Principal's Message
Good afternoon Ian Bazalgette Community.
Today marks the fall equinox. “It is another time of celebration; it is another time of reflection; and, also to prepare (for) how we are going to go into the next season...” Saa’kokoto, Fall Equinox Teachings (2021). This day heralds the shifting of the seasons; as we say farewell to summer, we notice the days grow shorter, a chilly crispness in the morning air, and leaves start to turn colour. O'ko (Blackfoot for fall) is an important time of gathering and preparation. Many signs and teachings come from the land during this time. It is also an important time to remember that the weather can be unpredictable as we approach fall and winter.
Quick Reminder of Important Upcoming Events and School Information:
- Meet The Teacher Evening on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. The school will be open between 6:00-7:30 pm.
- A separate school message will come out on Wednesday, Sept. 25, with details for this evening.
- September 26th is Orange Shirt Day
- September 27 is a Non-Instructional Day (No Classes).
- September 30 is a Non-Instructional Day - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (No Classes).
September 23-27: Treaty 7 Week | Commemorating Treaty 7
“For Canadian treaty makers, Treaty 7 was something that was more narrowly a legal agreement, later interpreted to have been a land surrender...(f)or the elders of Treaty 7, the treaty was an agreement that was to benefit both sides in a substantial way. Each side had to bring something substantial to offer to the other” (Gregg C. Smith, The True Spirit and Original Intent of Treaty 7, p.vii). On September 22, 1877, three nations of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Kainai, Piikani, Siksika), the Tsuut’ina, and the Stoney Nakoda First Nations signed Treaty 7 at Blackfoot Crossing. This agreement was with the Crown of England; a promise made to be held “as long as the sun shines, the grass grows, and the river flows”. Today, as we live in and share this place we call home, we have the collective responsibility to understand the historical and contemporary implications that accompany being treaty people. Learning about Treaty 7 cultivates a deepened appreciation for the kinship connection of the treaty signatories to place, and the subsequent rights and freedoms that all Albertans enjoy.
September 30: National Day for Truth & Reconciliation | Orange Shirt Day
“I am honored to be able to tell my story so that others may benefit and understand, and maybe other survivors will feel comfortable enough to share their stories.” (Phyllis Webstad) September 30, 2021 marked the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day that coincides with Orange Shirt Day. This day recognizes the tragic legacy of residential schools, the missing children, the families left behind, and the survivors of these institutions (Source). Orange Shirt Day began in 2013 when residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad shared how her orange shirt was taken away on her first day at residential school. Webstad’s story provides an opportunity for CBE students and staff to reflect on the history, legacy, and implications of the residential schools era. On this day, we encourage CBE staff to also celebrate the stories of survival and resilience of Indigenous communities, and to share ways that we can work together toward truth and reconciliation.
Personal Mobile Device & Social Media Use in Schools - Communication Between Students and Parents
Parents are asked to refrain from contacting their child/student on their PMD during the school day to avoid unnecessary distraction. Parents can contact the school office who can facilitate contact with their child/student during the school day, if needed.
Steven Pike
Ian Bazalgette Newsletter Sept. 23 - Sept. 27
All in for Youth
The All in For Youth program (AIFY) helps students stay engaged in their education and succeed in school. Launched in 2021 at Ian Bazalgette Junior High, AIFY is the only program of its kind in a junior high setting. It supports students in grades 7-9 who face challenges with school engagement or other barriers to success, providing assistance in both one-on-one and group settings. Through AIFY, students enhance their social-emotional skills, build social connections, increase their confidence and ability to engage with school, and develop a positive sense of identity. These improvements support their mental health, reduce isolation, and boost their optimism, both now and as they transition to high school. The AIFY Navigator also involves families and natural supports to better address the students' needs. Participation in All In For Youth is voluntary and requires guardian consent, offering medium- to long-term support for students.
The AIFY Junior High Navigator at Ian Bazalgette is Charlie Libre (he/him). Charlie can be reached by email at clibre@growwithtrellis.ca, or by phone at 403.617.0010. No referral is needed to participate in the AIFY program, please reach out to Charlie if you are interested in having your child participate or have any questions about the program.
Invite | National Day for Truth and Reconciliation & Orange Shirt Day Event - Sept. 30
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (sometimes shortened to T&R Day) originally and still colloquially known as Orange Shirt Day is a Canadian holiday to recognize the legacy of the Canadian Indian residential school system.
Orange Shirt Day was first established as an observance in 2013, as part of an effort to promote awareness and education of the residential school system and the impact it has had on Indigenous communities for over a century. The impact of the residential school system has been recognized as a cultural genocide and continues to this day.
The use of an orange shirt as a symbol was inspired by the accounts
of Phyllis Jack Webstad, whose personal clothing—including a new orange shirt—was taken from her during her first day of residential schooling, and never returned. The orange shirt is thus used as a symbol of the forced assimilation of Indigenous children that the residential school system enforced.
The 4th annual City of Calgary, Calgary Board of Education, and Calgary Catholic School District ceremonial opening of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation & Orange Shirt Day will be held on Monday, Sept. 30 from 9 - 10:30 a.m. at The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland (750 9th Ave. S.E.).
All CBE staff, students, families, friends, and neighbours are invited to attend to commemorate Indian residential school victims, honour survivors, and commit to Truth & ReconciliACTION.
Honouring Life Program
Permission letters have been sent home with self-identifying indigenous students for the Honouring Life Program. This is held in the Indigenous Learning Space in Room 205 every other Tuesday morning from 10-11 a.m. and is led by two great facilitators from the Calgary Aboriginal Friendship Centre. There is room for 25 students to join this amazing program. It will continue from September 24th and be bi-weekly until the end of the school year.
Letters must be returned with a parental/guardian signature by Tuesday morning when the program starts for students to attend.
School Clubs
School clubs will begin the week of September 30. Information about school clubs and dates and times to come soon.
School Council
One of the most important ways you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of Ian Bazalgette School students is by participating on our school council. By connecting our students, schools, and community, we can work together to support and enhance student learning. Meetings occur once a month on a Tuesday evening at 5:45 pm. Most meetings will occur online, to allow maximum opportunity to attend meetings within everyone’s busy schedules. If you are interested in being a member of the school council, please email smpike@cbe.ab.ca. During the Meet the Teacher Evening there will also be a table set-up for the school council for those who might have interest in this valuable work.
At our first School Council meeting we were able to fill the Chair and Treasurer positions. This is important work. Thank you.
Please note that we will be looking for parent volunteers for our Dec. 22, 2024, Casino. More information to come the closer we get to that date.
Future Dates are available on our calendar page.
- Oct. 22, 2024
- November 19, 2024
- December 17, 2024
- January 21, 2025
- February 18, 2025
- March 18, 2025
- April 22, 2025
- May 20, 2025
- June 17, 2025
School Student Fees
The availability of rich learning opportunities that your child will experience this year depends on the collection of school fees. All applicable fees are available to view and pay online through MyCBE Account. Payments may also be made in cash, debit card, or credit card in person at our Main Office. Families that would like to set up a longer-term fee payment plan are encouraged to contact our Main Office (slditlof@cbe.ab.ca).
Student Photos/ID
Our photography partners at Lifetouch will return on November 4 for student photo. retakes.
What's Happening In… ?
Research on best adolescent learning has shown importance must be given to creating curricular learning tasks that bring independent ideas and facts together under larger unified concepts - showing how what we learn applies to the world. This year, we will be trisecting the year under three conceptual lenses, using Niitsitapi values (Blackfoot Nation; Piikani, Kainai, Siksika) as guiding thoughts. These big ideas include being aware of the environment though observation, that our universe often contains balance, and that we should aim to transfer what we know to others.
- Kakyosin | Be aware of your environment; be observant
- Aoahkannaistokawa | Everything comes in pairs (balance)
- Pommotsiiysinni | To transfer something to others
GRADE 7
ELA
Students will continue to build expository writing skills. They will be introduced to a visual thinking routine, as they reflect on the Orange Shirt Day story. Students will also participate in virtual sessions connected to Truth and Reconciliation Week. They will complete the week focused on reading comprehension assessments from the Read Theory website (www.readtheory.org)
SCIENCE
If you haven't already, please make sure you return the Acknowledgement of Risk for Student Lab Safety. This document needs to be returned before your child can participate in lab activities. Check PowerSchool to see if your child has returned theirs to their science teacher. Last week students reviewed concepts from Grade 6 such as the difference between abiotic and biotic factors in ecosystems. This week, students will learn more about biological adaptations for organisms living in a particular environment.
MATH
Students will build on their understanding of classifying numbers as prime or composite. They will explore number multiples and develop rules for determining divisibility.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Grade 7 students will continue to work on building strong research skills, as they complete a research project in the early part of the week. They will also begin to explore the way of life of Indigenous peoples of pre – colonial Canada. Students are expected to work on an assignment focused on aspects of their own culture and what it means to them.
GRADE 8
ELA
Expository instruction will continue this week as students build their writing skills. They will also participate in a visual thinking routine as they reflect on Orange Shirt Day. Students will participate in virtual sessions connected to Truth and Reconciliation Week. They will complete the week focused on reading comprehension assessments from the Read Theory and Commonlit reading websites.
SCIENCE
f you haven't already, please make sure you return the Acknowledgement of Risk for Student Lab Safety. This document needs to be returned before your child can participate in lab activities. Check MyCBE to see if your child has returned theirs to their science teacher. Last week students reviewed concepts from Grade 7 such as the particle model of matter and phase changes.
This week, students will learn more about classifying matter before moving into solubility.
MATH
Students will continue comparing fractions, decimals, and percents. They will investigate how percentages are used to convey information in the media.
SOCIAL STUDIES
This week, students will work on completing their first research project. They will continue to examine the elements of worldviews in Rennaissance Europe and discuss the impact of those worldviews on aspects of present-day Western world. Students will also examine worldviews in Treaty 7 Indigenous communities. They will complete worldview posters.
GRADE 9
ELA
Students will continue studying expository writing styles this week. Their focus on essay hooks and thesis statements from the previous week will continue, but they will examine two exemplars of explanatory writing to help understand style and structure. They will annotate the texts of the exemplars in search of hooks, thesis, sentencing/paragraphing formation and transition words. Students will also participate in the reading and analyzing the short story; "Little Butterfly Girl: An Indian Residential School Story" A visual literacy assignment done by students (connected to the short story), ased on the work of Indigenous artist, Donald Chretien will end the week’s work.
SCIENCE
Science 9 students will continue their investigation of reproduction in living organisms by comparing asexual reproductive strategies to sexual reproductive strategies. Students will also be introduced to mitosis and meiosis in multicellular organisms.
MATH
Grade 9 students will deepen their skills in multiplying and dividing rational numbers. They will also explore budgeting, using both positive and negative rational numbers to understand concepts like debt and positive cash flow.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Students are beginning lessons on federal government in Canada, discussing how the three branches work together and how politicians are elected. Following this, students will begin role play Members of Parliament, taking on responsibilities of Cabinet Ministers and creating mock bills.
Complimentary Courses
What’s happening in Computer Science?
Q: What did the computer do at lunchtime?
Answer: Had a byte! Haha…
Computer Science students finished off their designs and builds in the Minecraft design build off challenge. Students challenged and completed against each other in class to build and design their images through a customized virtual representation of buildings and structures from around the world.
Students in Computer Science also begin each class coding in either Java or Python followed by independent work in the following four areas: 3D printing, Coding, Designing and Robotics. Students will be learning how to use Adobe animate and photoshop. Students will experience guided design projects based off the processes that real-world professionals go through every day.
What’s happening in Foods?
This week in Foods, we discussed "Herbs and Spices" in cooking/baking. We also looked at the most expensive spice in the world (saffron) and students were intrigued that this spice originated from the crocus flower.
Theory
Students were asked to think about herbs and spices that they have tasted or used at home. They were also asked about the dishes that are cooked at home and the flavourings that are in these family favourites. Finally, students were asked about the form, taste and use of different spices/herbs.
This week in the kitchen
Students made Naan Pizzas and these were a big hit! Next week, I will provide a general reminder on how to participate in the kitchens with peers, routine and cleanliness expectations.
On Friday, we continued with "Career Chat" and I informed students about the differences on being a Chef versus being a Cook in Alberta. We looked at the differences in salary and in training for these two careers. More information about these careers can be found on: https://alis.alberta.ca/
With the Fall season approaching, get in the kitchen this week and make a Fall favourite for you and your family.
What’s happening in Drama and Leadership?
Drama
In Drama this week, students will be polishing their first performance assignment in the movement unit. Students will demonstrate their understanding of effective movement through their group mime scenes and provide peer feedback and self-reflection on their work. We will also be engaging in some introductory improvisation activities to help support and develop student idea-generation and collaborative acting.
Leadership
In Leadership this week, students will be wrapping up their work on current displays and school event preparations and will begin a unit on public speaking. Students will begin exploring various strategies for persuasion, as well as vocal techniques for effective speaking in order to further develop their leadership skills.
What’s happening in Construction?
Grade 7, 8, and 9 students are now working on their first projects. Their first projects are designed to get students familiar with the tools again, as well as working in the shop safely. We are excited to see how the first projects turn out as we learn how to cut, glue, sand and finish projects.
As a reminder, if you have not returned your Shop Safety Contract, please contact Mr. Aldridge at braldridge@cbe.ab.ca for an emailed copy of the contract.
What’s happening in Art?
Grade 7 students are working on identifying value in faces and will be breaking down their portrait photos into value scales. They will also begin to learn foundational techniques with acrylic paint in preparation for creating their portrait projects.
Grade 8 and 9 students will continue to work towards rendering their eyes using a medium of their choice. They will continue to explore techniques in oil pastel, soft pastel, pencil crayon and watercolor pencils to decide the medium they will complete their project with.
Physical Education and Intramurals
Physical Education
All PE classes will continue to be outside! Please dress appropriately for the weather.
Ms. Carmichael and Mr. Opdahl's classes will be playing football. Mr. Cayanan's classes will be learning softball and ultimate frisbee. Mr. Vlaar's classes will be practicing rugby and ultimate frisbee.
School Intramurals
Our lunchtime intramural program will begin the first week of October. The Physical Education team also provides open gym time in the morning starting at 7:30 am and ending at 7:55 am. Students are more than welcome to come and borrow a piece of equipment to play with during this time. We provide many opportunities to get active!
Intramural Schedule
Monday Not running yet.
Tuesday Not running yet.
Wednesday Not running yet.
Thursday Not running yet.