Happenings
- April 11: TIGER CUP DAY (GAME 2:15-3:45 at Crowchild Twin Arenas)
Oki, Danit'astada, Âba wathtec, Tânisi, Taanishi, Bonjour, Hello Branton Families,
Dear Branton Families,
I hope you all had a wonderful and restful Spring Break with friends and family!
As we return, we are now entering the final three months of the 2024–2025 school year. There’s lots happening at Branton, and I’d like to share a few important updates:
- Grade 6 & 9 Vretta Practice: In April, our Grade 6 and 9 students will begin practicing with Vretta, the online platform that will be used for their upcoming Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs) in May and June.
- Tiger Cup – April 11: Our Annual Tiger Cup hockey event will take place on Friday, April 11 at Crowchild Twin Arenas (Game time: 2:15 – 3:45 p.m.). Come cheer on our team — Go Branton Go!
- Badminton Tryouts: Tryouts officially began on April 1. Dates and times are posted in the Daily Bulletin.
- Cafeteria Reopening – April 7: We’re excited to announce that our cafeteria will officially reopen on Monday, April 7. Please see the menu below. We’d also like to give a warm Branton welcome to our new cook, Ms. Sherina Kristel Jacobe!
- SEA Trips 2025–2026 – Forms Due April 10: A reminder to all Grade 8 students and families interested in participating in next year’s SEA trips — please ensure that your completed forms are submitted no later than April 10, 2025.
- Over the past few days, we have taken a proactive approach in response to reports involving vaping at Branton. When we are made aware of any safety concern, we begin an immediate investigation — because the safety and well-being of our students is always our top priority. In the case of vaping, this has included locker checks, contacting parents, and, when necessary, applying appropriate consequences in alignment with Administrative Regulations 6006 and 6007, which in some cases led to in-school suspensions. We want our parent community to know that we are your partners in ensuring a safe learning environment. What can you do at home? Please take a moment to speak with your child about the serious health risks associated with vaping and remind them that vaping is illegal in Alberta schools.
Parent Resource – Understanding the Pressures Teens Face
We encourage all parents to take a few moments to explore It’s Time We Talked, an eye-opening resource that addresses the real and serious challenges today’s teenagers are facing, particularly around media, relationships, and exposure to online content. As educators and parents, it’s essential that we stay informed and engaged in conversations that support the well-being of our youth. Please take the time to visit the site, reflect, and consider how you might open up dialogue at home.
As we begin the early stages of planning for the 2025–2026 school year, we invite parents to share any important information that may help us in the creation of next year’s class lists. If you would like us to consider (without guarantee) a specific request—such as your child working well with one particular peer—please email me by April 17 (sepicard@cbe.ab.ca). We kindly ask that you limit your request to 1–2 peers, based on learning compatibility and positive support between students. If there is a situation where your child should not be placed with another student, we also ask that you let us know. Teachers have already started this process, and we appreciate your insights as we move forward. In early May 2025, students will also be invited to select their 2025–2026 Enrichment courses.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement. Let’s make these last few months of the school year meaningful and memorable!
Warm regards, Sébastien Picard
Principal,
Branton School
Fun Lunch
Wednesday April 23, 2025
Order Link Order by Friday, April 18 Midnight. If you would like to Volunteer Link
Please and Thank You.
Upcoming Dates For Fun Lunches
May 14 - Opa June 16 - Booster Juice
Garden Club
Hello parents & guardians,
Happy first day of spring! Mme Richey is starting a casual garden club for students. If you have unused garden supplies at home, we are looking for donations of the following items:
- Gardening gloves
- Small hand tools such as trowels, transplanters, cultivators or weeders
- Extra seeds
- Watering cans
Our first meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 1 after Spring Break. Anyone wishing to donate items can bring them to the office or directly to room 13.
Music Notes
Thank you to all who participated in the Prairie Gourmet fundraiser. Order pick up will be on Wednesday, April 16. You will be sent an email if you have any orders to collect and deliver.
Band Camp forms are out! The grade 7 forms are due back by April 11. It is important that I get these as soon as possible. I am also hearing that many are not wanting to go to camp. If this is the case, then it may need to be cancelled, as the cost is too great to not have full participation. Please contact myself or Mr. Picard if you need assistance with payment. Also, I would need parents to help with this. I realize it is a long day, but it is quite easy to do! Please email me if you are able to help.
The Grade 8 & 9 Band camp forms are already out. I am looking for one male and two female volunteers. If you would like to come out to camp, please email me. jlbaird@cbe.ab.ca
Invoice sheets were sent out and this is the amount that you need to pay in MyCBE Account.
Rehearsals will start next week and will be available in google classroom. For the foreseeable future, Grade 7 band rehearsal will be on Tuesday mornings and Grade 8/9 band rehearsal will be on Wednesday mornings. Drop off is for 7:15 am and I will let students in once I am ready for them. Next week we will start practice lunches with BRASS and percussion players.
Jacquie Baird
Band Director