off before 7:10 am. Tuesday, March 18 - BRASS Gr 8 & 9 lunch hour
  • Wednesday, March 19 - BRASS Grade 7 lunch hour.

Again, I appreciate those who are making the effort to attend rehearsals. This is such an important part of our learning process. We do many things that are done, repeated in class.

We will also be starting our final fundraiser on Wednesday next week. It will be the return of the Prairie Gourmet Perogies and Sausages! The campaign will run from March 12 through April 2. Information on how to set up your link so your child will benefit directly from any sales will come out on Wednesday.

A schedule for after spring break will come out before the break. Jacquie Baird

Volleyball Champions

Just wanted to let all know that they have a bunch of junior volleyball champions in their classrooms today!

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Victoria for organizing the season as our division chair. Also a big thank you to all of our coaches, Victoria and Kim (Sr boys) Marlo and Caroline (Sr Girls), Sebastien and Cristina (Jr boys).

Also a big thanks to Cristina, Sebastien & Paul O for hanging around until almost 9pm cheering on the girls.

Lastly, an enormous thank you to our parents for supporting our teams this year! I love the Branton Tigers community guys! You are all the best!

Judd Casper

* And big thank you to you Mr. Casper!! Our dedication to Branton athletics is amazing. Sébastien Picard