BK Bulletin

That Mrs. Florence is our school counsellor and Diverse Learning Teacher. She is available to help students with problems that are not related to their schoolwork.

PE Theme: Mission Impossible

Monday, March 17

• Healthy Hunger - Papa John's
• St. Patrick's Day
• Recreation Academy - Edmonton Ski Club - Snow Tubing

Tuesday, March 18

• Fantastic day of learning!

Wednesday, March 19

• Healthy Hunger - Dairy Queen
• Science is Cool (Chemistry is All Around You) Presentation @9:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
• Recreation Academy - Absolute Human Performance - baseball
• Last day to register for next year to be entered into the draw to win a Sobeys gift card!

Thursday, March 20

• School Council Meeting @6:30 p.m.

• Rock your socks for World Down Syndrome Day (wear fun socks today)

Friday, March 21

• No Classes - Day in Lieu for Parent-Teacher interviews

UPCOMING EVENTS:

March 24 - 28 - Spring Break

March 31 - First day back after Spring Break

April 2 - World Autism Day - wear blue today!

April 4 - No Pre-K / Kindergarten

• Run Wild Pep Rally @11:15 a.m.
• Jersey Day

Are you considering preschool options for your little one? Look no further!

Pre-Kindergarten Programs:

Supported Learners:
GSACRD Pre-school for Supported Learners: Does your child need extra support in speech and language? They may qualify for Alberta Education's Program Unit Funding (PUF). Find out more by filling out our Parent Inquiry form here.

Community Independent Learners:
Join our Pre-Kindergarten program at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Academy, Holy Family Catholic School, Legal School or Bertha Kennedy!! Limited spaces are available, so hurry!

How to Register:
Step 1:Find out more by filling out our Parent Inquiry form here.
Step 2: Our Early Learning team will contact you to discuss your child's needs.

Questions?

Email our Early Learning Consultant, or call 780-459-7711, ext. 114.

Congratuatlions to Mrs. Florence who the recipient of the GSACRD God-Attitude award for the following area:

Kindness & Compassion – Acts of kindness towards others, especially in difficult times.

Congratulations to our BobKats who placed 5th in the finals at the Running Room Indoor Games last weekend, we are so proud! A huge thank you to the coaches, Mrs. Kaplar, Mrs. Hazelwood, Mrs. Van Hoof and Ms. Armitage for their hard word and dedication of time to help support our students!

How do these statistics resonate with you as a parent?

• 65% of parents surveyed by Pew Researchers said they worry about their kids spending too much time in front of screens

• 73% of parents believe that children should be at least 12 years old before having their own smartphone. Only 22% think children should be allowed to have their own phone under the age of 12 (Source: Pew Research)

• The majority of parents (68%) believe that the use of social media has a negative impact on their teen’s ability to socialize normally (Source: Digital Information World)

What strategies do you use to support your children with healthy habits around technology and social media?

• 80% of parents have reported that they monitor their children and their social media and smartphone habits and 45% are using an app to restrict/limit their usage (Source: Digital Information World)

• 56% of parents think that they spend too much time on their own smartphone (Source: Pew Research)

Apps have started to emerge to help people track their screen time and avoid technology and social media addiction. Here is an example of a low-tech tool to evaluate technology and social media use: make sure the digital activity is making good use of T.I.M.E!

• Time restricted. Think about creating and abiding by a minimum window of time for accomplishing digital goals.

• Intentional. By being intentional with every digital action, it is easier to ask oneself if the technology or social media interaction is truly something beneficial!

• Mindful. A mindful approach to technology consumption means bringing awareness to the way you’re using the technologies while you’re using them as well as awareness of the way they are affecting you! Does scrolling through a photo feed elicit feelings of envy or inferiority?

• Enriching. Is the digital action adding knowledge, or making a positive impact?

Support Bertha Kennedy School by purchasing delicious treats from Choco-licious! Each package is $14, with $5 going directly back to the school. Place your orders by March 31, 2025, and help make a difference! Orders will be delivered the week of April 11, 2025 just in time for Easter.

Order here: https://form.jotform.com/250445963717262

What’s really happening when teens go online? From social media trends to concerning content, this session will break down the data behind youth internet use and what it means for families and schools. Lisa de Gara will guide us through the latest research on teen digital habits and offer actionable strategies to support positive online experiences.

• St. Albert, April 23, SACHS (33 Malmo Ave, St. Albert, AB T8N 1K9)
• Morinville, April 24, SKT (980 Westwinds Dr, Morinville, AB T8R 2P8)

Lisa de Gara is the Manager of Small Centres at Action for Healthy Communities, an organization supporting immigrant and refugee families throughout Alberta. In 2023, she received her Master of Science in Digital Education from the University of Edinburgh. She is passionate about education, the internet, and how technology shapes our lives.

RSVP here.

Thank you for reading our weekly bulletin! In appreciation for taking time to read our BK Bulletin, please email Mrs. Giacobbo with the phrase "I read the weekly bulletin" to be entered into a monthly draw for a Tim Horton's gift card! The first draw will be April 30th. lgiacobbo@gsacrd.ab.ca

Website: https://www.berthakennedy.com/

Location: 175 Larose Drive St. Albert, Alberta T8N 2G7

Phone: 780-458-6101
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BKBOBKATS1/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bertha_kennedy_bobkats/