The Falcon's View

2024-2025 Issue #4

Forestburg School

February 2025

We have officially closed out our first semester and now moved into the second semester. This brings about change for everyone, with our younger classes experiencing minor adjustments to their schedules and our jr./sr. High students experiencing more significant course changes. We are working to get everyone settled into their new routine and expect we will be where we want to be shortly. While we continue to endure some harsh winter conditions, we are also seeing more daylight in our day. These are all signs that we are moving ahead with our school year. In only a few weeks, we should begin to see some of the colder weather disappear along with ongoing signs that spring is just around the corner.

We would like to thank those who have completed their student registrations/verifications and encourage those who have not yet done so to contact our school office. We appreciate your attention to this matter. We would also like to remind our high school students that the deadline to make changes to their schedules is Tuesday, Feb. 11. Please contact our school office if you have any questions.

We would also like to draw your attention to a new policy that we have put in force in our school. The policy is attached and will seek to address academic integrity. Technology certainly has it’s place in society and is clearly part of the world we all need to navigate, but we do need our students to do so in responsible ways. This policy will also be shared with students.

January was a busy month in our school, with numerous final exams happening to close out courses. Teachers were busy preparing and marking exams as well as preparing for new courses. We have kicked off our new semester with our annual SOAR week. This is a fun week with a few extra activities for students to participate in. It is an opportunity for students to show their school spirit. Our elementary students are beginning their skating sessions at the arena, which is a welcome change from being caught inside due to cold or snowy weather. All of our basketball teams, including our mini-dunkers, are enjoying the middle portion of their seasons. Congratulations to all students who are actively involved. These activities will continue for a few more weeks before we approach playoffs and closure to their seasons. We have several events and activities planned for February that encourage kindness. This is a critically important attribute in our world that we encourage all students to show regularly. We will wrap up the month with Pink Shirt Day on Wed., Feb. 26. We encourage all students to participate in showing their support of anti-bullying in all aspects of their lives all year long.

We look forward to a great month ahead in February. We hope the weather also brings some kindness and allows our students to be able to get outside and enjoy some fresh air while participating in activities that keep them active. I want to thank all parents for their support and dedication to the education of their children. It is our goal to have school and home work together to provide the best educational experience possible. If you have any questions or concerns at any time, I encourage you to reach out to your child’s teachers.

Upcoming Events:

• Feb. 3-7 SOAR Week

• Feb. 13/14 Teacher’s Convention (No school)

• Feb. 17 Family Day (No school)

• Feb. 24 School Council Meeting

• Feb. 26 Pink Shirt Day

Thank you.

Mr. Anhorn

Principal, Forestburg School

All school and sports fees and permission forms are posted and are now DUE! Please check your accounts to sign forms and pay any outstanding fees!

Payments can be made by cheque at the school or by using the online payment system at: https://www.brsd.ab.ca/families/online-payments-ordering

These are sent out annually by our Administrative Assistants to each family near the start of the school year. In addition, regular reminders are sent to those who have not yet completed them requesting that they kindly complete them. We thank those parents who were diligent and were able to complete them in a timely fashion. Those parents who have not completed them as of Jan. 28, 2025 will find their child’s computer accounts locked until they are completed. Our Administrative Assistants time is valuable and we want to ensure they are able to complete all their tasks as needed, so we would really like to get these cleaned up. If any parents are unsure of what to do or have questions, we ask that they please contact our school office for assistance prior to Jan. 28, 2025.

We greatly appreciate your cooperation in helping us get this important and mandatory task completed. Thank you.

An email was sent out at the end of August indicating that parents could now complete student verification forms for the 2024-2025 school year. If you have not yet completed these forms please do so as soon as possible.

*Every year we are required to provide Alberta Education with a signed and dated Student Verification form for each of our students.* We also use the form to ensure all of the information we have regarding your child(ren) is correct. This year we have moved to an electronic verification form for this process. In an attempt to streamline our process, the FOIP and Technology Use forms have been incorporated into the Verification form.

To access and complete this form you will need to log into the PowerSchool parent portal via your Web browser (Google Chrome for example. You will not be able to complete this process on the App). Click on the SchoolEngage icon on the left. You will be redirected to the SchoolEngage site where you can select your child’s name. Click on the 2024-25 Student Verification Form and then on the blue icon in the first column to review the information. Once you’ve completed your verification, click on the green submit button on the bottom of the page.

Please take a few minutes to log into the PowerSchool Parent Portal to view your child’s most up-to-date grades and comments. Our Real-Time Reporting system allows you to stay connected to your child’s learning progress throughout the year, providing insights into their achievements and areas for growth. By regularly checking PowerSchool, you can support your child’s learning journey and celebrate their progress together. Thank you for partnering with us to foster a positive and collaborative learning experience.

Forestburg School Council and Hot lunch Society would like to thank everyone who participated in our annual wrapping paper fundraiser. We raised just under $1800!! We would also like to send a big shout out to all of the volunteers who came out to help with our annual Christmas Pancake Breakfast. This is always a highlight of our year and wouldn't be able to pull it off without our extra helpers.

The Breakfast Program is happy to announce that breakfast will be served out of the front foyer on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This means more healthier options. Thank you to our amazing volunteers who are helping make this happen again. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Deanna Bartlett at the school.

The International Student Program welcomed 11 students from Japan to École Camrose Composite High School and Forestburg School in January.

These Grade 10 students had the opportunity to go into BRSD elementary classrooms. The international students engaged with local students in four themes organized into stations: teaching origami, playing Jenga, practicing with chopsticks and writing their names in Japanese.

This supports the goals of the International Student Program to develop global competencies and understanding of different cultures within our own BRSD students and to create excitement about new experiences.

Feedback from a teacher:

Thank you for organizing the Japanese students' visit to our school. The students loved the four activities the international students prepared and shared with us. The international students interacted and asked questions to our students to get to know them. It was a great way to share Japanese cultural activities with our Canadian students.

Sarah Bird

Teacher, École Sifton School

Email: forestburgschool@brsd.ab.ca
Website: https://forestburg.brsd.ab.ca/
Location: Forestburg School, 4914 46 Ave, Forestburg, Alberta, Canada
Phone: 780-582-3792